JPS63284528A - Camera with electronic view finder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely execute the releasing actions of pseudo photographing and usual photographing without troubles by providing a cover opening and closing member actuated with an external operation, a cover closing detection means and a means for actuating only an electronic view finder if releasing is executed at the time of closing the cover. CONSTITUTION:By pushing down a button 6 a barrier 4 opens and a switch 102 is switched on to transmit an 'opening' signal to a sequencer 101, then the memory switch 102 is also switched on to store picture information at this time in a RAM 113 through the sequencer 101. If a lever 7 is pushed down, the barrier 4 closes and the lever 7 slides to switch on a pseudo photographing switch. If the push-down of the lever is released, the lever 7 is returned with the aid of the action of spring to automatically cancel the pseudo photographing. If the releasing button 102 is pushed down when the lever 7 closes the barrier 4 under the control of the sequencer 101, only a CCD sensor 108 and other electronic view finder functions are actuated so as to make the photographing on a silver salt film impossible. Therefore, the releasing operation can be executed without troubles.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Application of the Invention) The present invention relates to a camera with an electronic viewfinder that can display image information from an image sensor.

(Background of the Invention) Silver-halide type cameras have excellent image quality (pixel count and gradation expression), except for instant printing type cameras, but in order to reproduce the captured image, the film must be developed. It was not possible to check the points on the spot where the photo was taken.

On the other hand, in magnetic recording video cameras, which have been rapidly developed in recent years, optical information is converted into electrical signals using an imaging device such as a CCD, and this signal is recorded as image information on a magnetic film, etc., and is immediately displayed on a liquid crystal display. Since it can be expressed (displayed) using elements, it has the convenience of being able to check the points on the spot where the image was taken, and also has the advantage of being able to be used repeatedly (re-photographing is effective).

However, on the other hand, due to image quality constraints such as the number of pixels and gradation expression, it is not enough to make a hard copy photo master (silver halide film negative), and it is not suitable for the purpose of preserving it for a long time and enjoying it. was unsatisfactory.

Therefore, in recent years, cameras that have the functions of both cameras, that is, electronic viewfinders that have an imaging function, an image information memory function using an IC memory, and a display function using a liquid crystal display element, have been replaced with conventional silver halide cameras. Various proposals have been made for cameras with additional electronic viewfinders.

By adopting such a configuration, the advantages of each can be utilized. In other words, before taking a high-quality silver halide photograph, a simulated photograph is taken using the electronic viewfinder function, the subject situation at this time is displayed as a still image on the display, and the composition is determined while looking at the still image. This makes it possible to take ideal pictures that allow you to make decisions.

Here, there is a big difference in the concept of safety and malfunction prevention between an electronic viewfinder system that can be used repeatedly and a silver halide system that is completed once exposed. For example, with the electronic viewfinder function, there is no fear that it will malfunction even if you operate it casually, but with the silver halide system, it is not possible to redo the same piece, so there is a psychology of wanting to eliminate malfunctions. Therefore, operability that provides a sense of security is required.

In addition, you may have intended to take a simulated photograph using the electronic viewfinder function, but accidentally pressed the release switch and exposed the silver halide film, or conversely, you may have intended to expose the silver halide film but accidentally took a simulated photograph. It is necessary to have a configuration that eliminates operational errors such as performing a photographing operation and resulting in no exposure.

(Objective of the Invention) The object of the present invention is to allow the user to safely perform the operation for performing pseudo photography and the release operation for normal photography without confusion, and to ensure that the operations are performed based on the intention of each operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera with an electronic viewfinder that can perform the following functions.

(Features of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lens cover opening member which normally holds the photographic lens cover in a closed state and which opens the photographic lens cover when externally operated. ,
A lens lid closing member that closes a photographing lens lid that is in an open state when an external operation is performed, and a detection means that detects that the lens lid closing member is externally operated to bring the photographic lens lid into a closed state. and a control means that operates only the electronic viewfinder if a release signal is input manually during detection by the detection means, and a control means that operates only the electronic viewfinder, thereby controlling the photographing lens lid closing direction in which photography on silver halide film is clearly not possible. The present invention is characterized in that, by performing a release operation during the operation of , switching to a pseudo shooting mode in which only the electronic viewfinder function is used is performed.

(Embodiments of the Invention) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera with an electronic viewfinder showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a lens barrel section 2 is located at the center of the front of the camera body 1.
The lens barrel section 2 has a barrier 4 that opens and closes the photographic optical path to the silver halide film via the photographic lens 3 (details are shown in Fig. 2), and a metering window 5 for AE (automatic exposure). It is provided. Further, a barrier opening button 6 and a barrier closing lever 7, which are operated from the outside with the left hand, are provided on the right side of the lens barrel section 2. The barrier opening button 6 is for opening the barrier 4, and is for closing the barrier. The lever 7 is for closing the barrier 4. The display LCD panel 8 displays subject information obtained through an image pickup lens 9 for an electronic viewfinder and an image pickup device to be described later. In order to take advantage of the advantages of the electronic viewfinder, the review button 10 calls up the information from the second RAM (described later in FIG. 3) provided in the memory circuit that stores the image information taken last time. This is for displaying a still image on the LCD panel 8. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 is a release button, and when the first press operation is performed, a first stroke signal is generated and the electronic viewfinder function is activated, and when a further press operation is performed, a second stroke signal is generated. A stroke signal is generated and the function for exposing the silver halide film is activated. 12 is an optical finder, and 27 is a light emitting part of a strobe built into the camera body 1.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure near the barrier 4. As shown in FIG.

The barrier release button 6 is rotatable about the release rudder shaft 13, is biased clockwise by the release button spring 14, and displacement in that direction is restricted by a stopper 15. Further, the barrier 4 is rotatable around a barrier shaft 16, is biased in a counterclockwise direction by a barrier spring 17, and displacement in that direction is regulated by a stopper 18, and normally the barrier is opened. The button 6 is locked in the state shown in FIG. 2 by a locking portion 6a provided at the tip thereof.

Therefore, when the barrier release button 6 is pressed and the barrier release button 6 (locking portion 6a) is rotated counterclockwise to release the lock, the barrier 4 is moved by the biasing force of the barrier spring 17. Therefore, it rotates counterclockwise and the barrier 4 becomes open. At this time, the barrier switch 19 is turned on by the barrier 4, and this on signal is input to a sequencer described later as a signal indicating "barrier open". Also, at this time, as the barrier release button 6 is rotated counterclockwise, the image memory switch 20 is turned on by the suppression of the protrusion 6b, and this on signal is used to display the image information at this time as described later. This signal is input to a sequencer, which will be described later, as a signal meaning "to be stored in the RAM of No. 2".

The barrier closing lever 7 has a barrier shaft 16 and a guide shaft 2.
1 and is configured to be slidable while being guided by a closing spring 2.
2 to the right in FIG. A cushion shaft 23 is implanted in the protrusion 7a provided near the center of the barrier closing lever 7. A cushion lever 24 is rotatably attached to the cushion shaft 23, and is rotated counterclockwise by a cushion spring 25. is energized by This cushion lever 24 has a falling portion 24a that restricts the counterclockwise rotation of the cushion lever 24 by the cushion spring 25, and a second part when the barrier closing lever 7 is pressed to close the barrier 4. A rising charge 24b is provided to push the charge bottle 4a provided on the back side of the barrier 4 and return the barrier 4 to the state shown in FIG. Absorbs movement after contact with the
The barrier closing lever 7 is allowed to slide to the left until the pseudo photographing switch 26 is turned on. Incidentally, when the pressing operation on the barrier closing lever 7 is released, the closing spring 22 naturally returns to the state shown in FIG. 2, and the pseudo photographing is automatically canceled.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 101 is a sequencer that receives various signals input from a switch circuit 102 that accompany the operation of the release button 11 and review button 10, or a barrier switch 19, a previously taken image memory switch 20, and a pseudo shooting switch. 2
6, the known AF circuit 103 and AE circuit 1
04. Each circuit controls the operation of the silver halide film feeding circuit 105 and the strobe circuit 106, operates the clock generator 107, and also functions as an electronic viewfinder, that is, C, which is an image sensor.
CD sensor 108 and COD driver 10 that drives it
9. A switch circuit 110 that distributes the signal from the COD driver 109, and an A/D conversion circuit 111 that A/D converts the signal from the switch circuit 110 and a first RA.
M112, second RAM 113, and D/A conversion circuit 114
a memory circuit 115 and an image processing circuit 116 consisting of
It also controls the

Reference numeral 117 is a density change operation unit for changing the density of an image, for example, and it connects the LCD panel 8 in the display circuit 118 to the LCD.
It is possible to adjust the tone to your liking via the driver 119.

Next, the operation will be explained.

If neither the inter-barrier release button 5 nor the barrier close lever 7 is operated and they are in the state shown in FIG. 2,
Sequencer 101 keeps each circuit inoperative, ie, the camera inactive.

When the barrier release button 5 is pressed to open the barrier 4 and turn on the barrier switch 19, the sequencer 101
detects that the barrier 4 is opened and makes each circuit ready for operation. In such a state, when the release button 11 is pressed and a first stroke signal is generated, and this signal is input to the sequencer 101, the sequencer 101
The subject image input through the imaging lens 9 is read by the CCD sensor 108 via the CCD driver 109.
At the same time, the state of the switch circuit 110 is switched to the image processing circuit 116 side (to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 3). Therefore, the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD sensor 108 and CCD driver 109 is guided by the switch circuit 110 to the image processing circuit 116, where image processing is performed, and then guided to the display circuit 118. As a result, L.C.
A video is displayed on the D panel 8.

Furthermore, when the barrier release button 5 is pressed as described above, the captured image memory switch 20 is turned on, so the sequencer 101 switches the state of the switch circuit 110 and transfers the image signal at this moment to the memory circuit 115. After that, when the review button 1o is pressed, the information stored in the second RAM 113 is displayed on the LCD panel 8 as a still image.

When the release button 11 is further pressed and a second stroke signal (release signal) is generated, and this signal is input to the sequencer 101, the sequencer 101 controls the AF circuit 1.
03, the AE circuit 104 and the strobe circuit 106 are operated to perform normal photographing-related operations on silver halide film, and the state of the switch circuit 110 is stored in the memory circuit 115.
side (dotted line state in Figure 3). This allows CC
D sensor 108. The instantaneous image signal sent from the CCD driver 109 is sent to the first R in the memory circuit 115.
AM112, and this stored information is stored in the image processing circuit 1.
16 to the display circuit 118, and the LCD panel 8
A still image is displayed above. This still image is displayed on the LCD panel 8 as long as the first stroke signal is generated. After that, when the release button 11 is released and the first stroke signal is no longer input, the sequencer 101 controls the LCD panel 8 to save power.
At the same time, the display at is turned off, the silver halide film feeding circuit 105 is activated to wind the film to the next frame, and the strobe circuit 106 is activated to prepare for the next light emission.

When the sequencer 101 confirms the completion of the preparatory operation for photographing according to the method, the sequencer 101 executes the memory circuit 115 and the image processing circuit 11.
6 and the display circuit 118 are operated again, and the image just taken on the silver halide film is once again displayed as a still image on the LCD panel 8. This allows you to reconfirm the previous shooting. Please note that this display is for power saving purposes.
It is configured to disappear after about 10 seconds. Also, if the release button 11 is pressed during this period and the first stroke signal is generated, the display on the LCD panel 8 will be a video display for the next frame, a configuration that respects the photographer's will. ing.

Next, when the barrier closing lever 7 is pressed to perform pseudo photography and the pseudo photography switch 26 is turned on, the sequencer 101 connects all the components from the CCD sensor 108 to the display circuit 118 in order to operate only the electronic viewfinder function. Make the circuit operational. In such a state, when the release button 11 is pressed and a first stroke signal is generated, the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD sensor 108 and CCD driver 109 is sent to the switch circuit according to an instruction from the sequencer 101. The information is guided to an image processing circuit 116 via 110, and information subjected to image processing here is guided to a display circuit 118, where it is displayed on the LCD panel 8 as a moving image. Furthermore, even if the release button 11 is further pressed and a second stroke signal is generated, the sequencer 101 does not instruct the operation related to exposure to the silver halide film (however, it only causes strobe light to be emitted). The exposure operation to the silver halide film is not performed, and the image signal at that moment stored in the RAM 112 of option 1 is led to the display circuit 118 via the image processing circuit 116, and the L
The point that it is displayed as a still image on the CD panel 8 is similar. At this time, only strobe light is being emitted, so when the release button 11 is released and the first stroke signal is no longer input, the sequencer 101
After displaying a still image on the LCD panel 8 for approximately 0 seconds, the strobe circuit 106 is activated to prepare for the next light emission.

When the barrier closing lever 7 is pressed as described above, the barrier 4 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, and the photographing lens 3 is hidden, so the operation is not performed. To the photographer: ``No exposure to silver halide film is performed.''
This provides a sense of security against malfunctions. In other words, the photographer can take a trial shot (pseudo shooting) using the electronic viewfinder function while clearly being aware that he or she has performed the mode selection operation for the electronic viewfinder demonstration. Since it can be visually checked immediately, it is expected that the technique will improve, and it will be possible to shoot on better silver halide film.

According to this embodiment, the pseudo shooting mode is switched by pressing the barrier 4 in the closing direction, so even if you operate the camera in a state of vague memory, exposure to the silver halide film will not be performed by mistake. It does not give any anxiety that it may be
It is possible to perform pseudo-photography with peace of mind. In addition, since the operation is not performed in parallel with the operation of opening the barrier 4 and taking a picture, it is possible to eliminate the mistake of operating the release with the intention of taking a picture but not exposing the silver halide film. . Furthermore, by stopping the operation of the barrier closing lever 7, it will naturally return to its original position (the state shown in Figure 2) and the pseudo shooting mode will be canceled.
This eliminates the possibility of erroneous operations such as forgetting to return the camera to its original position and taking a photograph that is not captured on the silver halide film.

(Correspondence between the invention and the embodiment) In this embodiment, the barrier 4 is connected to the photographing lens lid of the present invention, an LCD panel 8, an image sensor 9, and a CCD sensor 10.
8 to the LCD driver 118 serve as an electronic viewfinder, the barrier release button 6 and the release button spring 14 serve as lens cover opening members, and the barrier closing lever 7, barrier spring 17, and cushion spring 24 serve as lens cover closing members. The switch 26 corresponds to a detection means, and the sequencer 101 corresponds to a control means.

(Modification) In this embodiment, the pseudo shooting mode is set by inputting the release signal when a further suppression operation is performed than the barrier closing operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the barrier 4 is closed, A switch that is turned on is provided, and it is detected that the switch is on and that the barrier closing lever 7 is pressed (the pressing stroke length at this time may be shorter than the stroke length during the barrier closing operation). In such a case, a configuration may be adopted in which a pseudo photographing mode is set by inputting a release signal.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the lens cover opening member normally holds the photographic lens cover in a closed state and opens the photographic lens cover by external operation. ,
A lens lid closing member that closes a photographing lens lid that is in an open state when an external operation is performed, and a detection means that detects that the lens lid closing member is externally operated to bring the photographic lens lid into a closed state. and a control means that operates only the electronic viewfinder if a release signal is input during detection by the detection means, and a control means that operates only the electronic viewfinder. By performing the release operation during the operation, the switch to the pseudo shooting mode using only the electronic viewfinder function is performed, so the operation for performing the pseudo shooting and the release operation for normal shooting are different. It is possible to perform operations with confidence without confusion, and to ensure that operations are performed based on each operation intention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the structure near the illustrated barrier, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1...Camera body, 4...Barrier, 6
... Barrier open button, 7 ... Barrier close lever, 8 ... LCD panel, 9 ...
Imaging lens, 11...Release button, 14...
...Release button spring, 17...Barrier spring, 19
... Barrier switch, 24 ... Cushion spring, 26 ... Pseudo photography switch, 101
...Sequencer, 108...CCD sensor, 110...Switch circuit, 115...
...Memory circuit, 116... Image processing circuit,
118...Display circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A photographing lens lid that is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the photographing optical path to the silver halide film optical system, an image sensor into which light from the electronic viewfinder optical system enters, and a storage section that stores information from the image sensor. and a display unit that displays information from the image sensor or information from the storage unit as an image, and the photographic lens cover is normally held in a closed state and cannot be operated externally. a lens lid opening member for opening the photographing lens lid by an external operation; a lens lid closing member for bringing the photographing lens lid from an open state into a closed state by an external operation; a detection means for detecting that the lens lid closing member is externally operated; and during detection by the detection means,
A camera with an electronic viewfinder, comprising: control means for operating only the electronic viewfinder when a release signal is input.