JPH11103404A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the fogging of an image pickup device and to prevent deterioration of an image quality by arranging an image picking up means and a displaying means on the same holding member, making the rear side of a camera body thin to minimize the digital camera and also controlling it so that a display operation of the displaying means may be inhibited during an image picking up operation. SOLUTION: The dimension from an image forming surface of a CCD 126 to the outside plane of an exterior cover 129 is made short by arranging the CCD 126 and a displaying means such as a back light illuminator 128 on the surface and rear of a printed circuit 127. Also, when an external display control circuit that is provided on a microcomputer which controls the entire operations of a camera detects photographing operation start, an LCD monitor device 109 of the displaying means and the illuminator 128 are turned off, fogging is prevented from occurring because illumination light reaches the CCD 126 from a through hole, gap, etc., through paths L1 and L2, also, power consumption is reduced and the operation of an image processing circuit, etc., is stabilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing means for photographing a subject, and an image pickup means arranged at a focal position of the photographing means for photographing a subject image passing through the photographing means.
The present invention relates to a digital camera including recording means for recording an image signal of a subject imaged by the imaging means, and display means for displaying an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, LCs equipped with backlight illumination devices
Digital cameras equipped with D (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor devices have become dominant in the market. If an LCD monitor is equipped, the quality of the captured image can be checked on the spot, and image data that is not satisfactory for the shooting can be deleted on the spot or shot again. Even a storage device having a limited storage capacity can be used to the maximum. For example, currently available storage devices, such as hard disk devices, have a limit of recording about 30 to 50 image data, and are still in a state of being expensive in terms of cost. Therefore, it is necessary to erase unnecessary image data at the shooting site on the spot and secure a new shooting capacity.

However, in the case of a single-lens reflex type digital camera in which the photographing lens is exchangeable, a mount for fixing the photographing lens is provided on the front of the camera body, and main operation members for photographing are provided on the upper surface of the camera body. Therefore, it is most common to newly provide an LCD monitor device in a digital camera using such a camera body.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional single-lens reflex digital camera. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1000 denotes a camera body; 1001, a photographing lens for photographing a subject;
The camera body 1000 can be exchanged via a body mount 1002. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a quick return mirror, which is provided in the photographing optical path of the photographing lens 1001 and guides the subject light from the photographing lens 1001 to the finder optical system, and retracts outside the photographing optical path (retreat position).
And in the retracted position in the figure.

[0005] Reference numeral 1004 denotes a focusing plate which forms an image of subject light guided to a finder optical system. A condenser lens 1005 improves the visibility of the viewfinder. 1
Reference numeral 006 denotes a pentagonal roof prism which guides subject light passing through a condenser lens 1005 to an eyepiece lens 1007 for viewfinder observation and a photometric sensor 1008. 1
Reference numerals 009 and 1010 denote a rear curtain and a front curtain constituting a shutter, and when the rear curtain 1009 and the front curtain 1010 are opened,
CCD 101 which is a solid-state imaging device arranged at the rear
Give 1 the required exposure. The image data stored in the CCD 1011 at the time of photographing is sent to a storage device through a separately provided image processing circuit (not shown).

Reference numeral 1012 denotes a printed circuit board, and the CCD 101
1, and a display substrate 1013, which is another printed substrate, is disposed behind the printed substrate 1012. An LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor device 1014 and a backlight illumination device 1015 are arranged on the outer surface of the display substrate 1013. 1016 is an exterior cover,
1017 is a hard disk device for recording image data,
1018 is a battery.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional example, since the CCD 1011 is arranged at the focal position, the camera is inevitably formed by a printed circuit board 1012 of an auxiliary circuit which also serves as a holding member for the CCD 1011. If the rear side of the main body 1000 becomes thicker and the LCD monitor device 1014 is further provided, the thickness of the rear side of the camera main body 1000 increases more and more, and there is a concern that the entire digital camera becomes larger. That is, FIG.
From the imaging surface of the CCD 1011 shown in FIG.
The size b up to the outer surface of the No. 5 became large, and how to achieve miniaturization was a major issue from the viewpoint of the mobility at the time of photographing. In addition, a finder optical system having a long eye point is required, which also causes an increase in size.

[0008] Further, the light from the backlight illuminating device 1015 leaks to the CCD 1011 so as to cause “fogging”.
, The image quality of the photograph is degraded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a large-sized display device even if display means is arranged on the back of a camera body. It is intended to provide an inexpensive and small-sized digital camera without making the digital camera.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state image pickup device and a display means which are arranged on the front and back of the same holding means for miniaturization. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera that can prevent the “fogging” from reaching the surface of the element.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera for photographing a subject, and capturing a subject image passing through the photographing means. A digital camera comprising: an imaging unit disposed at a focal position of the imaging unit for recording an image signal of a subject imaged by the imaging unit; and a display unit for displaying an image. A display control means for arranging the display means and the display means on a holding member, and controlling the display means to prohibit the display operation during the image pickup operation of the image pickup means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera according to the first aspect, wherein the digital camera is provided in a photographic optical path of the photographic means. A reflecting means movable between a position for guiding the subject light from the camera to the viewfinder optical system and a position for retreating out of the photographing optical path, and the photographing means after the reflecting means is moved to a position for retreating out of the photographing optical path. A second display control means for controlling the display operation of the display means to be prohibited until the light returns to a position where the subject light from the camera is guided to the finder optical system.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the image pickup means starts accumulation after the image pickup means starts storing. A third display control means for controlling the display operation of the display means to be inhibited until reading of the image signal is completed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera according to the first or second aspect, wherein an operation means for starting a photographing operation is operated. And a fourth display control means for controlling the display operation of the display means to be inhibited until the reflection means returns to a position where the subject light is guided to the finder optical system.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the digital camera according to the fifth aspect has the following features.
Or the digital camera according to 4, wherein the display means includes a backlight illumination device and an image display device,
5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a display operation is prohibited by at least prohibiting an illumination operation of the backlight illumination device during an imaging operation of the imaging unit.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, a digital camera according to claim 6 is the digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the image display device is a liquid crystal display. And

Further, in order to achieve the first and second objects, the digital camera according to the present invention has the following features.
7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the photographing means is a photographing lens.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the digital camera according to the present invention has the following features.
8. The digital camera according to claim 7, wherein the imaging unit is a solid-state imaging device.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the digital camera according to the ninth aspect has the following features.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein the reflecting means is a quick return mirror.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera according to the first or second aspect.
10. The digital camera according to 8 or 9, wherein the recording unit is a hard disk device.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the digital camera according to the eleventh aspect has the following features.
11. The digital camera according to 9 or 10, wherein the holding means is a printed circuit board.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the single-lens reflex digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the digital camera, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the digital camera. is there. In each figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a camera body, and 101 denotes an eyepiece window for finder observation. FIG.
2 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 102 denotes an AE (auto exposure) lock button, and reference numeral 103 denotes an AF (auto focus) distance measuring point selection button. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 104 denotes a release button (operation means) for performing a shooting operation, and reference numeral 105 denotes an electronic dial for inputting a multifunctional signal for switching a mode for inputting a numerical value to the camera. 1 and 2, reference numeral 106 denotes a shooting mode selection button, 107 denotes an AF mode selection button, and 108 denotes a photometry mode selection button, which also serves as a light control correction button. 2 and 3, 10
Reference numeral 9 denotes an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor device that displays a captured image. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 110 denotes a switch for turning on / off the LCD monitor device 109.

LCD monitor 1 according to the present embodiment
Since 09 is a transmissive type, an image cannot be confirmed only by driving the LCD monitor device 109, and a backlight illuminating device 128 is always required on the back surface as shown in FIG. The LCD monitor device 109 and the backlight illumination device 128 constitute a display unit.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 111 denotes a sub electronic dial for selecting photographing conditions and the like of the digital camera having the same functions as the input electronic dial 105. In FIG. , A main switch for prohibiting all operations of the digital camera, and 114 an external display device comprising a liquid crystal display device having an external display function for displaying photographing conditions and the like. 1 and 3, reference numeral 115 denotes a photographing lens (photographing means).

The photographing lens 115 is replaceable with respect to the camera body 100 via a body mount 116 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 117 denotes a photographing optical axis;
Reference numeral 18 denotes a quick return mirror (reflecting means) provided in the photographing optical path (obliquely provided) for guiding the subject light from the photographing lens 115 to the finder optical system and retracting outside the photographing optical path (retreat position). And in the retracted position in the figure.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 119 denotes a focusing plate which forms an image of the subject light guided to the finder optical system. 120
Is a condenser lens for improving the visibility of the viewfinder, and 121 is a pentagonal roof prism, which guides the subject light passing through the focus plate 119 and the condenser lens 120 to the eyepiece lens 122 and the photometric sensor 123 for finder observation. Reference numerals 124 and 125 denote a rear curtain and a front curtain which constitute a shutter. When the rear curtain 124 and the front curtain 125 are opened, a necessary exposure is given to a CCD (imaging means) 126 which is a solid-state imaging device arranged behind. . The image data accumulated in the CCD 126 at the time of photographing is sent to a recording unit to be described later through an image processing circuit (not shown) provided separately. 127 is a printed circuit board (holding means).
On one surface thereof, a CCD 126 is held, and on the other surface, an LCD monitor device 109 and a backlight illumination device 128 which constitute display means are held. This printed circuit board 1
27 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
, 129 is an exterior cover, 130 is a hard disk device (recording means) for recording image data, and 131 is a battery.

FIG. 4 shows a printed circuit board 127 and a CCD 126.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement configuration of peripheral portions of display means (LCD monitor device 109 and backlight illumination device 128).
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 127 denotes a printed circuit board as a holding means.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a conductive pattern printed on both sides, and a resistor, capacitor, connector, and the like (not shown) are soldered. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 126 denotes a CCD which is an imaging means.
A large number of lead pins 301 protruding from the CCD 126 are soldered to the printed circuit board 127. Reference numeral 302 denotes a metal plate for positioning the CCD 126, and the metal plate 302 and the CCD 126 are bonded. Then, the metal plate 302 is fixed to an aperture portion of the camera body 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) by screws 303.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 304 denotes the printed circuit board 12.
7 is an escape hole for the screw 303 drilled in FIG. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 305 denotes an LCD case which is positioned and fixed on the printed circuit board 127. The backlight case 128, which is one of the components of the display means, is housed in the LCD case 305, and the LCD, which is one of the components of the display means, is provided on the upper surface of the LCD case 305.
The monitor device 109 is positioned and pressed and held by the LCD pressing member 306. Since the LCD pressing member 306 is formed of a thin elastic metal plate, it has an elastic action, its hook portion (not shown) engages with a square hole (not shown) of the printed circuit board 127, and the LCD monitor device 109 is fixed. Is done.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 307 denotes a flexible printed circuit board for connection of the LCD monitor device 109, which enters the connector 308 and is connected to the printed circuit board 127 side. Reference numeral 309 denotes a flexible printed circuit board for connection of the backlight lighting device 128, which enters the connector 310 and is connected to the printed circuit board 127 side. Reference numeral 311 denotes a through hole for electrically connecting the front and back patterns of the printed circuit board 127. Gold plating is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 311 to electrically connect the patterns on the front and back of the printed circuit board 127. in this way,
The through-holes as described above are innumerably formed in a double-sided substrate having a pattern on both sides.

When the display means such as the CCD 126 and the backlight illumination device 128 are arranged on the front and back of the printed circuit board 127 which is the same holding means as in the present invention, the C shown in FIG.
The dimension a from the image forming surface of the CD 126 to the outer surface of the exterior cover 129 is different from the image forming surface of the conventional CCD 1011 in which display means such as the CCD 1011 shown in FIG. It can be seen that it is shorter than the dimension b up to the outer surface of the outer cover 1016.

As is apparent from FIG.
Since the miniaturization of 0 is achieved and the amount of protrusion of the outer cover 129 is significantly reduced, even when observing the viewfinder through the eyepiece window 101, the problem that the head of the observer's nose becomes a hindrance to photographing is eliminated.

However, when the backlight illuminating device 128 is turned on during the photographing operation, light leaked from the through hole 311 or light leaked from a gap between the printed circuit board 127 and the camera body 100 is applied to the surface of the CCD 126. Wrap around,
Gives a “cover”.

If the backlight illumination device 128 is turned on during the photographing operation, the printed circuit board 12
7, the light of the backlight illuminating device 128 reaches the CCD 126 from the gap between the printed circuit board 127 and the camera body 100 or the like. L1 in FIG. 3 illustrates a light leakage path from a gap between the printed circuit board 127 and the camera body 100, and L2 in FIG. 3 illustrates a light leakage path from the through hole 311.

The presence of this "fog" significantly impairs the quality of a photograph, and is a problem that must be solved. Therefore, this backlight illumination device 1
The display means is controlled as described below in order to prevent "light" from being applied to the CCD 126 by the light from the.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit configuration of the single-lens reflex digital camera according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 312 denotes a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera. The microcomputer 312 has an image display control circuit 313 and an image processing circuit 314 built therein. Reference numeral 315 denotes a lens control circuit. Since the present embodiment is a single-lens reflex digital camera, communication with the photographing lens 115 (see FIGS. 1 and 3), driving of the photographing lens 115 during AF, and driving of the aperture blade are performed. Is controlled by the lens control circuit 315.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 316 denotes an external display control circuit, which is an external display device 114 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
And controls the display device in the viewfinder. Reference numeral 317 denotes a switch sense circuit which has a function of transmitting signals of a large number of switches including the electronic dial 105 (see FIG. 1) provided in the digital camera to the microcomputer 312. Reference numeral 318 denotes a flash light control circuit.
It is grounded via an X contact 318a and controls an external strobe. A distance measuring circuit 319 has a function of detecting a defocus amount of a subject for (autofocus) AF. A photometric circuit 320 has a function of measuring the luminance of the subject. Reference numeral 321 denotes a shutter control circuit that performs appropriate exposure on the CCD 126. 105
Is an electronic dial, 109 is an LCD monitor device, 114
Is an external display device, 126 is a CCD, 128 is a backlight illumination device, and 130 is a hard disk device.

Next, the operation of the digital camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the digital camera according to the present embodiment. First, in step S701, the main switch 113
Is determined until it is turned on. Then, when the main switch 113 is turned on, it is determined in the next step S702 whether or not the monitor switch has been turned on (ON). Then, when the monitor switch is turned on, in the next step S703, the backlight illumination device 12
8 is turned on, and in the next step S704, the display operation of the LCD monitor device 109 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to the next step S705.

On the other hand, if the monitor switch is turned off (OFF) in step S702, step S702 is executed.
At 722, the backlight illumination device 128 is turned off, and at step S723, the display operation of the LCD monitor device 109 is stopped, and then the process proceeds to step S705.

In step S705, it is determined whether or not each operation switch of the digital camera has been turned on. When any one of the operation switches is turned on, the microcomputer 312 performs a process corresponding to the turned on operation switch in the next step S706, and then proceeds to the next step S707. The processing is
For example, it is a process of changing the mode of the digital camera or selecting a menu to read out a photographed image.

On the other hand, in step S705, if each operation switch of the digital camera is off (OFF), step S706 is skipped and step S706 is skipped.
Proceed to 707.

In step S707, it is determined whether or not the switch 1 has been turned on. The switch 1 is a state in which the release button 104 is half-pressed. When the switch 1 is turned on, the digital camera enters a shooting preparation state. If the switch 1 is off (OFF), the process returns to the step S701. If the switch 1 is turned on, the digital camera performs a photometry (AE) operation and a distance measurement (AF) operation in a next step S708. Then, the photographing lens 115 is driven to perform focusing.

Next, in step S709, it is determined whether or not the switch 2 has been turned on. The switch 2 is a state in which the release button 104 is pressed to the end. When the switch 2 is turned on, the digital camera starts a photographing operation. Then, the switch 2 is turned off (OF
F), the process returns to the step S708, and when the switch 2 is turned on, the quick return mirror 118 is raised in the next step S710 to start the photographing operation.

Next, step S711 and step S71
The second process is a feature of the present invention, and it is determined whether or not the monitor switch is turned on (ON). Then, if the monitor switch is turned on and the LCD monitor device 109 is in a display state, the display means is turned off in the next step S712, that is, the LCD monitor device 109 and the backlight lighting device 12 which are components of the display means.
And 8 are turned off.

The following is a normal digital camera shooting operation. That is, if the monitor switch is off (OFF) in step S711, the process proceeds to step S7.
12, the accumulation of the CCD 126 is started in step S713, and the next step S714 and step S714
At 715, the shutter is exposed, that is, at step S714, the front curtain 125 is run, and at step S715, the rear curtain 124 is run. Next, in step S716, the CCD 12
6, the image signal is read from the hard disk device 130 in the next step S717, the reading of all image signals is completed in the next step S718, and a series of photographing operations is completed.

Then, in a step S719, it is determined whether or not the monitor switch is turned on (ON). If the monitor switch is turned on, the display means is turned on in the next step S720, that is, the LCD monitor device 109 and the backlight lighting device 128, which are components of the display means, are turned on. Step S72
Proceed to 1. If the monitor switch is off (OFF) in step S719, the process skips step S720 and proceeds to step S721. In this step S721, the quick return mirror 118
Goes down and returns to the state before shooting.

Therefore, during a series of photographing operations of the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the display operation of the display means is inhibited from the start of accumulation of the CCD 126 to the completion of reading of image signals. Therefore, the light of the backlight illuminating device 128 does not give a “fogging” to the CCD 126 and does not degrade the image quality of the photograph without giving the photographer an uncomfortable feeling due to the disappearance of the display for a short time.

Further, as in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, when the display operation of the display means is inhibited to prevent the light of the backlight illuminating device 128 from giving “fogging” to the CCD 126, the display means is stopped. When the camera is performing a display operation, "fogging" on the CCD 126 is performed.
Although a light-blocking member or the like for preventing the above is necessary, the digital camera becomes inexpensive because this is unnecessary.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of the digital camera according to the present embodiment. The processing from step S801 to step S818 in FIG.
Step S7 in FIG. 7 in the first embodiment described above.
01 to the step S718,
A description thereof will be omitted, and only processing unique to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, step S81
When the reading of all image signals is completed in 8 and a series of photographing operations is completed, the quick return mirror 118 is lowered in step S819, and the series of photographing operations is completed. Next, in step S820, it is determined whether the monitor switch has been turned on (ON). If the monitor switch is turned on, then in step S821, the display means is turned on, that is, LC which is a component of the display means is turned on.
After turning on the D monitor device 109 and the backlight illumination device 128, the state returns to the state before photographing. In step S820, the monitor switch is turned off (OF).
F), the step S821 is skipped and the state returns to the state before photographing.

Therefore, during a series of photographing operations of the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the LCD monitor device 109 disappears during the period from when the quick return mirror 118 is up to when it is down. Because the photographer is almost observing the viewfinder,
Even if the monitor device 109 disappears, there is no particular feeling of strangeness. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the light of the backlight illuminating device 128 does not give "fog" to the CCD 126 and does not lower the image quality of the photograph. In addition, the LCD monitor device 109 disappears during long-time exposure, bulb shooting, or the like, so that the camera body 100
Since it can be confirmed from the rear side that the exposure is being performed, careless touching of the digital camera can be prevented.

As in the first and second embodiments, turning off the LCD monitor 109 which consumes a considerable amount of power during the photographing operation means that the reading of the CCD 126 and the image processing circuit 314 require a large amount of power. At this timing when power is consumed, the power to be supplied is stabilized and the reliability of the operation of the circuit is significantly improved.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the digital camera according to the present embodiment. The processing from step S901 to step S909 and the processing from step S913 to step S918 in the same drawing are the same as the processing in step S70 in FIG.
Processing from Step 1 to Step S709 and Step S713
Since the processing is the same as that of steps S718 to S718, the description thereof is omitted, and only the processing unique to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, step S90
When the switch 2 is turned on (ON) in step 9, it is determined in step S910 whether the switch 2 is turned on (ON). If the switch 2 is turned on, the backlight illuminating device 128 is turned off in the next step S911, the quick return mirror 118 is raised in the next step S912, and the ordinary digital camera is used in the next step S913 and subsequent steps. Enter the shooting operation. And step S
When reading of all image signals is completed in 918, the quick return mirror 118 is lowered in the next step S918. Next, in step S920, it is determined whether or not the monitor switch has been turned on (ON). If the monitor switch is on, the backlight illumination device 128 is turned on in the next step S921 to return to the state before photographing.

Accordingly, during a series of photographing operations of the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the quick return mirror 118 returns to a position in the photographing optical path after the release button 104 serving as an operation member for starting photographing is operated. Until the display operation of the display means is prohibited until the operation is completed, unnecessary power for display operation is wasted for a long time, such as when exposure is performed after a long shooting preparation time elapses, such as a self-timer shooting. No power is consumed, and the power of the battery is not wasted. In addition, during shooting with the self-timer, the photographer often moves away from the digital camera, so that no problem occurs even if the LCD monitor device 109 is turned off.

Further, as in the first to third embodiments,
The backlight illumination device 128 among the components of the display means
If only the display operation of the display means is prohibited by eliminating only the operation, the sequence of the digital camera can be simplified since it is not necessary to operate the drive circuit of the LCD monitor device 109 in particular.

[0060]

As described in detail above, according to the digital camera of the present invention, since the imaging means and the display means are arranged on the same holding means, the back side of the camera body becomes thin, and the size can be reduced. It has the effect of being able to.

According to the digital camera of the present invention,
Since the display operation of the display means is prohibited during the photographing operation, there is an effect that "fogging" is not given to the image pickup means and the image quality of the photograph is not deteriorated.

According to the digital camera of the present invention,
When the display means is performing a display operation, a light-blocking member or the like is required to prevent "fogging" on the imaging means. However, since this is unnecessary, there is an effect that the cost is reduced.

According to the digital camera of the present invention,
Since the display operation of the display means is prohibited from the time the reflection means moves to the retracted position until it returns to the position in the imaging optical path, the back of the camera body is used for long-time exposure, bulb photography, etc. This has the effect that it can be confirmed from the side that the exposure is being performed.

According to the digital camera of the present invention,
Since the display operation of the display means is prohibited from the start of the accumulation of the imaging means to the completion of the reading of the image signal, the display does not give a sense of incongruity due to the disappearance of the display for a short time. There is an effect that the light of the light illuminating device does not give “fogging” to the image pickup means and does not degrade the image quality of the photograph.

According to the digital camera of the present invention,
By prohibiting the display operation of the display means from the start of accumulation of the image pickup means to the completion of reading of the image signal, the backlight illuminating device that consumes considerable power can be turned off. Also, at this timing when a large amount of power is consumed by the image processing circuit, the power to be supplied is reduced, so that the operation of the image processing circuit and the like can be stabilized.

According to the digital camera of the present invention,
Since the display operation of the display means is prohibited from the time the operation means for starting shooting is operated until the reflection means returns to the position in the shooting optical path, the shooting preparation time elapses for a long time like self-timer shooting When the exposure is performed after the exposure, there is an effect that unnecessary power unnecessary for the display operation is not wasted.

Further, according to the digital camera of the present invention,
Since the display operation of the display means is prohibited by turning off only the backlight illumination device which is a component of the display means, there is no need to operate the drive circuit of the image display apparatus in particular, and the sequence of the digital camera is simplified. It has the effect of being able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a printed circuit board and display means of the digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit of the digital camera.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of the digital camera.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional digital camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 Camera body 101 Eyepiece window 102 AE lock button 103 AF point selection button 104 Release button (operation means) 105 Electronic dial 106 Shooting mode selection button 107 AF mode selection button 108 Photometry mode selection button 109 LCD monitor device (display means) 110 Switch 111 sub electronic dial 112 dial lock switch 113 main switch 114 external display device 115 photographing lens (photographing means) 116 body mount 117 photographing optical axis 118 quick return mirror (reflecting means) 119 focus plate 120 condenser lens 121 pentagonal Dach prism 122 eyepiece Lens 123 Photometry sensor 124 Rear curtain (shutter) 125 Front curtain (shutter) 126 CCD (imaging means) 127 Printed circuit board ( Holding means) 128 backlight illumination device (display means) 129 outer cover 130 hard disk drive (recording means) 131 battery 301 lead pin 302 metal plate 303 screw 304 escape hole 305 LCD case 306 LCD pressing member 307 connect flexible printed circuit board 308 connector 309 Flexible Printed Circuit Board for Connect 310 Connector 311 Through Hole 312 Microcomputer 313 Image Display Control Circuit 314 Image Processing Circuit 315 Lens Control Circuit 316 External Display Control Circuit 317 Switch Sense Circuit 318 Strobe Light Dimming Control Circuit 319 Distance Measurement Circuit 320 Photometry Circuit 321 Shutter control circuit

Claims (11)

[Claims] A photographing means for photographing a subject; an image pickup means arranged at a focal position of the photographing means for photographing a subject image passing through the photographing means; and an image signal of the subject photographed by the photographing means. And a display unit for displaying an image, wherein the imaging unit and the display unit are arranged on a holding member, and the display operation of the display unit is performed while the imaging unit is performing an imaging operation. A digital camera, comprising: display control means for controlling so as to prohibit the display. 2. A reflecting means provided in a photographing optical path of the photographing means and movable between a position for guiding subject light from the photographing means to a finder optical system and a position for retreating out of the photographing optical path; Controlling the display operation of the display means to be inhibited from the time the reflecting means moves to a position retracted outside the photographing optical path until the light returns to a position where the subject light from the photographing means is guided to the finder optical system. 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising two display control means. 3. A third display control means for controlling the display operation of the display means to be inhibited from the start of the accumulation of the image pickup means to the completion of the reading of the image signal from the image pickup means. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is provided. 4. Control is performed so as to inhibit the display operation of the display means from when the operation means for starting the photographing operation is operated to when the reflection means returns to the position where the subject light is guided to the finder optical system. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth display control unit. 5. The display means includes a backlight illumination device and an image display device, and inhibits a display operation by at least inhibiting an illumination operation of the backlight illumination device during an imaging operation of the imaging unit. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is used. 6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the image display device is a liquid crystal display. 7. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said photographing means is a photographing lens. 8. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup means is a solid-state image pickup device. 9. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said reflection means is a quick return mirror. 10. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is a hard disk device. 11. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said holding means is a printed circuit board.