JP4688736B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera that displays a shutter operation guide on a screen of a display device.

In a digital camera, it is possible to save the image displayed on the display device by operating the shutter key of the key input device while the image (through image) captured by the imaging system is displayed on the display device. It has become.
If you bring such a digital camera to a trip and want to take a picture of yourself with the scenery behind, you will need to ask someone else to perform a shutter operation.

  However, in recent digital cameras, various modes are prepared as shooting modes, and accordingly, the key operation is complicated. It is difficult to understand key positions and operation methods. Especially when shooting in a foreign country, it is inconvenient because it is necessary to ask a foreigner in a foreign language.

In view of this, there has been proposed a digital camera that can display a shooting request message in a foreign language on the screen of a display device in accordance with an operation of a shooting request button (Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-86008 A

However, in a digital camera that displays a message of a shooting request in a foreign language on the screen of the display device, it is easy to understand that the foreigner has received a request for shooting only by showing the display to the foreigner. It is difficult to accurately understand the position and operation method of the shutter key, and in some cases, a key operation other than the shutter key may be performed.
In addition, since the position of the shutter key varies depending on the digital camera, there is a possibility that another person who has received a request for shooting performs a key operation other than the shutter key not only in a foreign country but also in his / her own country.

  In this way, when another person who has received a shooting request performs a key operation other than the shutter key, if the user misunderstands that the shooting has been completed correctly, there is a problem that the operation ends without saving the image. .

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of storing a photographed image by reliably operating a shutter key when another person is requested to photograph.

The digital camera according to the present invention includes a display device (3) for displaying an image photographed by the imaging system (1), and operates a shutter key (51) of a key input device (5) to operate the imaging system ( It is possible to save the image taken by 1),
Means for displaying a guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key (51) on the screen of the display device (3) in accordance with the setting operation of the dedicated mode using the input device (5);
Means for storing an image shot by the imaging system in response to the operation of the shutter key after the setting operation of the dedicated mode is performed;
Means for determining whether or not a key operation by the key input device (5) has been performed before a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of display of the guidance message;
If no key operation is performed by the key input device (5) before the predetermined time has elapsed, the guidance message displayed on the screen of the display device (3) is deleted and the shutter key (51) is operated. Means to wait,
When a key operation is performed by a key input device (5) other than the shutter key (51) after the predetermined time has elapsed, the shutter key (51) is displayed on the screen of the display device (3) in accordance with the operation. And a means for displaying a guidance message for guiding the operation.

According to the digital camera of the present invention, when requesting photographing by another person, first, the dedicated mode is set using the input device (5). As a result, a guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key (51) is displayed on the screen of the display device (3). The guidance message is not limited to characters and can be represented by an image such as an illustration.
Others who have received the digital camera in the display state of this guidance message can easily understand the position and operation method of the shutter key (51) by the guidance message.
If the shutter key (51) is correctly operated before the predetermined time has elapsed, an image photographed by the imaging system (1) is stored in accordance with the operation.
If no key operation is performed by the key input device (5) before the fixed time elapses, the guidance message is temporarily deleted when the fixed time elapses. Thereafter, if the shutter key (51) is correctly operated, an image photographed by the imaging system (1) is stored in accordance with the operation.
When a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed after the lapse of the predetermined time, the guidance message is displayed again on the screen of the display device (3) according to the operation. If the shutter key (51) is correctly operated according to this display, an image photographed by the imaging system (1) is stored in accordance with the operation.

In a specific configuration, the guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key (51) is an image indicating the position of the shutter key (51).
Thus, the position of the shutter key (51) can be visually recognized, and the position of the shutter key (51) can be grasped accurately and easily.

In another specific configuration, when a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is notified according to the operation. Generate a warning sound or message.
As a result, it is possible to audibly recognize that a key operation other than the shutter key (51) has been performed, and it is possible to more reliably grasp an erroneous operation.

In another specific configuration, after deleting the guidance message, an image (through image) photographed by the imaging system (1) is displayed on the display device (3).
As a result, the image to be stored can be confirmed on the screen of the display device (3).

In still another specific configuration, the guidance message is displayed so as to be superimposed on a display of an image (through image) photographed by the imaging system (1).
According to this specific configuration, even when the shutter key (51) is operated after the predetermined time has elapsed, the image to be stored can be confirmed on the screen of the display device (3).

  According to the digital camera of the present invention, whenever a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed in a dedicated mode for requesting shooting by another person, a guidance message is displayed on the screen of the display device (3). Thus, since the correct operation of the shutter key (51) is urged, the shutter key (51) is reliably operated, and the photographed image can be reliably stored.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera according to the present invention converts an image obtained from the imaging system (1) into image data by a signal processing circuit (2), and further compresses it by a JPEG codec (13). It can be stored in the recording medium (6) through the interface (15).

Image data obtained from the imaging system (1) through the signal processing circuit (2) is supplied to the liquid crystal display device (3) through the display buffer (11) and displayed as a through image.
When the shutter key (51) of the key input device (5) is operated in the through image display state, an image photographed by the imaging system (1) at that time is recorded on the recording medium (6).

Various operations according to the operation of the key input device (5) are controlled by the CPU (7), and the SDRAM controller (8) is connected to the bus (control bus and data bus) connected to the CPU (7). The SDRAM (9) is connected via the on-screen display memory (10) and the flash memory (14).
A speaker (4) is connected to the CPU (7) via an audio output interface (12).

  Firmware for generating a guidance message to be described later is stored in the flash memory (14). The guidance message is once read into the on-screen display memory (10) and then displayed on the display buffer (11). ) And then on-screen display on the liquid crystal display device (3).

FIG. 2 shows a procedure when the power is turned on in the shooting mode. As the shooting mode, a dedicated mode for requesting shooting by another person and a normal shooting mode are prepared.
First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the dedicated mode is set by operating the key input device (5). Here, when the normal shooting mode is set, it is determined NO, the process proceeds to step S2, and the processing of the normal shooting mode is executed.
Thereafter, in step S3, it is determined whether or not mode switching has been performed. If YES is determined, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the determination of whether or not the dedicated mode is set.

When the dedicated mode is set by operating the key input device (5), it is determined as YES in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S4.
In step S4, a through image is displayed. In step S5, after initial setting of the camera mode such as camera extension, a guidance message shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 3 in step S6. On-screen display. The guidance message includes a message character for requesting photographing and an image indicating the position of the shutter key.

After the on-screen display is performed in step S6 in FIG. 2, it is determined in step S7 whether or not any key operation is performed within 2 seconds.
When it is determined NO, the process proceeds to step S8, the on-screen display of the guidance message is erased, and the through image is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device (3). It is determined whether or not a key operation has been performed. If it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S10.

If any key operation is performed within 2 seconds from the on-screen display and it is determined YES in step S7, the process proceeds to step S10.
In step S10, it is determined whether or not the operated key is a shutter key. If NO is determined in this step, a warning sound is generated from the speaker (4) in step S13, and then in step S6. Go back and display the guidance message on-screen again.

  When it is determined as YES in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11, and after executing the storage process of the image photographed by the imaging system (1), the dedicated mode is exited in step S12, and the process of step S1 is performed. Return to judgment.

According to the digital camera of the present invention, when requesting photographing by another person, first, the dedicated mode is set using the input device (5). As a result, a guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key (51) is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device (3) as shown in FIG.
Others who receive the digital camera in this display state can easily understand the position and operation method of the shutter key (51) by the guidance message.

If the shutter key (51) is correctly operated 2 seconds before the on-screen display of the guidance message, it is determined as YES in step S7 of FIG. 2, and further determined as YES in step S10. In step S11, an image photographed by the imaging system (1) is stored.
If any key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed, it is determined NO in step S10, and the operation by the key operation that is executed in the normal shooting mode is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S13. After the warning sound is generated, the on-screen display of the guidance message is continued in step S6.

  If no key operation is performed before the elapse of 2 seconds, it is determined NO in step S7, and a through image is displayed as shown in FIG. 3B in step S8. The guidance message 3 (a) is once deleted. Thereafter, if the shutter key (51) is correctly operated, it is determined as YES in step S10, and an image photographed by the imaging system (1) is stored in step S11.

On the other hand, when a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed, it is determined NO in step S10, and the operation by the key operation that is executed in the normal shooting mode is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S13. After the warning sound is generated, the guidance message is again displayed on the screen in step S6.
If the shutter key (51) is correctly operated in accordance with this display, it is determined YES in step S10, and an image photographed by the imaging system (1) is stored in step S11.

  Therefore, according to the digital camera of the present invention, when a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed in a dedicated mode for requesting another person to shoot, the key operation executed in the normal shooting mode. Even if the guidance message has been deleted, the guidance message is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device (3) and the correct operation of the shutter key (51) is urged. As a result, the captured image can be reliably stored.

In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim. For example, the guidance message is not limited to characters, and can be represented by an image such as an illustration. Further, the warning sound to be generated when a key operation other than the shutter key (51) is performed is not limited to a simple buzzer sound but may be a message sound for notifying an erroneous operation.
Furthermore, the 2 seconds set in step S7 in FIG. 2 is set as the time required for another person who received the digital camera to check the guidance message, and the value should be changed as appropriate. Is possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure in the exclusive mode of this digital camera. It is a figure which shows the guidance message displayed on a liquid crystal display device, and a through image.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Imaging system
(3) Liquid crystal display device
(5) Key input device
(51) Shutter key
(7) CPU
(10) On-screen display memory
(6) Recording medium

Claims (5)

In a digital camera that includes a display device that displays an image captured by an imaging system, and that can store an image captured by the imaging system by operating a shutter key of a key input device.
Means for displaying a guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key on the screen of the display device according to the setting operation of the dedicated mode using the input device;
Means for storing an image shot by the imaging system in response to the operation of the shutter key after the setting operation of the dedicated mode is performed;
Means for determining whether or not a key operation by the key input device has been performed before a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of display of the guidance message;
Means for erasing the guidance message displayed on the screen of the display device and waiting for the operation of the shutter key when no key operation is performed by the key input device before the lapse of the predetermined time;
Means for displaying a guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key on the screen of the display device in response to a key operation performed by a key input device other than the shutter key after the predetermined time has elapsed; A digital camera characterized by comprising.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the guidance message for guiding the operation of the shutter key is an image indicating the position of the shutter key.   2. When a key operation other than the shutter key is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, a warning sound or a message for notifying that the key operation is other than the shutter key is generated according to the operation. 2. The digital camera according to 2.   The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after the guidance message is deleted, an image photographed by an imaging system is displayed on a display device.   The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guidance message is displayed so as to be superimposed on a display of an image taken by an imaging system.

Images