JP2009223049A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus configured so that a user can sensuously perform a zooming operation. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: a power switch; a plurality of zoom switches capable of allocating an operation of driving a photographing lens between a telephoto end and a wide-angle end; and a control means that controls the driving direction of the photographing lens in accordance with the operation of the zoom switch. The control means moves the photographing lens toward the wide-angle end after the start-up of the imaging apparatus and allocates the operation of driving the photographing lens toward the telephoto end to one of the plurality zoom switches, that is operated first after the photographing lens is moved toward the wide-angle end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that allows a user to perform a zoom operation sensuously.

  In an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera having a zoom function in a photographing lens, a user operates a switch provided on one surface of the housing in order to obtain a zoom image of a desired subject by driving the photographing lens (hereinafter referred to as a “photographing lens”). The operation for instructing the operation of driving the photographing lens in a predetermined direction is referred to as “zoom operation”). A switch used for this zoom operation (hereinafter referred to as “zoom switch”) includes a switch for instructing driving of the photographing lens to the telephoto end side (hereinafter referred to as “Tele side”), and a wide angle end side (hereinafter referred to as “Tele side”). A switch for instructing driving to “Wide side” is provided individually. Two types of zoom switches are known.

  One is a pair of switches that are arranged close to each other on the back side of the camera housing. The zoom operation to the Tele side is assigned to one switch, and the Wide side is assigned to the other switches. Zoom operation to is assigned. In another form, a zoom switch is configured by one rotary switch. In this rotary switch type zoom switch, a zoom operation to the Tele side is assigned to one rotation direction of the rotation switch arranged on the upper surface of the camera casing, and a zoom operation to the Wide side is assigned to the other rotation direction. It has been. In any of the above zoom switches, “tele side drive zoom operation” or “wide side drive zoom operation” is assigned in advance to one switch (1 rotation direction) and another switch (other rotation). (Direction) needs to assign a zoom operation in the opposite direction to the above, and the user cannot change this assignment.

  In general, in order to make it easier for the user to recognize the zoom operation on each zoom switch, a conventional camera uses “tele side”, “wide side”, etc. in the vicinity of the zoom switch or using characters or icons on the zoom switch. The display is easy to distinguish. Such a display helps the user to use the zoom operation without making an error until the user has mastered the zoom operation. Therefore, in order to prevent erroneous operation of the zoom switch during photographing, it is a reliable method to use while visually checking the switch display. However, when shooting a subject, the user often stares at the viewfinder or LCD (liquid crystal display), and in such a state, the zoom switch display cannot be seen.

In order to solve the above problems, zoom switches to which different zoom operations are assigned are arranged on the front and back surfaces of the camera casing so that the user can perform appropriate zoom operations without taking his eyes off the viewfinder. A camera is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, in a camera that can automatically drive the zoom lens according to the distance to the subject, priority is given to manual zoom and the start switch such as the power switch is operated so that manual zoom and auto zoom do not conflict. Until now, a camera including a zoom switch that is easy for a user to operate by stopping the automatic zoom process is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002 &#8722; 072325 Japanese Patent No. 3082004

  In the camera described in Patent Document 1, zoom switches to which different zoom operations are assigned are arranged separately on the front and rear of the camera casing, so that the positions of the respective zoom switches and the driving directions of the photographing lenses corresponding thereto are remembered. Then, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations to some extent. However, in order to perform an accurate operation instantly, it is necessary to be proficient.For example, even if you are familiar with the operation, you may press the zoom switch that zooms in a different direction from the intended direction, and you will need to repeat the operation. Become. In addition, the camera described in Patent Document 2 can prohibit the operation of the assigned zoom switch under certain conditions, which is convenient for the user. However, it is necessary to master the operations assigned to the zoom switch in advance.

  Thus, it is inconvenient that an accurate zoom operation cannot be performed instantaneously until the zoom operation assigned to each zoom switch is mastered. Until the operation of the zoom switch is surely remembered, the display of each zoom switch must be visually recognized, and during that time, the eyes are taken away from the viewfinder and the LCD, so that a perfect shutter chance may be missed. In addition, if you accidentally press the zoom switch in a direction different from the intended direction, it is necessary to repeat the operation, which not only misses the photo opportunity, but also takes time to complete the operation, causing unnecessary power consumption. Become.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and relates to an imaging apparatus that allows a user to perform a zoom operation sensuously without visually recognizing the display of a zoom switch or the like.

  The present invention controls a power switch, a plurality of zoom switches to which an operation for driving the photographing lens between the telephoto end and the wide-angle end can be assigned, and the driving direction of the photographing lens in accordance with the operation of the zoom switch. An image pickup apparatus having a control means, wherein the control means moves the photographing lens to the wide-angle end after the operation of the image pickup apparatus is started, and then one zoom switch among the plurality of zoom switches operated first after that. The most important feature is that an operation for driving the photographing lens to the telephoto end side is assigned.

  The present invention also has a structure in which the zoom switch has four switches that can be operated in the vertical and horizontal directions, each switch can be assigned a different operation, and two or more switches cannot be operated at the same time. The selection means has the selection switch as two zoom switches and assigns an operation to each of the selection switches.

  According to the present invention, since the user can assign a zoom operation to any switch of the image pickup apparatus, an image pickup apparatus with good operability and capable of performing an accurate operation instantaneously can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a rear view of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a release button (switch) SW1 and a mode dial SW2 are disposed on the upper surface of the camera body CB of the imaging apparatus 1. On the back of the camera body CB, there are an optical finder 4, an AF LED ("LED" is a light emitting diode) 8, a strobe LED 9, an LCD monitor 10, a zoom switch SW3, a zoom switch SW4, a self-timer setting and release switch SW5. , A menu switch SW6, an upward movement and strobe set switch SW7, a rightward movement switch SW8, a display switch SW9, a downward movement and macro switch SW10, a leftward movement and image confirmation switch SW11, an OK switch SW12, and a power supply SW13.

  Next, functional blocks of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Various operations (processes) below are controlled by a digital still camera processor 104 (hereinafter simply referred to as “processor 104”) configured as a digital signal processing IC (integrated circuit) or the like. The processor 104 includes a first CCD (charge coupled device) signal processing block 104-1, a second CCD signal processing block 104-2, a CPU (central processing unit) block 104-3, a local SRAM (SRAM: static random access). Memory) 104-4, USB (universal serial bus) block 104-5, serial block 104-6, JPEG codec (CODEC) block 104-7, resize (RESIZE) block 104-8, TV signal display block 104-9 and A memory card controller block 104-10 is provided, and these blocks are connected to each other via a bus line.

  Outside the processor 104, an SDRAM (synchronous random access memory) 103 for storing RAW-RGB image data, YUV image data, and JPEG image data, a RAM 107, a built-in memory 120, and a ROM 108 storing a control program are arranged. And is connected to the processor 104 via a bus line.

  The lens barrel unit 7 includes a zoom optical system 7-1 having a zoom lens 7-1a, a focus optical system 7-2 having a focus lens 7-2a, an aperture unit 7-3 having an aperture 7-3a, and a mechanical shutter 7-. A mechanical shutter unit 7-4 having 4a. The zoom optical system 7-1, the focus optical system 7-2, the aperture unit 7-3 and the mechanical shutter unit 7-4 are respectively a ZOOM motor 7-1b, a FOCUS motor 7-2b as a focus lens moving means, and an aperture motor 7-. 3b and mechanical shutter motor 7-4b. These ZOOM motor 7-1b, FOCUS motor 7-2b, aperture motor 7-3b, and mechanical shutter motor 7-4b are operated by a motor driver 7-5 controlled by the CPU block 104-3 of the processor 104. Be controlled.

  The zoom lens 7-1a and the focus lens 7-2a of the lens barrel unit 7 constitute an imaging lens for forming a subject optical image on the imaging surface of the CCD 101, which is an imaging element, and the CCD 101 includes the subject optical image. Is converted into an electrical image signal and input to an F / E-IC (front end IC) 102. The F / E-IC 102 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling unit) 102-1, an AGC (automatic gain control unit) 102-2, and an A / D (analog-digital) conversion unit 102-3. Each is subjected to predetermined processing, converted into a digital signal, and input to the first CCD signal processing block 104-1 of the processor 104. These signal processing operations are controlled by a VD / HD (vertical drive / horizontal drive) signal output from the first CCD signal processing block 104-1 of the processor 104 via a TG (timing generator) 102-4. The The first CCD signal processing block 104-1 performs signal processing such as white balance adjustment and γ adjustment on the digital image data input from the CCD solid-state imaging device 101 via the F / E-IC 102. VD signal and HD signal are output.

  The USB block 104-5 is coupled to the USB connector 122, and the serial block 104-6 is coupled to the RS-232C connector via the serial driver circuit 123-1. The video signal display block 104-9 is coupled to the LCD monitor 10 via an LCD driver 117, and the TV signal display block 104-9 is also coupled to a video jack 119 via a video amplifier 118. . The memory card controller block 104-10 is coupled to the card contact of the memory card slot 121, and when the memory card is loaded into the memory card slot 121, the memory card controller block 104-10 comes into contact with and electrically connects to the memory card contact.

  The CPU block 104-3 of the processor 104 controls the sound recording operation by the sound recording circuit 115-1. The voice recording circuit 115-1 records the voice signal converted by the microphone 115-3 and amplified by the microphone amplifier 115-2 in accordance with a command from the CPU block 104-3. The CPU block 104-3 also controls the operation of the audio reproduction circuit 116-1. The audio reproduction circuit 116-1 amplifies an audio signal recorded in an appropriate memory by an audio amplifier 116-2 and inputs the audio signal to the speaker 116-3 in response to an instruction from the CPU block 104-3. Play audio. Further, the CPU block 104-3 controls the strobe circuit 114 to operate, thereby causing the strobe light emitting unit 3 to emit illumination light. The CPU block 104-3 also controls the operation of a distance measuring unit (not shown) that measures the subject distance.

  Further, the CPU block 104-3 is also coupled to a sub CPU 109 disposed outside the processor 104, and the sub CPU 109 controls display by the sub LCD 1 via the LCD driver 111. The sub CPU 109 is also coupled to the AF LED 8, the strobe LED 9, the remote control light receiving unit 6, the operation key unit (SW1 to SW3) including the switches SW1 to SW13, and the buzzer 113, respectively.

  The various switches shown in FIG. 1 are included in this operation key unit. When a predetermined operation (such as pressing) is performed, an operation instruction assigned to each switch is sent to the CPU via the SUB-CPU 109. The block 104-3 converts the operation instruction into a predetermined operation instruction of the image pickup apparatus, and performs predetermined processing on each unit (block). For example, when a tele zoom operation is assigned to the operation SW3, when the SW3 is pressed, the CPU 104-3 notifies the motor driver 705 of a predetermined drive instruction, and the FOCUS motor 7-2b is driven in a predetermined direction. As a result, the FOCUS optical system 7-2 moves to perform the focusing process on the subject image.

  Next, the basic operation of the imaging apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 3, the steps of each process are denoted as S30, S31,. When a predetermined operation is performed on the power source SW13 to turn on the power source (S30), the state of the mode dial SW2 is first determined (S31). The imaging apparatus 1 has two operation modes, and the operation mode can be switched by operating the SW2. When SW2 selects the photographing mode, a monitoring process for displaying the subject image captured by the photographing lens on the LCD monitor 10 is performed (S32). If SW2 is operated and the mode change process is not performed (N in S33), the operation is continued in the shooting mode (S36). When SW2 is operated and mode change processing is performed (Y in S33), or when SW2 indicates the playback mode at the time of operation mode determination (S31) (S31), the built-in memory (120) or the memory card A reproduction display process for displaying the photographed image data recorded in the memory card mounted on the throttle (121) on the LCD monitor 10 is performed (S32). If the SW2 is operated and the mode change process is not performed during the reproduction display process (N in S35), the operation of the reproduction mode is continued, and the SW2 is operated and the mode change process is performed. The operation is switched to the shooting mode (Y in S35, S36).

  Next, various types of zoom switches applicable to the imaging apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The image pickup apparatus 1 already includes the zoom switch SW3 and the zoom switch SW4. However, the zoom switch applicable to the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 1, but as shown in FIG. Two switches divided in the vertical direction or a rotary switch as shown in FIG. In the following first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the switch facing left (upward) is “zoom switch 1”, and the switch facing right (downward) is “zoom switch 2”. write.

  Next, the flow of zoom operation assignment processing performed in the imaging apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 5, each processing step is expressed as S50, S51. First, the power switch 13 is operated in a predetermined direction to turn on the power of the imaging apparatus and start the operation (S50). After starting the operation, the operations assigned to the switch 1 and the switch 2 are deleted (S51). Next, the photographic lens is moved to the wide side end (S52). After the movement of the taking lens is completed, it is determined which zoom switch is the first pressed zoom switch (S53). When the zoom switch 1 is pressed for the first time (press 1 in S53), the zoom operation in the Tele direction is assigned to the zoom switch 1 (S54), and the zoom operation in the Wide direction is assigned to the zoom switch 2 (S55).

  When the zoom switch 2 is first pressed (press S53-2), a zoom operation in the Tele side direction is assigned to the zoom switch 2 (S56), and a zoom operation in the Wide side direction is assigned to the zoom switch 1 (S57).

  As described above, the imaging apparatus according to the present application first deletes (resets) the zoom operation assigned in advance to each zoom switch after the power is turned on, and moves the photographing lens to the wide side end. Even if either the zoom switch 1 or the zoom switch 2 is pressed, it can be understood that the user intends to drive in the Tele direction. Therefore, by assigning the zoom operation in the Tele direction to the zoom switch that is first pressed and assigning the zoom operation in the Wide direction to the other zoom switches, the user can instantaneously determine which switch to press. Without hesitation, it becomes possible to perform an easy-to-use zoom operation that suits your senses.

  Next, another embodiment of the zoom operation assignment processing according to the imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a zoom switch that can be used in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A, the selection switch 201 applicable to the zoom switch has a cross-shaped outer shape and has convex portions in the vertical and horizontal directions. It corresponds to SW7, SW8, SW10, SW11 clockwise from the upper convex portion toward the drawing. In the following description, each convex part is defined as “upper part”, “right part”, “lower part”, and “left part” in the clockwise direction. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ of FIG. In FIG. 6B, the position of the selection switch 201 is regulated by the pushing coil 206 being urged away from the wiring board 204, and the flange portion of the outer edge contacting the exterior portion 207.

  When one convex portion of the selection switch 201 is pressed, the switch 203 facing the contact portion 202 located on the convex portion is pressed. Corresponding to the convex part to be pressed, only one switch contact part 202 pushes the switch 203, and the push restricting member 205 is provided at the central part of the selection switch 201 so as not to push a plurality of switches 203 at the same time. It is in contact. When none of the convex portions of the selection switch 201 is pressed, the selection switch 201 and the push-in restricting member 205 do not need to be in contact with each other, and there may be a space. In FIG. 6B, the switch 203-1 corresponds to the left part, and the switch 203-2 corresponds to the right part.

  A flow of processing for assigning a zoom operation to the selection switch 201 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 7, each processing step is expressed as S70, S71. First, the power switch 13 is operated in a predetermined direction to turn on the power of the imaging apparatus and start the operation (S70). After starting the operation, all the operations assigned to the selection switch 201 are deleted (S71), and the photographing lens is moved to the wide side end (S72). After the movement of the photographic lens is completed, it is determined whether any convex portion of the selection switch 201 is pressed (S73). If the first pressed convex portion is “upper” or “lower”, it is determined which one is pressed (S74), and when the upper portion is pressed first, tele zoom operation is assigned to the upper portion. (S75), a zoom operation in the Wide direction is assigned to the lower part (S76). When the lower part is pressed for the first time, the Tele direction zoom operation is assigned to the lower part (S77), and the Wide direction zoom operation is assigned to the upper part (S78).

  Operations other than the zoom operation such as the strobe operation, the macro operation, and the image confirmation operation are assigned to the left part and the right part (S79).

  If the convex portion pressed first is “left” or “right” (S73), it is determined which one is pressed (S80), and when the left portion is pressed first, tele-direction zooming is performed. The operation is assigned to the left part (S81), and the zoom operation in the Wide direction is assigned to the right part (S82). When the right part is first pressed, the zoom operation in the Tele direction is assigned to the right part (S83), and the zoom operation in the Wide direction is assigned to the left part (S84).

  Operations other than the zoom operation such as the strobe operation, the macro operation, and the image confirmation operation are assigned to the upper and lower portions (S85).

  According to the second embodiment, the telescopic zoom operation is assigned to the convex portion of the selection switch 201 that is first pressed by the user, and the zoom operation in the wide direction is assigned to the convex portion at a position opposite thereto. it can. Further, other operations can be assigned to the remaining convex portions to which the zoom operation is not assigned, and an operation assignment to the easy-to-use selection switch 201 can be performed according to the user's preference. Further, the selection switch 201 can be used in place of SW7, SW8, SW10, SW11 (all shown in FIG. 1), so that SW3 and SW4 (both shown in FIG. 1) can be omitted.

  Next, another embodiment using the selection switch 201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 8, each processing step is expressed as S91, S92,. First, the power switch 13 is operated in a predetermined direction to turn on the power of the imaging apparatus and start the operation (S90). After starting the operation, all the operations assigned to the selection switch 201 are deleted (S91), and the photographing lens is moved to the wide side end (S92). After the movement of the photographic lens is completed, it is determined whether any convex portion of the selection switch 201 is pressed. If any convex portion is pressed (Y in S93), which convex portion is pressed. And the zoom operation in the Tele direction is assigned to the convex portion (referred to as the first pressing portion) (S94).

  After the above step S94, it is determined whether any one of the convex portions of the selection switch 201 is pressed, and the process is waited until it is pressed (N in S95). If any convex portion is pressed (Y in S95), it is determined which convex portion is pressed, and it is determined whether the convex portion (referred to as the second pressed portion) is the same as the first pressed portion. (S96). If the brother 2 pressing part is the same convex part as the first pressing part, the process waits until another convex part is pressed (Y in S96), and the second pressing part and the first pressing part are different convex parts. If there is (N in S96), a zoom operation in the Wide direction is assigned to the second pressing part (S97), and zooming such as a strobe operation, a macro operation, and an image checking operation is performed on other convex parts to which no zoom operation is assigned. An operation other than the operation is assigned (S98).

  According to the third embodiment, a user can assign a zoom operation to an arbitrary convex portion of the selection switch 201, and can automatically assign another operation to a convex portion to which no zoom operation is assigned. Therefore, easy-to-use operation assignment that suits the user's preferences can be arbitrarily performed. Similarly to the second embodiment, the selection switch 201 can be used in place of SW7, SW8, SW10, and SW11, so that SW3 and SW4 can be omitted.

  The present invention can also be applied to an imaging apparatus that can be mounted on a camera-equipped mobile device.

It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of the said imaging device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of basic operation | movement in the said imaging device. It is a front view which shows the various examples of the zoom switch which can be used for the said imaging device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the zoom operation allocation change process to the zoom switch performed using the said imaging device. (A) which shows another example of the zoom switch which can use the said imaging device is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the zoom operation allocation change process to the zoom switch performed using the said imaging device. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the zoom operation allocation change process to the zoom switch performed using the said imaging device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up device 201 Selection switch 202 Switch contact part 203 Switch 204 Wiring board 205 Pushing-in restriction member 206 Push-up coil 207 Exterior part

Claims (8)

A power switch, a plurality of zoom switches capable of assigning an operation for driving the photographic lens between the telephoto end and the wide-angle end, and control means for controlling the driving direction of the photographic lens in accordance with the operation of the zoom switch. An imaging device comprising:
The control means moves the photographing lens to the wide-angle end after the operation of the imaging apparatus starts, and then moves the photographing lens to the telephoto end side with respect to one zoom switch among the plurality of zoom switches operated first. An imaging device that assigns an operation to be driven.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means assigns an operation for driving the photographing lens to the wide-angle end side to a zoom switch other than the zoom switch to which the driving operation to the telephoto end side is assigned.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes an operation of the zoom switch that has already been assigned after the operation of the imaging apparatus starts. The zoom switch is a selection switch that has four switches that can be operated in the up, down, left, and right directions, each switch can be assigned a different operation, and two or more switches cannot be operated at the same time. And
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means assigns an operation for driving the photographing lens to each of the selection switches as two zoom switches.   The control means assigns an operation of driving the photographing lens to the telephoto end side to the switch that is first operated after the operation of the imaging apparatus among the selection switches, and is assigned to a switch other than the switch that is initially operated. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an operation for driving the photographing lens toward the wide-angle end is assigned.   The control means assigns an operation for driving the photographing lens to the telephoto end side to one of the selection switches that is first operated after the start of the operation of the imaging apparatus, and the other switch that faces the assigned switch. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an operation for driving the photographing lens to the wide-angle end side is assigned to the switch.   7. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein the control unit assigns an operation related to the imaging apparatus other than an operation of driving the photographing lens to another switch to which the operation of driving the photographing lens is not assigned. Imaging device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an operation related to the imaging apparatus other than an operation of driving the photographing lens can be arbitrarily selected from strobe setting, macro setting, and image confirmation setting.

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