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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera has a shutter release button. A mode selector sets
a selected one of a regular photographing mode and a macro photographing
mode adapted to image pickup at a nearer distance of close-up than
the regular photographing mode. An LCD display panel as a user interface
has an alarm generating region which outputs an alarm signal visually
as an enlarged alarm icon, and/or a sound source as a user interface
audibly outputs sound of alarm message voice. A controller is responsive
to depression of the shutter release button, for mode discernment
by checking a state of the mode selector. The LCD and/or sound source
is driven if the macro photographing mode is set selectively.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera comprising: a mode selector for setting a selected
one of a regular photographing mode and a macro photographing mode
adapted to image pickup at a near distance which is smaller than
a nearest distance of an object which can be in focus by setting
said regular photographing mode; and an alarm generating device,
responsive to depression of a shutter release button, for checking
whether said macro photographing mode is set selectively, and for
outputting an alarm signal if said macro photographing mode is set.
2. A digital camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said alarm generating
device includes: a signal generator for outputting said alarm signal
visually and/or audibly; and a controller, responsive to depression
of said shutter release button, for mode discernment by checking
a state of said mode selector, and for driving said signal generator
if said macro photographing mode is set selectively.
3. A digital camera as defined in claim 2, further comprising a
display panel for displaying an image to be recorded and indicated
information.
4. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, wherein said shutter
release button has a two-step depressible structure of two steps
of a halfway depression and a full depression, and said full depression
is adapted to still image recording of said image; said controller
controls for said mode discernment upon said halfway depression
of said shutter release button.
5. A digital camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said half depression
is adapted to determining an exposure condition of image recording.
6. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, wherein said shutter
release button has a two-step depressible structure of two steps
of a halfway depression and a full depression, and said full depression
is adapted to still image recording of said image; said controller
controls for said mode discernment upon said full depression of
said shutter release button.
7. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, wherein said signal
generator includes a sound source for audibly outputting said alarm
signal.
8. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, wherein said signal
generator includes said display panel, a sound source and an alarm
indicator, said display panel displays said indicated information
of said alarm signal, and said sound source generates sound of said
alarm signal; further comprising an input unit operable for selecting
at least one of said display panel, said sound source and said alarm
indicator.
9. A digital camera as defined in claim 8, wherein said display
panel displays said indicated information in an enlarged manner.
10. A digital camera as defined in claim 8, wherein said input
unit is adapted to, when said display panel is selected, selecting
at least one of first, second and third specific alarm output statuses
being different from one another in a form of said indicated information
on said display panel.
11. A digital camera as defined in claim 10, wherein said controller
controls said display panel, and when said first specific alarm
output status is selected, enlarges said indicated information being
displayed, and when said second specific alarm output status is
selected, intermittently switches on and off said indicated information
being displayed, and when said third specific alarm output status
is selected, changes gradation of said indicated information being
displayed.
12. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, further comprising
a power switch for power supply of power; said controller controls
for said mode discernment in response to turning on of said power
switch.
13. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, further comprising
a function selector for setting a selected one of plural camera
operation modes; said controller controls for said mode discernment
upon selective setting of said function selector.
14. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, further comprising
an input unit operable for inputting to designate a first alarm
output status adapted to alarm turning-off; if said first alarm
output status is designated, said controller forcibly suppresses
operation of said signal generator, and if said first alarm output
status is not designated, said signal generator operates according
to said mode discernment.
15. A digital camera as defined in claim 14, wherein if said first
alarm output status is not designated, then said input unit is adapted
to inputting information of at least one of second and third alarm
output statuses; said controller, if said second alarm output status
is designated, determines whether said signal generator should be
operated by considering a distance of said object according to said
image data, and if said third alarm output status is designated,
determines whether said signal generator should be operated by considering
object brightness according to said image data.
16. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, further comprising
a distance detecting unit, supplied with image data of said image,
for detecting a distance of said object to adjust a focus; said
controller further evaluates said distance, and if said distance
is equal to or smaller than a predetermined limit distance, suppresses
operation of said signal generator irrespective of a state of said
mode selector, and if said distance is greater than said predetermined
limit distance, controls said signal generator according to said
mode discernment.
17. A digital camera as defined in claim 3, further comprising
a brightness detecting unit, supplied with image data of said image,
for detecting brightness of said object to control exposure; said
controller further evaluates said object brightness, and if said
object brightness is equal to or higher than a predetermined limit
brightness, suppresses operation of said signal generator irrespective
of a state of said mode selector, and if said object brightness
is lower than said predetermined limit brightness, controls said
signal generator according to said mode discernment.
18. A digital camera having a shutter release button, comprising:
a mode selector for setting a selected one of a regular photographing
mode and a high sensitivity photographing mode adapted to image
pickup at a higher sensitivity than said regular photographing mode;
a signal generator for outputting an alarm signal visually and/or
audibly; and a controller, responsive to depression of said shutter
release button, for mode discernment by checking a state of said
mode selector, and for driving said signal generator if said high
sensitivity photographing mode is set selectively.
19. A digital camera as defined in claim 18, further comprising
a power switch for power supply of power; said controller controls
for said mode discernment in response to turning on of said power
switch.
20. A digital camera as defined in claim 18, further comprising
an input unit operable for inputting to designate a first alarm
output status adapted to alarm turning-off; if said first alarm
output status is designated, said controller forcibly suppresses
operation of said signal generator, and if said first alarm output
status is not designated, said signal generator operates according
to said mode discernment.
21. A digital camera as defined in claim 20, wherein if said first
alarm output status is not designated, then said input unit is adapted
to inputting information of at least one of second and third alarm
output statuses; said controller, if said second alarm output status
is designated, determines whether said signal generator should be
operated by considering object brightness according to said image
data, and if said third alarm output status is designated, determines
whether said signal generator should be operated by considering
type information of said image according to said image data.
22. A digital camera as defined in claim 21, wherein said type
information is at least one of a portrait image, landscape image,
sport image, and night scene image.
23. A digital camera as defined in claim 18, further comprising
a brightness detecting unit, supplied with image data of said image,
for detecting brightness of an object to control exposure; said
controller further evaluates said object brightness, and if said
object brightness is equal to or lower than a predetermined limit
brightness, suppresses operation of said signal generator irrespective
of a state of said mode selector, and if said object brightness
is higher than said predetermined limit brightness, controls said
signal generator according to said mode discernment.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera with a
mode selectable structure. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a digital camera with a mode selectable structure, in
which a macro photographing mode is selectable, and which is capable
of reliably generating an alarm signal of a present setting of the
macro photographing mode.
[0003] 2. Description Related to the Prior Art
[0004] A digital still camera includes a CCD image sensor and an
image pickup optical system, and is loaded with a storage medium
or memory. The CCD photographs an image of an object, to produced
image data according to a pickup signal of the CCD. The image data
is written to the memory. A widely used type of the digital still
camera has a mode selectable structure in which a desired one of
plural photographing modes can be designated, the photographing
modes including a portrait mode, landscape mode, sport mode and
the like. In the digital still camera, there are exposure conditions
preset characteristically for the photographing modes, and adapted
for image pickup according thereto.
[0005] A macro photographing mode is suitable for close-up photography
or macro photography among the photographing modes. The macro photographing
mode is characterized in that only objects at a near distance can
be focused even though this near distance is so small as to be out
of focus in other regular photographing modes different from the
macro photographing mode among the photographing modes. However,
if a user inadvertently photographs an object located at a far distance
or middle distance by using the macro photographing mode, this results
in failure in the image pickup because an image of the object is
out of focus. To cope with such a problem requires giving alarm
information to the user if the macro photographing mode is set.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,198 (corresponding to JP-A 6-194732)
discloses the digital still camera in which the macro photographing
mode and a panoramic photographing mode are settable. The panoramic
photographing mode is to enlarge an aspect ratio of an image frame
in the horizontal direction in comparison with a standard aspect
ratio. The digital still camera in the document includes an alarm
signaling LED (light-emitting diode), which is driven if the macro
photographing mode and the panoramic photographing mode are selected
simultaneously, to inform a user of an unsuitable situation by the
alarm illumination. Furthermore, another known type of the digital
still camera is capable of generating an alarm signal by displaying
an alarm icon on a display panel. The icon is a visible form of
an alarm signal, as the display panel continuously displays the
icon while the macro photographing mode is set, or instantaneously
displays the icon immediately upon setting the macro photographing
mode. The user is informed of the setting of the macro photographing
mode by the appearance of the icon on the display panel. If he or
she becomes aware of a situation of not requiring the macro photographing
mode, he or she can change the mode from the macro photographing
mode over to one of the regular photographing modes.
[0007] Furthermore, a photographic camera in which sensitivity
of photo film is selectable is known. In such a camera, a panoramic
photographing mode is provided, and set for taking a photograph
of a panoramic format. If an image is photograph panoramically with
a photo film having a high photo film sensitivity, image quality
will be low because of enlargement in the size. To solve a problem
such a failure, JP-A 8-076238 discloses a camera in which the photo
film sensitivity is detected in response to manual operation for
changeover to the panoramic format. If the photo film sensitivity
is equal to or higher than a reference sensitivity predetermined
in the camera, an alarm signal is generated for the purpose of inhibiting
the changeover to the panoramic format.
[0008] In the field of the digital still camera, however, known
cameras do not have a structure of apparently clarified alarm or
notice of an icon of the macro photographing mode at the same time
as or shortly before the image pickup. A user is likely to miss
or neglect the icon or indicia on the display panel for indicating
the macro photographing mode. A problem arises in high probability
in his or her error in the image pickup because of missing the setting
of the macro photographing mode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present
invention is to provide a digital camera with a mode selectable
structure, in which a macro photographing mode is selectable, and
which is capable of reliably generating an alarm signal of a present
setting of the macro photographing mode.
[0010] In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages
of this invention, a digital camera includes a mode selector for
setting a selected one of a regular photographing mode and a macro
photographing mode adapted to image pickup at a near distance which
is smaller than a nearest distance of an object which can be in
focus by setting the regular photographing mode. An alarm generating
device is responsive to depression of a shutter release button or
recording trigger switch, for checking whether the macro photographing
mode is set selectively, and for outputting an alarm signal if the
macro photographing mode is set.
[0011] The alarm generating device includes a signal generator
for outputting the alarm signal visually and/or audibly. A controller
is responsive to depression of the shutter release button, for mode
discernment by checking a state of the mode selector, and for driving
the signal generator if the macro photographing mode is set selectively.
[0012] Furthermore, a display panel displays an image to be recorded
and indicated information.
[0013] The shutter release button has a two-step depressible structure
of two steps of a halfway depression and a full depression, and
the full depression is adapted to still image recording of the image.
The controller controls for the mode discernment upon the halfway
depression of the shutter release button.
[0014] The half depression is adapted to determining an exposure
condition of image recording.
[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the shutter release button
has a two-step depressible structure of two steps of a halfway depression
and a full depression, and the full depression is adapted to still
image recording of the image. The controller controls for the mode
discernment upon the full depression of the shutter release button.
[0016] The signal generator includes a sound source for audibly
outputting the alarm signal.
[0017] The signal generator includes the display panel, a sound
source and an alarm indicator, the display panel displays the indicated
information of the alarm signal, and the sound source generates
sound of the alarm signal. Furthermore, an input unit is operable
for selecting at least one of the display panel, the sound source
and the alarm indicator.
[0018] The display panel displays the indicated information in
an enlarged manner.
[0019] The input unit is adapted to, when the display panel is
selected, selecting at least one of first, second and third specific
alarm output statuses being different from one another in a form
of the indicated information on the display panel.
[0020] The controller controls the display panel, and when the
first specific alarm output status is selected, enlarges the indicated
information being displayed, and when the second specific alarm
output status is selected, intermittently switches on and off the
indicated information being displayed, and when the third specific
alarm output status is selected, changes gradation of the indicated
information being displayed.
[0021] Furthermore, there is a power switch for power supply of
power. The controller controls for the mode discernment in response
to turning on of the power switch.
[0022] Furthermore, a function selector sets a selected one of
plural camera operation modes. The controller controls for the mode
discernment upon selective setting of the function selector.
[0023] Furthermore, an input unit is operable for inputting to
designate a first alarm output status adapted to alarm turning-off.
If the first alarm output status is designated, the controller forcibly
suppresses operation of the signal generator, and if the first alarm
output status is not designated, the signal generator operates according
to the mode discernment.
[0024] If the first alarm output status is not designated, then
the input unit is adapted to inputting information of at least one
of second and third alarm output statuses. The controller, if the
second alarm output status is designated, determines whether the
signal generator should be operated by considering a distance of
the object according to the image data, and if the third alarm output
status is designated, determines whether the signal generator should
be operated by considering object brightness according to the image
data.
[0025] Furthermore, a distance detecting unit is supplied with
image data of the image, for detecting a distance of the object
to adjust a focus. The controller further evaluates the distance,
and if the distance is equal to or smaller than a predetermined
limit distance, suppresses operation of the signal generator irrespective
of a state of the mode selector, and if the distance is greater
than the predetermined limit distance, controls the signal generator
according to the mode discernment.
[0026] Furthermore, a brightness detecting unit is supplied with
image data of the image, for detecting brightness of the object
to control exposure. The controller further evaluates the object
brightness, and if the object brightness is equal to or higher than
a predetermined limit brightness, suppresses operation of the signal
generator irrespective of a state of the mode selector, and if the
object brightness is lower than the predetermined limit brightness,
controls the signal generator according to the mode discernment.
[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, a digital camera
has a shutter release button. A mode selector sets a selected one
of a regular photographing mode and a high sensitivity photographing
mode adapted to image pickup at a higher sensitivity than the regular
photographing mode. A signal generator outputs an alarm signal visually
and/or audibly. A controller is responsive to depression of the
shutter release button, for mode discernment by checking a state
of the mode selector, and for driving the signal generator if the
high sensitivity photographing mode is set selectively.
[0028] Furthermore, an input unit is operable for inputting to
designate a first alarm output status adapted to alarm turning-off.
If the first alarm output status is designated, the controller forcibly
suppresses operation of the signal generator, and if the first alarm
output status is not designated, the signal generator operates according
to the mode discernment.
[0029] If the first alarm output status is not designated, then
the input unit is adapted to inputting information of at least one
of second and third alarm output statuses. The controller, if the
second alarm output status is designated, determines whether the
signal generator should be operated by considering object brightness
according to the image data, and if the third alarm output status
is designated, determines whether the signal generator should be
operated by considering type information of the image according
to the image data.
[0030] The type information is at least one of a portrait image,
landscape image, sport image, and night scene image.
[0031] Furthermore, a brightness detecting unit is supplied with
image data of the image, for detecting brightness of an object to
control exposure. The controller further evaluates the object brightness,
and if the object brightness is equal to or lower than a predetermined
limit brightness, suppresses operation of the signal generator irrespective
of a state of the mode selector, and if the object brightness is
higher than the predetermined limit brightness, controls the signal
generator according to the mode discernment.
[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, a digital camera having
a user interface comprises a mode selector for setting a selected
one of a regular photographing mode and a macro photographing mode
adapted to image pickup at a near distance which is smaller than
a nearest distance of an object which can be in focus by setting
the regular photographing mode. A controller is responsive to depression
of a shutter release button, for checking whether the macro photographing
mode is set selectively. The user interface includes an alarm generating
region for outputting an alarm signal if the macro photographing
mode is set.
[0033] The alarm generating region outputs the alarm signal visually
and/or audibly.
[0034] The controller, responsive to depression of the shutter
release button, checks a state of the mode selector, and drives
the user interface if the macro photographing mode is set selectively.
[0035] The user interface comprises a display panel for displaying
an image to be recorded and indicated information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a digital still
camera;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the
digital still camera;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a front elevation illustrating a menu pattern
for alarm setting of a macro photographing mode;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a front elevation illustrating a menu pattern
of FIG. 3A but for alarm output statuses;
[0041] FIG. 4A is a front elevation illustrating information of
an alarm icon combined with an image;
[0042] FIG. 4B is a front elevation illustrating information of
the alarm icon of FIG. 4A but in a minimized form;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a front elevation illustrating a menu pattern
for alarm setting of a high sensitivity photographing mode;
[0044] FIG. 6A is a front elevation illustrating information of
an alarm icon combined with an image;
[0045] FIG. 6B is a front elevation illustrating information of
the alarm icon of FIG. 6A but in a minimized form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0046] In FIG. 1, a digital still camera 10 includes a camera body
11 and a lens barrel 12. The lens barrel 12 protrudes from a front
of the camera body 11, and has a pickup lens incorporated therein.
An upper face of the camera body 11 has a power switch 13 and a
shutter release button or recording trigger switch 14. The shutter
release button 14 has a construction depressible at two steps. At
first, the shutter release button 14 is depressed to turn on for
halfway depression or at a first step. This causes the digital still
camera 10 to adjust the focusing of the taking lens, adjust the
exposure and other items for image pickup. Also, the shutter release
button 14 is more deeply depressed to turn on at the second step,
in the form of full depression. Then a live image of an object being
photographed is retrieved according to a pickup signal generated
by a CCD image sensor. The image data of the image as a still image
is written to a memory card.
[0047] The rear of the camera body 11 has a viewfinder eyepiece
window 15, a function selector 16, a general-purpose key group 17
as mode selector, a menu button 18, a cancellation button 19, a
display button 20, an LCD (liquid crystal) display panel 21 as alarm
generating device, and a speaker 22 or sound source as alarm generating
device. The viewfinder eyepiece window 15 constitutes an optical
viewfinder including an objective lens and an eyepiece lens. A lamp
of alarm indicator 23 as alarm generating device is disposed to
the left of the viewfinder eyepiece window 15 as viewed in the drawing.
A user observes a photographic object through the viewfinder, and
at the same time sees light emitted by the alarm indicator 23.
[0048] The function selector 16 is operated for setting a selected
one of a photographing mode and a playback mode for causing the
LCD 21 to display an image read from a memory card. An LCD display
driver 24 drives the LCD 21, which displays by playback, and also
operates as an electronic viewfinder for displaying a live image
of an object at the time of the photographing mode. Also, the LCD
21 displays a menu pattern for determining a setting of the various
items.
[0049] When the menu button 18 is depressed, a setting menu pattern
is displayed on the LCD 21. A setup mode is set by changing over
from the photographing mode or playback mode. In the setting menu
pattern, information of various items are shown for inputting command
signals, the information including image adjusting items, such as
RECORDING PIXEL NUMBER, ISO SENSITIVITY and SELECT SCENE, and function
setting items, such as DATE/TIME, LANGUAGE and MACRO MODE BASED
ALARM. The digital still camera 10 operates according to the conditions
input by means of this setting menu pattern. The menu button 18
is also a confirming/executing button for confirming and executing
the functions of the selected items.
[0050] The general-purpose key group 17 selects one of the images
to be played back, and also shifts a cursor indicated in the menu
pattern. The general-purpose key group 17 includes general-purpose
keys 17a and 17c on the left and right, and a general-purpose key
17b at the center. The general-purpose keys 17a and 17c at the horizontal
ends are pushbuttons. The general-purpose key 17b at the center
is rotatable upwards and downwards pivotally about an axis that
extends horizontally. At the time of the photographing mode, the
general-purpose key 17b operates as a zoom button. The cancellation
button 19 is used to cancel a selected one of plural items or alarm
output statuses. The display button 20 turns on and off the LCD
21.
[0051] When the menu pattern of the SELECT SCENE is shown, one
of plural photographing modes can be selected in consideration a
scene to be photographed. Examples of the items for selection include
PORTRAIT adapted to image pickup of a portrait of a person, LANDSCAPE
adapted to image pickup of a landscape, and MACRO adapted to image
pickup in macro photography or close-up photography. A selection
cursor on the menu is shifted to select a desired one of the items,
before the menu button 18 is depressed for a second time. Thus,
the selected item is confirmed and input. The image on the LCD 21
changes over from the setting menu pattern to an initial pattern.
[0052] In FIG. 2, various electrical elements in the digital still
camera 10 are illustrated schematically. A system controller 41
as mode detector in alarm generating device controls the digital
still camera 10. A ROM 42 stores a control program, and data of
various menu patterns including a setting menu pattern. A key panel
44 is constituted by the shutter release button 14, the general-purpose
key group 17 and the menu button 18, and supplies the controller
41 with instruction signals. In response, the controller 41 controls
by following the steps described in the process according to the
control program. A RAM 43 is a work memory with which the controller
41 executes the control program.
[0053] The lens barrel 12 includes a taking lens and an aperture
stop mechanism 47. The taking lens is constituted by a variator
lens group 45 for zooming, and a focusing lens group 46. A zoom
motor 48 is caused by a motor driver to move the variator lens group
45 in the optical axis direction. A focusing motor 49 is caused
by a motor driver to move the focusing lens group 46 in the optical
axis direction. The variator lens group 45 changes the magnification
of an image optically. The focusing lens group 46 adjusts the focal
point. An actuator 50 such as a solenoid is caused by a driver to
actuate the aperture stop mechanism 47, to change an aperture stop
defined within the aperture stop mechanism 47.
[0054] A CCD image sensor 51 is disposed behind the focusing lens
group 46. As is well-known in the art, the CCD 51 has a detection
surface on which a great number of elements of photoreceptors in
a matrix form. Object light is focused on the detection surface
upon passing the variator lens group 45, the focusing lens group
46 and the aperture stop mechanism 47, and is converted by the CCD
51 photoelectrically into a signal.
[0055] A CCD driver 52 drives the CCD 51. Exposure time or charge
storing time of the CCD 51 is determined according to an electronic
shutter driving signal supplied by the CCD driver 52. The CCD driver
52 supplies vertical transfer clock and horizontal transfer clock,
in synchronism with which the charge stored for each of the pixels
is output per one line as a pickup signal in a serial form.
[0056] The pickup signal output from the CCD 51 is sent to a correlated
double sampling (CDS) circuit and subjected to elimination of noise.
After this, an amplifier 53 amplifies the pickup signal, which is
input to an A/D converter 54. Image data is output by the A/D converter
54 converting the pickup image into a digital form. An image data
processing circuit 55 is provided with the image data.
[0057] The image data processing circuit 55 receives the input
image data, and subjects the image data to various manners of image
processing, including matrix calculation, white balance adjustment,
gamma correction, and the like. There is a frame memory 56 in which
the image data after the image processing is stored in a temporary
manner. The image data in the frame memory 56 is read out as a live
image which is displayed on the LCD 21.
[0058] Upon the image pickup, image data stored in the frame memory
56 is sent to a compression/expansion circuit 57. A data reader/writer
58 is supplied with image data after being compressed in the compression/expansion
circuit 57. There is a memory card 59 as storage medium to which
the data reader/writer 58 writes the compressed image data. In the
playback mode, the data reader/writer 58 reads an image file of
the image data from the memory card 59. The image data is subjected
to expansion or decompression by the compression/expansion circuit
57, and is output to the LCD 21.
[0059] An AF (autofocus) unit 60 as a distance detecting unit is
supplied with image data read from the frame memory 56, and detects
an in-focus position by analyzing the image data. An example of
method of detecting the in-focus position is a passive type for
detection according to high contrast obtained when the image is
in-focus.
[0060] An AE/AWB (auto exposure/auto white-balance) unit 61 as
brightness detecting unit is supplied with image data read from
the frame memory 56, detects object brightness by analysis of levels
of image data per points, and calculates various values, including
an aperture stop value, exposure time, use or lack of emission of
flash light, correcting amount of white balance correction, and
the like.
[0061] The in-focus position, aperture stop value, exposure time
and other conditions for exposure are obtained from the AF unit
60 and the AE/AWB unit 61, and are written to RAM 43 by the controller
41. The controller 41 controls various elements of the camera according
to the exposure conditions and settings input by means of the setting
menu pattern, and carries out the image pickup.
[0062] If the MACRO is selected in the selection menu pattern of
SELECT SCENE in the digital still camera 10, then the macro photographing
mode is set. If any one of the items other than the MACRO is selected
in the menu pattern, then the regular photographing mode is set.
When a user depresses the shutter release button 14, it is responsively
checked whether the macro photographing mode is set at present.
If it is, then an alarm signal is clearly output in the digital
still camera 10 for alarm purpose of the present macro condition.
[0063] An alarm setting memory 62 is incorporated in the digital
still camera 10 for storing data of menu patterns for determining
a setting for MACRO MODE BASED ALARM on the LCD 21. A user can view
the macro alarm setting menu pattern, and input a signaling method
and an alarm output status for the alarm signal of the macro photographing
mode.
[0064] The setting menu pattern for alarm signaling of the macro
photographing mode is a selectively pointed one of two subsidiary
menu patterns 71 and 72. In FIG. 3A, the subsidiary menu pattern
71 constituting an alarm selector has a menu for selecting of signaling
methods. In FIG. 3B, the subsidiary menu pattern 72 constituting
the alarm selector and an alarm switch circuit has a menu for selecting
alarm output statuses. The subsidiary menu patterns 71 and 72 are
displayed not at the same time but selectively by switching. A portion
of a tag in the menu pattern is colored in a gray out manner according
to an unselected one of the subsidiary menu patterns 71 and 72.
To switch the subsidiary menu patterns 71 and 72, the general-purpose
keys 17a and 17c are used and depressed.
[0065] The subsidiary menu pattern 71 shows specific alarm output
statuses of ICON, SOUND and LAMP. Check boxes 73 are disposed to
the left of the items of the specific alarm output statuses. An
alarm selection cursor 74 as alarm selector is movable, and is set
on a selected one of the check boxes 73 to check and designate specific
alarm output statuses. It is possible for a user to check one of
the check boxes 73, and also two or more of the check boxes 73.
[0066] The items of the alarm signals of the various types are
described now. If the ICON is checked, then an icon for the alarm
is indicated in the LCD 21. If the SOUND is checked, then an alarm
sound generator 64 is driven for the speaker 22 to emanate an audible
message of voice for the alarm. If the LAMP is checked, then the
alarm indicator 23 is caused to illuminate. For any of the those
types of the items of the alarm signals, generating each alarm signal
is time-sequentially set at the same time as half depression of
the shutter release button 14 by the user. If two or more of the
signaling methods are checked, then alarm signals of two or more
kinds are emanated.
[0067] The alarm selection cursor 74 is kept set on a checked one
of the specific alarm output status. The general-purpose key 17c
is depressed, so a setting menu pattern 75 is displayed for detailed
settings. The setting menu pattern 75 is adapted to determining
specific alarm output statuses for the basic signaling methods.
In FIG. 3A, the setting menu pattern 75 associated with the ICON
displays specific alarm output statuses suitable for an icon, for
example, ENLARGED, BLINK and GRADATION. A cursor 76 is shifted to
designate a selected one of the specific alarm output statuses.
When BLINK is selected, the icon is intermittently switched on and
off, and when GRADATION is selected, the icon is changed in gradation.
[0068] In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the alarm signaling of one type is illustrated
at the time of selecting ICON as an alarm signaling method, and
ENLARGED as a specific alarm output status. When one of the photographing
modes is determined by operating the function selector 16, the LCD
21 is turned on automatically, and caused to display a live image.
An alarm icon 82a is displayed on the LCD 21 in addition to the
live image to inform the present state of the macro photographing
mode. For the alarm icon 82a as alarm signal, see the portion indicated
by the broken lines in FIG. 4A.
[0069] In an image pickup of a still image, a photographic object
81a which a user wishes to focus is targeted at the center of the
field of view. The shutter release button 14a is halfway depressed.
The alarm icon 82a changes in its position and size and becomes
an enlarged alarm icon 82b as alarm signal. The position changes
from the corner of the LCD 21 to its center. The size becomes enlarged
gradually. The enlarged alarm icon 82b keeps the state of FIG. 4A
for a predetermined duration of time, and then becomes the form
of the alarm icon 82a again in the minimized size near to the corner
of the LCD 21. After this, the center of the field of view is set
at a point between the object 81a and a photographic object 81b
for framing. See FIG. 4B. The shutter release button 14 is depressed
fully to pick up an image. Note that the predetermined duration
of time for keeping the enlarged alarm icon 82b maximized at the
center of the LCD 21 is settable by manual operation of a user.
The time can be adjusted in order not to obstruct the framing operation.
[0070] In FIG. 3B, various items of alarm output statuses are indicated
in the subsidiary menu pattern 72, including OFF ALARM, AF BASED
ALARM and AE BASED ALARM. To select one of the alarm output statuses
at the items, an alarm selection cursor 78 is used in a manner similar
to selection of the alarm signaling method. At least one of check
boxes 77 is selected by checking, to determine the status of the
alarm. The check boxes 77 and the alarm selection cursor 78 constitute
an alarm selector and alarm switch circuit. It is noted that in
the digital still camera 10, only one of the conditions is settable.
[0071] The alarm output statuses of those items are described specifically
now. If the item OFF ALARM is selectively checked, then the alarm
signaling is suppressed regarding the macro photographing mode without
exception. If any one item of the AF BASED ALARM and AE BASED ALARM
is selected, it is checked whether the alarm signaling of the macro
photographing mode should be made according to exposure conditions
on the basis of the image data of the object. For the determination,
the AF unit 60 is used for the AF BASED ALARM. The AE/AWB unit 61
is used for the AE BASED ALARM.
[0072] The AF unit 60 detects a distance of the object by evaluating
the input image data, and sends the detected distance to the controller
41. If the detected distance is greater than a reference distance,
or if failure occurs in detection of a distance in the AF unit 60,
then the controller 41 determines that the macro photographing mode
is improper. The AE/AWB unit 61 measures object brightness by evaluating
the input image data, and if the measured brightness is lower than
a reference brightness, the controller 41 determines that the macro
photographing mode is improper. The controller 41 uses a selected
one of the alarm signaling methods to generate the alarm signal
of the macro photographing mode when the digital still camera 10
is in the macro photographing mode and when the macro photographing
mode is improper.
[0073] Alternatively the AF unit 60 may detect a focal length defined
from the taking lens to a focal point. The focal length can be evaluated,
and if greater than a reference focal length, is determined as inconsistent
for the macro photographing mode because of a telephoto condition.
[0074] The operation of the embodiment constructed above is described.
At first, a user determines the signaling methods and alarm output
statuses for alarm signaling regarding the macro photographing mode.
The LCD 21 is caused to display a setting menu pattern of either
of the subsidiary menu patterns 71 and 72. He or she views the subsidiary
menu pattern 71 and selects ICON and SOUND among the plural signaling
methods. Also, ENLARGED is selected in FIG. 3A as a specific alarm
output status for the selected ICON as a basic signaling method.
He or she views the subsidiary menu pattern 72 in FIG. 3B and selects
AF BASED ALARM among the plural alarm output statuses.
[0075] For the macro photography of a flower or the like, at first
a user depresses the shutter release button or recording trigger
switch 14 by half depression. Conditions of the exposure for the
image pickup are determined. At the same time as the conditions
are determined, it is checked whether a photographing mode set at
present is the macro photographing mode or not. If it is, then a
detected length of an object is checked in comparison with a reference
length for the purpose of check whether the macro photographing
mode is suitable for the object to be picked up under the present
conditions. As the detected length detected by the AF unit 60 is
greater than the reference length, it is determined that the selected
macro photographing mode is unsuitable. Thus, an alarm signal is
produced visually and/or audibly.
[0076] The alarm signaling is made at the same time for the plural
signaling methods. For the ICON signaling method, the alarm icon
82a or 82b is indicated in an enlarged form for a predetermined
time on the LCD 21. See FIG. 4A. For the SOUND signaling method,
the speaker 22 or sound source generates an alarm message of a recorded
voice. A user is informed by the alarm signaling that the macro
photographing mode set at present is not suitable for the exposure
conditions. Consequently, the macro photographing mode is changed
over to one of other photographing modes. He or she depresses the
shutter release button 14 fully, to pick up an image. Image data
of a still image is written to the memory card 59.
[0077] As described above, the alarm signaling for the macro photographing
mode is responsive to the manual depression of the shutter release
button 14. It is possible to inform a user reliably of the setting
of the macro photographing mode. Failure in the image pickup can
be prevented. Also, the alarm is selectable between the visible
alarm signal by the alarm icon 82a or 82b and the alarm indicator
23 and the audible alarm signal by the sound. Additionally, the
alarm output status can be selected from the plural prescribed statuses.
The operability of the digital still camera 10 can be high.
[0078] Note that indicia, symbols, words, alphanumeric signs or
the like may be indicated on the LCD 21 instead of the alarm icon
82a or 82b. Also, beep sound, buzz, or other audible alarm sound
can be generated by the speaker 22, buzzer or other sound source,
instead of the alarm message of a recorded voice.
[0079] In the above embodiment, generation of the alarm signal
is responsive to the halfway depression of the shutter release button
14. However, the generation of the alarm signal can be responsive
to a full depression of the shutter release button 14. A form of
the alarm signal responsive to the full depression of the shutter
release button 14 may be different from that responsive to the halfway
depression. For example, portions of an object image in the LCD
21 having lower brightness may be indicated in an artificially enlarged
manner. It is also possible to encourage a user to check an object
image to be picked up.
[0080] In the above embodiment, the alarm signaling is for one
time responsive to halfway depression of the shutter release button
14 for one time. However, the alarm signal may be generated for
two or more times. Furthermore, the alarm signaling can be responsive
to operation of initially powering the camera, operation of changing
over the camera operation modes, or photographing modes.
[0081] In the above embodiment, the AF BASED ALARM and AE BASED
ALARM are provided in the alarm output statuses of the macro photographing
mode in consideration of the environment for the image pickup. However,
it is possible to add an alarm output status of FLASH BASED ALARM.
Examples of specific alarm output statuses for the alarm output
status of the FLASH BASED ALARM include AUTOMATIC FLASH, FORCIBLE
FLASH, SLOW SYNC FLASH and the like. Note that a default specific
alarm output status among those can be determined as FORCIBLE FLASH.
[0082] In the above embodiments, the camera is the digital still
camera, in which a still image is picked up. However, a camera according
to the invention can be a video camera, with which images of the
motion picture may be recorded.
[0083] In FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, another preferred embodiment is illustrated,
in which a high sensitivity photographing mode is checked and used
for generating an alarm signal as required. The LCD 21 is changeable
to show a menu pattern for setting of the ISO SENSITIVITY by selection
from the items of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 and AUTO. Also, a menu
pattern is shown for setting of SELECT SCENE by selection from the
specific alarm output statuses of PORTRAIT, LANDSCAPE, SPORT and
NIGHT SCENE.
[0084] The CCD driver 52 drives the CCD 51. Exposure time or charge
storing time of the CCD 51 is determined according to an electronic
shutter driving signal, which is supplied by the CCD driver 52 and
determined according to the sensitivity adjusted by selection at
the setting menu pattern of the ISO SENSITIVITY.
[0085] The amplifier 53 is connected between the CCD 51 and the
A/D converter 54. For the amplifier 53, a level of amplification
is determined for the selected sensitivity level by means of the
menu pattern of the ISO SENSITIVITY. The amplifier 53 amplifies
the pickup signal according to the amplification level. Image data
is output by the A/D converter 54 converting the pickup image into
a digital form. The image data processing circuit 55 is provided
with the image data.
[0086] In the digital still camera 10, the standard sensitivity
and high sensitivity photographing modes are determined that the
first corresponds to sensitivity lower than ISO 400, and the second
corresponds to sensitivity equal to or higher than ISO 400. When
a user depresses the shutter release button 14, information of the
ISO sensitivity set in the digital still camera 10 is read, so as
to check whether the high sensitivity photographing mode is set
in the digital still camera 10. If it is, then an alarm signal for
the high sensitivity photographing mode of the digital still camera
10 is generated.
[0087] The alarm setting memory 62 in the digital still camera
10 stores data of a menu pattern, of which information of HIGH SENSITIVITY
BASED ALARM is indicated on the LCD 21.
[0088] In FIG. 6A, an alarm icon 92a as alarm signal is displayed
on the LCD 21 in addition to the live image to inform the present
state of the high sensitivity photographing mode. For the alarm
icon 92a as alarm signal, see the portion indicated by the broken
lines in the drawing.
[0089] In the still image pickup, the object 81a to be focused
is framed at the center of the field of view. The shutter release
button 14 is depressed halfway during the framing. Then the alarm
icon 92a of FIG. 6B is controlled to change the appearance. The
alarm icon 92a is gradually changed to an enlarged alarm icon 92b
as alarm signal by increasing its size, and by shifting its position
from the upper left corner of the LCD 21 to the center. The enlarged
alarm icon 92b remains in the state indicated in FIG. 6A for a predetermined
duration of time. Immediately after this, it returns to the alarm
icon 92a by changing the size and the position on the LCD 21. See
FIG. 6B.
[0090] In FIG. 5, various items of alarm output statuses are indicated
in the subsidiary menu pattern 72, including OFF ALARM, BRIGHTNESS
BASED ALARM, PORTRAIT, LANDSCAPE, SPORT and NIGHT SCENE. To select
one of the alarm output statuses at the items, an alarm selection
cursor 98 is used in a manner similar to the alarm signaling method.
At least one of check boxes 97 is selected by checking, to determine
the status of the alarm. The check boxes 97 and the alarm selection
cursor 98 constitute an alarm selector and alarm switch circuit.
It is noted that in the digital still camera 10, one or more of
the alarm output statuses is settable.
[0091] The alarm output statuses of those items are described specifically
now. If the item OFF ALARM is selectively checked, then the alarm
signaling is suppressed regarding the high sensitivity without exception.
If the item BRIGHTNESS BASED ALARM is selected, it is checked whether
the alarm signaling should be made according to object brightness
on the basis of the image data of the object. To detect the object
brightness, a brightness detecting unit 63 is used. The image data
processing circuit 55 is responsive to a command signal from the
controller 41, and sends processed image data to the brightness
detecting unit 63 after image processing. The brightness detecting
unit 63 detects object brightness by evaluating the input image
data, and if the detected brightness is higher than reference brightness,
sends a signal for generation of the alarm to the controller 41.
In contrast, if the detected brightness is equal to or lower than
the reference brightness, no signal for generation of the alarm
is transmitted. The controller 41 uses a selected one of the alarm
signaling methods to generate the alarm signal of the high sensitivity
photographing mode when the digital still camera 10 is in the high
sensitivity photographing mode and when the brightness detecting
unit 63 outputs a signal for generation of the alarm.
[0092] In operation, a user views the subsidiary menu pattern 71
with information of plural alarm signaling methods, and selects
ICON and SOUND which may be MELODY. Also, he or she views a menu
pattern with plural specific alarm output statuses, and selects
ENLARGED. See FIG. 3A. In FIG. 5, he or she views the subsidiary
menu pattern 72 with plural alarm output statuses, and selects BRIGHTNESS
BASED ALARM. In addition to the BRIGHTNESS BASED ALARM, the SPORT
is selected. Note that the SPORT has been selected because predetermined
as a default mode stored in the camera.
[0093] To pick up a still image, at first a user depresses the
shutter release button 14 by half depression. Conditions of the
exposure for the image pickup are determined. At the same time as
the conditions are determined, it is checked whether a photographing
mode set at present is the high sensitivity photographing mode or
not. If it is, then it is judged that the alarm signal should be
generated or not according to the designated one of the alarm output
statuses.
[0094] If the items of the BRIGHTNESS BASED and SPORT are selected,
then the photographing mode set at present is checked. If the photographing
mode set at present is the sport mode, then the alarm signaling
is made. If the photographing mode set at present is one of the
photographing modes other than the sport mode, then object brightness
is retrieved by considering the image data of the object. If the
detected brightness is higher than the reference brightness, the
alarm signal is generated. If the detected brightness is equal to
or lower than the reference brightness, no alarm signal is generated.
[0095] In the present embodiment, the mode set at the present is
checked at first, to determine whether any one of the modes with
higher priority is set at present or not. After this, the detected
object brightness is evaluated as to being higher than the reference
brightness. However, the sequence of those steps may be suitably
determined in a different manner.
[0096] Although the present invention has been fully described
by way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be
apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless
otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope
of the present invention, they should be construed as included therein. |