JPH04367171A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prepare an electronic still camera easy to operate by switching the operating mode to the recording mode by means of release switch operation. CONSTITUTION:Mode controller 41 discriminates whether the still camera is executing regeneration or not, and if the regeneration is on, the mode controller 41 displays various types of information on a display section 43. Then, the mode controller 41 stops the regenerating action, executes release processing, takes picture of field, and stores the picture in a vacant track on a magnetic disk. If the still camera is not executing regeneration (non-regeneration), the mode controller 41 checks whether or not a release switch 31 is pressed. Then, if the release switch 31 is pressed, the controller 41 executes release processing, and terminates the re-mode interrupt processing. According to this constitution, the electronic still camera 10, even when recorded image from the magnetic disk is under regeneration, only by pressing the release switch 31 the operation mode can be switched to the recording mode. Without taking a troublesome operation, the still camera can start to take picture.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be explained in the following order. Industrial application field Conventional technology Problems to be solved by the invention Means for solving the problem (Figs. 4 and 5) Effect (Fig. 4
and FIG. 5) Embodiment (1) Overall configuration (FIGS. 1 and 2) (2) Playback mode interruption process (FIGS. 3 to 5) (3) Effects of the invention in other embodiments

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic still camera, and is particularly suitable for application to an electronic still camera designed for recording and reproducing.

0003

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in electronic still cameras, still image signals obtained by capturing an image of a subject using a solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) are recorded on a magnetic disk. There is something.

[0004] This electronic still camera is capable of reproducing still images on the display screen of a CRT connected to the electronic still camera by reproducing still image signals recorded on a magnetic disk. There is.

[0005]

By the way, this type of electronic still camera is sometimes used, for example, in such a way that images taken at a shooting location are immediately played back and checked.

In this case, by operating a playback switch and controlling the electronic still camera to a playback mode, recorded images are played back from the magnetic disk loaded in the electronic still camera.

On the other hand, when a recorded image is being reproduced and the user wishes to start photographing again, the electronic still camera is controlled to a recording mode by operating a recording switch.

However, in cases where photography must be resumed immediately, starting photography after operating the recording switch has the problem of complicating the operation and making it less user-friendly.

Furthermore, since a recording switch is provided in addition to a playback switch, there is a problem in that the electronic still camera cannot be further miniaturized.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose an electronic still camera that can further improve usability when, for example, starting shooting again during playback.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve such problems, the present invention provides a recording mode in which a captured image is recorded on the magnetic recording medium 50, and a reproduction mode in which the captured image recorded on the magnetic recording medium 50 is reproduced. In an electronic still camera 10 having a camera, the mode is switched to a recording mode when a release switch 31, which is operated when photographing a subject, is operated.

0012

[Function] Even in the playback mode, by operating the release switch 31 which is designed to take an image of the subject, the mode is switched to the recording mode, so that shooting can be started immediately without complicated operations. This can improve usability for photographers.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall configuration In FIG. 1, 10 indicates an electronic still camera as a whole. The resulting imaging light is reflected by the reflection mirror 13A of the mirror section 13, thereby making the imaging light enter the viewfinder 15, so that the photographer can visually observe the subject image obtained through the optical system 12 in the viewfinder. is being done.

The viewfinder 15 also includes an SPD light receiving element 1.
6 is provided to detect the amount of imaging light incident on the viewfinder 15 via the reflection mirror 13A, and to send a detection signal S16 to the mode controller 41 based on the detection result.

The mode controller 41 calculates an exposure value based on the amount of imaging light detected by the SPD light receiving element 16, and outputs a control signal CO according to the mode state at this time.
NT to mechanism controller 42 and LCD display section 4
3, the diaphragm 12B and shutter 20 are controlled respectively, and necessary information is displayed on the LCD display section 43.

The mirror unit 13 is also provided with a mirror drive unit 13B configured to drive the reflecting mirror 13A based on a control signal S11 from the mechanism controller 42. In response to this, the reflecting mirror 13A is raised, so that the imaging light obtained through the optical system 12 is incident on the shutter 20 that follows.

The shutter 20 is a mechanism controller 4
2, and when the photographer operates the release switch 31, the shutter speed value is set in the mode controller 41 at this time, and the shutter speed is set to a predetermined value. The imaging light enters the dichroic prism 23 that continues for a certain amount of time.

The dichroic prism 23 separates the incident imaging light into a red component, a green component, and a blue component, and separates the incident imaging light into a first CCD 22R, a second CCD 22G, and a third CCD 22G.
incident on the CCD 22B.

The first CCD 22R obtains an imaging signal S1 by imaging the red component of the imaging light obtained from the dichroic prism 23, and the camera circuit section 25
Send to.

The second CCD 22G obtains an imaging signal S2 by imaging the green component of the imaging light obtained from the dichroic prism 23, and sends this to the subsequent camera circuit section 25.

The third CCD 22B obtains an imaging signal S3 by imaging the blue component of the imaging light obtained from the dichroic prism 23, and sends this to the subsequent camera circuit section 25.

The camera circuit section 25 is configured to operate based on a control signal CONT from the mode controller 41, and is configured to operate based on a control signal CONT from a mode controller 41, and is configured to operate based on a control signal CONT from a mode controller 41.
Imaging signals S1, S2, S3 obtained from 2G and 22B
Then, a color signal S5 is obtained based on the white balance detection signal S4 obtained from the white balance detection section 24, and is sent to the subsequent video circuit section 26.

The video circuit section 26 is connected to the mode controller 4.
It is designed to operate based on the control signal CONT from 1, generates a luminance signal and a chroma signal from the color signal S5, and sends the video signal S6 obtained based on this to the recording/reproducing circuit of the magnetic disk drive section 45. 47.

The magnetic disk drive section 45 controls the mode controller 4 when the photographer operates the release switch 31.
Based on the control signal CONT output from the controller 1, the controller 46 sends out a control signal S11 for controlling the recording/reproducing circuit section 47, and also sends a servo signal S12 to the servo circuit 48.

As a result, the recording/reproducing circuit section 47 modulates the input video signal S6 into a recording signal, and sends this to the magnetic heads 51A and 51B, thereby freezing the subject image on a predetermined recording track of the magnetic disk 50. It is designed to be recorded as an image.

In contrast, the magnetic disk drive unit 45
When the playback switch 34 is operated and the electronic still camera 10 enters the playback mode, the recording/playback circuit section 47 is switched to the playback state based on the control signal CONT output from the mode controller 41, and the magnetic A video signal S10 is obtained by demodulating the reproduced signal obtained from the magnetic disk via the heads 51A and 51B, and this is output via the video circuit section 26 and the output adapter 27.

Furthermore, a mode setting dial 39 configured to set various modes, a shift dial 38 and a shift switch 32 configured to select various setting values are connected to the mode controller 41. Details of the selection item indicated by the user dial 39 can be selected by rotating the shift dial 38 while pressing the shift switch 32.

For example, the mode setting dial 39 is set to AE (
If you turn the shift dial 38 while pressing the shift switch 32 while instructing the automatic exposure) mode setting item,
Accordingly, the program mode, aperture priority mode, shutter speed priority mode, or manual mode can be sequentially switched and set.

Furthermore, by turning the shift dial 38 without pressing the shift switch 32, it is possible to select an item corresponding to the mode in which the electronic still camera 10 is currently set.

For example, when the shutter speed priority mode is set, by turning the shift dial 38 without pressing the shift switch 32, the shutter speed can be sequentially changed.

Furthermore, the mode controller 41 includes an LC
A select switch 33 configured to switch the segment display on the D (liquid crystal) display section 43 and an ID 11/calendar switch 35 are connected to control the electronic still camera 10 in various states depending on the purpose of use by the photographer. It has been made possible.

The mode controller 41 is also provided with a power supply voltage detection circuit 53 and a battery type detection section 54, which detect the voltage value of the battery installed in the electronic still camera 10 and detect the voltage value depending on the type of the battery. When the detected voltage value drops to a predetermined voltage value, a predetermined warning display is displayed on the LCD display section 43 and the viewfinder display section 1.
7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD display section 43 includes an AE display section 43A that displays the AE setting mode, a sensitivity setting display section 43B that displays the shooting sensitivity setting, and a shooting operation display section that displays the shooting operation mode. 43C, white balance setting display section 4 that displays the white balance setting status
3D, a video output display section 43E for displaying captured still images as they are on a monitor, an audio recording display section 43F for simultaneously recording audio, and a playback display section 43 for indicating the playback mode.
a data display section 43I that displays various data such as G, shutter speed, aperture value, time, etc. in segments, and a standard display section 4 that indicates the standard of the values displayed on the data display section 43I;
3H, time discrimination display section 43J indicating whether the time displayed on the data display section 43I is morning or afternoon;
, a correction display section 43K when the exposure value is corrected, and a data display section 43 that displays the current shot number or current track.
M, a data discrimination display section 43L that shows the type of data displayed on the data display section 43M, a recording mode display section 43N that shows whether the recording method is frame recording or field recording, and an empty track on the magnetic disk. an empty track creation display section 43P when creating an audio track, a reservation display section 43Q when creating an audio track in advance, a battery warning display section 43R that displays battery status, and a condensation display section 4.
Each of the 3S's is displayed as necessary.

(2) Playback Mode Interruption Process FIG. 3 shows parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 with the same reference numerals.
When the photographer presses the release switch 31 during the playback mode in which recorded images are played back from the magnetic disk loaded in the electronic still camera 10, the electronic still camera 10 interrupts the playback mode. It is configured to shift to shooting mode.

That is, in the playback mode, the mode controller 41 (FIG. 1) of the electronic still camera 10 enters the playback interruption processing procedure RT20 shown in FIG. 4, and proceeds to step SP2.
1, it is determined whether the electronic still camera 10 is currently playing back.

[0037] If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the electronic still camera 10 is in playback, and the LCD display section 43 displays the playback status as shown in FIG. 5(A). Various information is displayed and the next step SP
Move on to 22.

In the case of this embodiment, "PL
AY”, “1000” representing the shutter speed when the playback image was recorded, and “F2.8” representing the aperture value.
”, “TRACK 12” representing a playback track, “FR” representing frame playback, etc. are displayed.

At step SP22, the mode controller 41 determines whether or not the release switch 31 is pressed.

If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the release switch 31 is being pressed, and at this time the mode controller 41 moves to the next step SP23, stops the playback operation, and then resumes the playback operation. In step SP25, a release process is executed to capture an image of the subject, and the captured image is recorded on an empty track of the loaded magnetic disk.

Here, when the mode controller 41 interrupts the reproduction operation in step SP23, it displays various information representing the recording mode on the LCD display section 43 as shown in FIG. 5(B).

In this embodiment, "P" indicates that the program mode is selected as the automatic exposure mode;
"NORM" indicates that sensitivity switching is in normal mode.
, "C" representing continuous shooting mode, "AUTO" representing automatic white balance adjustment, "250" representing shutter speed 1/250 second, and "F5.6" representing aperture value. , “SH” indicates the number of remaining shots that can be taken.
Information corresponding to the recording mode, such as "OT 10" and "FR" representing frame recording, is displayed.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP22, this indicates that the release switch 31 is not pressed during playback, and at this time the mode controller 41 returns to step SP26.
Then, the playback mode interruption process ends.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP21, this means that the electronic still camera 10 is not in playback, and at this time the mode controller 41 moves to step SP24 and switches the release switch 31. It is determined whether or not the button is being pressed.

If a positive result is obtained here, the mode controller 41 moves to the next step SP25, executes the release process in the same manner as in the case described above, and then proceeds to step SP25.
At P26, the playback mode interruption process ends.

Further, if a negative result is obtained in step SP24, this means that playback is not in progress and that the release switch 31 has not been pressed. At this time, the mode controller 41 returns to step SP2.
In step 6, the playback mode interruption process ends.

In the above configuration, the electronic still camera 1
0, even when a recorded image is being reproduced from a magnetic disk, the mode can be switched to the recording mode simply by pressing the release switch 31.

Therefore, when a photographer wants to start shooting during playback, he or she can press the release switch 31 as a normal shooting operation without performing any special operation such as changing the electronic still camera 10 to recording mode. With just this operation, the electronic still camera 10 can be shifted to the recording mode and shooting can be started.

[0049] Thereby, the photographer can immediately start the photographing operation without performing complicated operations, and the operability can be improved accordingly.

According to the above configuration, the release switch 3
Electronic still camera 10 that is playing back just by pressing 1
By switching the camera to the recording mode, the photographer can immediately start shooting without performing any special operations even during playback, further improving usability.

By the way, by making the electronic still camera 10 shift to the recording mode simply by pressing the release switch 31, there is no need to provide a switch to shift from the playback mode to the recording mode, which makes the electronic still camera 10 even more convenient. The camera 10 can be downsized.

(3) Other Embodiments Although the above-mentioned embodiments have described the case where the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other It can be widely applied to various cameras.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic still camera that is even more user-friendly can be realized by switching to the recording mode by operating the release switch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an LCD display section.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the appearance of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reproduction mode interruption processing procedure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the display state of the LCD display section for each mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

10...Electronic still camera, 12...Optical system, 13...
Mirror section, 15...Finder, 20...Shutter, 2
2R, 22G, 22B...solid-state image sensor, 23...dichroic prism, 31...release switch, 38
...Shift dial, 41 ...Mode controller, 4
2...Mechanism controller, 43...LCD display unit, 45...Magnetic disk drive unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: An electronic still camera having a recording mode for recording a captured image on a magnetic recording medium and a playback mode for reproducing the captured image recorded on the magnetic recording medium, which is operated when capturing an image of a subject. An electronic still camera characterized in that the recording mode is switched to when a release switch configured as described above is operated.