JP3782498B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging equipment for setting the function selected by the user to a predetermined operation switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a video camera or the like has a plurality of operation functions such as a focusing (automatic and manual) function, an exposure function, recording, playback, fast forward, rewind, and stop, but an operation switch for each operation function. If the switch is provided, the number of operation switches increases, and as a result, the size of the video camera body increases.
[0003]
In recent years, with the rapid progress of semiconductor technology, miniaturization of each component of a video camera has been promoted, and the video camera has been reduced in size and weight.
[0004]
However, as the video camera body becomes smaller and lighter, the number of operation functions installed increases, and the number of operation switches for that function increases. As a result, the video camera body depends on the number of operation switches for the functions. May be limited in size and weight.
[0005]
In order to eliminate the limitations of reducing the size and weight of the video camera due to the large number of operation switches, select the operation function specified by the photographer from the multiple operation functions and perform the selected operation function for the specified operation. Video cameras having function setting means for setting switches have appeared. By providing this function setting means, it is not necessary to provide an operation switch for each installed operation function, and the number of operation switches for each operation function can be reduced.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the operation function designated by the function setting means is set to a predetermined operation switch, the operation function set to the operation switch can be executed by operating the operation switch. Each time an operation function is set, or an operation function set to the operation switch is changed or released, it is necessary to always know the current function set to the operation switch.
[0007]
However, if the function set for the operation switch is changed repeatedly, the photographer assumes that the desired function is set even though the function different from the desired function is set for the operation switch. It may be misunderstood and the desired functional operation may not be obtained.
[0008]
Further, when the photographer notices that a function different from the desired operation function is set in the operation switch, it is necessary to perform an operation for setting the desired operation function in the operation switch again.
[0009]
As described above, in a conventional video camera, if the photographer does not know which operation function is set in the operation switch, a desired function operation may not be obtained, and the operation function setting is performed again. It is not possible to confirm in advance which function is the current function set in the operation switch.
[0010]
Accordingly, the present invention is to notify the user prior to perform the functions set before or with the operation switch for changing the set function the functions set to a predetermined operation switch on the operation switch The purpose is to be able to.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One of the imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus for setting the function selected by the user to a predetermined operation switch, the the user operating a function set by the user to the operation switch switches using holding means for holding a value that indicates the functions to be performed, after the supply of the imaging device is turned on, the value of the function set in the operation switch said holding means for holding by operating and discriminating means for discriminating Te, the power supply of the imaging device even after it is turned on, before changing the function of the user is set to the operation switch, the function set in the operation switch And display means for displaying information to be expressed.
Furthermore, one other imaging apparatus of the present invention is a functional I imaging apparatus der, the user set the operation switch for setting the function selected by the user to a predetermined operation switch used who is holding means for holding a value that indicates the function performed by operating the operation switch, after the power of the imaging apparatus is turned on, the holding means the function set in the operation switch and discrimination means for discriminating by using a value held, the power of the imaging apparatus even after it is turned on, before executing the function which the user is set to the operation switch, set on the operation switch and having a display means for displaying information representative of the functions that are.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video camera constituting one embodiment of the camera of the present invention.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the video camera includes an imaging unit 1 that captures a subject image. The imaging unit 1 photoelectrically converts an optical lens group that captures a subject image, a drive mechanism for performing a focusing operation, a zoom operation, and an aperture adjustment operation in the optical lens group, and a subject image captured by the optical lens group. It has a solid-state image sensor (CCD) that converts it into an image signal 1 a, and the image signal 1 a is output to the video processor 2.
[0022]
The video processing unit 2 is provided with the image signal 1a and the character signal 4a output from the character signal generation unit 4, and the character signal 4a is set to shooting data such as date and time, and an operation function switch, as will be described later. It consists of a signal that contains confirmation information about the operating function. The video processing unit 2 performs a recording operation for recording a video signal on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape and a playback operation for reproducing the video signal from the recording medium.
[0023]
In the recording operation, the imaging signal 1a from the imaging unit 1 and the character signal 4a from the character signal generation unit 4 are subjected to predetermined processing, and the character signal 4a from which the confirmation information regarding the operation function is removed is superimposed on the imaging signal 1a. The video signal is generated, the video signal is recorded on the recording medium, and the monitor video signal 2a is generated. The monitor video signal 2 a is a signal obtained by superimposing the character signal 4 a on the imaging signal 1 a, and this signal is output to the finder unit 3.
[0024]
On the other hand, in the reproduction operation, a video signal is reproduced from a recording medium and output to an external monitor, and a video signal obtained by superimposing the character signal 4a on the video signal is input to the finder unit 3 as a monitor video signal 2a. Output.
[0025]
The finder unit 3 is composed of an electric view finder, and the video indicated by the monitor video signal 2a is displayed on the display screen of the finder.
[0026]
The character signal generation unit 4 that outputs the character signal 4a generates a character signal 4a indicating the data 5a given from the control unit 5, and the character signal 4a is output to the video processing unit 2 as described above. .
[0027]
The control unit 5 controls the entire system and controls each unit corresponding to the instructed operation function. This operation function includes functions such as an automatic focus adjustment function, a manual focus adjustment function, a shutter function, fade-in / out, backlight control, playback, fast forward, rewind, stop, and recording. A predetermined operation function among these operation functions is set to the function operation switch SW1, and the operation by the operation function is controlled by pressing the function operation switch SW1. The operation functions of playback, fast forward, rewind, stop, and recording are executed by setting the function operation switch SW1, and are provided corresponding to these operation functions independently of the function operation switch SW1. Each operation function is set to be executable by operating each operation switch (not shown).
[0028]
Setting of a predetermined operation function to the function operation switch SW1 is performed by a function setting process by the setting switch SW2, and this function setting process includes a plurality of operation functions designated in accordance with the pressing operation of the setting switch SW2 by the photographer. The control unit 5 executes the selected operation function so as to set the selected operation function in the function operation switch SW1. Specifically, when the setting switch SW2 is pressed, the cumulative value (KEYSEL) of the number of pressing operations of the setting switch SW2 at the present time is calculated, and the operation function associated with the cumulative value (KEYSEL) is the function operation switch. Set to SW1. The accumulated value (KEYSEL) is held in a memory in the control unit 5.
[0029]
The operation function set in the operation function switch SW1 is displayed on the display screen of the finder unit 3 by the setting operation function display process. The setting operation function display process includes a normal display process and an initial display process.
[0030]
In the normal display process, confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is supplied to the finder unit 3 through the character signal generation unit 4 and the video processing unit 2, and the confirmation information is operated on the operation function switch SW1. Control is performed to display on the display screen of the finder unit 3 while changing the display form according to the state. This normal display process is executed according to whether the display selection switch SW3 is turned on or off. For example, when the display selection switch SW3 is turned on, the normal time display process is executed. When the display selection switch SW3 is turned off, the normal time display process is not executed and the function operation switch SW1 is set. Confirmation information regarding the operation function is not displayed on the finder unit 3.
[0031]
On the other hand, in the initial display process, the control information related to the function set in the function operation switch SW1 is controlled to be displayed on the display screen of the finder unit 3 for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) when the power is turned on. After execution of the initial display process, a transition is made to a function setting process including a normal display process.
[0032]
Next, the correspondence relationship between the cumulative value (KEYSEL) of the number of pressing operations of the setting switch SW2 and the operation function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the cumulative value (KEYSEL) of the number of pressing operations of the setting switch SW2 and the operation function in the video camera of FIG.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, manual focus (M.FOCUS), shutter (SHUTTER), fade-in / out (FADE), backlight control ( BLC), playback (PLAY), fast forward (FF), rewind (REW), stop (STOP), and recording (REC). Each operation function is associated with a cumulative value (KEYSEL) from 0 to 8, respectively. ing.
[0034]
When this manual focus (M.FOCUS) is set in the function operation switch SW1, the automatic focus adjustment function (A.FOCUS) is canceled in accordance with the setting of the manual focus (M.FOCUS), and the function operation switch SW1. Manual focusing can be performed while is pressed (ON). When the function operation switch SW1 is turned off, the current focus state is maintained.
[0035]
When the shutter (SHUTTER) is set to the function operation switch SW1, every time the function operation switch SW1 is pressed, the CCD charge sweep speed of the imaging unit 1 is changed stepwise while circulating within a predetermined speed range. Is done.
[0036]
When fade-in / out (FADE) is set in the function operation switch SW1, the fade-in and fade-out operations are switched and executed each time the function operation switch SW1 is pressed.
[0037]
When the backlight control (BLC) is set to the function operation switch SW1, the automatic aperture adjustment function is canceled, and the aperture can be adjusted stepwise as the function operation switch SW1 is pressed.
[0038]
When the play (PLAY), fast forward (FF), rewind (REW), stop (STOP), and record (REC) operation functions are set to the function operation switch SW1, it is supported by pressing the function operation switch SW1. For example, when a playback (PLAY) operation function is set in the function operation switch SW1, the playback operation is started by pressing the function operation switch SW1.
[0039]
Next, the function setting process described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a flowchart showing the initial display process and function setting process in the video camera of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the initial display process of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a function setting process including the normal display process of FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing a display example of confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 in the finder section 3 of the video camera shown in FIG.
[0040]
When the power is turned on, referring to FIG. 3, first, an initial display process is executed (step S11). In this initial display process, confirmation information regarding the function set in the function operation switch SW1 is displayed on the display screen of the finder unit 3 for a predetermined time. The details of the initial display process will be described later.
[0041]
After the initial display process is executed, a function setting process including a normal display process is executed (step S12). The function setting process including the normal time display process will be described later.
[0042]
Next, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (step S13). If the power is on, the process is repeated from step S12. When the power is turned off, the process ends.
[0043]
Next, the initial display process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044]
When the initial display process (step S11) is executed when the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 4, the value of KEYSEL (the cumulative value of the number of pressing operations of the setting switch SW2) is read from the internal memory (step S21).
[0045]
Next, the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is determined based on the read value of KEYSEL (step S22), confirmation information regarding the determined operation function is generated, and the predetermined time finder 3 Displayed on the display screen.
[0046]
Next, a function setting process including a normal display process that is shifted to after the initial display process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0047]
When the function setting process including the normal time display process is executed along with the end of the initial time display process, it is first determined whether or not the setting switch SW2 is on as shown in FIG. 5 (step S31). If the setting switch SW2 is on, it is determined whether or not the value of KEYSEL is equal to “8” (step S39), and the value of KEYSEL is updated according to the result of the determination. Specifically, if the value of KEYSEL is not “8”, the value of KEYSEL is incremented by “1” (step S40). If the value of KEYSEL is equal to “8”, the value of KEYSEL is returned to “0”. (Step S41).
[0048]
After updating the KEYSEL value, the operation function corresponding to the updated KEYSEL value is set in the function operation switch SW1 (step S42), and the process proceeds to step S13 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0049]
As described above, in the operation function setting process, the value of KEYSEL is updated every time the setting switch SW2 is turned on (pressed), and the corresponding operation function is applied to the function operation switch 1 according to the updated value of KEYSEL. Is set.
[0050]
Next, when the setting switch SW2 is off (step S31), it is determined whether or not the function operation switch SW1 is on (step S32).
[0051]
If the function operation switch SW1 is on, the operation function currently set in the function operation switch SW1 is determined based on the value of KEYSEL, and the operation function is executed (step S33).
[0052]
Next, it is determined whether or not the display selection switch SW3 is on (step S34). If the display selection switch SW3 is off, the process proceeds to step S13 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0053]
If the display selection switch SW3 is on (step S34), confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is generated, and the confirmation information is displayed in a finder in a display form corresponding to the on state of the function operation switch SW1. It is displayed on the display screen of unit 3 (step S35).
[0054]
As a display form corresponding to the ON state of the function operation switch SW1, reverse display is performed. For example, if the operation function set on the function operation switch SW1 is manual focusing (M.FOCUS), the function operation switch SW1 is set on the display screen of the finder unit 3 as shown in FIG. “SW1: M. FOCUS” is highlighted as confirmation information regarding the operated function.
[0055]
After the confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is displayed, the process proceeds to step S13 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0056]
On the other hand, when the function operation switch SW1 is OFF (step S32), the operation function currently set in the function operation switch SW1 is determined based on the value of KEYSEL, and the execution of the operation function is stopped. It is held (step S36).
[0057]
Next, it is determined whether or not the display selection switch SW3 is on (step S37). If the display selection switch SW3 is off, the process proceeds to step S13 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0058]
If the display selection switch SW3 is on (step S37), confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is generated, and the confirmation information is displayed in a finder in a display form corresponding to the off state of the function operation switch SW1. It is displayed on the display screen of the section 3 (step S38).
[0059]
As a display form corresponding to the OFF state of the function operation switch SW1, normal display is performed. For example, if the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is manual focusing (M.FOCUS), the function operation switch SW1 is set on the display screen of the finder unit 3 as shown in FIG. “SW1: M. FOCUS” is normally displayed as confirmation information regarding the operated function.
[0060]
After the confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is displayed, the process proceeds to step S13 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0061]
As described above, the display screen of the finder unit 3 changes the display form of the confirmation information related to the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 according to the operation state (ON, OFF) of the operation function switch SW1 by the normal display process. Therefore, the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 can be easily confirmed in advance and the execution state of the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 can be easily confirmed.
[0062]
Further, since the execution of the normal time display process is controlled according to whether the display selection switch SW3 is turned on or off, the presence / absence of display of confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is selected according to the photographer's intention. be able to.
[0063]
Further, confirmation information regarding the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is displayed on the display screen of the finder unit 3 for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) by the initial display process when the power is turned on. The operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 can be confirmed, and erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of the operation function currently set in the function operation switch SW1 can be prevented.
[0064]
In this embodiment, the display example when the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is described has been described. However, confirmation information regarding other operation functions set in the function operation switch SW1 is also manually focused. Displayed in the same manner as the confirmation information regarding (M.FOCUS).
[0065]
In this embodiment, manual focus (M.FOCUS), shutter (SHUTTER), fade in / out (FADE), backlight control (BLC), playback (PLAY), fast forward (FF), rewind (REW), stop (STOP), and recording (REC) operation functions can be set to the function operation switch SW1, but other operation functions are not limited to these operation functions, and the function operation switch It goes without saying that it can be set as an operation function that can be set in SW1.
[0066]
Furthermore, the display form of the confirmation information related to the operation function set in the function operation switch SW1 is switched between the normal display and the reverse display in accordance with the operation state (ON / OFF) of the operation function switch SW1. Also, a method of changing the character type of the confirmation information, a method of changing the content of the confirmation information, or the like according to the operation state (ON, OFF) of the operation function switch SW1 can be used.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention according to claim 1, 3 to 9, before the user will change the function set to a predetermined operation switch, and notifies the user of the function set in the operation switch be able to.
Further, the invention according to claim 2, 3 9, before the user would perform the function set in the predetermined operation switch, the user of the function set in the operation switch You can be notified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video camera constituting one embodiment of a camera of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between an accumulated value (KEYSEL) of the number of pressing operations of the setting switch SW2 and an operation function in the video camera of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing initial display processing and function setting processing in the video camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the initial display process of FIG. 3;
5 is a flowchart showing a function setting process including a normal time display process of FIG. 3;
6 is a view showing a display example of confirmation information related to an operation function set in a function operation switch SW1 in the viewfinder section 3 of the video camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up part 2 Image processing part 3 Finder part 4 Character signal generation part 5 Control part SW1 Function operation switch SW2 Setting switch SW3 Display selection switch

Claims (9)

An imaging device for setting a function selected by a user to a predetermined operation switch,
A holding means for the user to hold a value that indicates the functions performed by the use an operation set in the switch function manipulates the operation switch,
After the power of the imaging apparatus is turned on, a determination means for determining a function that is set to the operation switch using a value in which the holding means holds,
Even after the power supply of the imaging device is turned on, before changing the function of the user is set to the operation switch, display means for displaying information representative of the function set in the operation switch An imaging apparatus comprising: What imaging apparatus der setting the function selected by the user to a predetermined operation switch,
A holding means for the user to hold a value that indicates the functions performed by the use an operation set in the switch function manipulates the operation switch,
After the power of the imaging apparatus is turned on, a determination means for determining a function that is set to the operation switch using a value in which the holding means holds,
Even after the power supply of the imaging device is turned on, before executing the function which the user is set to the operation switch, display means for displaying information representative of the function set in the operation switch An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit. The manipulating function is set to switch, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a function relating to the regulation of focus. The manipulating function is set to switch, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a function relating to the shutter. Function set in the operation switch, the imaging device according to any one of claims 1, 4, and 5, characterized in that it comprises a function relating to fade-in and Ford-out. Function set in the operation switch, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or et 6, characterized in that it comprises a function of the regulation of the diaphragm. Function set in the operation switch, playback, fast forward, rewind, imaging device according to any one of claims 1 or et 7, characterized in that it comprises a function for suspension or recording. The display means, the image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 or et 8, characterized in that to display the information indicating the function set in the operation switch only for a predetermined time.

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