JPH10186440A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of operating times of a changeover switch even in a device provided with many modes by judging whether or not a set photographing mode has been put in action, and setting the mode of previous time in the case of performing photographing in the set mode. SOLUTION: By the operation of a mode switch 10 for changing the photographing mode, a mode is set to a normal mode. In the case of operating the switch 10 next, a remote control mode is set. In the case of operating the switch 10 next, the mode changed next is set by deciding whether or not photographing is performed in the remote control mode. In the case of performing photographing in the remote control mode, the mode is restored to the normal mode. When photographing in the remote control mode is not performed, the photographing mode is set to exposure correction+1.5, exposure correction-1.5, remote control exposure correction+1.5 and remote control exposure correction-1.5 every time the switch 10 is operated thereafter, and finally the mode is restored to the original normal mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera shooting mode switching apparatus capable of easily switching and setting various modes of a camera despite a small number of switches.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, there has been proposed a setting means for switching between a large number of photographing modes prepared in a camera by one-touch operation using a dial or the like. For a camera in which a space such as a dial cannot be taken or a switch input terminal is small, means for repeatedly changing and setting a mode by repeatedly operating one switch has been proposed. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of such a conventional photographing mode. When the setting of the shooting mode is started, first, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as #) 201, the normal mode is set, and when the mode SW is turned on (# 2)
02), a remote control mode is set (# 203), and each time the mode switch is turned on (# 204, # 207, # 2)
09, # 211), the shooting mode is exposure compensation +1.5 setting (# 206), exposure compensation -1.5 setting (# 208), remote control exposure compensation +1.5 setting (# 210), remote control exposure compensation -1. Five settings (# 212) are set, and when the mode switch is turned on last (# 213), the mode returns to the original normal mode.

[0003] In some modes, it is proposed to return to the initial mode after the operation (caption mode or the like) upon completion of one operation (capturing).

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, there are the following disadvantages as the number of photographing modes increases.

[0005] 1. SW for setting the desired mode
More operations.

[0006] 2. Even if it is desired to repeat shooting in the same mode, the mode SW must be operated.

A first object of the present invention is to simplify the number of operations of a changeover switch even in an apparatus having many modes.

A second object of the invention according to the present application is to simplify the number of times of operating a mode switch for changing to the next target mode according to the state of the camera after setting the target mode, and to quickly perform the next shooting. It is intended to provide a camera which enables the following.

A third object of the invention according to the present application is to clarify a photographing mode frequently used by a photographer, and a mode to be changed next according to the camera state after setting the desired mode is often used. The present invention provides a camera that considers the operation to return to the previous mode, and returns to the original mode by one operation and enables the next photographing quickly.

[0010]

The structure for realizing the object of the first invention according to the present invention is to turn on / off one changeover switch.
A shooting mode switching unit that switches between two or more shooting modes with an OFF input, and a determining unit that determines whether the shooting mode set by the mode switching unit has been activated,
When the determining means determines that the photographing has been performed in the setting mode, the switching means sets the previous mode.

With this configuration, continuous photographing in the setting mode is enabled, and when the changeover switch is operated, the mode to be set next is predicted to simplify the switch operation. I have to.

A first configuration for realizing the object of the second invention according to the present application is a photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and the mode switching means. And a determination unit for determining whether or not the shooting mode set in the step (c) has been activated. If the determination unit determines that the shooting has been performed in the setting mode, the switching unit jumps over the next mode and returns to the previous mode. Is set.

In this configuration, after the photographing mode is changed in accordance with the purpose, if it is judged by the judging means that the photographing is performed, the next time the switch is operated, the original mode is restored. It is considered that the operation is extremely high, and the SW operation can be simplified by setting the previous mode without going to the next mode by one switch operation.

A second configuration for realizing the object of the second invention according to the present application is a photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and the mode switching means. And a determination unit for determining whether or not the shooting mode set in the step (c) is activated.If the determination unit determines that shooting has been performed in the setting mode, the switching unit skips the next mode and sets the initial mode. It is something to set.

In this configuration, after the photographing mode is changed in accordance with the purpose, if it is judged by the judging means that photographing has been performed, the next time the switch is operated, the mode is returned to the initial mode. Since the possibility of the operation is extremely high, by setting the initial mode without proceeding to the next mode by one switch operation, the switch operation can be made simpler and more accurate.

A configuration for realizing the object of the third invention according to the present application is a photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and is set by the mode switching means. And a setting unit for setting a frequently used mode. If the determination unit determines that shooting has been performed in the setting mode, the switching is performed. The means sets the photographing mode to the mode set by the setting means.

In this configuration, after the photographing mode is changed in accordance with the purpose, if it is judged by the judging means that the photographing has been performed, the next time the mode switch is operated, the photographer does not proceed to the next mode. By setting the mode of the setting unit, the switch operation can be simplified and the intention of the photographer can be reflected more.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographing mode switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a control microcomputer for controlling the operation of the camera. Reference numeral 2 denotes a camera display liquid crystal. 3 is an actuator DC
It is a drive IC for driving the motor 6. Reference numeral 4 denotes a light receiving circuit for processing a signal from the light receiving sensor 7. Reference numeral 5 denotes a drive IC for supplying power to the coil 8 as an actuator, similarly to the drive IC 3. Reference numerals 11 and 12 denote switches for photographing, and 11 denotes a first switch (SW).
1) is a shooting preparation switch, and 12 is a second switch (SW).
2) is a shooting start switch. 9 is a set switch for setting a frequently used shooting mode.
Is a mode switch for changing the shooting mode.

The operation of the apparatus constituted as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, step 101 is a normal mode of the camera. Most shooting is possible in normal mode.

Next, when the mode is changed by the photographer's intention, the mode can be changed cyclically by operating the mode switch 10 as shown in FIG. Step 102
Determines whether or not the mode switch 10 has been operated, and if the mode switch 10 has been operated, the next mode (remote control mode)
Step 103 is set. If the operation is not performed, shooting is continued in the normal mode of step 101.

In step 104, similarly to step 102, it is determined whether or not the mode switch 10 has been operated. If the mode switch 10 has been operated, the process proceeds to the next step 105 to determine whether or not the mode can be changed. Judge. As this criterion, the mode to be changed next is determined by determining whether or not the image capturing has been performed in the remote control mode in step 103. The reason for adding the judgment of whether or not the shot was taken is that when shooting in the remote control mode, the probability of returning to the original mode is higher than using the exposure compensation mode afterwards (do not use exposure compensation after using the remote control mode). Is high.

In this step 105, the operation of the mode switch 10 for returning from the remote control mode to the initial mode can be simplified from five times to one time by the above determination. If the photographing is not performed in the set mode, the process is cyclically set in step 105 to step 106 of the next mode. After step 107, every time the mode switch 10 is operated, steps 108, 110, and 11 are performed.
2 are set for each mode. In step 113, since the cyclic mode is the last, the operation of the mode switch 10 sets the normal mode in step 101, which is the initial mode. As described above, in the first embodiment, by determining whether or not a shooting operation has been performed after setting the remote control shooting mode,
By determining that the mode set by the operation of the mode switch performed next is likely to be the normal mode,
The switch operation is simplified to prevent a time lag before shooting.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
Is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention, and will be specifically described below. The circuit configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 and is omitted, and the same parts as those of FIG.

First, step 301 is a normal mode of the camera. Most shooting is possible in normal mode. Next, when the mode is changed by the photographer's intention, the mode can be cyclically changed as shown in FIG. 3 by operating the mode switch 10 of FIG. Step 302
Determines whether or not the mode switch 10 has been operated, and if the mode switch 10 has been operated, the next mode (remote control mode)
Step 303 is set. If the operation is not performed, the photographing is continued in the normal mode of step 301.

Step 304 is the same as step 302
It is determined whether or not the mode switch 10 has been operated. If the mode switch 10 has been operated, the process proceeds to the next step 305 to determine whether or not the mode can be changed. As this criterion, the mode to be changed next is determined by determining whether or not shooting has been performed in step 303 (remote control mode). The reason for adding the determination as to whether or not the image has been taken is that, as in the first embodiment, when the image is taken in the remote control mode,
This is because the probability of returning to the original mode is higher.

In step 305, the operation of the mode switch 10 for returning from the remote control mode to the initial mode can be simplified from three times to one time by the above determination.

If the photographing in the set mode is not performed, step 305 is set cyclically to step 306 of the next mode. In step 307, the state of the mode switch 10 is determined in the same manner as in step 304,
Make the following mode settings. If the mode switch 10 has been operated, as in step 305, it is determined in step 315 whether or not the image has been captured, and the mode to be set next is determined. In this case, when setting and shooting in all shooting modes, the next time the mode switch is operated,
This is because the probability of returning to the original mode in step 301 is higher.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the mode set by the next operation of the mode switch can be the normal mode by determining whether or not there is a shooting operation after setting all the shooting modes. By judging that the operation is high, the switch operation is simplified, and the time lag until photographing is further prevented.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment operates to set a frequently used mode, and will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The circuit configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 and is omitted, and the same parts as those of FIG.

First, at step 420, an initial value J = 0 is set. This setting is a coefficient for determining which shooting mode should be changed by operating the mode switch later. After the coefficients are set, the normal photographing mode is set in step 410. This shooting mode is a basic mode for shooting, and is a mode that can be used for most shooting.

By operating the set switch 9 in FIG. 1 in this mode, the step 421 is executed, the normal mode is set as the frequently used mode, and the coefficient is reset in the step 422.

If the set switch 9 is not operated, the process proceeds to step 402, and the operation of the mode switch 10 is waited. Next, when the mode switch 10 is operated to change the mode, the process proceeds to step 423, where it is determined whether or not shooting has been performed in the normal mode. If the shooting has been performed, the process proceeds to step 436. The next mode to be set is determined in steps 436, 437,
This is performed at 438.

With this processing, it is possible to set the mode previously set by the photographer by one operation of the mode switch 10.

If the photographing is not performed in the normal mode, it is determined that the mode setting is still being performed, and the routine proceeds to step 403 to set the next remote control mode. In this mode, the set switch 9 shown in FIG.
By performing the above operation, step 424 is performed similarly to step 421.
Is executed, and the remote control mode is set as the frequently used mode, and J = 1 is set as the coefficient in step 425.

If the set switch 9 is not operated, the process proceeds to step 404 as in step 402, and waits for the operation of the mode switch 10.

Next, when the mode switch 10 is operated to change the mode, the operation proceeds to step 405, in which it is determined whether or not the photographing has been performed in the remote control mode. The next mode to be set is determined according to the
36, 437 and 438.

With this processing, it is possible to set the mode previously set by the photographer by one operation of the mode switch 10.

If photographing is not performed in the remote control mode, it is determined that the mode setting is still being performed, and the routine cyclically proceeds to step 426 to set the next exposure correction mode. In this mode, the set switch 9 shown in FIG.
By performing the above operation, step 427 is performed similarly to step 421.
Is executed, and the exposure correction mode is set as a frequently used mode, and J = 2 is set as the coefficient in step 428. If the set switch 9 is not operated, the process proceeds to step 429 similarly to the step 402, and waits for the operation of the mode switch 10.

Next, when the mode switch 10 is operated to change the mode, the operation proceeds to step 430, where it is determined whether or not photographing has been performed in the exposure compensation mode. The next mode to be set is determined according to the set coefficient in step 4.
36, 437 and 438.

With this processing, it is possible to set the mode previously set by the photographer by one operation of the mode switch 10.

If the photographing is not performed in the exposure compensation mode, it is determined that the mode setting is still being performed, and the routine cyclically proceeds to step 431 to set the next remote controller exposure compensation mode. By operating the set switch 9 in FIG. 1 in this mode, step 432 is executed as in step 421, and the remote control exposure correction mode is set as the frequently used mode. Set with.

If the set switch 9 is not operated, the process proceeds to step 434 as in step 402, and waits for the operation of the mode switch 10. Next, when the mode switch 10 is operated to change the mode, the process proceeds to step 435, where it is determined whether or not shooting has been performed in the remote control exposure compensation mode. The next mode to be set is determined in steps 436, 437, and 438 based on the coefficient.

With this processing, it is possible to set the mode previously set by the photographer by one operation of the mode switch 10.

If the photographing is not performed in the remote control exposure correction mode, it is determined that the mode is still being set, and the routine returns to step 401 cyclically to set the normal mode.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the photographer sets a frequently used mode in advance,
By determining whether or not a shooting operation has been performed after setting all shooting modes, it is possible to simplify the switch operation by determining that the mode set by the next operation of the mode switch is likely to be a frequently used mode. To prevent the time lag before shooting.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a means for judging whether or not an image has been shot in accordance with the set shooting mode, and the judgment means has judged that the image has been shot. In the case, the next time you operate the changeover switch, it is expected that you will
By setting an initial photographing mode or the like with a single switch operation, mode switching with better operability is realized.

Further, by providing a means for setting a mode frequently used by the photographer in advance, after shooting in another mode, there is a high probability that the mode frequently used is always set. Regardless of the position mode, a single switch operation sets the frequently used mode to realize a more accurate and simple mode change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a mode switching diagram according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of conventional mode switching.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control microcomputer 2 ... Display liquid crystal 3 ... Motor drive IC 4 ... Remote control receiving IC 5 ... Shutter drive IC 6 ... Motor 7 ... Light receiving sensor 8 ... Shutter coil 9 ... Mode set switch 10 ... Mode switch 11 1 switch 12 ... second switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and a judging means for judging whether or not the photographing mode set by the mode switching means has been activated. Wherein the switching means sets the previous mode when the determination means determines that the shooting was performed in the setting mode. 2. A photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and a judging means for judging whether or not the photographing mode set by the mode switching means has been activated. Wherein the switching means jumps over the next mode and sets the previous mode when the determining means determines that the shooting has been performed in the setting mode. 3. A photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and a judging means for judging whether or not the photographing mode set by the mode switching means has been activated. Wherein the switching means skips the next mode and sets the initial mode when the determining means determines that the image was taken in the setting mode. 4. A photographing mode switching means for switching between two or more photographing modes by ON / OFF input of one changeover switch, and a judging means for judging whether or not the photographing mode set by the mode switching means has been activated. And setting means for setting a frequently used mode, and when the determination means determines that the shooting has been performed in the setting mode, the switching means sets the shooting mode to the mode set by the setting means. A camera characterized by setting.