JP2011055408A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the surroundings from being troubled by lightness when operating a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function on a side surface of a body. <P>SOLUTION: When a subject image is confirmed by an EVF (Electronic View Finder) (14) and the liquid crystal display (16) is brought into a forwardly-turned state of turning the liquid crystal display toward a photographer side, a backwardly turned state of turning it toward a subject side or a backwardly closed state of closing it outwardly to the body, a system control section (40) reduces the luminance of the liquid crystal display (16) compared with the case that the EVF (14) is lit off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

JP 2001-326843 A

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a video camera including both a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel function and an electronic viewfinder (EVF), a configuration is known in which a plurality of operation buttons are displayed as icons together with a subject image at the time of shooting. In this configuration, the plurality of operation buttons on the EVF screen are actually operated by blind-touching a touch panel of a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel function.

  In the conventional example, in order to select and operate the operation button, it is necessary to open a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, which has the following problems. That is, when shooting is performed using EVF in a dark environment such as a theater, the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit disturbs the surroundings. Moreover, since the liquid crystal display unit is opened and the backlight is turned on, extra power is consumed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that eliminates or reduces such inconveniences.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit that converts a subject image into an image signal, a first display unit that displays a subject image being shot and allows the user to view the display image by looking into the image, and the first display unit. A first selecting means for selecting display and non-display of the display means; and a second means that is openably and closably attached to the main body and can be reversed between the subject side and the photographer side in the open state, and displays a subject image being photographed. Display means, a touch panel arranged on the display screen of the second display means, an inversion state detection means for detecting whether the second display means is in an inversion state facing the subject side, and the second Control means for adjusting the brightness of the second display means according to the outputs of the selection means, the inversion state detection means and the opening / closing state detection means. Means The control means is a normal rotation state where the second display means faces the photographer when the first display means is selected to display, the reverse state which faces the subject side, And when the first display means is in a non-display state, the second display means is controlled to have a lower luminance when in the reverse closed state closed outward by the main body. It is characterized by.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit that converts a subject image into an image signal, a first display unit that displays a subject image being shot and allows the user to view the display image by looking into the image, and the first display unit. A first selecting means for selecting display and non-display of the display means; and a second means that is openably and closably attached to the main body and can be reversed between the subject side and the photographer side in the open state, and displays a subject image being photographed. Display means, a touch panel arranged on the display screen of the second display means, an inversion state detection means for detecting whether the second display means is in an inversion state facing the subject side, and the second An open / closed state detecting unit for detecting an open / closed state with respect to the main body, a proximity sensor for detecting an eyepiece state of a photographer who views a display image on the first display unit, the selecting unit, and the inverted state detecting unit Means, open and closed state And a control means for adjusting the brightness of the second display means according to the outputs of the output means and the proximity sensor, the control means when the first display means is selected for display, When a normal rotation state in which the second display unit is facing the photographer is detected, the second display unit is controlled to have a lower luminance than when the first display unit is not displayed, When the display of one of the display means is selected, when the reverse closed state that is closed outward by the main body is detected and the eyepiece state is detected by the proximity sensor, the second display means is When the display is selected and the first display means is selected, and the non-eyepiece state is detected by the proximity sensor in the reverse closed state, the first display means is not displayed. Controlling the second display means to a lower luminance And wherein the door.

  According to the present invention, the brightness of the second display means is reduced when the first display means is used. Even when the second display means having a touch panel function is opened, the brightness of the second display means does not disturb the surroundings, and power consumption can be reduced.

1 is an external perspective view of a video camera that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view of the video camera which is Example 2 of this invention. 6 is a schematic configuration block diagram of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the video camera which is Example 3 of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of a video camera that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of this embodiment.

  In the video camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a lens 12 is disposed on the front surface of the main body, and an EVF 14 serving as a first display unit that displays a captured subject image is disposed on the rear surface. A liquid crystal display unit 16 as second display means is disposed on the side surface of the main body. The EVF 14 and the liquid crystal display unit 16 can display a subject image being shot. The liquid crystal display unit 16 can be opened / closed with respect to the camera body in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 around an opening / closing axis provided in the hinge unit 18, and the rotation axis of the hinge unit 18 orthogonal to the opening / closing axis. It can be rotated in the direction of arrow B around the center.

  The liquid crystal display unit 16 is also used to display an image of a subject to be imaged. The liquid crystal display unit 16 includes a liquid crystal panel 20 that can display a reproduced video and a captured video, a touch panel 22 disposed on the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 20, and a backlight 24 that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 20 from the back side. The touch panel 22 is used for menu operations and playback operations for setting the video camera on the display screen.

  The battery 26 is a secondary battery that is removable from the main body. The power switch 28 is a change-over switch for turning on / off the power of the camera 10. The mode switch 30 is a switch that switches between the camera recording mode and the playback mode. The recording button 32 is a switch for instructing start / stop of camera shooting. The EVF switch 34 is a changeover switch for turning on / off the EVF 14 by independent control, and is also a selection means for selecting display and non-display.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the video camera shown in FIG. The battery 26 supplies power to the camera 10, and the system control unit 40 controls power supply to each circuit block. In the standby state, the system control unit 40 stops power supply to circuit blocks other than the minimum necessary circuit block in order to save power.

  The open / close detection switch 42 in the hinge unit 18 notifies the system control unit 40 of the detection result as an open / closed state detecting means for the liquid crystal display unit 16 to detect the open / closed state with respect to the main body. The inversion detection switch 44 notifies the system control unit 40 of the detection result as inversion state detecting means for detecting whether or not the liquid crystal display unit 16 is in an inversion state in which the liquid crystal display unit 16 is inverted to the subject side.

  The system control unit 40 controls the luminance of the backlight 24 via the power supply circuit 46 that controls the current of the backlight 24. Although details will be described later, the system control unit 40 also controls the luminance of the backlight 24 based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the inversion detection switch 44. That is, the system control unit 40 and the power supply circuit 46 function as a luminance control unit that adjusts the luminance of the liquid crystal panel 20.

  The system control unit 40 is connected to the power switch 28, the mode switch 30, the recording button 32, and the touch panel 22 of the liquid crystal display unit 16.

  In this embodiment, power is supplied to the camera 10 by pressing the power switch 28. The mode switch 30 is operated to set the camera recording mode.

  The video / audio input device 48 includes an imaging unit that converts an optical image of a subject by the lens 12 into an image signal and outputs a video signal in a predetermined format, and audio input means such as a microphone that inputs audio. The signal processing unit 50 performs various types of signal processing on the video signal from the video / audio input device 48 and supplies it to the system control unit 40. The system control unit 40 processes the video signal from the signal processing unit 50 for display and supplies it to the liquid crystal panel 20 and / or the EVF 14 to display an image.

  When the photographer presses the recording button 32, the system control unit 40 transfers the video / audio signal from the signal processing unit 50 to the recording / reproducing unit 52 and records it on a recording medium (not shown).

  In this embodiment, the EVF panel 54 of the EVF 14 can be turned off (not displayed) by turning off the EVF switch 34. An operation when the photographer takes a picture using the liquid crystal display unit 16 in this state will be described.

  In the normal rotation state in which the liquid crystal panel 20 faces the photographer, the system control unit 40 identifies the normal rotation state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and lights (displays) the liquid crystal panel 20. Put it in a state. The luminance of the backlight 24 at this time is set to normal luminance (current value 12 mA). The photographer takes a picture while viewing the display image on the liquid crystal panel 20. When setting the video camera, the touch panel 22 is operated while viewing the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20.

  In the normal rotation storage state (normal rotation closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is closed and stored toward the camera body side, the standby state is set. That is, the system control unit 40 identifies the normal rotation storage state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, turns off the liquid crystal panel 20 (not displayed), and sets the standby state. When the EVF switch 34 is set to OFF, the system control unit 40 sets / cancels the standby state according to the opening / closing operation of the liquid crystal display unit 16.

  When the liquid crystal panel 20 is in the reverse state facing the subject, that is, in the same direction as the lens 12, the system control unit 40 identifies the reverse state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and the liquid crystal panel 20. Lights up (displays). The luminance of the backlight 24 at this time is set to normal luminance (current value 12 mA). The person who is the subject can visually confirm his / her appearance in the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20.

  In the reverse storage state (reverse closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is closed and stored outward in the housing of the camera 10, the system control unit 40 performs reverse storage based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44. The state is identified, and the liquid crystal panel 20 is turned on (displayed). The luminance of the backlight 24 at this time is set to normal luminance (current value 12 mA). When setting the video camera, the touch panel 22 is operated while viewing the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20.

  The operation when the photographer looks into the EVF 14 and takes a picture in a state where the EVF switch 34 is turned on and the EVF panel 54 is turned on (displayed) will be described.

  In the normal rotation state where the liquid crystal panel 20 faces the photographer side, the system control unit 40 identifies the normal rotation state based on the detection outputs of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44 and turns on the liquid crystal panel 20. At this time, the luminance of the backlight 24 is set to low luminance (current value 2 mA). The low luminance level at this time is a brightness that allows the photographer to visually recognize the icon display of the display screen operation button of the liquid crystal panel 20 and does not disturb the surroundings in a dark environment. When setting the video camera, the photographer operates the touch panel 22 by blind touch while watching the operation button display on the EVF panel 54. If the operation cannot be performed successfully by the blind touch, the photographer looks at the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 to confirm the location of the operation button and operates.

  In the normal rotation storage state (normal rotation closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is closed and stored toward the camera body, the system control unit 40 detects the normal rotation storage state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44. And the liquid crystal panel 20 is turned off. The photographer looks into the EVF 14 and shoots. At this time, the photographer cannot operate the touch panel 22.

  When the liquid crystal panel 20 is in the reversed state in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is directed in the same direction as the lens 12, the system control unit 40 identifies the reversed state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and turns on the liquid crystal panel 20. Put it in a state. The luminance of the backlight 24 at this time is set to normal luminance (current value 12 mA). The photographer takes a picture through the EVF 14 and the person who becomes the subject can visually confirm his / her appearance in the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20.

  In the reverse storage state (reverse closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is stored outward in the camera body, the system control unit 40 identifies the reverse storage information based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44. The liquid crystal panel 20 is turned on. At this time, the luminance of the backlight 24 is set to low luminance (current value 2 mA). When setting the video camera, the photographer operates the touch panel 22 by blind touch while watching the operation button display on the EVF panel 54. When the user cannot perform the operation successfully by blind touch, the photographer looks at the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 and confirms the location of the operation button.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when taking a picture while looking into the EVF 14, even if the liquid crystal display unit 16 is opened, the brightness of the backlight 24 is set to a low brightness. Therefore, even in a dark environment such as a theater. It is possible to prevent the surroundings from being disturbed by the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 16. Moreover, since the backlight current is reduced by 10 mA from the normal luminance, power consumption can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows an external perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an illuminance sensor 36 for detecting ambient brightness is provided on the liquid crystal display unit 16a of the video camera 10a. FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. In addition to the function of the system control unit 40, the system control unit 40 a has a function of controlling the current of the backlight 24 according to the ambient brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 36. Elements having the same functions as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Also in the present embodiment, the EVF panel 54 of the EVF 14 can be turned off (not displayed) by turning off the EVF switch 34. In this state, the photographer can take an image using the liquid crystal display unit 16a, but the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The operation when the photographer looks into the EVF 14 and takes a picture in a state where the EVF switch 34 is turned on and the EVF panel 54 is turned on (displayed) will be described.

  In the normal rotation state where the liquid crystal panel 20 faces the photographer, the system control unit 40a identifies the normal rotation state based on the detection outputs of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and turns on the liquid crystal panel 20. The brightness of the backlight 24 at this time is low brightness (current value 2 mA) when the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 36 is darker than the predetermined brightness level, and normal brightness (current value 12 mA) when brighter than the predetermined brightness level. ). The predetermined brightness level is set to a brightness level such as outdoors in fine weather when the operation buttons on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 are difficult to recognize at low luminance (current value 2 mA). The low luminance level at this time is a brightness that does not disturb the surroundings in a dark environment.

  When setting the video camera, the photographer operates the touch panel 22 by blind touch while watching the operation button display on the EVF panel 54. If the operation cannot be performed successfully by the blind touch, the photographer looks at the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 to confirm the location of the operation button and operates.

  In the normal rotation storage state (normal rotation closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is closed and stored toward the camera body side, the system control unit 40a stores the normal rotation based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44. The state is identified, and the liquid crystal panel 20 is turned off. The photographer looks into the EVF 14 and shoots. At this time, the photographer cannot operate the touch panel 22.

  When the liquid crystal panel 20 is in the reversed state in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is directed in the same direction as the lens 12, the system control unit 40a identifies the reversed state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and turns on the liquid crystal panel 20. Put it in a state. The luminance of the backlight 24 at this time is set to normal luminance (current value 12 mA). The photographer takes a picture through the EVF 14, and the person who becomes the subject can visually recognize himself / herself in the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20.

  In the reverse storage state (reverse closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is stored outward in the main body, the system control unit 40a identifies the reverse storage information based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, The liquid crystal panel 20 is turned on. The brightness of the backlight 24 at this time is low brightness (current value 2 mA) when the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 36 is darker than the predetermined brightness level, and is normal brightness when brighter than the predetermined brightness level. (Current value 12 mA). When setting the video camera, the photographer operates the touch panel 22 by blind touch while watching the operation button display on the EVF panel 54. When the user cannot perform the operation successfully by blind touch, the photographer looks at the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 and confirms the location of the operation button.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when photographing while looking into the EVF 14, even when the liquid crystal display unit 16 is opened, the luminance of the backlight 24 is set to a low luminance corresponding to the ambient brightness. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the surroundings from being disturbed by the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 16 even in a dark environment such as a theater. For example, in an environment where the surroundings are bright, such as outdoors on a sunny day, even if the display is bright, the surroundings are not disturbed, so the liquid crystal panel 20 is displayed with a relatively high luminance. When the surroundings are dark, the brightness is controlled to a low brightness so that the operation buttons on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel can be recognized. Thereby, the operation buttons on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel can be easily recognized and operated without causing trouble to the surroundings.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the EVF 14b of the video camera 10b shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a proximity sensor 56 that detects whether the photographer is in an eyepiece state or a non-eyepiece state. In addition to the function of the system control unit 40, the system control unit 40b has a function of controlling each unit as described below according to the output of the proximity sensor 56.

  Also in this embodiment, the EVF panel 54 of the EVF 14b can be turned off (not displayed) by turning off the EVF switch 34. In this state, the photographer can take an image using the liquid crystal display unit 16, but the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The operation when the photographer looks into the EVF 14 and takes a picture in a state where the EVF switch 34 is turned on and the EVF panel 54 is turned on (displayed) will be described.

  In the normal rotation state where the liquid crystal panel 20 faces the photographer side, the system control unit 40b identifies the normal rotation state based on the detection outputs of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and turns on the liquid crystal panel 20. At this time, the luminance of the backlight 24 is set to low luminance (current value 2 mA). The low luminance level at this time is a brightness that allows the photographer to visually recognize the icon display of the display screen operation button of the liquid crystal panel 20 and does not disturb the surroundings in a dark environment. When setting the video camera 10b, the photographer operates the touch panel 22 by blind touch while watching the operation button display on the EVF panel 54. If the operation cannot be performed successfully by the blind touch, the photographer looks at the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 to confirm the location of the operation button and operates.

  In the normal rotation storage state (normal rotation closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is closed and stored toward the main body, the system control unit 40b determines the normal rotation storage state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44. Then, the liquid crystal panel 20 is turned off. The photographer looks into the EVF 14 and shoots. At this time, the photographer cannot operate the touch panel 22.

  When the liquid crystal panel 20 is in the reversed state in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is directed in the same direction as the lens 12, the system control unit 40b identifies the reversed state based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and turns on the liquid crystal panel 20. Put it in a state. The luminance of the backlight 24 at this time is set to normal luminance (current value 12 mA). The photographer takes a picture through the EVF 14, and the person who becomes the subject can visually recognize himself / herself in the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20.

  In the reverse storage state (reverse closed state) in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is stored outward in the main body, the system control unit 40b identifies the reverse storage information based on the detection results of the open / close detection switch 42 and the reverse detection switch 44, and the liquid crystal The panel 20 is turned on. When the proximity sensor 56 detects the eye of the photographer, the system control unit 40b turns off the backlight 24. When the proximity sensor 56 cannot detect the photographer's eyepiece, the system control unit 40b sets the luminance of the backlight 24 to a low luminance (current value 2 mA).

  When setting the video camera, the photographer operates the touch panel 22 by blind touch while watching the operation button display on the EVF panel 54. At this time, the system control unit 40b turns off the backlight 24. If the photographer takes a close eye from the EVF 14b when the blind touch cannot be performed successfully, the system control unit 40b turns on the backlight 24 with low brightness by the output of the proximity sensor 56. As a result, the photographer can check the location of the operation button by looking at the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 and can operate it.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the backlight is turned off when looking into the EVF in the reverse storage state (the reverse closed state), so that the power consumption can be further reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention. The above-described embodiments may be combined partially or wholly.

10, 10a, 10b: Video camera 14, 14b: EVF unit 16, 16a: Liquid crystal display unit 20: Liquid crystal panel 22: Touch panel 24: Backlight

Claims (3)

Imaging means for converting a subject image into an image signal;
A first display means for displaying an image of a subject being photographed and viewing the displayed image by looking into the image;
Selection means for selecting display and non-display of the first display means;
A second display means attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable, and can be reversed between the subject side and the photographer side in an open state, and displays a subject image being photographed;
A touch panel disposed on a display screen of the second display means;
Reversal state detection means for detecting whether or not the second display means is in a reversal state facing the subject side;
An opening / closing state detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of the second display means with respect to the main body;
Control means for adjusting the brightness of the second display means according to the outputs of the selection means, the inversion state detection means and the open / close state detection means,
The control means, when the display is selected by the first display means, the forward rotation state in which the second display means faces the photographer side, the inversion state facing the subject side, and The second display means is controlled to have a lower brightness than when the first display means is non-displayed when the main body is in any of the reverse closed states closed outward. An imaging device that is characterized. Furthermore, it has an illuminance sensor that detects ambient brightness,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the luminance of the second display unit according to the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor. Imaging means for converting a subject image into an image signal;
A first display means for displaying an image of a subject being photographed and viewing the displayed image by looking into the image;
Selection means for selecting display and non-display of the first display means;
A second display means attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable, and can be reversed between the subject side and the photographer side in an open state, and displays a subject image being photographed;
A touch panel disposed on a display screen of the second display means;
Reversal state detection means for detecting whether or not the second display means is in a reversal state facing the subject side;
An opening / closing state detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of the second display means with respect to the main body;
A proximity sensor for detecting an eyepiece state of a photographer who views the display image of the first display means;
Control means for adjusting the brightness of the second display means according to the outputs of the selection means, the inverted state detection means, the open / close state detection means and the proximity sensor;
The control means includes
When the first display means is selected to display, and when the normal rotation state in which the second display means faces the photographer is detected, the first display means is not displayed. Controlling the second display means to a lower brightness,
When the display is selected by the first display means, when the reverse closed state that is closed outward by the main body is detected and the eyepiece state is detected by the proximity sensor, the second display Hide the means,
When the display is selected by the first display means and the non-eyepiece state is detected by the proximity sensor in the reverse closed state, the luminance is lower than that in the case where the first display means is not displayed. An image pickup apparatus that controls the second display means.

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