JP2009117994A - Imaging apparatus and display control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of reducing power consumption in a video write mode. <P>SOLUTION: In the imaging apparatus, a control microcomputer 10 determines whether an inversion state that a liquid crystal panel 5 faces an object side is brought about according to inversion information from an open/close-inversion detection circuit 11 in the video write mode (S3). In the inversion state, the control microcomputer 10 controls a power circuit 12 to set the luminance of a backlight 3 to the high-intensity mode (S4). When a photographer rotates the liquid crystal panel 5 for returning it to a forward rotation state, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power circuit 12 to return the luminance of the backlight 3 to a standard luminance mode (S6). When the setting of the video write mode is canceled, the control microcomputer 10 controls an LCD drive circuit 13 to complete the overall white display of the liquid crystal panel 5 for displaying a video signal. Also, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power circuit 12 to return the luminance of the backlight 3 to a luminance mode set by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that images a subject and a display control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in various cameras that are imaging devices, a built-in light, an external light that is an external light provided detachably with respect to a camera body, or the like is generally used as an illumination light source for a subject. In addition, it is known that the liquid crystal panel is used as a video light by making the liquid crystal panel completely white and directing the light toward the subject (see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a video camera as an example of a conventional imaging apparatus. The video camera 110 includes a lens 114 at the front of the camera body 112, a color viewfinder 116 at the rear, and a liquid crystal monitor 118 at the side.

  The liquid crystal monitor 118 is rotatably attached to the camera body 112 by a hinge part 120. In the case of face-to-face shooting, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal monitor 118 and the color viewfinder 116 are turned on simultaneously by directing the liquid crystal monitor 118 toward the subject. Therefore, it is possible to shoot while watching how the person being photographed is photographed.

  The liquid crystal monitor 118 includes a liquid crystal panel 124 attached to the frame 122 and a backlight 126 (see FIG. 7) disposed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 124. Thereby, the liquid crystal panel 124 is a light emitting display.

  In general, when the liquid crystal panel 124 is all white (in which the transmittance is maximum), the amount of light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 124 is maximized, which is the same as when the video light is irradiated. By actively utilizing this phenomenon, this video camera causes the liquid crystal monitor 118 to function as a video light.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of a part mainly related to the control of the liquid crystal monitor 118. This control circuit is provided inside the camera body 112. The control circuit includes an LCD drive circuit 101, a control microcomputer 102, a shooting mode detection circuit 103, a changeover switch 104, a power supply circuit 105, an oscillation circuit 106, an inverter transformer 107, and the like. This circuit configuration is well known and is characterized in that the liquid crystal monitor 118 is switched to all white by the changeover switch 104 and used as a video light.

That is, when the changeover switch 104 is turned on, a signal is input from the shooting mode detection circuit 103 to the LCD drive circuit 101 through the control microcomputer 102, and the liquid crystal panel 124 is set to all white. As a result, the amount of light from the liquid crystal panel 124 is maximized, and the liquid crystal panel 124 irradiates the subject and functions as a video light. Further, in the case of all white, the luminance of the backlight 126 is increased in order to increase the amount of light of the liquid crystal panel 124. When the changeover switch 104 is turned on, a control signal is input from the control microcomputer 102 to the power supply circuit 105, and the voltage of the power supply circuit 105 is increased (up). Thereby, the illumination intensity of the backlight 126 can be raised. Note that the backlight 126 includes various types such as a direct fluorescent tube, a fluorescent tube with a light guide plate, and an LED with a light guide plate, and any of these types can be used.
JP-A-10-126655

  However, in the above conventional imaging device, when the liquid crystal panel is switched to all white (video light), the luminance of the backlight is constantly increased, so that power consumption increases and battery consumption is accelerated.

  In addition, when the photographer switches to a video light with the LCD monitor facing the photographer in a dark place, the LCD panel suddenly switches to an all-white screen with the backlight brightness increased. I could feel it.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reducing power consumption in a video light mode and a display control method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and a display control method thereof that can eliminate the possibility of feeling dazzling even when the video light is switched to the photographer.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, and is provided on the subject side so as to be reversible, and a display for performing image display or all white display of the imaged subject. Means for detecting an inversion state in which the display means is directed to the subject, selection means for selecting a video light mode for using the display means as a video light, and the video light mode. When selected, a display control means for switching the display means to all white display, a brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the display means, and a state other than the inverted state, in which the display means is not directed to the subject side Is detected, the brightness adjusting means is controlled to reduce the brightness of the display means in which the all white display is performed compared to the case of the inversion state. Characterized in that a control means.

  The imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that images a subject, and is provided on the subject side or the photographer side so as to be reversible, and a display unit that performs video display or all-white display of the captured subject, Selection for selecting a state detection means for detecting a normal rotation state in which the display means is directed to the photographer side or a reverse state in which the display means is directed to the subject side, and a video light mode for using the display means as a video light Means, when the video light mode is selected, display control means for switching the display means to all white display, brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the display means, and the display means facing the photographer. When the normal rotation state is detected, the luminance adjustment unit is controlled, and the luminance of the display unit on which the all white display is performed is lower than that in the reverse state. Characterized in that a brightness control means for.

  The imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device that images a subject, and can be opened and closed about an opening / closing axis with respect to a main body of the imaging device, and can be rotated about a rotation axis orthogonal to the opening / closing axis. Display means for displaying an image of the imaged subject or all-white display provided freely, and from an inverted state in which the display means is directed to the subject side, the main body of the imaging apparatus centering on the opening / closing axis A state detecting means for detecting a closed inverted closed state; a selecting means for selecting a video light mode for using the display means as a video light; and when the video light mode is selected, the display means When a display control means for switching to white display, a brightness adjustment means for adjusting the brightness of the display means, and a reverse closed state in which the display means is closed to the main body of the imaging device are detected, To control the brightness adjusting device, wherein the brightness of said display means all white display is being performed, compared with the case of the inverted state, characterized in that a brightness control means for reducing.

  The display control method for an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is a display control method for an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the display means of the image pickup device provided in a reversible manner on the subject side A display step for performing display or all-white display, a state detection unit for the imaging device, a state detection step for detecting an inverted state in which the display unit faces the subject side, and a selection unit for the imaging device, A selection step for selecting a video light mode for using the display means as a video light, and a display control for switching the display means to an all white display when the video light mode is selected by the display control means of the imaging apparatus. A luminance adjusting step in which the luminance adjusting means of the imaging device adjusts the luminance of the display means; When a state other than the inversion state is detected in which the display unit is not directed to the subject side, the luminance adjustment unit is controlled to change the luminance of the display unit in which the all white display is performed to the inversion state. Compared with the case of, it has the brightness | luminance control step to reduce, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The display control method for an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is a display control method for an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the display means of the image pickup device provided in a reversible manner on the subject side or the photographer side is picked up. A display step for displaying an image of the subject or an all-white display, and a state detection unit of the imaging device in a normal rotation state where the display unit faces the photographer side or a reverse state where the display unit faces the subject side. A state detecting step for detecting; a selecting step for selecting a video light mode for using the display unit as a video light by a selecting unit for the imaging device; and a display control unit for the imaging device having the video light mode When selected, the display control step of switching the display means to all white display, and the brightness adjusting means of the imaging device adjusts the brightness of the display means The brightness adjusting step and the brightness control means of the imaging apparatus, when a normal rotation state in which the display means faces the photographer is detected, controls the brightness adjusting means to perform the all white display. And a luminance control step for reducing the luminance of the display means compared to that in the inverted state.

  The display control method for an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is a display control method for an image pickup apparatus that picks up an image of a subject, and is openable and closable around an opening / closing axis with respect to the main body of the imaging apparatus and orthogonal to the opening / closing axis. A display step in which the display unit of the imaging apparatus provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis performs video display or all white display of the imaged subject, and a state detection unit of the imaging apparatus includes the display A state detecting step of detecting a reverse closed state closed by the main body of the imaging apparatus around the opening / closing axis from an inverted state in which the means is directed to the subject side; and a selection means of the imaging apparatus comprises the display means Selecting a video light mode for use as a video light, and when the video light mode is selected by the display control means of the imaging device, the display means A display control step for switching to the display, a luminance adjustment step for adjusting the luminance of the display means by a luminance adjustment means for the imaging device, and a luminance control means for the imaging device, wherein the display means is closed to the main body of the imaging device. A brightness control step of controlling the brightness adjusting means to reduce the brightness of the display means on which the all white display is performed, compared to the case of the inverted state. It is characterized by having.

  According to the imaging device of the first aspect of the present invention, in the video light mode, when the display unit is not directed to the subject side and is in a state other than the inverted state, the consumption of the display unit is reduced by reducing the luminance of the display unit. Electric power can be reduced.

  According to the imaging device of the second aspect, in the video light mode, when the display unit is in the normal rotation state facing the photographer side, the brightness of the display unit is reduced to reduce the power consumption. be able to. Further, in the normal rotation state in which the display unit faces the photographer, the brightness of the display unit is decreased, so that the user can be prevented from feeling dazzled when switching to the video light mode.

  According to the imaging device of the third aspect, when the display unit is in the reverse closed state in the video light mode, the power consumption can be reduced. According to the imaging device of the fourth aspect, the state of the display means can be accurately detected. According to the imaging device of the fifth aspect, it can be applied to a liquid crystal panel generally used as a display device.

  Embodiments of an imaging apparatus and display control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The imaging device of this embodiment is applied to a video camera.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the video camera according to the first embodiment. The video camera has a lens 2 at the front of the camera body 1, a color viewfinder 6 at the rear, and a liquid crystal monitor 4 at the side.

  The liquid crystal monitor 4 is a backlight type liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal panel 5 capable of displaying a reproduced video and a captured video, and a liquid crystal backlight 3 provided at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 5. The liquid crystal monitor 4 is attached to the camera body 1 by a hinge portion 7 and can be opened and closed in the direction of arrow A in the figure and can be rotated in the direction of arrow B in the figure. That is, the liquid crystal monitor 4 (liquid crystal panel 5) can be opened / closed with respect to the camera body 1 around an opening / closing axis provided on the hinge part 7 and a rotation provided on the hinge part 7 orthogonal to the opening / closing axis. It is freely rotatable around a moving axis. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 5 can be reversed to the subject side or the photographer side. The liquid crystal monitor 4 (liquid crystal panel 5) corresponds to display means. In addition, a switch for detecting opening / closing and inversion of the liquid crystal monitor 4 is provided inside the hinge portion 7.

  The liquid crystal monitor 4 is provided with a cross operation key 8. The cross operation key 8 can be operated up, down, left and right, and is used when operating a menu for setting the video camera on the display screen. The operation key 9 is a changeover switch for operating the setting of the video camera to ON / OFF.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of a part mainly related to the control of the liquid crystal monitor 4. This control circuit is provided inside the camera body 1. The control circuit includes an LCD drive circuit 13 that drives the liquid crystal panel 5, a CVF drive circuit 14 that drives the color viewfinder 6, and a control microcomputer 10 that controls the video camera. The control circuit also includes an open / close / inversion detection circuit 11 that detects an open / close / inversion state of the liquid crystal monitor 4 using a switch provided inside the hinge unit 7, and a power supply circuit 12. The control microcomputer 10 is connected with the cross operation key 8 for performing the menu screen operation and the operation key 9 for switching the setting to ON / OFF. Here, the open / close / reverse detection circuit 11 includes a state detection unit that detects a state in which the display unit according to the claims is directed, an open / close detection unit that detects an open / close state, and a rotation detection unit that detects a rotation state. It corresponds to.

  The power supply circuit 12 supplies power to the liquid crystal backlight 3. The control circuit also includes a signal processing circuit 22 that performs necessary signal processing on the captured image data, and an image memory 23 that stores the signal processed image data. The signal processing circuit 22 includes an imaging device, a CDS circuit, an A / D converter and the like (not shown), and is connected to an imaging unit 21 that outputs captured image data.

  The control microcomputer 10 controls the LCD drive circuit 13 and the CVF drive circuit 14 based on the information input from the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11 to switch on / off the liquid crystal panel 5 and the color viewfinder 6 and the display image. Further, the control microcomputer 10 controls the LCD drive circuit 13 in accordance with information input by the cross operation key 8 or the operation key 9 and switches the display on the liquid crystal panel 5 to all white display or video display.

  The power supply circuit 12 is controlled by the control microcomputer 10 to change the current supplied to the liquid crystal backlight 3 and adjust the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3.

  The operation of the imaging apparatus having the above configuration will be described. The video camera obtains a video signal by converting an optical signal of a subject incident through the lens 2 into an electrical signal by an imaging element (CCD) (not shown) in the imaging unit 21. This video signal is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5 and the color viewfinder 6 when various signal processing is performed by the signal processing circuit 22. On the other hand, when the photographer presses the recording button, a video signal and an audio signal are recorded on a recording medium loaded in the camera body 1.

  Further, as described above, the camera body 1 is provided with the liquid crystal panel 5 and the color viewfinder 6 for displaying the image being photographed and the reproduced image. The liquid crystal monitor 4 can be opened and closed in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  In the forward rotation state where the liquid crystal panel 5 faces the photographer side, the liquid crystal panel 5 is turned on and the color viewfinder 6 is turned off. Therefore, the photographer shoots while viewing the image on the liquid crystal panel 5.

  On the other hand, in the storage state in which the liquid crystal panel 5 is stored facing the camera body 1, the liquid crystal panel 5 is turned off and the color viewfinder 6 is turned on. Therefore, the photographer takes an image while looking through the color viewfinder 6.

  When the liquid crystal panel 5 faces the subject, that is, in the facing state in which the liquid crystal panel 5 faces in the same direction as the lens 2, both the liquid crystal panel 5 and the color viewfinder 6 are lit. In a state where the liquid crystal panel 5 is not used as a video light, an image based on the video signal is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5 in both the forward rotation state and the facing state.

  In addition, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight 3 of the liquid crystal panel 5 can be set in two types: a normal brightness mode and a high brightness mode in which the brightness is higher than the normal brightness. The high luminance mode is mainly used for improving visibility in the outdoors. The user can select and set either the normal luminance mode or the high luminance mode by a menu operation.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the video light mode in which the liquid crystal panel 5 is used as a video light. This operation program is stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control microcomputer 10 and is executed by the CPU in the control microcomputer 10.

  First, it is assumed that the photographer turns on the power of the camera body 1 and performs photographing in the photographing mode in the normal rotation state with the liquid crystal panel 5 facing the photographer. In the case of this shooting mode, an image based on a video signal incident from the lens 2 and photoelectrically converted is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5. In this state, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight 3 is in the brightness mode set by the user (the brightness mode set by the user).

  In this display state, the control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the video light mode is set by operating the cross operation key 8 on the menu screen by the photographer (step S1). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a video light mode setting screen. The image of the menu screen is superimposed on the video by OSD display (on-screen display display) and displayed. The video light mode setting screen is developed from the menu screen. When setting the video light mode, the photographer operates the cross operation key 8 to the right on the video light mode setting screen to move the cursor 81 and select “ON”. Here, when the video light mode is not set, the control microcomputer 10 ends this processing as it is.

  On the other hand, when the video light mode is set, the control microcomputer 10 controls the LCD drive circuit 13 by the video light mode ON signal from the cross operation key 8 and switches the liquid crystal panel 5 to the all white display (step S2). . At this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 to forcibly set the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the standard luminance mode regardless of the user setting. Here, the power supply circuit 12 corresponds to the brightness adjusting means described in the claims. Further, at this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the CVF drive circuit 14 to forcibly turn on the color viewfinder 6. As described above, the control microcomputer 10 forcibly turns on the color viewfinder 6 in the video light mode regardless of the detection result of the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11. The lit color viewfinder 6 displays the video light mode setting screen shown in FIG.

  The user uses the liquid crystal panel 5 as a video light for illuminating the subject by rotating the liquid crystal monitor 4 as shown by an arrow B (see FIG. 1) and directing it toward the subject, that is, in the same direction as the lens 2. be able to. The control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the liquid crystal panel 5 is in an inversion state facing the subject side based on the inversion information from the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11 (step S3). If not reversed, the control microcomputer 10 proceeds to the process of step S6. On the other hand, in the inversion state, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 according to the inversion information from the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11, and sets the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the high luminance mode (step S4). ). Here, the process of step S4 performed by the control microcomputer 10 corresponds to the luminance control means described in the claims. At this time, the control microcomputer 10 erases the menu screen display (video light mode setting screen display) of the color viewfinder 6. Thus, by erasing the menu screen display, the video displayed on the color viewfinder 6 can be easily viewed.

  Then, the control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the liquid crystal panel 5 has returned to the normal rotation state based on the normal rotation information from the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11 (step S5). If it remains in the inverted state, the control microcomputer 10 repeats the process of step S5. On the other hand, when the photographer rotates the liquid crystal panel 5 to return to the normal rotation state, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 to return the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the standard luminance mode (step S6). At this time, the control microcomputer 10 causes the color viewfinder 6 to display a video light mode setting screen (see FIG. 4). Further, even when the inversion state is not obtained in step S3, the display of the luminance in the standard luminance mode of the liquid crystal backlight 3 and the video light mode setting screen is continued in step S6.

  Then, the control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the video light mode setting has been canceled by operating the cross operation key 8 (step S7). Here, when canceling the video light mode, the photographer operates the cross operation key 8 to the left on the video light mode setting screen to move the cursor 81 and select “OFF”. When the setting of the video light mode is not canceled, that is, when “ON” is still selected, the control microcomputer 10 returns to step S2 and performs the same processing. On the other hand, when the setting of the video light mode is cancelled, that is, when the photographer operates the cross operation key 8 to the left and selects “OFF”, the control microcomputer 10 performs the canceling operation of the video light mode (step) S8). That is, the control microcomputer 10 controls the LCD drive circuit 13 by the video light mode OFF signal from the cross operation key 8 to end the all white display on the liquid crystal panel 5 and display the video signal. At this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 to return the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the luminance mode set by the user. Further, at this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the CVF drive circuit 14 to turn off the color viewfinder 6. As a result, the video camera returns to the normal state during normal shooting. Thereafter, the control microcomputer 10 ends this process.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment, in the video light mode, when the liquid crystal panel is facing the photographer, the power consumption can be reduced. Further, when the liquid crystal panel is facing the photographer, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight is reduced, so that the user can be prevented from feeling dazzled when switching to the video light mode.

  In this embodiment, in the video light mode, when the liquid crystal panel is facing the photographer, the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight is set to the standard luminance mode, but any luminance lower than the luminance in the high luminance mode is set. The same effect can be obtained.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the appearance and configuration of the video camera of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description of the same components is omitted by using the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the video light mode in the second embodiment. This operation program is stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control microcomputer 10 and is executed by the CPU in the control microcomputer 10. The same step number is assigned to the same step process as in the first embodiment.

  First, it is assumed that the photographer turns on the power of the camera body 1 and performs photographing in the photographing mode in the normal rotation state with the liquid crystal panel 5 facing the photographer. In the case of this photographing mode, a video signal incident from the lens 2 and subjected to photoelectric conversion is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5. Here, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight 3 is a brightness mode set by the user (a brightness mode set by the user).

  In this display state, the control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the video light mode is set by operating the cross operation key 8 on the menu screen by the photographer (step S1). The image of the menu screen (see FIG. 4) is superimposed on the video by OSD display (on-screen display display) and displayed. The video light mode setting screen is developed from the menu screen. When setting the video light mode, the photographer operates the cross operation key 8 to the right on the video light mode setting screen to move the cursor 81 and select “ON”. Here, when the video light mode is not set, the control microcomputer 10 ends this processing as it is.

  On the other hand, when the video light mode is set, the control microcomputer 10 controls the LCD drive circuit 13 by the video light mode ON signal from the cross operation key 8 and switches the liquid crystal panel 5 to the all white display (step S2). . The control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 to forcibly set the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the standard luminance mode regardless of the user setting. Further, at this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the CVF drive circuit 14 to forcibly turn on the color viewfinder 6. As described above, the control microcomputer 10 forcibly turns on the color viewfinder 6 in the video light mode regardless of the detection result of the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11. The lit color viewfinder 6 displays the video light mode setting screen shown in FIG.

  The user uses the liquid crystal panel 5 as a video light for illuminating the subject by rotating the liquid crystal monitor 4 as shown by an arrow B (see FIG. 1) and directing it toward the subject, that is, in the same direction as the lens 2. be able to. The control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the liquid crystal panel 5 is in an inversion state facing the subject side based on the inversion information from the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11 (step S3). If not reversed, the control microcomputer 10 proceeds to the process of step S6. On the other hand, in the inversion state, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 according to the inversion information from the open / close / inversion detection circuit 11, and sets the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the high luminance mode (step S4). ). At this time, the control microcomputer 10 erases the menu screen display (video light mode setting screen display) of the color viewfinder 6. Thus, by erasing the menu screen display, the video displayed on the color viewfinder 6 can be easily viewed.

  Here, the user can close the liquid crystal monitor 4 in the inverted state to the inverted camera closed state by closing the camera body 1 as indicated by an arrow A (see FIG. 1). Then, the control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the liquid crystal panel 5 is in the reverse closed state based on the reverse and close information from the open / close / reverse detection circuit 11 (step S5A).

  If it is not in the reverse closed state, the control microcomputer 10 returns to the process of step S3. On the other hand, when the photographer closes the liquid crystal panel 5 and puts it in the reverse closed state, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 to return the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the standard luminance mode (step S6). At this time, the control microcomputer 10 causes the color viewfinder 6 to display a video light mode setting screen (see FIG. 4). Further, even when the inversion state is not obtained in step S3, the display of the luminance in the standard luminance mode of the liquid crystal backlight 3 and the video light mode setting screen is continued in step S6.

  Then, the control microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the video light mode setting has been canceled by operating the cross operation key 8 (step S7). Here, when canceling the video light mode, the photographer operates the cross operation key 8 to the left on the video light mode setting screen to move the cursor 81 and select “OFF”. When the setting of the video light mode is not canceled, that is, when “ON” is still selected, the control microcomputer 10 returns to step S2 and performs the same processing. On the other hand, when the setting of the video light mode is cancelled, that is, when the photographer operates the cross operation key 8 to the left and selects “OFF”, the control microcomputer 10 performs the canceling operation of the video light mode (step) S8). That is, the control microcomputer 10 controls the LCD drive circuit 13 by the video light mode OFF signal from the cross operation key 8 to end the all white display on the liquid crystal panel 5 and display the video signal. At this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the power supply circuit 12 to return the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight 3 to the luminance mode set by the user. Further, at this time, the control microcomputer 10 controls the CVF drive circuit 14 to turn off the color viewfinder 6. As a result, the video camera returns to the normal state during normal shooting. Thereafter, the control microcomputer 10 ends this process.

  Thus, according to the imaging device of the second embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel is in the inverted closed state in the video light mode, the power consumption can be reduced. In this embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel is in the inverted closed state in the video light mode, the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight is set to the standard luminance mode, but is set to an arbitrary luminance lower than the luminance in the high luminance mode. The same effect can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel returns to the normal rotation state or when the liquid crystal panel is in the reverse closed state, the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight is set to the standard luminance mode. However, the present invention is not limited to these states. Good. That is, when the liquid crystal panel is not facing the subject side and is in any state other than the inverted state, the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight may be set to the standard luminance mode.

  In each of the above embodiments, a backlight type LCD panel is used as the display device, but a self-luminous display device such as an organic EL display may be used. In addition, a surface electric field display (SED), a plasma display, or the like may be used.

  In the imaging apparatus of the above embodiment, the liquid crystal panel is provided so as to be openable and closable and rotatable with respect to the side surface of the camera body. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example, an imaging apparatus having a structure in which a liquid crystal panel is detachably attached to the front and back of the camera body may be used. In this case, the liquid crystal panel can be used as a video light by attaching it to the front surface of the camera body.

  Moreover, although the case where it applied to the video camera as an imaging device was shown in the said embodiment, of course, you may apply to a digital still camera.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the video camera in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of a part mainly related to control of a liquid crystal monitor 4. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure at the time of the video light mode which uses the liquid crystal panel 5 as a video light. It is a figure which shows an example of a video light mode setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure at the time of the video light mode in 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a video camera as an example of the conventional imaging device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control circuit of the part which mainly concerns on control of the liquid crystal monitor 118. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera body 3 Liquid crystal backlight 4 Liquid crystal monitor 5 Liquid crystal panel 6 Color view finder (CVF)
8 Cross operation key 9 Operation key 10 Control microcomputer 11 Open / close / reverse detection circuit

Claims (8)

An imaging device for imaging a subject,
Display means provided on the subject side so as to be reversible, and performing video display or all white display of the imaged subject;
State detecting means for detecting a reverse state in which the display means faces the subject side;
Selecting means for selecting a video light mode for using the display means as a video light;
Display control means for switching the display means to all white display when the video light mode is selected;
Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the display means;
When a state other than the inverted state is detected in which the display unit is not directed to the subject side, the luminance adjusting unit is controlled to change the luminance of the display unit in which the all white display is performed. An imaging apparatus comprising a luminance control means for reducing the brightness as compared with the state. An imaging device for imaging a subject,
Display means provided on the subject side or photographer side so as to be reversible, and performing video display or all-white display of the captured subject;
State detecting means for detecting a normal rotation state in which the display unit is directed toward the photographer side or a reverse state in which the display unit is directed toward the subject side; and
Selecting means for selecting a video light mode for using the display means as a video light;
Display control means for switching the display means to all white display when the video light mode is selected;
Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the display means;
When a normal rotation state in which the display unit is facing the photographer is detected, the luminance adjustment unit is controlled, and the luminance of the display unit in which the all white display is performed is set to the reverse state. An image pickup apparatus comprising a luminance control means for reducing the brightness as compared with the above. An imaging device for imaging a subject,
The main body of the image pickup apparatus is provided so as to be openable and closable around an opening / closing axis and to be rotatable around a rotation axis orthogonal to the opening / closing axis, and to display an image of the imaged subject or an all white display Display means for performing
A state detecting means for detecting a reverse closed state closed by the main body of the imaging device around the open / close axis from the reverse state in which the display means faces the subject;
Selecting means for selecting a video light mode for using the display means as a video light;
Display control means for switching the display means to all white display when the video light mode is selected;
Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the display means;
When a reverse closed state in which the display unit is closed to the main body of the imaging device is detected, the luminance adjustment unit is controlled to change the luminance of the display unit in which the all white display is performed in the reverse state. An image pickup apparatus comprising a luminance control means for reducing the brightness as compared with the case.   The state detection means is centered on an opening / closing detection means for detecting an opening / closing state of the display means that is openable / closable with respect to the main body of the imaging apparatus, and a rotation axis orthogonal to the opening / closing axis. And a rotation detection means for detecting the rotation state of the display means that is freely rotatable, and detecting the state of the display means based on the detection results of the opening / closing detection means and the rotation detection means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The display means is a liquid crystal panel having a backlight,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the brightness adjusting unit adjusts the brightness of the backlight. A display control method for an imaging apparatus that images a subject,
A display step in which the display means of the imaging apparatus provided in a reversible manner on the subject side performs video display or all white display of the captured subject;
A state detection step in which the state detection means of the imaging device detects a reverse state in which the display means faces the subject;
A selection step in which the selection unit of the imaging apparatus selects a video light mode for using the display unit as a video light;
When the display control means of the imaging device selects the video light mode, a display control step of switching the display means to all white display;
A brightness adjusting step in which the brightness adjusting means of the imaging device adjusts the brightness of the display means;
When the brightness control unit of the imaging apparatus detects a state other than the inverted state where the display unit is not directed to the subject side, the brightness control unit is controlled to perform the all-white display. A display control method comprising: a luminance control step of reducing the luminance of the display means as compared with the case of the inversion state. A display control method for an imaging apparatus that images a subject,
A display step in which display means of the imaging device provided in a reversible manner on the subject side or the photographer side performs video display or all white display of the captured subject;
A state detection step in which the state detection unit of the imaging apparatus detects a normal rotation state in which the display unit faces the photographer side or a reverse state in which the display unit faces the subject side;
A selection step in which the selection unit of the imaging apparatus selects a video light mode for using the display unit as a video light;
When the display control means of the imaging device selects the video light mode, a display control step of switching the display means to all white display;
A brightness adjusting step in which the brightness adjusting means of the imaging device adjusts the brightness of the display means;
The display unit in which the brightness control unit of the imaging apparatus controls the brightness adjusting unit when the normal rotation state in which the display unit faces the photographer is detected, and the all white display is performed. A display control method comprising: a brightness control step for reducing the brightness of the display in comparison with that in the inverted state. A display control method for an imaging apparatus that images a subject,
The display means of the imaging apparatus provided to the main body of the imaging apparatus so as to be openable and closable around an opening / closing axis and to be rotatable around a rotation axis orthogonal to the opening / closing axis. A display step for displaying an image of the subject or displaying all white;
A state detection step in which the state detection means of the imaging device detects a reverse closed state closed by the main body of the imaging device around the opening / closing axis from a reverse state where the display means faces the subject side;
A selection step in which the selection unit of the imaging apparatus selects a video light mode for using the display unit as a video light;
When the display control means of the imaging device selects the video light mode, a display control step of switching the display means to all white display;
A brightness adjusting step in which the brightness adjusting means of the imaging device adjusts the brightness of the display means;
The brightness control means of the imaging device controls the brightness adjusting means when the display device is detected to be in a closed closed state where the display means is closed to the main body of the imaging device, and the display in which the all white display is performed A display control method comprising: a luminance control step for reducing the luminance of the means as compared with the case of the inversion state.

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