JPH10200798A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the electronic camera of which functions are immediately grasped by the user and even sophisticated functions are easily learned. SOLUTION: The camera is made up of an operation input means 1 that receives camera operations, an image pickup means 2 that picks up an object and generates an image depending on the camera operations received by the operation input means 1 and relating to the image pickup, a recording means 3 that records the image generated by the image pickup means 2 onto a recording medium, and a reproduction means 4 that reproduces the image recorded on the recording medium in response to the camera operations received by the operation input means 1 and relating to the reproduction, and also with a mode selection means 5 that selects the operation explanation mode by an external operation for the made selection, and the reproduction means 4 reproduces a predetermined guidance for making explanation of the camera operation when the camera operation is accepted by the operation input means 1 in the state that the operation explanation mode is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly, to an electronic camera having an operation explanation mode for explaining the operation of a camera when the operation is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electronic camera for recording a still image or a moving image using an image pickup device is known. Particularly, in recent years, digital cameras have been accepted by a wide range of people because they can easily perform photographing without requiring development processing unlike silver halide cameras.

[0003]

However, being accepted by a wide range of people means that people who are unfamiliar with not only camera operation but also machine operation in general are more likely to handle the camera.

In order to learn camera operation, it is necessary to read an operation manual. However, in general, the operation manual is difficult to understand, and the operator must search for necessary information from the operation manual one by one. However, it takes time and effort for a person unfamiliar with machine operation to learn camera operation. In particular, since photography is often performed outdoors, there is a situation in which the user must always carry an operation manual before becoming accustomed to operating the camera.

At present, an electronic camera for recording a moving image in particular has not only a photographing function and a reproducing function but also an advanced image editing function. In such an electronic camera, the number of operation buttons has increased in accordance with the complexity and sophistication of functions, and handling of the camera has become more difficult. Therefore, it took more time to fully utilize the functions of the camera.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides an electronic camera which can immediately grasp the camera function and can easily learn advanced functions. Aim. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera which can save the trouble of switching to an operation explanation mode in addition to the object of the first aspect.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the first aspect of the present invention. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation input means for receiving an external camera operation.
And an image capturing unit 2 that captures an image of a subject in accordance with a camera operation related to image capturing received by the operation input unit 1 and generates an image, and a recording unit 3 that records an image generated by the image capturing unit 2 on a recording medium. An electronic camera comprising: a playback unit 4 for playing back an image recorded on a recording medium in response to a camera operation related to playback received by the operation input unit 1; A mode selection unit 5 for selecting an explanation mode is provided. When a camera operation is received by the operation input unit 1 in a state in which the operation explanation mode is selected, the reproduction unit 4 performs a pre-operation for explaining the camera operation. It is characterized in that a predetermined guide is reproduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the predetermined guide is recorded on a recording medium that is detachable from the camera body, and the mode selection unit 5 is configured such that the recording medium is a camera body. The operation description mode is selected by being attached to the device.

(Operation) In the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the operation input means 1 receives a camera operation performed by the operator. The imaging unit 2 starts shooting in accordance with a camera operation (shooting operation) related to the shooting, captures an image of a subject, and generates an image. The recording unit 3 records the image generated by the imaging unit 2 on a recording medium.

The reproducing means 4 reproduces an image recorded on a recording medium in response to a camera operation (reproduction operation) involved in image reproduction. When the operator performs a mode selection operation, the mode selection means 5 selects the operation explanation mode, and the electronic camera is switched to the operation explanation mode.

In this operation explanation mode, when a camera operation is performed, a guide for explaining the camera operation (hereinafter referred to as an operation explanation guide) is reproduced.
This operation explanation guide may be video or audio.
In the electronic camera according to the second aspect, the operation explanation guide is
It is recorded on a removable recording medium. When the recording medium is mounted on the camera body, the mode selection means 5 selects an operation explanation mode. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not an operation guide is recorded on the recording medium and select the operation explanation mode by determining whether or not the recording medium has the operation explanation guide. The operation explanation mode may be selected by detecting that the operation has been performed.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an external view of the present embodiment. This embodiment corresponds to the first and second aspects of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the main body 21 has a camera unit 22. A photographing lens 23 is arranged inside the camera unit 22, and an image pickup device 24 is arranged at a position where light transmitted through the photographing lens 23 is received. The image signal of the image sensor 24 is input to the MPU 26 via the A / D converter 25.

The MPU 26 is connected to a magneto-optical recording medium 28 via a data access unit 27. The magneto-optical recording medium 28 has a disk shape and can be randomly accessed, and is detachable from the main body 21. The image output of the MPU 26 is input to the liquid crystal display unit 29. A touch screen 30 is attached to the liquid crystal display unit 29, and a pressing operation sensed by the touch screen 30 is input to the MPU 26 as position information.

On the other hand, the control output of the MPU 26 is input to a lens drive unit 31 and an exposure control unit 32. The output of the operation button 33 is input to the MPU 26. As the operation buttons 33, the operation buttons shown in FIG. On the upper part of the main body 21, a shooting button 34, a focus button 35, a zoom button 36, an exposure button 37, and a mode switching button 38 are arranged. Further, the external output terminal 40 and the MO mounting portion 41 are provided on the side surface.
Is provided.

The MPU 26 has an A / D converter 25.
A signal processing function of performing image processing on the image signal of the image and the image read from the magneto-optical recording medium 28, a data access unit 27, a lens driving unit 31, and an exposure control unit 32.
, An operation recognition function for recognizing an operation input via the touch screen 30 and the operation buttons 33, an image creation function for creating an image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 29, and a camera operation. (Hereinafter referred to as an operation explanation image, which corresponds to the "guide" in claim 1), and the mode is switched by the mode switching operation of the mode switching button 38. And a mode selection function for performing selection.

The correspondence between the first and second aspects of the present invention and the present embodiment is as follows.
The imaging means 2 corresponds to the operation recognition function of the U26, the touch screen 30 and the operation buttons 33,
3, corresponding to the signal processing function and the control function of the image sensor 24, the A / D converter 25, and the MPU 26,
The playback unit 4 corresponds to the control function of the MPU 26, the image creation function and the data access unit 27, and the mode selection unit 5 corresponds to the mode selection function of the MPU 26.

Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, the “normal mode” will be described. When the mode is switched to the normal mode by the mode switching button 38, the MPU 26 selects the normal mode,
The camera is set to normal mode. In the normal mode, the initial screen shown in FIG. At the bottom of the screen, operation buttons for image playback are displayed,
From left: reverse button 42, fast forward button 43, reverse frame forward button 44, pause button 45, frame forward button 4
6, reverse play button 47, stop button 48, play button 4
9

All operations on these operation buttons are performed through the touch screen 30, which utilizes a well-known technique such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface). That is, the operation buttons are displayed as objects on the liquid crystal display unit 29, and the MPU 2
Reference numeral 6 detects an operator's contact operation with respect to these objects, reads an image according to the operation, and displays the image.

In the normal mode, a normal operation is performed by operating the operation button 33 and the operation button for image reproduction. That is, for example, when the shooting button 34 is pressed,
The subject image obtained through the photographing lens 23 is
4 performs photoelectric conversion, and the photoelectric signal is converted into a digital signal in the A / D converter 25. Furthermore, MPU26
In, image processing such as gamma correction, contour emphasis, and white balance adjustment is performed and compression-encoded. The encoded image data is recorded as an image file on the magneto-optical recording medium 28 via the data access unit 27.

When the focus button 35, the zoom button 36, and the exposure button 37 are operated, the MPU 26 recognizes the operation, and according to the operation, operates the lens driving unit 3.
1. Control the exposure control unit 32 to adjust focus, zoom,
Adjust the exposure. When an operation button for image reproduction is operated, the MPU 26 reads and reproduces an image from the magneto-optical recording medium 28 in accordance with the operation. For example, when the fast forward button 43 is pressed, the MPU 26 creates a display image in which frames have been dropped and causes the liquid crystal display unit 29 to display it.

Next, the "operation explanation mode" will be described. An operation explanation image for explaining the operation of the operation button 33 and the operation button for image reproduction is recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium 28 in advance. Magneto-optical recording medium 28
In the system area, information indicating that an operation explanation image is recorded is held as a unique attribute of the disc.

The operation explanation image is displayed for each operation button.
It is recorded as separate image files, and the file label of each image file holds identification information with each operation button as an identification name. This magneto-optical recording medium 28
Is mounted via the MO mounting section 41, the MPU 26
Accesses the system area and determines whether or not there is an operation explanation image based on the unique attribute of the disc.

When the operation explanation image exists, the MPU 2
6 selects the operation explanation mode, and the camera is automatically set to the operation explanation mode. A sequence program for the operation explanation mode is stored in the ROM inside the MPU 26, and the program is read out, and the MPU 26 performs the following operation. In the operation explanation mode, for example,
It is assumed that the shooting button 34 has been pressed.

The MPU 26 recognizes the operation (step S1 in FIG. 6), and accesses the file label having the "shooting button" as the identification name via the data access unit 27. The file label holds a relative address of “operation image data for shooting button”, and reads this address to seek the image data. Shooting button 3
When the operation explanation image 4 is sought, the MPU 26 reads out the image data, decodes the image data, and
9 (steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 6).

The contents of the operation explanation image are used to explain, for example, how to press an operation button, what function is executed when the operation button is pressed, and the like as a video.
Regarding the focus button 35, the zoom button 36, the exposure button 37, and the operation button for image reproduction, similar to the above operation, when the button is pressed, the original function (function in the normal mode) and the like are described. The operation explanation image is reproduced.

The switching to the operation explanation mode is also switched by the mode switching operation of the mode switching button 38. Also, a magneto-optical recording medium 28 on which operation explanation images are recorded.
It is possible to record a captured image in the empty area. (Effects of Embodiment) As described above, in the electronic camera of this embodiment, even when the user does not know the camera operation, simply pressing the operation button reproduces the operation explanation image for the operation button. Therefore, the camera function can be sufficiently grasped without depending on the operation manual, and even a beginner can use the camera in a short period of time.

Although the operation explanation image of the present embodiment is a moving image, the invention is not limited to this, and an operation explanation text may be displayed. The operation may be explained by voice by recording voice data on the magneto-optical recording medium 28. Further, the recording medium is not limited to the magneto-optical recording medium, but may be a magnetic recording medium (including a tape shape regardless of the disk shape), an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor recording medium (memory card).

A brightness adjustment button 5 as shown in FIG.
An operation explanation image may be reproduced in response to the operation of the image quality adjustment buttons such as the 0 and W balance adjustment buttons 51. further,
At this time, a sample image may be displayed, and the image quality of the sample image may be actually adjusted according to the operation of the image quality adjustment button. Thereby, the operator can understand the image quality adjustment operation as real feeling.

The external output terminal 40 is a terminal for outputting an image to a personal computer or the like. When an output cable is connected to this terminal, an image for explaining a procedure for capturing an image may be reproduced. Further, in the present embodiment,
Although only one type of operation explanation image is provided, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of types of operation explanation images (for example, explanations by moving images, explanations by text, explanations by voice, explanations in English, etc.) are recorded on the recording medium, An operation explanation mode that can be selected from among them may be set. At this time, if the sequence program in the operation explanation mode is stored on the same recording medium as the operation explanation image, the operation explanation image and the sequence program in the operation explanation mode can be changed simultaneously.

The operation explanation image is recorded on the removable magneto-optical recording medium 28, but is not limited thereto.
The information may be recorded in a built-in memory of the camera body. The MPU 26 automatically selects the operation explanation mode when the magneto-optical recording medium 28 on which the operation explanation image is recorded is mounted. However, the MPU 26 is not limited thereto. The mode may not be switched. Further, not only the operation explanation mode is automatically selected, but also the operation explanation image may be automatically reproduced. As the contents of the operation explanation image at this time, for example, the explanation about the camera function in general and the explanation about the photographing procedure are appropriate.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic camera has an operation explanation mode. When a camera operation is performed, an operation explanation guide for the operation is reproduced. Therefore, the operator can fully and immediately understand the functions of the camera without relying on the operation manual,
Even in complicated camera operations, it can be easily learned.

Further, since the creation of the operation manual can be omitted, the cost for creating the operation manual can be reduced. In the electronic camera according to claim 2,
When the recording medium on which the guide image is recorded is mounted, the mode is automatically switched to the operation explanation mode. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of switching the operation explanation mode. In this way, the electronic camera to which the present invention is applied can be easily used even by a person unfamiliar with camera operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claim 2;

FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an initial screen.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of an operation explanation mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation input means 2 Imaging means 3 Recording means 4 Reproduction means 5 Mode selection means 21 Main body 22 Camera part 23 Shooting lens 24 Imaging element 25 A / D conversion part 26 MPU 27 Data access part 28 Magneto-optical recording medium 29 Liquid crystal display part 30 Touch screen 31 Lens drive unit 32 Exposure control unit 33 Operation button 34 Shooting button 35 Focus button 36 Zoom button 37 Exposure button 38 Mode switch button 40 External output terminal 41 MO mounting unit 42 Reverse feed button 43 Fast forward button 44 Reverse frame feed button 45 Pause button 46 Frame forward button 47 Reverse playback button 48 Stop button 49 Play button 50 Brightness adjustment button 51 W balance adjustment button

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An operation input unit that receives a camera operation from the outside, an imaging unit that images a subject and generates an image in accordance with a camera operation related to imaging that is received by the operation input unit, and the imaging unit An electronic camera comprising: a recording unit that records an image generated by a recording medium on a recording medium; and a reproducing unit that reproduces an image that is recorded on the recording medium in response to a camera operation related to the reproduction received by the operation input unit. A mode selection unit for selecting an operation explanation mode by an external mode selection operation, wherein the playback unit receives a camera operation by the operation input unit when the operation explanation mode is selected A predetermined guide for explaining the operation of the camera when the camera is operated. camera. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined guide is recorded on a recording medium that is detachable from a camera body, and the mode selection unit is configured to attach the recording medium to the camera body. An electronic camera for selecting the operation explanation mode.