JP2016045460A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that, when a user visually recognizes a pictorial symbol lit up on a mode dial, even if a mode in responce to the pictorial symbol cannot be executed, an imaging device may be erroneously recognized to be operated in the mode.SOLUTION: An imaging device which can be operated in each of a predetermined plurality of modes, comprises a housing to which a predetermined index is attached, an operation member to which marks indicating the respective modes are attached and which is supported by the housing so that the marks can be moved to and stopped at each position indicated by the index, illumination means for illuminating the marks, state detection means for detecting the state of the imaging device, and illumination control means for controlling the illumination state of the mark at an index position indicated by the index by the illumination means on the basis of the detected state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus including an operation member.

  The photographing apparatus is provided with an operation member for setting various modes. A specific configuration of this type of photographing apparatus is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

  The imaging devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are provided with a mode dial for selecting and operating one mode from a plurality of modes. On the mode dial of the mode dial, a plurality of pictograms formed in a translucent manner are arranged in an annular shape. Each pictogram corresponds to each mode. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, the pictogram indicated by the index is illuminated by a light emitting element attached to the back surface (inside the casing) of the mode board. By visually recognizing the illuminated pictogram, the user can grasp that the pictogram is pointed to the index (that is, the photographing apparatus operates in a mode corresponding to the pictogram).

Japanese Patent No. 3462799 Japanese Patent No. 3542928

  There is a mode that cannot be executed depending on the state of the photographing apparatus. For example, in an interchangeable lens camera, when an interchangeable lens is not attached, a specific exposure mode cannot be executed. However, in the imaging devices described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, it is considered that the pictograms corresponding to the selected mode are uniformly illuminated regardless of whether the selected mode can be executed. Therefore, the user may mistakenly recognize that the photographing apparatus operates in the mode even if the mode cannot be executed by visually recognizing the selected and illuminated pictograph.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus suitable for preventing a user from misidentifying a mode selected by an operation.

  An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus that can operate in each of a plurality of predetermined modes, and includes a case with a predetermined index and a mark indicating each mode, An operation member that is supported by the housing so as to be able to move and stop at each position indicated by the index, an illumination unit that illuminates the mark, a state detection unit that detects the state of the photographing apparatus, and Illumination control means for controlling the illumination state of the mark at the index position indicated by the index by the illumination means based on the state.

  The imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a mode determination unit that determines whether a mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is valid in a state detected by the state detection unit. . In this configuration, when it is determined that the mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is effective in the state detected by the state detection means, the illumination control means illuminates the mark at the index position by the illumination means, When it is determined that the mode corresponding to the position mark is invalid in the state detected by the state detection means, the illumination position mark is not illuminated by the illumination means.

  Moreover, the imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an operation detection unit that detects an operation on the operation member. In this configuration, when the operation detection unit detects an operation on the operation member, the illumination control unit illuminates at least a mark other than the mark at the index position by the illumination unit.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination control means may illuminate the mark at the index position and the other marks in different illumination states by the illumination means.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination control unit stops the illumination by the illumination unit at least for marks other than the mark at the index position after the first time has elapsed since the operation on the operation member was detected. It is good.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination control unit may illuminate all marks on the operation member with the illumination unit when the photographing apparatus is activated.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination control unit is configured to illuminate at least the mark at the index position based on the state detected by the state detection unit after the second time has elapsed since the start of the imaging device. It is good also as a structure which controls the illumination state by a means.

  Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination control means is only when it is determined that the mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is effective in the state detected by the state detection means after the second time has elapsed. The illumination unit may continue to illuminate the mark at the index position.

  Moreover, the imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an external light detection unit that detects external light. In this configuration, the photographing apparatus controls the illumination state of the illumination unit according to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light detection unit.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the illuminating unit may include a first illuminating unit that illuminates the mark at the index position and a second illuminating unit that illuminates a mark other than the mark at the index position. .

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the illuminating means may have a plurality of illuminating means for independently illuminating each mark attached to the operation member.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the operation member has, for example, marks indicating each mode arranged in an annular shape, and can rotate and stop rotating at each angular position indicated by each mark. A dial member supported by the housing.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a photographing apparatus suitable for preventing a user from misidentifying a mode selected by an operation is provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device of embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera main-body part with which the imaging device of embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which expands and shows a part of housing | casing back surface of the camera main-body part of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows roughly the example of arrangement | positioning of LED in the back surface of the mode dial of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the illumination control flow of the mode dial performed in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function allocation control flow of the center key performed in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a digital single lens reflex camera will be described as an embodiment of the present invention. The photographing apparatus is not limited to a digital single-lens reflex camera, and may be another lens interchangeable camera such as a mirrorless single-lens camera.

[Configuration of the entire photographing apparatus 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the photographing apparatus 1 includes a camera body 10 and an interchangeable lens 20 that is detachably attached to the camera body 10.

  The camera body 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, an operation unit 102, a drive circuit 104, a light emitting unit 106, an external light detection unit 108, a shutter 110, a solid-state imaging device 112, a signal processing circuit 114, an image processing engine 116, A buffer memory 118, a card interface 120, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) control circuit 122, an LCD 124, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 126 are provided. The interchangeable lens 20 includes a photographic lens 200 and a diaphragm 202. Although the photographing lens 200 has a plurality of lenses, FIG. 1 shows it as a single lens for convenience.

  The operation unit 102 includes various switches necessary for the user to operate the photographing apparatus 1, such as a power lever, a release switch, and a mode dial. When the power lever is operated by the user, power is supplied from the battery (not shown) to the various circuits of the photographing apparatus 1 through the power line. After supplying power, the CPU 100 accesses the ROM 126, reads out a control program, loads it into a work area (not shown), and executes the loaded control program to control the entire photographing apparatus 1.

  When the release switch is operated, the CPU 100 detects, for example, a photometric value calculated from a live view (described later) imaged by the solid-state image sensor 112 or a TTL (Through The Lens) exposure meter (built-in to the imaging device 1). The diaphragm 202 and the shutter 110 are driven and controlled via the drive circuit 104 so that proper exposure is obtained based on the photometric value measured in (not shown). More specifically, drive control of the aperture 202 and the shutter 110 is performed based on an AE function specified by the shooting mode switch, such as a program AE (Automatic Exposure), shutter priority AE, aperture priority AE, or the like. The CPU 100 performs AF (Autofocus) control together with AE control. An active method, a phase difference detection method, a contrast detection method, or the like is applied to the AF control. The AF mode includes a central single-point ranging mode using a single central ranging area, a multi-point ranging mode using a plurality of ranging areas, and the like. The CPU 100 controls driving of the photographic lens 200 via the drive circuit 104 based on the AF result, and adjusts the focus of the photographic lens 200. Since the configuration and control of this type of AE and AF are well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The light flux from the subject passes through the photographing lens 200, the diaphragm 202, and the shutter 110 and is received by the light receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 112. The solid-state imaging device 112 is a single-plate color CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor having a Bayer pixel arrangement. The solid-state imaging device 112 accumulates an optical image formed by each pixel on the light receiving surface as a charge corresponding to the amount of light, and generates R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) image signals. Output. The solid-state image sensor 112 is not limited to a CCD image sensor, and may be replaced with a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or other types of imaging devices. The solid-state image sensor 112 may also have a complementary color filter mounted thereon.

  The signal processing circuit 114 performs predetermined signal processing such as clamping and demosaicing on the image signal input from the solid-state imaging device 112 and outputs the processed signal to the image processing engine 116. The image processing engine 116 performs predetermined signal processing such as matrix operation, Y / C separation, and white balance on the image signal input from the signal processing circuit 114 to generate a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr. , And compressed in a predetermined format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). The buffer memory 118 is used as a temporary storage location for processing data when the image processing engine 116 executes processing. The captured image storage format is not limited to the JPEG format, and may be a RAW format in which minimal image processing (for example, clamping) is performed.

  A memory card 300 is detachably inserted into a card slot of the card interface 120.

  The image processing engine 116 can communicate with the memory card 300 via the card interface 120. The image processing engine 116 stores the generated compressed image signal (captured image data) in the memory card 300 (or a built-in memory (not shown) provided in the image capturing apparatus 1).

  Further, the image processing engine 116 buffers the generated luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr in a frame memory (not shown) in units of frames. The image processing engine 116 sweeps the buffered signal from each frame memory at a predetermined timing, converts it into a video signal of a predetermined format, and outputs it to the LCD control circuit 122. The LCD control circuit 122 modulates and controls the liquid crystal based on the image signal input from the image processing engine 116. Thereby, the photographed image of the subject is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 124. The user can view through a display screen of the LCD 124 a real-time through image (live view) captured with appropriate brightness and focus based on AE control and AF control.

  When the user performs a reproduction operation of the captured image, the image processing engine 116 reads the captured image data specified by the operation from the memory card 300 or the built-in memory (not shown) and converts it into an image signal in a predetermined format. The data is output to the LCD control circuit 122. The LCD control circuit 122 performs modulation control on the liquid crystal based on the image signal input from the image processing engine 116, so that the captured image is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 124.

  Various operation members constituting the operation unit 102 are supported on the housing 10 a of the camera body 10. FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the camera body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of operation members such as an LV button 102a, a playback button 102b, a MENU button 102c, an AF button 102d, an INFO button 102e, and an operation member 1020 are disposed on the rear surface of the housing 10a. .

  The LV button 102a is a button for displaying a live view on the display screen of the LCD 124 / erasing a captured image, for example. The playback button 102b is a button for playing back a captured image on the display screen of the LCD 124, for example. The MENU button 102c is a button for displaying a menu on the display screen of the LCD 124, for example. The AF button 102d is a button for performing AF driving / AE lock, for example. The INFO button 102e is a button for confirming the current setting of the photographing apparatus 1 and changing a setting item, for example. A plurality of operation members such as a power lever 102f, a release switch 102g, and an electronic dial 102h for setting an F value and the like are also arranged on the upper surface of the housing 10a.

[Description on Mode Dial 1021]
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the configuration of the operation member 1020 and its periphery in the back surface of the housing 10a. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation member 1020 includes a mode dial 1021 having an annular shape.

  The mode dial 1021 is, for example, a black-painted metal part or a resin part, but a part of the nameplate surface 1021a is formed of a translucent resin imitating each mode mark of the photographing apparatus 1. . The semi-transparent bodies of the marks are formed in an annular shape on the nameplate surface 1021a. That is, the nameplate surface 1021a has an appearance in which semi-transparent marks are arranged in a ring shape on a black background.

  An index 10b is formed on the back surface of the housing 10a. When the mode dial 1021 is rotated by a user's finger or the like, a click feeling is obtained by rotation using a known click mechanism, and the angular position at which each mark on the nameplate surface 1021a is pointed to the index 10b. It is supported by the housing 10a so that it can be rotated and stopped every time.

  Marks shown on the nameplate surface 1021a are “P”, “Sv”, “Tv”, “Av”, “TAv”, “M”, “B”, “EFFECT”, “SCN”, “AUTO”. It is. A mark P indicates an exposure mode of the program AE. A mark Sv indicates an exposure mode of sensitivity priority AE. A mark Tv indicates the exposure mode of the shutter priority AE. A mark Av indicates an exposure mode of aperture priority AE. A mark TAv indicates an exposure mode of shutter and aperture priority AE (automatic sensitivity setting). A mark M indicates a manual exposure mode. A mark B indicates a bulb photographing mode. Mark EFFECT indicates a setting mode of a digital filter (toy camera, retro, high contrast, etc.). A mark SCN indicates a setting mode of a shooting scene (night view, surf & snow, pet, etc.). The mark AUTO indicates an automatic setting mode for optimal shooting conditions (such as shooting scenes and exposure modes). In the example of FIG. 2, the mode dial 1021 is rotated so that the mark M is positioned at a position (hereinafter, referred to as “index position” for convenience) indicated by the index 10b in order to validate the manual exposure mode. It is being operated. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a mark placed at the index position among the marks attached to the nameplate surface 1021a will be referred to as “index position mark”, and the remaining marks other than the index position mark will be referred to as “non-selected marks”.

  Four LEDs (one LED (Light Emitting Diode) 106a and three LEDs 106b) included in the light emitting unit 106 are arranged on the back surface of the mode dial 1021 (inside the housing 10a). FIG. 4A schematically shows an arrangement example of the LED 106a and the LED 106b. In FIG. 4A, for convenience of explanation, the index 10b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 4A, the LED 106a and the LED 106b are held by a holder 106A.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the holder 106A has a pair of light shielding walls 106Aa. The LED 106a is disposed between the pair of light shielding walls 106Aa. More specifically, the LED 106 a is disposed in the light-shielding space Sa defined by the holder 106 A and the mode dial 1021 and immediately below the index position mark (semi-transparent body). For example, the LED 106 a is green under the control of the CPU 100. The indicator position mark is illuminated from the back side of the mode dial 1021. As a result, the index position mark (mark M in the example of FIG. 2) glows green.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the three LEDs 106b are arranged at an equal pitch in a C-shaped space having each light shielding wall 106Aa as an end. More specifically, the LED 106b is arranged in a light-shielding space Sb defined by the holder 106A and the mode dial 1021, and emits white light, for example, under the control of the CPU 100, and gives a non-selection mark (translucent body). Illuminate from the back side of the mode dial 1021. As a result, unselected marks (in the example of FIG. 2, the marks P, Sv, Tv, Av, TAv, B, EFFECT, SCN, and AUTO) shine white. The number of LEDs 106b arranged in the light shielding space Sb is not limited to three. The number of LEDs 106b arranged in the light shielding space Sb may be one, two, or four or more (for example, for each position corresponding to a non-selected mark (semi-transparent body) (total nine)).

  The light shielding wall 106Aa shields the light shielding space Sa and the light shielding space Sb. Therefore, the light emitted from the LED 106a does not illuminate the non-selection mark (semi-transparent body), and the light emitted from the LED 106b does not illuminate the index position mark (semi-transparent body). That is, in the present embodiment, the index position mark and the non-selection mark are illuminated independently and shine.

  Moreover, LED106b may be arrange | positioned for every position corresponding to a non-selection mark (semi-transparent body) (a total of nine). FIG. 4B schematically shows an arrangement example of the LED 106a and the LED 106b in the modification of the present embodiment. In FIG. 4B as well, for convenience of explanation, the index 10b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 4B, ten LEDs (one LED 106a and nine LEDs 106b) are held by the holder 106B. The holder 106B is formed with a light shielding wall 106Ba that shields light between the light shielding spaces Sa and Sb1 to Sb9 that accommodate and hold the LEDs.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, nine LEDs 106 b are arranged in the corresponding light shielding space and immediately below the non-selected mark (semi-transparent body), and the light emission is controlled independently by the CPU 100. That is, in this modification, all 10 marks are illuminated independently and shine.

[Lighting control flow of mode dial 1021]
Next, an illumination control flow of the mode dial 1021 by the CPU 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This flow is started at the same time when the system is started after a predetermined control program is loaded into the work area after the photographing apparatus 1 is powered on, for example.

[S11 in FIG. 5 (illumination of all marks)]
In this processing step S11, after the system is activated, the LEDs 106a and 106b emit light, so that all marks (semi-transparent bodies) attached to the mode dial 1021 are illuminated and lighted. Therefore, the user can visually recognize all marks attached to the mode dial 1021 even in the dark.

[S12 in FIG. 5 (Detection of the state of the photographing apparatus 1)]
In this processing step S12, the state of the photographing apparatus 1 is detected. Illustratively, it is detected whether or not the interchangeable lens 20 is attached.

[S13 in FIG. 5 (determination for index position mode)]
In this processing step S13, it is determined whether or not the photographing apparatus 1 can operate in the mode corresponding to the index position mark based on the detection result in the processing step S12 (detection of the state of the photographing apparatus 1). Is done. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the mode corresponding to the index position mark is referred to as “index position mode”, and the remaining modes other than the index position mode are referred to as “non-selection mode”.

  If the interchangeable lens 20 is not attached, the photographing apparatus 1 (camera body 10) illustratively shows aperture priority AE (mark Av), manual setting (mark M), bulb photographing mode (mark B), It can operate in each mode of digital filter setting (mark EFFECT), program AE (mark P), sensitivity priority AE (mark Sv), shutter priority AE (mark Tv), shutter and aperture priority AE (mark TAv), It cannot operate in each mode of the shooting scene setting mode (mark SCN) and shooting condition automatic setting mode (mark AUTO). Therefore, the modes corresponding to the marks Av, M, B, and EFFECT are determined to be valid, and the modes corresponding to the marks P, Sv, Tv, TAv, SCN, and AUTO are determined to be invalid.

[S14 in FIG. 5 (Continuation of illumination with respect to index position mark)]
This processing step S14 is executed when it is determined in processing step S13 (determination for the index position mode) that the index position mode is valid (S13: YES). In this processing step S14, when a predetermined time elapses after the system is activated, the illumination on the non-selected mark (semi-transparent body) by the LED 106b is stopped (turned off). On the other hand, illumination with respect to the index position mark (semi-transparent body) by the LED 106a is continued. That is, only the index position mark continues to glow green after a predetermined time has elapsed since the system was started. The user can grasp that the photographing apparatus 1 operates effectively in the index position mode by visually recognizing that only the index position mark continues to shine. Note that illumination for the index position mark may be stopped when a predetermined time elapses, for example, to save power.

[S15 in FIG. 5 (stop of illumination for the index position mark)]
This processing step S15 is executed when it is determined in processing step S13 (determination for the index position mode) that the index position mode is invalid (S13: NO). In this processing step S15, when a predetermined time elapses after the system is activated, illumination for all marks (semi-transparent objects) including the index position mark is stopped. That is, all the marks are darkened after the predetermined time has elapsed since the system was started. The user can easily grasp that the photographing apparatus 1 cannot operate in the index position mode by visually recognizing that the index position mark has become dark. In other words, a user's misunderstanding that the photographing apparatus 1 operates in the index position mode is avoided. When the index position mode is invalid when the interchangeable lens 20 is not attached, the photographing apparatus 1 operates uniformly with aperture priority AE (mark Av).

  Further, in this processing step S15, the illumination on the index position mark is stopped, but instead, the index position mark is illuminated by blinking, and the index position mark is illuminated by a different color (color other than green). The position mark may be illuminated with a different color and blinking. As described above, by controlling the illumination state for the index position mode (index position mark) determined to be invalid, the user can easily grasp that the photographing apparatus 1 cannot operate in the index position mode. Note that blinking illumination for the index position mark and illumination with a different color may also be stopped when a predetermined time elapses, for example, to save power.

[S16 in FIG. 5 (operation detection)]
In this processing step S16, an operation on the mode dial 1021 is detected (S16: YES). This processing step S16 is repeated until such an operation is detected.

[S17 in FIG. 5 (illumination of all marks)]
This processing step S17 is executed when an operation on the mode dial 1021 is detected in processing step S16 (operation detection) (S16: YES). In this processing step S17, the LEDs 106a and 106b emit light, so that all the marks (semi-transparent bodies) attached to the mode dial 1021 are illuminated and lighted. Therefore, the user can easily visually grasp that the operation on the mode dial 1021 has been accepted.

[S18 in FIG. 5 (Detection of the state of the photographing apparatus 1)]
In this processing step S12, the state of the photographing apparatus 1 is detected. Illustratively, it is detected whether the interchangeable lens 20 is attached, whether it is in a moving image shooting state, or the like.

  In the moving image shooting state, the image capturing apparatus 1 illustratively shows the program AE (mark P), aperture priority AE (mark Av), shutter and aperture priority AE (mark TAv), manual setting (mark M), digital It can operate in each mode of filter setting (mark EFFECT), sensitivity priority AE (mark Sv), shutter priority AE (mark Tv), bulb shooting mode (mark B), shooting scene setting mode (mark SCN), shooting It cannot operate in each mode of automatic condition setting mode (mark AUTO). Therefore, the modes corresponding to the marks P, Av, TAv, M, and EFFECT are determined to be valid, and the modes corresponding to the marks Sv, Tv, B, SCN, and AUTO are determined to be invalid.

[S19 in FIG. 5 (determination for index position mode)]
In this processing step S19, the index selected by the imaging device 1 through the operation detected in the processing step S16 (operation detection) based on the detection result in the processing step S18 (detection of the state of the imaging device 1). It is determined whether or not the operation is possible in the position mode (and the non-selection mode) (valid or invalid).

[S20 in FIG. 5 (Continuation of Illumination for Index Position Mark)]
This process step S20 is executed when it is determined that the index position mode selected by the operation in process step S19 (determination for the index position mode) is valid (S19: YES). In this processing step S20, when a predetermined time elapses after the operation on the mode dial 1021 is finished, the illumination on the non-selected mark (semi-transparent body) by the LED 106b is stopped. On the other hand, illumination with respect to the index position mark (semi-transparent body) by the LED 106a is continued. By visually recognizing that only the index position mark continues to shine, the user can easily grasp that the photographing apparatus 1 operates effectively in the index position mode selected by the operation. Note that illumination for the index position mark may be stopped when a predetermined time elapses, for example, to save power.

[S21 in FIG. 5 (stopping illumination for the index position mark)]
This processing step S21 is executed when it is determined in processing step S19 (determination for the index position mode) that the index position mode is invalid (S19: NO). In this processing step S21, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation on the mode dial 1021 is completed, the illumination on all the marks (semi-transparent bodies) including the index position mark is stopped. The user can easily grasp that the photographing apparatus 1 cannot operate in the index position mode by visually recognizing that the index position mark has become dark. In other words, a user's misunderstanding that the photographing apparatus 1 operates in the index position mode is avoided. Note that when the index position mode is invalid in the moving image shooting state, the shooting apparatus 1 operates uniformly with the program AE (mark P). Also in this processing step S21, as in processing step S15 (stopping illumination for the index position mark), instead of stopping illumination for the index position mark, blinking illumination for the index position mark, and in a different color for the index position mark Lighting or a combination of these may be performed.

  In the case of a configuration in which all 10 marks are illuminated independently (see FIG. 4B), all non-selected marks (semi-transparent) are displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation on the mode dial 1021 is completed. For example, the illumination may be continued in the non-selection mode that is currently operable. In this case, by visually recognizing the non-selection mode that continues to shine, the user can easily grasp the mode that is currently operable effectively.

  When the processing step S20 (continuation of illumination with respect to the index position mark) or S21 (stop of illumination with respect to the index position mark) is finished, the flow returns to the processing step S16 (detection of operation), and the processing after the processing step S16 Is repeated. This flow is executed until, for example, the photographing apparatus 1 is turned off.

  As a modified example of the present embodiment, in process step S17 (illumination of all marks), when an operation on the mode dial 1021 is detected in process step S16 (detection of operation), all marks (semi-transparent objects) are used. Alternatively, the non-selection mark may be illuminated by the LED 106b. In this case, when it is determined that the index position mode selected by the operation on the mode dial 1021 is valid (S19: YES), the LED 106a is illuminated with respect to the index position mark and is selected by the operation on the mode dial 1021. When it is determined that the index position mode is invalid (S19: NO), for example, the indicator position mark is not illuminated by the LED 106a, the indicator position mark is flashed, or the index position mark is displayed. May be illuminated with different colors.

[Explanation regarding the center key 1022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation member 1020 includes a center key 1022 in the inner area of the mode dial 1021. The center key 1022 has a determination key 1022A for determining (determining) the operation. The center key 1022 has four function keys 1022Ba to Bd arranged side by side around the determination key 1022A (up, down, left and right).

  The decision key 1022A is, for example, a translucent resin part, and the characters “OK” are printed on it. The function keys 1022Ba to Bd are, for example, metal parts or resin parts that are painted black or the like, and are printed with “ISO” characters, drive setting pictograms, “WB” characters, and flash setting pictograms, respectively. ing.

  On the back surface of the enter key 1022A (inside the housing 10a and directly below the enter key 1022A), an LED 106c constituting the light emitting unit 106 is disposed. The LED 106c emits light, for example, in blue under the control of the CPU 100, and illuminates the enter key 1022A from the back side. As a result, the enter key 1022A glows blue.

[Function assignment control flow of central key 1022]
Next, the function assignment control flow of the central key 1022 by the CPU 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This flow is started at the same time when the system is started after a predetermined control program is loaded into the work area after the photographing apparatus 1 is powered on, for example.

[S31 in FIG. 6 (assignment of function to each function key 1022Ba to Bd)]
In this processing step S31, default functions are assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd. In the present embodiment, the default function is a function corresponding to a pictograph or the like printed on each function key 1022Ba to Bd. Specifically, a sensitivity setting function is assigned to the function key 1022Ba, a setting function of drive mode (self-timer shooting, continuous shooting, etc.) is assigned to the function key 1022Bb, and a white balance setting function is assigned to the function key 1022Bc. The flash setting function is assigned to the function key 1022Bd.

[S32 in FIG. 6 (lighting of the enter key 1022A)]
In this process step S32, when the LED 106c emits light, the enter key 1022A is illuminated and lit. The user can easily grasp that the default function is assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd by visually recognizing that the determination key 1022A is shining in blue.

  For example, when the function key 1022Bb is operated, the display screen of the LCD 124 changes from a predetermined display (such as a status screen or live view that displays shooting conditions such as an F value) to a drive mode setting screen. After the transition to the drive mode setting screen, a function as a cross key (direction instruction key) is assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd. The user can move the focus on the drive mode setting screen by operating the function keys 1022Ba to Bd. When the user operates the function keys 1022Ba to Bd to focus on a desired item in the setting screen and operate the enter key 1022A, the photographing apparatus 1 is set to the drive mode of the item and the display screen of the LCD 124 is defined. Return to the display. The enter key 1022A is illuminated by the LED 106c and is lit while the drive mode setting screen is being displayed. The user can easily grasp that the default function is being set by visually recognizing that the enter key 1022A is shining in blue. Further, the determination key 1022A may stop the illumination by the LED 106c while the drive mode setting screen is displayed. In this case, the user visually recognizes that the illumination with respect to the determination key 1022A has been stopped, whereby the function keys 1022Ba to Bd arranged in proximity to the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the determination key 1022A are printed on the respective functions. Instead, it can be easily grasped that it operates as a cross key for moving the focus (roughly, the roles of the function keys 1022Ba to Bd have changed).

[S33 in FIG. 6 (Determination of Operation for Enter Key 1022A)]
In this processing step S33, it is determined whether or not the enter key 1022A has been operated during a prescribed display (status screen, live view, etc.).

[S34 in FIG. 6 (Change of Assigned Function to Each Function Key 1022Ba to Bd)]
This processing step S34 is executed when it is determined in the processing step S33 (operation determination) that the enter key 1022A is operated during the specified display (status screen, live view, etc.) (S33: YES). In this processing step S34, functions different from the default functions are assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd.

  In this embodiment, in response to the operation of the enter key 1022A, for example, a distance measuring point setting screen for setting a distance measuring point is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 124, and the distance measuring point is displayed in the distance measuring point setting screen. Are assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd.

[S35 in FIG. 6 (stopping illumination for the enter key 1022A)]
In this process step S35, the illumination with respect to the enter key 1022A by the LED 106c is stopped. The user can easily grasp that the function assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd has been changed by visually recognizing that the enter key 1022A has become dark.

  The user can move the ranging point in a desired direction (position) on the ranging point setting screen by operating the function keys 1022Ba to Bd. When the user operates the function keys 1022Ba to Bd to move the distance measuring point to a desired position and operates the enter key 1022A, the distance measuring point is set to the position and the display screen of the LCD 124 displays a predetermined display (status Screen, live view, etc.)

[S36 in FIG. 6 (Determination of Operation for Enter Key 1022A)]
In this processing step S36, it is determined whether or not the enter key 1022A has been operated during a prescribed display (status screen, live view, etc.). If it is determined that the enter key 1022A is operated during the regular display (S36: YES), the flow returns to the processing step S31 (assignment of functions to each function key), and the processing after the processing step S31 is repeated. It is. This flow is executed until, for example, the photographing apparatus 1 is turned off.

  According to the present embodiment, a large number of functions are assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd. Further, the user can easily grasp the functions assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd by visually recognizing the illumination state of the enter key 1022A. Therefore, it can be said that the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a configuration suitable for increasing the number of functions that can be operated by the operation member while suppressing the number of operation members installed.

  The above is the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the embodiment of the present application also includes an embodiment that is exemplarily specified in the specification or a combination of obvious embodiments and the like as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the LEDs 106a to 106c emit light in green, white, and blue, respectively, but may emit light in other colors in another embodiment.

  Further, the illumination intensity of the LEDs 106a to 106c may be adjusted according to the external light (brightness) detected by the external light detection unit 108 such as a photosensor. Specifically, the illumination intensity of the LEDs 106a to 106c is lowered when it is bright such as daytime, and is increased when it is dark such as nighttime. Further, the LEDs 106a to 106c may be turned off to save power when they are bright such as in the daytime.

  Further, in the modification of the present embodiment, the determination key 1022A may be configured to change the illumination state (illuminated color, lighting / flashing state, etc.) in a toggle manner. In this configuration, different functions are assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd for each illumination state of the enter key 1022A. According to this modified example, the user can easily grasp the functions assigned to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd while assigning more functions to the function keys 1022Ba to Bd.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up device 10 Camera body part 10a Case 10b Index 20 Interchangeable lens 100 CPU
102 Operation unit 102a LV button 104b Playback button 102c MENU button 102d AF button 102e INFO button 102f Power lever 102g Release switch 102h Electronic dial 104 Drive circuit 106 Light emitting units 106a to 106c LED
106A, 106B Holder 106Aa, 106Ba Light-shielding wall 108 External light detection unit 110 Shutter 112 Solid-state imaging device 114 Signal processing circuit 116 Image processing engine 118 Buffer memory 120 Card interface 122 LCD control circuit 124 LCD
126 ROM
200 photographing lens 202 aperture 300 memory card 1020 operation member 1021 mode dial 1021a nameplate surface 1022 center key 1022A determination key 1022Ba to 1022Bd function key

Claims (12)

In a photographing device operable in each of a plurality of predetermined modes,
A housing with a predetermined index;
Marks indicating each of the modes are attached side by side, and an operation member supported by the housing so that the marks can be moved and stopped at each position indicated by the index,
Illumination means for illuminating the mark;
State detecting means for detecting the state of the photographing apparatus;
Illumination control means for controlling the illumination state of the mark at the index position indicated by the index by the illumination means based on the detected state;
Comprising
Shooting device. A mode determination unit that determines whether or not a mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is valid in the state detected by the state detection unit;
The illumination control means includes
When it is determined that the mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is effective in the state detected by the state detection means, the mark at the index position is illuminated by the illumination means,
When it is determined that the mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is invalid in the state detected by the state detection means, the illumination position mark is not illuminated by the illumination means.
The imaging device according to claim 1. Comprising an operation detection means for detecting an operation on the operation member;
The illumination control means includes
When an operation on the operation member is detected by the operation detection unit, at least a mark other than the mark at the index position is illuminated by the illumination unit.
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. The illumination control means includes
Illuminating the mark at the index position and the other mark in different illumination states by the illumination means,
The imaging device according to claim 3. The illumination control means includes
After the first time has elapsed since the operation on the operation member was detected, at least the illumination by the illumination unit for the marks other than the mark at the index position is stopped.
The imaging device according to claim 3 or 4. The illumination control means includes
When the photographing apparatus is activated, all the marks attached to the operation member are illuminated by the illumination means.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The illumination control means includes
After the second time has elapsed since the start of the photographing apparatus, based on the state detected by the state detection unit, at least control the illumination state by the illumination unit for the mark at the index position,
The imaging device according to claim 6. The illumination control means includes
Only after the second time has elapsed, illumination of the mark at the index position by the illumination means is performed only when it is determined that the mode corresponding to the mark at the index position is effective in the state detected by the state detection means. Continue,
The imaging device according to claim 7, which refers to claim 2. Provided with external light detection means for detecting external light,
The imaging device
Controlling the illumination state of the illumination means according to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light detection means,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The illumination means includes
First illumination means for illuminating the mark at the index position;
Second illumination means for illuminating a mark other than the mark at the index position;
Comprising
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The illumination means includes
A plurality of illumination means for independently illuminating each mark attached to the operation member;
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The operating member is
Marks indicating the respective modes are attached in a ring shape, and each dial is a dial member supported by the casing so as to be able to rotate and stop rotating at each angular position indicated by the indicator.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images