U.S. patent application number 09/748194 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for digital still camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kawamura, Koichiro, Uehara, Ryo.
Application Number | 20010038417 09/748194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26363230 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010038417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uehara, Ryo ; et
al. |
November 8, 2001 |
Digital still camera
Abstract
In a digital still camera, when the reproducing mode is
selected, an indication to the effect that the operation is in
standby for reproduction is displayed on an indicating device, and
if the command dial is not operated until 16 seconds elapses after
the indication has been started, the supply of source voltage to
the various parts of the camera is stopped, to achieve a reduction
in power consumption. If the command dial is operated within 16
seconds, image signals are output to an external monitor and also
an indication to the effect that reproduction is in progress is
displayed on the indicating device. If the command dial has been
operated within three minutes after reproduction of a given
photographic frame has been started, reproduction of the following
frame is performed, but if the command dial has not been operated
until the three minutes have elapsed, the indication to the effect
that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed
again. If the sensitivity changeover switch and the command dial
are operated together during reproduction or standby for
reproduction, the photographic frame to be reproduced is determined
in correspondence to the quantity and direction of the rotation of
the command dial and the frame number of the frame thus determined
is displayed on the indicating device.
Inventors: |
Uehara, Ryo; (Yokohama,
JP) ; Kawamura, Koichiro; (Ichihara, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. Box 19928
Alexandria
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
26363230 |
Appl. No.: |
09/748194 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09748194 |
Dec 27, 2000 |
|
|
|
08517474 |
Aug 21, 1995 |
|
|
|
6292217 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/333.12 ;
348/220.1; 348/222.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00291 20130101;
H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 2201/212 20130101; H04N 1/2112
20130101; H04N 1/2125 20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/333.12 ;
348/220 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225; H04N
005/222 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 1995 |
JP |
7-025591 |
Aug 1, 1995 |
JP |
7-196794 |
Claims
1. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member that
can set photography-related information, an indicating device that
can indicate said photography-related information, an imaging
device that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts said image data to digital data and records said
digital data to a recording medium, and an image signal conversion
circuit that converts said digital data to image signals, which can
output said image signals to an external monitor, said camera
further comprising; a selecting member that can select either a
photographing mode for photographing or a reproducing mode for
performing reproduction, and a control circuit that, when the
operation is switched from said photographing mode to said
reproducing mode by said selecting member, causes said indicating
device to display a first indication to the effect that the
operation is in standby for reproduction, and that when said first
operating member is operated while said first indication is being
displayed, outputs said image signals to said external monitor and
causes said indicating device to display a second indication to the
effect that reproduction is in progress.
2. A digital still camera according to claim 1 wherein; said
control circuit causes said indicating device to display the
photographic frame number of the photographic frame for
reproduction or reproduction standby and the total number of frames
that have been recorded in said recording medium when said
reproducing mode is selected by said selecting member.
3. A digital still camera according to claim 1 wherein; said
control circuit causes said indicating device to display said first
indication and stops the output of said image signals to said
external monitor if said first operating member is not operated
until a first reference time period elapses after said. indicating
device has started displaying said second indication, and said
control circuit stops the supply of power to various parts of said
digital still camera if said first operating member is not operated
until a second reference time period elapses after said indicating
device has started displaying said first indication.
4. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member that
can set photography-related information, an indicating device that
can display said photography-related information, an imaging device
that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts said image data to digital data and records said
digital data to a recording medium, and an image signal conversion
circuit that converts said digital data to image signals, which can
output said image signals to an external monitor, wherein said
first operating member can rotate in a first direction and in a
second direction and outputs a signal corresponding to the quantity
and direction of its rotation, said camera further comprising; a
selecting member that can select either a photographing mode for
photographing or a reproducing mode for performing reproduction, a
second operating member provided separately from said first
operating member, that can set information related to
photographing, and a control circuit that determines the
photographic frame to be reproduced in correspondence to said
quantity and direction of rotation of said first operating member
when said first operating member and said second operating member
are operated in combination while said reproducing mode is being
selected by said selecting member, and causes said indicating
device to display the frame number of said photographic frame thus
determined.
5. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member that
can set photography-related information, an indicating device that
can display said photography-related information, an imaging device
that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts said image data to digital data and records said
digital data to a recording medium, and an image signal conversion
circuit that converts said digital data to image signals, which can
output said image signals to an external monitor, said camera
further comprising; a selecting member that can select either a
photographing mode for photographing or a reproducing mode for
performing reproduction, a third operating member provided
separately from said first operating member, that can set
information related to photographing, and a control circuit that,
when said first operating member and said third operating member
are operated in combination during reproduction, performs switching
as to whether or not any one of a plurality of sets of
photography-related information that correspond to the photographic
frame being reproduced is to be output to said external monitor and
performs selection of said any one of a plurality of sets of
photography-related information to be output to said external
monitor in response to said combined operation.
6. A digital still camera according to claim 5 wherein; said first
operating member can rotate in a first direction and in a second
direction, and said control circuit switches the contents of said
photography-related information displayed on said external monitor
in a specific order when said third operating member is operated in
combination with a rotating operation of said first operating
member in said first direction, and switches said contents of said
photography-related information displayed on said external monitor
in the reverse order from said specific order when said third
operating member is operated in combination with the rotating
operation of said first operating member in said second
direction.
7. A digital still camera according to claim 6 wherein; said
photography-related information includes, at least, the date on
which a recording to said recording medium took place, the
reproduction order in said recording medium or the file name
inherent to a photographic frame.
8. A digital still camera according to claim 7 wherein; said file
name inherent to each photographic frame is provided with an
identifier which indicates the recording order, starting at the
first recording of photographic frame information to said recording
medium.
9. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member that
can set photography-related information, an indicating device that
can display said photography-related information, an imaging device
that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts said image data to digital data and records said
digital data to a recording medium, and an image signal conversion
circuit that converts said digital data to image signals, which can
output said image signals to an external monitor, said camera
further comprising; a selecting member that can select either a
photographing mode for performing photographing or a reproducing
mode for performing reproduction, a fourth operating member
provided separately from said first operating member, that can set
information related to photographing, a fifth operating member
provided separately from said first operating member and said
fourth operating member, that can set information related to
photographing, and a control circuit that causes said indicating
device to display the signal processing system of image signals to
be output to said external monitor only during a combined operation
of said fourth operating member and said fifth operating member
while reproduction is in progress.
10. A digital still camera according to claim 9 wherein; said
control circuit changes the signal processing system of image
signals to be output to said external monitor and causes said
indicating device to display the new signal processing system when
said first operating member, said fourth operating member and said
fifth operating member are operated in combination while
reproduction is in progress.
11. A digital still camera comprising; an imaging device that
outputs image data corresponding to the image of a photographic
subject which has been picked up, a recording device that converts
said image data to digital data and records said digital data to a
recording medium, said camera further comprising; an image signal
conversion circuit that converts said digital data to image
signals, an output circuit that outputs said image signals and
photography-related information related to said image signals to an
external monitor in a specific signal processing system, and a
photography-related information changing circuit that changes part
of, or all of said photography-related information to be output to
said external monitor in accordance with the signal processing
system that is set in advance.
12. A digital still camera according to claim 11 wherein; said
photography-related information includes, at least, date
information, and said photography-related information changing
circuit changes the indication format of said date information to
be displayed on said external monitor in accordance with said
signal processing system that is set in advance.
13. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member
that can set photography-related information, an indicating device
that can display photography-related information, an imaging device
that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts said image data to digital data and records said
digital data to a recording medium, and an image signal conversion
circuit that converts said digital data to image signals, which can
output said image signals to an external monitor, said camera
further comprising; a selecting member that can select either a
photographing mode for performing photographing or a reproducing
mode for performing reproduction, a fourth operating member
provided separately from said first operating member that can set
information related to photographing, a fifth operating member
provided separately from said first operating member and said
fourth operating member that can set information related to
photographing, and a control circuit that determines the first
photographic frame that is recorded on said recording device to be
the photographic frame for reproduction when said first operating
member, said fourth operating member and said fifth operating
member are operated in combination while said reproducing mode is
being selected by said selecting member, and that causes said
indicating device to display the frame number thus determined.
14. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member
that can set photography-related information, an indicating device
that can display said photography-related information, an imaging
device that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts said image data to digital data and records said
digital data to a recording medium, and an image signal conversion
circuit that converts said digital data to image signals, which can
output said image signals to an external monitor, said camera
further comprising; a selecting member that can select either a
photographing mode for performing photographing or a reproducing
mode for performing reproduction, a second operating member
provided separately from said first operating member, that can set
information related to photographing, a fourth operating member
provided separately from said first operating member and said
second operating member, that can set information related to
photographing, a fifth operating member provided separately from
said first operating member, said second operating member and said
fourth operating member, that can set information related to
photographing, and a control circuit that determines the
photographic frame to be reproduced in correspondence to the
quantity and direction of rotation of said first operating member
and causes said indicating device to display the frame number thus
determined when said first operating member and said second
operating member are operated in combination while said reproducing
mode is being selected by said selecting member, and determines the
first photographic frame that is recorded on said recording device
as the photographic frame for reproduction and causes said
indicating device to display the frame number thus determined when
said first operating member, said fourth operating member and said
fifth operating member are operated in combination while said
reproducing mode is being selected by said selecting member.
15. A digital still camera comprising; an imaging device that
outputs image data corresponding to the image of a photographic
subject which has been picked up, a recording device that converts
said image data to digital data and records said digital data to a
recording medium, said camera further comprising; an output circuit
that converts said digital data recorded by said recording device
to image signals and outputs said digital data to an external
monitor in accordance with a specific signal processing system
selected from a plurality of signal processing systems for image
signals that includes, at least, the NTSC system and the PAL
system.
16. A digital still camera comprising; a first operating member
that can set photography-related information, a means for
indication that can indicate photography-related information, a
means for imaging means that outputs image data corresponding to
the image of a photographic subject that has been picked up, a
means for recording that converts said image data to digital data
and records them to a recording medium, and a means for image
signal conversion that converts said digital data to image signals,
that can output said image signals to an external monitor, said
camera further comprising; a means for selecting either a
photographing mode for photographing or a reproducing mode for
performing reproduction, and a means for causing said means for
indication to display a first indication to the effect that the
operation is in standby for the reproduction, when the operation is
switched from said photographing mode to said reproducing mode by
said selecting means, and for outputting said image signals to said
external monitor and causing said means for indication to display a
second indication to the effect that reproduction is in progress
when said first operating member is operated while said first
indication is being displayed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital still camera that
can take up an image and convert the data of the image to digital
data to record it on a recording medium, the recorded digital data
being able to be reproduced by an external play back device.
[0003] 2. Related Background Art
[0004] A digital still camera picks up the image of a photographic
subject by using an imaging element such as a CCD, converts the
image data to a digital data, which are the result of
photographing, and then records the digital data to a recording
medium such as a memory card. The data thus recorded are reproduced
by a monitor connected to the camera.
[0005] However, the majority of digital still cameras in the prior
art are not provided with reproducing functions. Because of this,
in order to reproduce the images, a reproducing unit that transfers
the digital data from the camera to the monitor must be mounted on
the camera main body. Since it is bothersome to attach and detach
the reproducing unit each time the photographer switches between
photographing and reproduction, many photographers perform
photographing with the reproducing unit left attached to the camera
main body.
[0006] With the reproducing unit mounted, however, the overall
weight and bulk of the camera equipment is increased and it becomes
too cumbersome to carry around. And the mounted reproducing unit
hinders photographing and may cause the photographer to miss good
photographing opportunities.
[0007] Digital still cameras provided with reproducing functions
are also known in the prior art. In this type of camera, in order
to miniaturize the camera body, only the minimum required
functionality of a normal reproducing unit is usually provided.
Because of this, with this type of camera, while the frame number
of the frame data that is currently being reproduced can be
displayed on an indicator unit of the camera, the total frame
number of the photographic data recorded on the memory card cannot
be indicated.
[0008] In addition, when displaying the data recorded on the memory
card on an external monitor, the recorded data must be converted to
image signals. Widely known signal processing systems for image
signals include the NTSC system and the PAL system. Digital still
cameras equipped with reproducing functions in the known art only
support one of either the NTSC system or the PAL system. This means
that in order to connect a camera that outputs NTSC image signals
to a PAL-type monitor, a time-consuming task of converting the
image signals output from the camera to PAL type image signals must
be completed before they can be input to the monitor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a digital
still camera with which various reproducing functions can be both
selected and indicated without adding new operating members by
effectively using various operating members that are already
provided in the camera body as in prior art. In order to achieve
the object described above, the present invention is applied to a
digital still camera that comprises a first operating member that
can set photography-related information, an indicating device that
can indicate photography-related information, an imaging device
that outputs image data corresponding to the image of a
photographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device
that converts image data to digital data and records them to a
recording medium and an image signal conversion circuit that
converts the recorded digital data to image signals, and can output
converted image signals to an external monitor. It further
comprises a selecting member that can select either a photographing
mode for performing photographing or a reproducing mode for
performing reproduction, and a control circuit that, when the
operation is switched from the photographing mode to the
reproducing mode by the selecting member, causes the indicating
device to display a first indication to the effect that the
operation is in standby for the reproduction, and that when the
first operating member is operated while the first indication is
being displayed, outputs image signals to the monitor and causes
the indicating device to display a second indication to the effect
that reproduction is in progress.
[0010] With the digital still camera according to the present
invention, since the reproduction standby status and the
reproducing status are switched by operating the first operating
member, which is originally provided to set the photography-related
information, the reproducing functions can be selected without
providing an additional operating member. Consequently, without new
reproducing functions added, the camera body of a camera in the
prior art can be used as is, achieving a cost reduction. Moreover,
since the indication format on the indicating device of the camera
is changed depending upon whether the operation is in the
reproduction standby state or the reproducing state, it is possible
to verify whether or not reproduction is currently in progress by
the indication on the indicating device.
[0011] The present invention is also applied to a digital still
camera comprising an imaging device that outputs image data
corresponding to the image of a photographic subject which has been
picked up and a recording device that converts image data to
digital data and records them to a recording medium. The camera is
further provided with an image signal conversion circuit that
converts recorded digital data to image signals, an output circuit
that outputs the image signals and photography-related information
related to the image signals to an external monitor in a specific
signal processing system and a photography-related information
changing circuit that changes part of, or the whole of the
photography-related information to be output to the monitor in
correspondence to the signal processing system that is set in
advance on the monitor.
[0012] Since the digital still camera according to the present
invention changes part of, or all the photography-related
information in correspondence to the signal type that is set in
advance on the monitor, to display it on the monitor, the
photography-related information can be displayed in a display
format that is compatible with the signal processing system.
Furthermore, by just looking at the photography-related information
on the monitor, the signal processing system of the image signals
output from the camera can be verified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the digital
still camera according to the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 2A-2C show the contents of indications displayed on
the indicating device;
[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a change of indication in indication
area C during a reproduction standby;
[0016] FIGS. 4A-4D show changes of indication in indication area C
during reproduction;
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts illustrating the processing
operations performed by the control circuit;
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts that continues from FIGS. 5A
and 5B;
[0019] FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts that continues from FIGS. 6A
and 6B;
[0020] FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow charts that continues from FIG. 7A
and 7B;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the photography-related
information switching processing that the control circuit performs
during reproduction;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a flow chart that continues from FIG. 9;
[0023] FIGS. 11A-11C show changes of indication of
photography-related information displayed on the monitor;
[0024] FIGS. 12A and 12B show the different indication formats used
to indicate the date in the NTSC system and the PAL system;
[0025] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate how file names for photographic
frame data, which are stored on the memory card, are assigned;
[0026] FIGS. 14A and 14B show an example indication on the
indicating device when the photometry mode switch and the exposure
correction changeover switch are operated at the same time in the
reproducing mode;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Following is an explanation of an embodiment of a digital
still camera according to the present invention in reference to
FIGS. 1-14. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the embodiment of the
digital still camera according to the present invention. In FIG. 1,
the light flux of a photographic subject that has passed through a
photographic lens 1 is then induced to a diaphragm 2. Reference
number 3 indicates a quick return mirror (hereafter referred to as
the mirror) which lets the light flux of the photographic subject
that has passed through the diaphragm 2 pass and also reflects the
light flux from the photographic subject. The part of the light
flux that is reflected by the mirror 3 is led to a multi-divided
SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) 4 and the light flux that has passed the
mirror 3 is led to a shutter 5. The multi-divided SPD 4 is
constituted of a plurality of photometric elements and performs
photometry on the photographic field divided into a plurality of
areas. The output of each photometric element is amplified by a
photometric amplifier 6.
[0028] Reference number 7 indicates an diaphragm drive device for
controlling the stop quantity of the diaphragm 2 and reference
number 8 indicates a shutter drive circuit for controlling opening
and closing of the shutter 5. Reference number 9 indicates a CCD,
which receives the light flux of the photographic subject while the
shutter 5 is opening, accumulates a signal charge that corresponds
to the quantity of light received and outputs the accumulated
signal charge as image data. Reference number 10 indicates a CCD
drive circuit that controls the charge accumulation and charge
transfer performed by the CCD 9. Reference number 11 indicates a
signal processing circuit that performs correction processing
including white balance adjustment, .gamma. correction and outline
correction for the image data output from the CCD 9. Reference
number 12 indicates a compression circuit that compresses the image
data for which correction processing has been performed in the
signal processing circuit 11 and the compressed data are then
stored on a memory card 13.
[0029] Reference number 14 indicates a control circuit that
controls the diaphragm drive device 7, the shutter drive circuit 8
and the CCD drive circuit 10. Reference number 15 indicates an
indicating device that displays various types of information
necessary for photographing and reproduction, which may be
provided, for instance, on the upper surface of the camera.
Reference number 16 indicates a power supply switch that switches
between supplying and not supplying a source voltage to various
parts of the camera. Reference number 17 indicates a first position
switch that is turned ON when the release button (not shown) is
pressed halfway down and reference number 18 indicates a second
position switch which is turned ON when the release button is
pressed all the way down. Reference number 19 indicates a
photographing/reproducing selection switch that selects either the
photographing mode for photographing or the reproducing mode for
performing reproduction. Reference number 20 indicates a pulse
generator that outputs a pulse signal every time a command dial
(not shown) is rotated by a specific quantity. Reference number 21
indicates a sensitivity changeover switch that switches the
sensitivity of the CCD 9. Reference number 22 indicates a
photometry mode changeover switch for switching to and from the
photometry mode. Reference number 23 indicates an exposure
correction changeover switch for switching exposure correction
quantities, and reference number 24 indicates an image signal
conversion circuit that converts the photographic image data stored
on the memory card 13 to image signals, The image signal conversion
circuit 24 outputs image signals in either the NTSC system or PAL
system as detailed later. Reference number 25 indicates a
photographing mode changeover switch for switching among various
photographing modes (program mode, diaphragm priority mode, shutter
priority mode, etc.).
[0030] FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A and 3B, and 4A-4F show the details of
indications displayed on the indicating device 15. FIG. 2A shows
the indication that has lighted up elements in all the indication
areas and FIG. 2B shows the indication displayed when the
photographing mode is being selected. In FIG. 2A the compression
mode is displayed in the indication area A, the sensitivity of the
CCD 9 while photographing is indicated in the indication area B,
the mode that is set for the white balance is indicated in the
indication area C, the exposure mode is indicated in the indication
area D and the presence or absence of exposure correction is
indicated in the indication area E. Furthermore, the photometry
mode is indicated in the indication area F, the battery capacity in
the indication area G, the aperture value in the indication area H,
the shutter speed in the indication area I, the number of frames
remaining that can be recorded on the memory card 13 is indicated
in the indication area J and the frame number of the photographic
frame for the next photograph is displayed in the indication area
K.
[0031] FIG. 2C shows the contents of the indication displayed on
the indicating device 15 when the reproducing mode is selected. As
shown in the figure, the letters "Pb", indicating that the
reproducing mode is set are displayed in the indication area H, the
frame number of the frame data currently being reproduced is
displayed in the indication area I, and the total number of
photographic frames that have recorded on the memory card 13 is
displayed in the indication area K. Note that, the contents of the
indication displayed in the indication area C varies depending upon
whether the operation is in standby for reproduction or
reproduction is in progress.
[0032] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the change in indication in the
indication area C during a reproduction standby and FIGS. 4A-4F
show change in indication in the indication area C during
reproduction. The indications in the indication area C during
reproduction standby switch at high speed as follows; FIG.
3A.fwdarw.FIG. 3B.fwdarw.FIG. 3A . . . . The indications in the
indication area C during reproduction, on the other hand, switch
sequentially at a lower speed as follows; FIG. 4A.fwdarw.FIG.
4B.fwdarw.FIG. 4C.fwdarw.FIG. 4D.fwdarw.FIG. 4E.fwdarw.FIG.
4F.fwdarw.FIG. 4A . . . .
[0033] As a result, in this embodiment according to the present
invention, since the indication formats in the indication area C
alternate with changes between reproduction and reproduction
standby, identification as to whether reproduction is currently in
progress or the operation is in standby for reproduction is
facilitated. This makes it possible for the photographer to verify
with the indication on the indicating device 15 whether or not
image signals are being output from the camera to the monitor.
[0034] FIGS. 5A-8B are flow charts illustrating the processing
performed in the control circuit 14. The following is an
explanation of the operation of the embodiment in reference to the
flow chart. Note that the control circuit 14 starts the processing
shown in FIGS. 5A-8B when the release button is pressed halfway
down. In step S1 in FIG. 5A, the source voltage is applied to the
various parts of the camera. With this, the initial picture plane
is displayed on the indicating device 15 on the upper surface of
the camera and on the viewfinder indicator unit (not shown). In
step S2, a decision is made as to whether the reproducing mode or
the photographing mode has been selected with the
photographing/reproducing selection switch 19.
[0035] If the photographing mode has been selected, the operation
proceeds to step S3 in which various settings required for a
photographing operation, such as the photometry mode, the
sensitivity, the stop value and the shutter speed, are made. In
step S4, numerical values representing the stop value, the shutter
speed and the like are displayed on the viewfinder indicator unit
and the indicating device 15 on the upper surface of the camera. In
step S5, a decision is made as to whether or not the mode for
implementing autofocusing has been selected. If the decision is
affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S6 in which the AF
motor is driven to perform processing for detecting focus
adjustment information. When the processing in step S6 is completed
or, if the decision made in step S5 is negative, the operation
proceeds to step S7, in which a decision is made as to whether or
not the release button has been pressed all the way down, i.e.,
whether or not the second position switch 18 has been turned
on.
[0036] If the decision is affirmative, the operation proceeds to
step S8 in which photographing control, including exposure control,
shutter control and the like is performed, and the operation
proceeds to step S2.
[0037] If the decision made in step S7 is negative, the operation
proceeds to step S9, in which a decision is made as to whether or
not the photographing mode has been changed with operating of any
one of the operating members for setting the photographing mode. If
the operating member has been operated and the photographing mode
has been changed, the operation returns to step S3 to perform
setting for the photographing operation. If the photographing mode
has not been changed, the operation proceeds to step S10, in which
a decision is made as to whether or not 16 seconds have elapsed
since the release button was pressed halfway down. If it has not
elapsed, the operation returns to step S7. If 16 seconds have
elapsed, the operation proceeds to step S11, in which the supply of
the source voltage to the various parts of the camera is stopped,
to achieve a reduction in power consumption. If, on the other hand,
it is decided in step 2 that the reproducing mode has been
selected, the operation proceeds to step S12 shown in FIG. 6A, in
which the drive of the AF motor is prohibited to achieve a
reduction in power consumption. In step S13, the viewfinder
indicator unit is turned off. With this, the photographer can know
that photographing is not possible and, at the same time, a
reduction in power consumption is achieved. Note that, instead of
turning off the viewfinder indicator unit, it may be displayed that
the reproducing mode has been selected. However, since the
photographer can verify that the reproducing mode has been selected
on the display of the indicating device 15 on the upper surface of
the camera, in this embodiment, the viewfinder indicator unit is
turned off, to reduce power consumption. In step S14, pressing down
the release button all the way is prohibited. With this, recording
to the memory card 13 in the reproducing mode is reliably
prohibited.
[0038] When the processing in step S14 is completed, the operation
proceeds to step S15, in which the reproduction standby indication
is displayed. In other words, as described earlier, the indications
in the indication area C are switched rapidly as follows; FIG.
3A.fwdarw.FIG. 3B.fwdarw.FIG. 3A . . . . In step S16, a decision is
made as to whether or not the command dial has been operated. In
this embodiment, it is decided that the command dial has been
operated if a pulse signal is output from the pulse generator 20.
if the decision in step S16 is negative, the operation proceeds to
step S17, to decide whether or not 16 seconds have elapsed since
the start of the reproduction standby indication. If the decision
is negative, the operation returns to step S15 but if the decision
is affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S18, in which the
power to the camera is turned off to end processing.
[0039] If the decision in step S16 is affirmative, the operation
proceeds to step S19, in which a decision is made as to whether or
not the sensitivity changeover switch 21 has been operated in
combination with the command dial. If the decision is negative, the
operation proceeds to step S20, in which a decision is made as to
whether or not the exposure correction changeover switch 23 and the
photometry mode changeover switch 22 have been operated in
combination with the command dial. If the decision is negative, the
operation proceeds to step S21, in which the first photographic
frame recorded on the memory card 13 is reproduced on an external
monitor and also, the indications on the indicating device 15 are
changed. To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 2C, the letters
"Pb", indicating that reproduction is in progress are displayed in
the indication area H, with "1" in the indication area I indicating
that the first photographic frame is being reproduced and "12" in
the indication area K indicating that the total number of frames
recorded on the memory card 13 is twelve. Also, by changing the
indications in the indication area C sequentially as follows, FIG.
4A.fwdarw.FIG. 4B.fwdarw.FIG. 4C.fwdarw.FIG. 4D.fwdarw.FIG.
4E.fwdarw.FIG. 4F.fwdarw.FIG. 4A . . . , it is indicated that
reproduction is in progress.
[0040] If, on the other hand, the decision in step S20 is
affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S22, in which a
decision is made as to whether the current reproduction system is
the NTSC system or the PAL system. If the current reproduction
system is PAL system, the operation proceeds to step S23 to change
it to NTSC system and if the current reproduction system is NTSC
system, the operation proceeds to step S24 to change it to PAL
system. When the processing in step S23 or S24 ends, the operation
returns to step S21.
[0041] If the decision in step S19 is affirmative, the operation
proceeds to step S25, in which the frame number of the photographic
frame for the reproduction, which corresponds to the quantity of
operation of the command dial, is displayed on the indicating
device 15, and this photographic frame is displayed on the external
monitor. When the processing in step S21 or S25 ends, the operation
proceeds to step S26 shown in FIG. 7A, in which a decision is made
as to whether or not the command dial has been operated. If an
affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S27,
in which a decision is made as to whether or not the sensitivity
changeover switch 21 has also been operated in combination with the
command dial. If the decision is affirmative, the operation
proceeds to step S28, in which the frame number of the photographic
frame for reproduction, which corresponds to the quantity of
operation of the command dial, is displayed and this photographic
frame is reproduced on the external monitor. If a negative decision
is made in step S27, the operation proceeds to step S29, in which a
decision is made as to whether or not the exposure correction
changeover switch 23 and the photometry mode changeover switch 22
have been operated in combination with the command dial. If a
negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S30, to
reproduce the next photographic frame and to indicate its frame
number on the indicating device 15. When the processing in step S28
or S30 is completed, the operation returns to step S26.
[0042] If, on the other hand, the decision in step S29 is
affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S31, in which a
decision is made as to whether the current reproduction system is
the NTSC system or the PAL system. If the current reproduction
system is PAL system, the operation proceeds to step S32 to change
it to NTSC system. If the current reproduction system is NTSC
system, the operation proceeds to step S33 to change it to PAL
system. When the processing in step S32 or S33 ends, the operation
returns to step S30.
[0043] If a negative decision is made in step S26, the operation
proceeds to step S34, in which a decision is made as to whether or
not 3 minutes have elapsed since the reproduction of the current
photographic frame has been started. If a negative decision is
made, the operation returns to step S26 and if an affirmative
decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S35 shown in FIG.
8A. In step S35, the reproduction standby indication is made. In
step S36, a decision is made as to whether or not 16 seconds have
elapsed since the reproduction standby indication has been started.
If an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step
S37, in which the power is turned off to end the processing. If a
negative decision is made in step S36, the operation proceeds to
step S38, in which a decision is made as to whether or not the
command dial has been operated. If the decision is negative, the
operation returns to step S35 and if the decision is affirmative,
the operation proceeds to step S39. In step S39, as in step S27
shown in FIG. 7A, a decision is made as to whether or not the
sensitivity changeover switch 21 has been operated in combination
with the command dial. If the decision is affirmative, the
operation proceeds to step S40, in which the frame number of the
photographic frame for the reproduction, which corresponds to the
quantity of operation of the command dial, is displayed, and this
photographic frame is reproduced. If a negative decision is made in
step S39, the operation proceeds to step S41, in which a decision
is made as to whether or not the exposure correction changeover
switch 23 and the photometry mode changeover switch 22 have been
operated in combination with the command dial. If a negative
decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S42, in which the
frame, the number of which was displayed before the reproduction
standby, is reproduced.
[0044] If, on the other hand, the decision in step S41 is
affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S43, in which a
decision is made as to whether or not the signal processing system
currently selected for image signals is the NTSC system or the PAL
system. If the current image signal processing system is PAL
system, the operation proceeds to step S44 to change it to NTSC
system and if the current signal system is NTSC system, the
operation proceeds to step S45 to change it to PAL system. When the
processing in step S44 or S45 ends, the operation returns to step
S42.
[0045] To summarize the processing illustrated in FIGS. 5A-8B that
has been described so far, when the reproducing mode is selected,
drive of the AF motor is prohibited and, at the same time, the
viewfinder indicator unit is turned off, to reduce power
consumption. Also, by ensuring that the release button cannot be
pressed all the way down, recording on to the memory card 13 during
reproduction is prohibited. Then, the indication to the effect that
the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed on the
indicating device 15. If the command dial is not operated even when
16 seconds have elapsed since the indication to the effect that the
operation is in standby for reproduction has been started, the
supply of the source voltage to-the various parts of the camera is
stopped, to reduce power consumption. If, on the other hand, the
command dial is operated within the 16 seconds, image signals are
output to the external monitor and also, an indication to the
effect that reproduction is in progress is displayed on the
indicating device 15. If the command dial is operated within 3
minutes after reproduction of a given photographic frame has been
started, the next photographic frame is also reproduced. If, on the
other hand, the command dial is not operated within 3 minutes, the
indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for
reproduction is redisplayed.
[0046] In addition, if the sensitivity changeover switch 21 and the
command dial are operated at the same time during reproduction or
during standby for reproduction, the photographic frame to be
reproduced is determined in correspondence to the quantity and
direction of the rotation of the command dial and the frame number
of the frame thus determined is displayed on the indicating device
15. Furthermore, if the exposure correction changeover switch 23
and the photometry mode changeover switch 22 are operated at the
same time during the operation of the command dial, the signal
processing system of image signals is switched.
[0047] As has been explained, with the processing described in
reference to in FIGS. 5A-8B, various settings for reproduction are
made by using the command dial and the sensitivity changeover
switch 21, which are originally provided for setting information
related to photographing, thereby eliminating the necessity of
adding new operating members and making it possible to use a camera
body of the prior art as it is. In addition, if the command dial is
not operated within 3 minutes after a given photographic frame has
been reproduced, the operation automatically enters the
reproduction standby state and if the command dial is not operated
within 16 seconds after the operation enters the reproduction
standby state, the power is automatically turned off, resulting in
a reduction in power consumption.
[0048] Furthermore, when the reproducing mode is selected, the
frame number of the frame data that is currently being reproduced
or which is to be reproduced, and the total number of photographic
frames recorded on the memory card 13 are always displayed on the
indicating device 15. Therefore, the photographer can be apprised
of which photographic frame is being reproduced currently and also
of the remaining number of photographic frames that can be recorded
on the memory card 13, achieving effective use of the memory card
13. Moreover, since the signal processing system of image signals
output from the camera is changed in correspondence to the type of
the monitor connected to the camera, different types of monitors
can be connected to one camera with no problem.
[0049] FIGS. 9 and 10 are flow charts illustrating the
photography-related information switching processing performed by
the control circuit 14 when the command dial is rotated at the same
time as the photographing mode changeover switch 25 is operated
during reproduction of the photographic frame data. FIGS. 11A-11D
show the change in photography-related information displayed on the
monitor. When reproduction of the photographic frame data has been
started, the photography-related information is not displayed on
the monitor, as shown in FIG. 11A, and then, later, when the
photographer rotates the command dial at the same time as he
operates the photographing mode changeover switch 25, the control
circuit 14 starts the processing shown in FIG. 9. In step S51 shown
in FIG. 9, a decision is made as to whether or not the command dial
has been rotated in the forward direction (the clockwise direction,
for instance). If the command dial has been operated in the forward
direction, the operation proceeds to step S52, in which the frame
number of the frame for reproduction is displayed on the monitor,
as shown in FIG. 11B. In step S53, a decision is made again as to
whether or not the command dial has been rotated at the same time
as the operation of the photographing mode changeover switch 25. If
an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step
S54, in which a decision is made as to whether or not the command
dial has been rotated in the forward direction. If it is decided
that it has been rotated in the reverse direction, the operation
proceeds to step S55, in which the frame number of the frame data
for reproduction, which is on display on the monitor, is erased.
And the operation returns to step S51.
[0050] If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S54 that the
command dial has been operated in the forward direction, the
operation proceeds to step S56, in which a decision is made as to
whether or not the image signal processing system that is currently
selected is the NTSC system. If the NTSC system is selected, the
operation proceeds to step S57, in which the order in which the
date information is displayed is set to
Month.fwdarw.Day.fwdarw.Year. If, on the other hand, it is decided
in step S56 that the NTSC system is not selected, the operation
proceeds to step S58, in which the order in which the date
information is displayed is set to Day.fwdarw.Month.fwdarw.Year.
When the processing in step S57 or S58 ends, the operation proceeds
to step S59, in which the date information and the time information
are displayed in addition to the frame number of the frame data for
reproduction, as shown in FIG. 1C.
[0051] In step S60, a decision is made again as to whether or not
the command dial has been rotated at the same time as the operation
of the photographing mode changeover switch 25. If the decision is
negative, the operation remains in step S60. If an affirmative
decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S61, in which a
decision is made as to whether or not the command dial has been
rotated in the forward direction. If it is decided that the command
dial has been rotated in the reverse direction, the operation
proceeds to step S62 to erase the date information and the time
information that have been on display, and then returns to step
S53.
[0052] If it is decided in step S61 that the command dial has been
rotated in the forward direction, the operation proceeds to S63
shown in FIG. 10, in which the file name is displayed in addition
to the reproduction frame number, the date information and the time
information, as shown in FIG. 11D.
[0053] In step S64 that follows, a decision is made again as to
whether or not the command dial has been rotated at the same time
as the operation of the photographing mode changeover switch 25. If
the decision is negative, the operation remains in step S64. If an
affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S65,
in which a decision is made as to whether or not the command dial
has been rotated in the forward direction. If it is decided that
the command dial has been rotated in the reverse direction, the
operation proceeds to step S66 to erase the file name that has been
on display, and then returns to step S60. If, on the other hand, it
is decided in step S65 that the command dial has been rotated in
the forward direction, the operation proceeds to step S67 to erase
all the photography-related information that has been on display,
and then proceeds to step S68. In step S68, a decision is made
again as to whether or not the command dial has been rotated at the
same time as the operation of the photographing mode changeover
switch 25. If the decision is negative, the operation remains in
step S68. If an affirmative decision is made, the operation returns
to step S51.
[0054] If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S51 shown in
FIG. 9, that the command dial has been operated in the reverse
direction, the operation proceeds to step S69 shown in FIG. 10. In
steps S69-S74, the processing for indicating all of the
photography-related information is performed, as shown in FIG.
1D.
[0055] In step S69, the reproduction frame number is displayed.
Then in step S70, a decision is made as to whether or not the
signal system with which signals are output to the monitor is the
NTSC system. If the decision is affirmative, the operation proceeds
to step S71, and the order in which the date information is
displayed is set to Month.fwdarw.Day.fwdarw.Year. If it is decided
in step S71 that the current signal system is not the NTSC system
the operation proceeds to step S72, in which the order in which the
date information is displayed is set to
Day.fwdarw.Month.fwdarw.Year. When the processing in step S71 or
S72 is completed, the operation proceeds to step S73, in which the
date information and the time information are displayed in addition
to the reproduction frame number. In the following step S74, the
file name of the photographic frame for reproduction is also
displayed, and then the operation proceeds to step S64.
[0056] In the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 that has been
explained so far, when the photographer rotates the command dial
while operating the photographing mode changeover switch 25 during
reproduction of the photographic frame data, the
photography-related information to be displayed on the monitor is
changed in correspondence to the quantity and direction of the
rotation of the command dial. In other words, in this embodiment,
the frame number, the date and the time information relating to the
reproduced frame data and the file name of the reproduced frame
data are provided as the photography-related information and when
the command dial is rotated in the forward direction (the clockwise
direction) while the photographing mode changeover switch 25 is
operated, the photography-related information display is switched
in the order of FIG. 11A.fwdarw.FIG. 11B.fwdarw.FIG.
11C.fwdarw.FIG. 11D.fwdarw.FIG. 11A . . . . In contrast, when the
command dial is rotated in the reverse direction (the
counter-clockwise direction) while the photographing mode
changeover switch 25 is operated, the photography-related
information display is switched in the order of FIG.
11A.fwdarw.FIG. 11D.fwdarw.FIG. 11C.fwdarw.FIG. 11B.fwdarw.FIG. 11A
. . . .
[0057] As has been explained, with the combined operation of the
photographing mode changeover switch 25 and the command dial, which
are originally provided for setting the photographing mode, the
photography-related information to be displayed on the monitor can
be selected using a camera body of the prior art as it is. In
addition, in this embodiment, the order in which the date
information is displayed is switched in correspondence to the
signal processing system of image signals output from the camera.
For instance, when image signals are output in the NTSC system, the
date information is displayed in the order of
Month.fwdarw.Day.fwdarw.Year as shown in FIG. 12A and when image
signals are output in the PAL system, the date information is
displayed in the order of Day.fwdarw.Month.fwdarw.Year as shown in
FIG. 12B. The indication order is switched with regard to the
different customs in the USA and Europe for indicating dates where
those different signals processing system are adopted.
[0058] In FIG. 11D the file name displayed in the upper left corner
of the screen is inherent to a given photographic frame and a name
that conforms to the MS-DOS file format, which is a type of OS for
personal computers, is automatically assigned. To be more specific,
every file name is composed of 7 characters of which the four
characters on the right side of the file name are digits, and are
assigned numbers that indicate the order in which the frame was
recorded on the memory card 13. For instance, the file name
"DSC0005" shown in FIG. 11D indicates that these frame data were
the fifth photographic frame data to be recorded on the memory card
13. The memory card 13 is provided with an area P for storing the
photographic frame data for each photographic frame and an area Q
for storing the photography-related information, such as file names
and dates (hereafter referred to as management information) for
individual frames, and each time a new photographic frame is
photographed, new data are recorded in both the areas P and Q. The
management information recorded on the memory card 13 may be
uploaded to a personal computer via a card reader and the
management information thus uploaded can be displayed on a monitor
screen connected to the personal computer. For instance, the
photographer can display a list of the file names recorded on the
memory card 13 on the monitor screen, select a given file from the
list and erase the file from the memory card 13.
[0059] Note that, when some of the files recorded on the memory
card 13 are erased, new photographic frame data may be recorded in
the area where the erased files were stored. In that case, file
names different from the file names of the erased files are
assigned. For instance, FIG. 13A shows an example in which five
files "DSC0001"-"DSC0005" are recorded on the memory card 13, then
the file "DSC0003" is erased and new photographic frame data are
recorded in the area occupied by the erased file. In this case, the
file name corresponding to the new photographic frame data is
"DSC0006", which is one more than the "DSC0005", which is the file
name of the last file recorded on the memory card 13. As is
obvious, the last 4 characters in each file name are an identifier
which indicates the order of recording in which the photographic
frame data has been recorded on the memory card 13. The
photographer can ascertain how many times recording and erasure
have been repeated on the memory card 13 with the identifier.
[0060] The reproduction frame number that is displayed in the upper
right corner of the screen in FIG. 11D indicates the order of
reproduction assigned on the memory card 13. In this embodiment,
since reproduction is performed in the order in which the
photographic frames are recorded on the memory card 13, i.e., the
file with smaller number in the last 4 characters in the file name
is earlier reproduced than the file with larger number. For
instance, when the file "DSC0006" shown in FIG. 13A is reproduced,
the number "5" will be displayed. FIG. 13B shows the relation
between the file names and the reproduction frame numbers.
[0061] However, when erasure and re-recording are repeated on the
memory card 13, the order in which the files are reproduced and the
order in which they are recorded on the memory card 13 become
inconsistent. Because of this, if, for instance, only the
reproduction frame number is displayed, there is a likelihood that
this number would be mistaken for the number of the order in which
this photographic frame was recorded on the memory card 13. To deal
with this problem, in this embodiment, the indication given in the
upper right corner of the screen ensures that the reproduction
frame number can be verified and with the indication of the file
name displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, the order in
which it was recorded on the memory card 13 can be verified. In
addition, by indicating the file name, it is possible to erase the
file by specifying the file name on the personal computer.
[0062] Another feature of this embodiment is that when the
photometry mode changeover switch 22 and the exposure correction
changeover switch 23 have been operated in combination while
photographic frame data are being reproduced, the information that
indicates the signal processing system of the image signals is
displayed on the indicating device 15 for the duration of the
combined operation. FIGS. 14A and 14B shows a examples of
indication displayed on the screen of the indicating device 15
while the photometry mode changeover switch 22 and the exposure
correction changeover switch 23 have been operated in combination.
FIG. 14A shows an example in which image signals in the NTSC system
are output and FIG. 14B shows an example in which image signals in
the PAL system are output.
[0063] As has been explained, since, in this embodiment, the
current signal system of image signals can be indicated on the
indicating device 15, it can be verified in advance whether or not
the signal system matches the type of the monitor that is set.
[0064] While in this embodiment, an example in which the memory
card 13 is used for the recording medium is explained, a recording
medium other than the memory card 13, such as a floppy disk or an
optical disk may be used as well. In addition, while in the
embodiment an example in which the NTSC system and the PAL systems
are switched from one to the other has been explained, any other
signal systems may be likewise switched. Although in the embodiment
described so far, various functions for reproduction are switched
using the command dial, the sensitivity changeover switch 21 and
the like, the switches that may be used for switching various
functions are not limited those explained in the embodiment above.
In other words, any switches may be used as long as they are
provided in the camera originally for setting information related
to photographing. While in the embodiment above, the indication in
regard to the reproducing mode is made on the indicating device 15
which is already provided on the upper surface of the camera, this
indication related to the reproducing mode may be made on an
indicating device provided at a location other than the upper
surface, i.e., the rear surface of the camera for instance. In
addition, while in the embodiment above, when selecting various
reproduction functions the operation of a plurality of operating
members in combination is used as a condition for selection, those
operating members do not have to be operated at the same time. The
condition may be set such that a plurality of operating members are
operated in some form of combination within a specific period of
time, for instance, to select the reproduction functions.
* * * * *