JP5157428B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device.

A camera that includes a plurality of release buttons and displays the function content assigned to each release button is known as a conventional technique (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-53722 A

  In the camera described in Patent Document 1, a liquid crystal display unit that displays a function assigned to a button is provided near the button. For this reason, when the display installation space cannot be provided close to the button, it is difficult for the user to grasp the function assigned to the button.

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 is an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that images a subject, and is arranged on a first surface of the imaging apparatus, and is executed by a user to execute a first function previously assigned by the user. The first operation unit to be operated and the first function which is arranged on the second surface of the imaging device different from the first surface of the imaging device and which is assigned to the first operation unit A display unit that displays a first screen; and a control unit that executes the first function without displaying the first screen on the display unit in response to the operation of the first operation unit by a user. It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, Yu chromatography The can easily grasp the function assigned to the operation unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is an external view of an electronic camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the back, and FIG. 1B is an external view of the electronic camera 1 when viewed from below. is there. A photographing lens 111A, a function 1 (Fn1) button 103A, and a function 2 (Fn2) button 103B are provided on the front of the electronic camera 1. On the rear surface of the imaging apparatus 1, a liquid crystal monitor 104, a function 3 (Fn3) button 103C, an Info button 103D, a menu button 103E, a multi-selector switch 103F, and an enter button 103G are provided.

  The operation member provided in the electronic camera 1 will be described. The Fn1 button 103A, the Fn2 button 103B, and the Fn3 button 103C are buttons for executing functions assigned in advance by the user. When the Fn1 button 103A, the Fn2 button 103B, or the Fn3 button 103C is pressed, operations related to the functions assigned to the buttons 103A to 103C are executed. The Info button 103D is a button for displaying information on functions assigned to the Fn1 button 103A, the Fn2 button 103B, and the Fn3 button 103C on the liquid crystal monitor 104.

  The menu button 103E is a button for causing the liquid crystal monitor 104 to display a setting menu screen for performing various settings for the electronic camera 1. The multi-selector switch 103F is a button for selecting a desired item from the menu displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104. When the multi-selector switch 103F is pressed, the selection position in the menu moves according to the pressed position. When the determination button 103G is pressed, selection of an item selected by operating the multi-selector switch 103F is determined.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic camera 1. 2, the electronic camera 1 includes a control circuit 101, a memory 102, an operation member 103, a liquid crystal monitor 104, an external interface (I / F) circuit 105, and a memory card interface (I / F) 106. A memory card 150 is connected to the memory card interface 106.

  The control circuit 101 performs a predetermined calculation by a control program based on signals input from each part in the imaging apparatus. Then, the control circuit 101 sends a control signal based on the calculation result to each part in the electronic camera, and controls the photographing operation of the electronic camera 1. The control program is stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control circuit 101.

The memory 102 is used as a working memory for the control circuit 101. Also stores information relating to those have been function assigned to the function button. The operation unit 103 includes an Fn1 button 103A and the like, and sends an operation signal corresponding to the operated button to the control circuit 101. The memory card 150 is a recording medium capable of writing, storing, and reading data according to instructions from the control circuit 101.

  The liquid crystal monitor 104 displays information such as an image and text according to an instruction from the control circuit 101. The external interface circuit 105 transmits / receives commands and data to / from an external device (personal computer, printer, etc.) via a cable (not shown) according to an instruction from the control circuit 101.

  The imaging unit 110 includes an imaging optical system 111, an imaging element 112, and an imaging control circuit 113, and performs imaging of a subject in response to an instruction from the control circuit 101. The imaging optical system 111 has a plurality of imaging lenses including a focus adjustment optical system and the like, and forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 112. As the image sensor 112, a CCD, a CMOS image sensor, or the like is used. The imaging control circuit 113 drives and controls the imaging element 112 according to an instruction from the control circuit 101. Further, the imaging control circuit 113 performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal output from the imaging element 112 in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 101. The image signal after the signal processing is recorded in the memory card 150 as an image file in a predetermined format as image data.

  Next, the information screen 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The information screen 30 displays information regarding functions assigned to the Fn1 button 103A, the Fn2 button 103B, and the Fn3 button 103C. When the Info button 103D is pressed, the information screen 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104. The information screen 30 can be divided into an imaging condition display area 31, a function button function display area 32, and a preference display area 33. The shooting condition display area 31 displays information regarding shooting conditions set in the electronic camera 1 such as a shutter speed and an aperture value.

  The function button function display area 32 displays information regarding functions assigned to the Fn1 button 103A, the Fn2 button 103B, and the Fn3 button 103C. As shown in FIG. 3, an AE lock function is assigned to the Fn1 button 103A, an AF lock function is assigned to the Fn2 button 103B, and an FV lock function is assigned to the Fn3 button 103C.

  The AE lock is a function for measuring the portion of the shooting screen where exposure is to be adjusted, storing the exposure value, and shooting with the stored exposure value. When the user presses the Fn1 button 103A, the electronic camera 1 measures the portion of the shooting screen for which exposure is to be adjusted, and stores the exposure value. The user can take an image with the exposure value stored in the electronic camera 1 while the Fn1 button 103A is pressed. This function is convenient when the brightness of the subject and the background of the subject are significantly different.

  The AF lock is a function that focuses on a portion to be focused in the shooting screen, fixes the focus, and performs shooting at the fixed focus. When the user focuses the subject while pressing the release button (not shown) halfway and presses the Fn2 button 103B, the focus of the electronic camera 1 is fixed. Here, the half-press means a pressed state of the release button in which the user presses the release button to a point where the user feels resistance and stops the finger as it is. Further, when the user pushes the release button deeply from the half-pressed state, it is called full press. The user can take a picture with a focus fixed to the electronic camera 1 while the Fn2 button 103B is pressed. This function is effective for photographing a subject when automatic focus adjustment is difficult, such as a subject whose contrast with the background is not clear.

  The FV lock is a function for storing the amount of dimming by a lighting device (not shown) and shooting in a state in accordance with the stored amount of dimming. When the user presses the Fn3 button 103C while half-pressing the release button (not shown), the electronic camera 1 calculates the light control amount by causing the lighting device (not shown) to flash. While the Fn3 button 103C is pressed, the user can take a picture in accordance with the light control amount stored in the electronic camera 1. With this function, even when the subject is not in the center of the shooting screen, it is possible to perform shooting using the lighting device with an appropriate light control amount.

  The electronic camera 1 can appropriately display the setting state set in the electronic camera 1 in the preference display area 33 on the information screen 30 in FIG. In particular, setting conditions that can be set only on the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 and cannot be set directly by button operation are displayed.

  In the state shown in FIG. 3, the release priority setting at the time of setting the continuous autofocus (AF-C) is set to the area 33a, and the release priority setting at the time of setting the single autofocus (AF-S) is set to the area 33b. The electronic camera 1 is set so that the setting is displayed in the area 33c.

  The user can select and set either the focus priority mode (AF-C Focus) or the release priority mode (AF-C Release) as the release priority setting at the time of AF-C setting. The AF-C setting is a setting for continuously adjusting the focus on the subject while the release button is pressed halfway. The focus priority mode (AF-C Focus) is a mode in which shooting is performed by fully pressing the release button only when the focus adjustment optical system of the imaging optical system 111 is in focus when AF-C is set. The release priority mode (AF-C Release) is a mode in which shooting is performed by fully pressing the release button regardless of whether or not the focus adjustment optical system of the imaging optical system 111 is in focus when AF-C is set. is there. FIG. 3 shows that the focus priority mode (AF-C Focus) is selected as the release priority setting at the time of AF-C setting.

  The user can select and set either the focus priority mode (AF-S Focus) or the release priority mode (AF-S Release) as the release priority setting at the time of AF-S setting. The AF-S setting is a setting for adjusting the focus on the subject in response to half-pressing of the release button and fixing the focus state after focusing. The focus priority mode (AF-S Focus) is a mode in which shooting is performed by fully pressing the release button only when the focus adjustment optical system of the imaging optical system 111 is in focus when AF-S is set. The release priority mode (AF-S Release) is a mode in which shooting is performed by fully pressing the release button regardless of whether or not the focus adjustment optical system of the imaging optical system 111 is in focus when AF-S is set. is there. FIG. 3 shows that the release priority mode (AF-S Release) is selected as the release priority setting at the time of AF-S setting.

  The user can select and set an image quality adjustment mode such as Vivid mode or Natural mode in the image quality adjustment settings. The Vivid mode is a mode in which the image quality adjustment processing of the captured image capturing control circuit 113 is adjusted to increase the contrast, saturation, and the like in order to obtain a vivid image. The Natural mode is a mode in which contrast, saturation, and the like are adjusted to be low so that color tone can be faithfully reproduced. FIG. 3 shows that the Vivid mode is selected as the image quality adjustment setting.

  The above-described AF-C and AF-S are settings that are alternatively selected. Therefore, when AF-C is set in the electronic camera 1, the setting related to AF-S may not be displayed. That is, the display of items displayed in the preference display area 33 may be turned ON / OFF according to the setting state of the electronic camera 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the release priority setting at the time of AF-S setting is set to be displayed in the area 33b, the electronic camera 1 is set to AF-C setting. As shown in FIG. 4, the display of the release priority setting is turned off.

  With reference to FIG. 5, an operation for changing the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the reproduced image 40 is initially displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104. Note that a moving image in which the subject image captured by the image sensor 112 is sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 may be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 instead of the reproduced image 40.

  When the user presses the Info button 103D when the reproduced image 40 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 or when the screen display is turned off as shown in FIG. The information screen 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 as shown in FIG. Further, when the Info button 103D is pressed, the cursor 34 is displayed in the function button function display area 32 or the preference display area 33 of the information screen 30. The user can move the position of the cursor 34 by operating the multi-selector switch 103F. When the cursor 34 moves, the functions of the function buttons 103A to 103B displayed at the moved position can be changed by the following operation. Therefore, the user can select the function buttons 103A to 103C for changing the function to be assigned by operating the multi selector switch 103F.

  An operation for changing the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C will be described. First, the multi selector switch 103F is operated to move the position of the cursor 34 to the position of the Fn3 button (Fn3) as shown in FIG. Then, the determination button 103G is pressed to perform the determination operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, a menu screen 50 on which functions that can be assigned to the Fn3 button 103C are displayed. The user operates the multi-selector switch 103F to select a function to be assigned to the Fn3 button 103C from the menu screen 50. When the enter button 103G is pressed, the selected function is assigned to the FN3 button 103C. In the menu screen 50, the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C is highlighted. In FIG. 5D, since the Fn3 button 103C is assigned with the FV lock function, the display of the item 51 of “FV lock” is reversed. The function of the FN3 button 103C assigned by the above operation is stored in the memory 102.

  When the FN3 button 103C is pressed, the control circuit 101 reads from the memory 102 information related to the function assigned to the FN3 button 103C. Then, the control circuit 101 controls the electronic camera 1 so that the electronic camera 1 executes an operation related to the function assigned to the FN3 button 103C.

  By pressing the Info button 103D, the functions assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C could be displayed. As another method, the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C can be displayed from the menu screen for setting the electronic camera 1. With reference to FIG. 6, an operation for displaying the functions assigned to the function buttons 103 </ b> A to 103 </ b> C from the menu screen for setting the electronic camera 1 will be described. First, description will be made assuming that the reproduced image 40 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104.

  When the reproduced image 40 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed, the menu button 103E is pressed. As a result, a setting menu screen 60 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 as shown in FIG. The setting menu screen 60 is a menu screen for setting the electronic camera 1. From the setting menu screen 60, the “custom menu” relating to the detailed setting of the electronic camera 1 is selected, and “operation” which is an item relating to the operation of the electronic camera 1 is selected from the “custom menu” items. When the enter button 103G is pressed, a menu screen 70 relating to “operation” is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 as shown in FIG.

  From the menu screen 70 relating to “operation” shown in FIG. 6B, “function button function” is selected and the decision button 103G is pressed. As a result, a function button selection menu screen 80 for selecting the function buttons 103A to 103C is displayed. For example, when it is desired to display the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C, the “function button Fn3” is selected as shown in FIG. When the enter button 103G is pressed, a menu screen 50 that displays the functions assigned to the function buttons 103C is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104, as shown in FIG.

  The menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 6D is the same as the menu screen 50 shown in FIG. Therefore, the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C is highlighted. The user can recognize the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C by finding the highlighted function from the functions displayed on the menu screen 50. For example, in FIG. 6D, since the item 51 of “FV lock” is highlighted, an FV lock function is assigned to the Fn3 button 103C.

  Similar to the case where the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C is changed from the information screen 30, the function assigned to the Fn3 button 103C can be changed from the menu screen 50.

  The setting contents displayed in the preference display area 33 of the information screen 30 can also be changed from the information screen 30 and the setting menu screen 60 as in the case of the function buttons 103A to 103C. In addition, the setting content to be displayed in the preference display area 33 is also stored in the memory 102. The control circuit 101 refers to the setting content stored in the memory 102 and determines whether or not the electronic camera 1 is set to the setting content stored in the memory 102. When the electronic camera 1 is set to the setting content stored in the memory 102, the control circuit 101 controls the electronic camera 1 to display the setting content in the preference display area 33.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 provided on the back of the electronic camera 1. Therefore, even when the display device installation space cannot be provided close to the function buttons 103A to 103C, the user can easily understand the functions assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C. Further, since there is no need to provide a display near the function buttons 103A to 103C, the degree of freedom of the function button 103A to 103C installation position is increased.

  When a display is provided near the function button, the function assigned to the function button may not be confirmed without changing the electronic camera 1 depending on the installation position of the function button, which is inconvenient. For example, when the electronic camera 1 is held, the electronic camera 1 must be turned over when confirming the function assigned to the function button installed in front of the electronic camera. In the embodiment of the present invention, the function assigned to the function button is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 provided on the back surface of the electronic camera 1, so that the function button assigned to the front of the electronic camera 1 is assigned. There is no need to turn over the electronic camera 1 to confirm the function.

(2) The function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C can be changed via the information screen 30. Accordingly, when the information screen 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 and the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is confirmed, if it is desired to change the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C, the function button 103A is immediately displayed. The function assigned to -103C can be changed.

(3) The Info button 103D is provided in the electronic camera 1, and the information screen 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 when the Info button 103D is pressed. Accordingly, it is possible to immediately confirm the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C with a simple operation.

(4) When the function buttons 103A to 103C displayed on the information screen 30 are selected, the menu screen 50 for changing the function assigned to the selected function buttons 103A to 103C can be displayed. Therefore, compared with the case where the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is changed from the setting menu screen 60, the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is changed easily and quickly.

(5) The function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is displayed on the information screen 30 on which information on the shooting conditions is displayed. The menu screen 50 for changing the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C from the information screen 30 can be displayed. Therefore, compared with the case where the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is changed from the setting menu screen 60, the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is changed easily and quickly.

  The information screen 30 on which information regarding shooting conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value set in the electronic camera 1 is displayed is usually displayed with a simple operation so that the user can immediately check the shooting conditions. Can do. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the menu screen 50 for changing the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C can be displayed from such an information screen 30, the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C is changed immediately. be able to.

(6) The menu screen 50 for changing the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C can also be displayed from the setting menu screen 60. Therefore, since the function assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C can be changed by a user's preferred method, the convenience of the electronic camera 1 is improved.

(7) In the preference display area 33 of the information screen 30, setting conditions that can be set only on the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 104 but cannot be directly set by button operation can be displayed. Such setting conditions are not changed so much during shooting, and even the setting conditions may be forgotten. Therefore, by displaying such setting contents on the information screen 30, it is possible to remember that the setting contents that are not changed much during shooting are set and the setting contents can be confirmed.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) The functions assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C may be limited to functions not assigned to buttons other than the function buttons 103A to 103C. It is possible to prevent the same function from being assigned to two or more buttons provided in the electronic camera.

(2) The display for displaying the functions assigned to the function buttons 103A to 103C may be a display provided outside the electronic camera 1 at a position that is not limited to the vicinity of the position where the function buttons 103A to 103C are provided. For example, it is not limited to the liquid crystal monitor 104 provided on the back surface of the electronic camera 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an upper surface display panel 104A provided on the upper surface of the electronic camera 1A may be used.

(3) The number of function buttons 103A to 103C provided on the electronic camera 1 is not limited to three. For example, it may be one or two, or four or more.

(4) If it is an imaging device, it is not limited to the electronic camera 1.

  The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

1 is an external view of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the electronic camera in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an information screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the display of a favorite display area. It is a figure explaining operation which changes the function allocated to a function button from an information screen. It is a figure explaining operation which confirms the function allocated to a function button from a setting menu screen. It is a figure for demonstrating an upper surface display panel.

Explanation of symbols

1,1A Electronic camera 30 Information screen 40 Reproduced image 50-80 Menu screen 103A-103C Function button 103D Info button 104 Liquid crystal monitor 104A Top display panel

Claims (6)

An imaging device including an imaging unit that images a subject,
A first operation unit disposed on a first surface of the imaging device and operated by a user to execute a first function previously assigned by the user;
A display unit arranged on a second surface of the imaging device different from the first surface of the imaging device and displaying a first screen for notifying the first function assigned to the first operation unit; ,
An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit that executes the first function without displaying the first screen on the display unit in response to an operation of the first operation unit by a user . The imaging device according to claim 1,
An imaging apparatus, further comprising: a second operation unit disposed on the second surface of the imaging apparatus and operated by a user to execute a second function previously assigned by the user. The imaging device according to claim 2,
Wherein the display unit, an imaging apparatus according to claim you to view the first screen for both notifying the second Functions assigned to the second operating unit and the first Function. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The imaging apparatus, wherein the first surface of the imaging apparatus is a front surface of the imaging apparatus. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the display unit, an imaging apparatus according to claim you to view the first screen for both broadcast and the first Function photographing condition set in the image pickup device. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The display unit, the first screen for both notifying the functions of the A function that is not assigned to the operation portion disposed on the imaging device is set to the image pickup device and the first Function imaging device according to claim you to view.

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