JP2004072195A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To urge a user to utilize special functions of a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: A camera body 10 is provided with a print exclusive button 18 operated when the user sets print order of an object image in addition to a release button 19 and a monitor operation section 17 operated when the user uses a photographing function for photographing the object image and a reproduction function for reproducing the photographed object image. When the user sets a print ordering of the object image, the user simultaneously depresses the print exclusive button 18 and the release button 19 to photograph the object image. After the photographing, the user depresses a menu selection / decision button 17b to set DPOF information such as the number of ordered prints and stores the DPOF information and image data in a storage medium. Or also, the user uses the communication function to transfer the data above to an external server installed in a DPE shop or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera having a special function other than a photographing function and a reproduction function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Digital cameras that convert subject images captured by a CCD image sensor or the like into image data and store them in a storage medium such as an internal memory or a memory card have become widespread. Recently, various digital cameras having special functions have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-150673 discloses the number of print orders for a photographed subject image, A digital camera set in combination with a release button to be pressed is described. In this digital camera, the order quantity and image data can be confirmed via a liquid crystal monitor, and the convenience of print ordering is enhanced.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the digital camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-150673 is a release button that is operated when placing a print order. The effect of actively using print orders could not be expected.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can prompt a user to use a special function.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital camera having a photographing function for photographing a subject image, a reproducing function for reproducing the photographed subject image, and special functions other than the photographing function and the reproducing function. In addition to the operation member operated when using the photographing function and the reproduction function, a special function operation member operated when using the special function is provided in the camera body. The special function operation member is preferably operated when setting the print order of the subject image.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a digital camera embodying the present invention. On the back of the camera body 10 of the digital camera 2, a strobe operation button 11, a macro selection button 12, a mode switch 13, a frame advance button 14 a, a frame return button 14 b, a zoom button 15, a liquid crystal monitor 16, a monitor operation unit 17, In addition, a dedicated print button 18 is provided. A release button 19 is provided on the top surface of the camera body 10, and an external connection terminal 20 is provided on the side surface. In addition, a communication means (not shown) is incorporated in the camera body 10 and a communication function that enables data transfer to the outside is added.
[0007]
The digital camera 2 presses the release button 19 to capture a subject image (through image) displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 with a CCD image sensor (not shown), and converts the subject image into digital image data. Save to a storage medium such as internal memory or memory card.
[0008]
The flash operation button 11 is pressed to select whether or not flash photography is performed. The macro selection button 12 is pressed when selecting the standard shooting mode or the close-up mode. The mode switch 13 is slid up and down when selecting a shooting mode for shooting a subject and a playback mode for displaying a shot image on the liquid crystal monitor 16. The frame return buttons 14a and 14b are used when selecting a frame number of a captured image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 during reproduction. The zoom button 15 is operated when zooming the subject image during shooting.
[0009]
Various setting items of the digital camera 2 are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 in addition to the above-described through image and reproduced image. The monitor operation unit 17 includes a display button 17a, a menu selection / determination button 17b, and a cancel button 17c, and is pressed when various setting items are displayed, selected, determined, and released. When connecting the digital camera 2 to a personal computer, a printer, or the like, a connection cable connector or the like is attached to the external connection terminal 20.
[0010]
The print dedicated button 18 is used when setting the print order for the subject image. In order to set the print order of the subject image, the subject image is first shot by simultaneously pressing the print button 18 and the release button 19 in the shooting mode. After shooting, the menu selection / decision button 17b is pressed to set DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) information such as the number of orders. Finally, the DPOF information and the image data are stored in a storage medium. Alternatively, these data are transferred to an external server installed in a DPE store using a communication function. Although the print order setting is performed in the shooting mode here, the print order setting may be performed collectively while confirming the image in the reproduction mode after the shooting is completed. In addition, it is preferable that the print dedicated button 18 has a highly visible design that is differentiated from other operation buttons in order to further encourage the user to use the print order.
[0011]
If there is no free space in the storage medium, the user can operate the communication function by pressing the print dedicated button 18 to transfer the image data to the external server. You can enjoy shooting without worrying about. In addition, when the digital camera 2 is connected via the external connection terminal 20 to transfer image data to a business printer used in a retail store handling photo development such as a DPE store, an operation of pressing the print dedicated button 18 It is also possible to automatically transfer data only with this.
[0012]
Note that the print size may be set by simultaneously pressing the print dedicated button 18 and the menu selection / decision button 17b in the shooting mode. Also, in playback mode, trimming print order setting by pressing simultaneously with the zoom button 15, panoramic size angle setting by pressing simultaneously with the frame return buttons 14a and 14b, and brightness correction setting for printing by pressing simultaneously with the strobe operation button 11. The white balance adjustment may be performed by pressing the macro selection button 12 simultaneously, the character and illustration insertion setting may be performed by simultaneously pressing the display button 17a, and the DPOF information setting may be canceled by simultaneously pressing the cancel button 17c. In addition, automatic transfer of image data to a personal computer or printer owned by the user (in the case of a printer, automatic printing starts after automatic transfer), image data is transferred from the user's printer to the DPE store, and printed at the DPE store. It is also possible to perform a function such as performing only by pressing the print dedicated button 18.
[0013]
In the above-described embodiment, the setting is performed by simultaneously pressing the print dedicated button 18 and various operation buttons. However, the setting may be performed by pressing the various operation buttons after pressing the print dedicated button 18. The present invention can also be applied to a digital camera having a special function other than the print order setting function.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital camera of the present invention, the special function operation member operated when using the special function is separated from the operation member operated when using the photographing function and the reproduction function. Because it is provided in the above, it is possible to prompt the user to use a special function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a digital camera embodying the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Digital camera 10 Camera body 16 LCD monitor 18 Print-only button 19 Release button

Claims (2)

In a digital camera having a shooting function for shooting a subject image, a playback function for playing back a shot subject image, and special functions other than these shooting function and playback function,
A digital camera characterized in that a special function operation member operated when using the special function is provided in the camera body separately from an operation member operated when using the photographing function and the reproduction function. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the special function operation member is operated when a print order setting of a subject image is performed.

Images