U.S. patent application number 10/365547 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Nozaki, Hirotake.
Application Number | 20030179314 10/365547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28043664 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030179314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nozaki, Hirotake |
September 25, 2003 |
Camera
Abstract
When at least a portion of an aperture of a lens part is covered
with some object, both adjusting of the sensitivity of an image
pickup part and display of "though image" are inhibited. Also, it
is able to shorten a length of time for which the camera enters
into a power saving mode, and to prevent capture of improper
images. Provided herein is a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
covered. When the determining unit determines that it is covered,
the camera inhibits the sensitivity adjustment of the image pickup
part and the display of "though image", shortens the length of time
after which the camera enters into the power saving mode,
interrupts shooting or continuous shooting, or a movie imaging, and
inhibits a flash emission.
Inventors: |
Nozaki, Hirotake; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
28043664 |
Appl. No.: |
10/365547 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/375 ;
348/E5.025; 348/E5.029; 348/E5.03; 348/E5.042; 348/E5.047 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/2259 20130101;
H04N 5/2256 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/375 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2002 |
JP |
2002-038976 |
Feb 15, 2002 |
JP |
2002-038977 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of said lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering unit; a
release button for setting a shooting condition when half-pressed,
and for executing a shooting when full-pressed; and a shooting
inhibiting unit for inhibiting the shooting when, upon said release
button's being full-pressed, said determining unit determines that
at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
covered.
2. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of said lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering unit; a
continuous shooting unit for performing continuous shooting; and a
continuous shooting interrupting unit for interrupting the
continuous shooting of said continuous shooting unit when said
determining unit determines, during the continuous shooting, that
at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
covered.
3. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein said
continuous shooting interrupting unit resumes the continuous
shooting when said determining unit determines, during the
interruption of the continuous shooting, that neither a portion nor
a whole of the aperture of said lens part is covered.
4. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of said lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering unit; a
movie imaging unit for imaging a movie; and an imaging interrupting
unit for interrupting the movie imaging of said movie imaging unit
when said determining unit determines, during the movie imaging,
that at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
covered.
5. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part; a flash unit for
flashing light; a covering unit for covering at least a portion of
an aperture of said lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
covered with said covering unit; and a shooting-process
interrupting unit for interrupting a shooting processing when said
determining unit determines, immediately before a flash emission
from said flash unit, that at least a portion of the aperture of
said lens part is covered.
6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the flash
emission is a preparative light emission.
7. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the flash
emission is a main light emission.
8. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the flash
emission is an auxiliary light emission for preventing red-eye
effect.
9. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part being
position-changeably mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by said body, in accordance with a change of a
position of said lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
hidden by said body and hence the lens part is located at an
unsuitable position for shooting an image; a release button for
setting a shooting condition when half-pressed, and for executing a
shooting when full-pressed; and a shooting inhibiting unit for
inhibiting the shooting when said determining unit determines that,
upon said release button's being full-pressed, said lens part is
located at an unsuitable position for the shooting.
10. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part being
position-changeably mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by said body, in accordance with a change of a
position of said lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
hidden by said body and the lens part is located at an unsuitable
position for shooting an image; a continuous shooting unit for
performing continuous shooting; and a continuous shooting
interrupting unit for interrupting the continuous shooting of said
continuous shooting unit when said determining unit determines,
during the continuous shooting, that said lens part is located at
an unsuitable position for the shooting.
11. The electronic camera according to claim 10, wherein said
continuous shooting interrupting unit resumes the continuous
shooting when said determining unit determines, during the
interruption of the continuous shooting, that the aperture of said
lens part is not located at any position unsuitable for the
shooting.
12. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part being
position-changeably mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by said body, in accordance with a change of a
position of said lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
hidden by said body and the lens part is located at an unsuitable
position for shooting an image; a movie imaging unit for imaging a
movie; and an imaging interrupting unit for interrupting the movie
imaging of said movie imaging unit when said determining unit
determines, during the movie imaging, that said lens part is
located at an unsuitable position for the movie imaging.
13. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part being
position-changeably mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a
flash unit for flashing light; a position changing unit for
changing a degree of how much an aperture is hidden by said body,
in accordance with a change of a position of said lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of said lens part is hidden by said body and the lens part
is located at an unsuitable position for shooting an image; and a
shooting-process interrupting unit for interrupting a shooting
processing when said determining unit determines, immediately
before a flash emission from said flash unit, that said lens part
is located at an unsuitable position for shooting an image.
14. The electronic camera according to claim 13, wherein said flash
emission is a preparative light emission.
15. The electronic camera according to claim 13, wherein said flash
emission is a main light emission.
16. The electronic camera according to claim 13, wherein said flash
emission is an auxiliary light emission for preventing red-eye
effect.
17. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of said lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering unit; an
image pickup unit for imaging a subject with said lens part to
produce an image signal; an amplifying unit for amplifying the
image signal outputted from said image pickup unit; and a gain
control unit for controlling a gain of said amplifying unit
according to a determination result from said determining unit.
18. The electronic camera according to claim 17, wherein said gain
control unit inhibits the control of the gain of said amplifying
unit when said determining unit determines that at least a portion
of the aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering
unit.
19. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of said lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering unit; an
image pickup unit for imaging a subject with said lens part to
produce an image signal; a display unit for displaying an image of
the subject according to the image signal produced by said image
pickup unit; and a display control unit for controlling image
display of said display unit according to a determination result
from said determining unit.
20. The electronic camera according to claim 19, wherein said
display unit inhibits said display unit from displaying the image
of the subject when said determining unit determines that at least
a portion of the aperture of said lens part is covered with said
covering unit.
21. The electronic camera according to claim 19, wherein said
display unit stops a driving of said image pickup unit when said
determining unit determines that at least a portion of the aperture
of said lens part is covered with said covering unit.
22. A camera, comprising: a lens part; a covering unit for covering
at least a portion of an aperture of said lens part; a determining
unit for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of
said lens part is covered with said covering unit; an
inoperative-state detecting unit for measuring a duration of time
for which the camera is powered on but not in operation; a power
saving unit for setting an operation mode of the camera to a power
saving mode when the duration of time measured by said
inoperative-state detecting unit is equal to or longer than a
predetermined duration of time, the power saving mode being a mode
in which power consumption is reduced; and a selecting unit for
selecting one of predetermined durations of time according to a
determination result from said determining unit, the predetermined
durations of time being durations for which the camera is powered
on but not in operation, and of which said power saving unit enters
into the power saving mode on the basis.
23. The camera according to claim 22, wherein when at least a
portion of the aperture of said lens part is covered with said
covering unit, said selecting unit sets the predetermined durations
of time to smaller values than when the aperture of said lens part
is not covered with said covering unit.
24. The camera according to claim 22, wherein said power saving
unit cancels said power saving mode when said determining unit
determines that a state of the aperture of said lens part shifts
from a covered state to an uncovered state.
25. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part being
position-changeably mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by said body, in accordance with a change of a
position of said lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
hidden by said body and the lens part is located at an unsuitable
position for shooting an image; an amplifying unit for amplifying
the image signal outputted from said image pickup unit; and a gain
control unit for controlling a gain of said amplifying unit
according to a determination result from said determining unit.
26. The electronic camera, according to claim 25, wherein said gain
control unit inhibits the control of the gain of said amplifying
unit when said determining unit determines that at least a portion
of the aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering
unit.
27. An electronic camera, comprising: a lens part being
position-changeably mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by said body, in accordance with a change of a
position of said lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of said lens part is
hidden by said body and the lens part is located at an unsuitable
position for shooting an image; an image pickup unit for imaging a
subject with said lens part to produce an image signal; a display
unit for displaying an image according to the image signal produced
by said image pickup unit; and a display control unit for
controlling the image display of said display unit according to a
determination result from said determining unit.
28. The electronic camera according to claim 27, wherein said
display unit inhibits said display unit from displaying the image
when said determining unit determines that at least a portion of
the aperture of said lens part is covered with said covering
unit.
29. The electronic camera according to claim 27, wherein said
display unit stops a driving of said image pickup unit when said
determining unit determines that at least a portion of the aperture
of said lens part is covered with said covering unit.
30. A camera, comprising: a lens part being position-changeably
mounted on a body of said electronic camera; a position changing
unit for changing a degree of how much an aperture is hidden by
said body, in accordance with a change of a position of said lens
part; a determining unit for determining whether at least a portion
of the aperture of said lens part is hidden by said body and the
lens part is located at an unsuitable position for shooting an
image; an inoperative-state detecting unit for measuring a duration
of time for which the camera is powered on but not in operation; a
power saving unit for setting an operation mode of the camera to a
power saving mode when the duration of time measured by said
inoperative-state detecting unit is equal to or longer than a
predetermined duration of time, the power saving mode being a mode
in which power consumption is reduced; and a selecting unit for
selecting one of predetermined durations of time according to a
determination result from said determining unit, the predetermined
durations of time being durations for which the camera is powered
on but not in operation, and of which said power saving unit enters
into the power saving mode on the basis.
31. The camera according to claim 30, wherein when at least a
portion of the aperture of said lens part is covered with said
covering unit, said selecting unit sets the predetermined durations
of time to smaller values than when the aperture of said lens part
is not covered with said covering unit.
32. The camera according to claim 30, wherein said power saving
unit cancels said power saving mode when said determining unit
determines that a state of the aperture of said lens part shifts
from a covered state to an uncovered state.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic camera that
uses an image pickup part such as a CCD or the like to image a
subject, and stores the image data on a recording medium. The
present invention also relates to a camera that images a subject
and captures the image thereof on a silver film. It should be noted
that the term "camera", if simply referred to herein, refers to
both of an electronic camera and a camera that captures images on a
silver film.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] An electronic camera, when its release button's being
half-pressed, automatically decides exposure conditions (this
operation will be referred to as "AE" hereinafter) and adjusts the
focus by auto focusing (this operation will be referred to as "AF"
hereinafter). Thereafter, with its release button being
full-pressed the electronic camera shoots an image.
[0005] Upon the release button's being half-pressed, the exposure
conditions are accurately decided by the AE processing, and
accurate focus adjustment is made by the AF processing unless any
object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the like) covers even a
portion of an aperture of a lens part.
[0006] The electronic camera has a continuous shooting mode for
continuous shooting and a movie imaging mode for movie imaging.
[0007] The electronic camera prepares for a flash emission when its
release button is half-pressed and the brightness of the subject
light is insufficient, or when its flash part has been set to emit
a flash. Thereafter, the electronic camera, upon its release
button's being full-pressed, emits a flash to shoot the
subject.
[0008] The electronic camera has a function of automatically
adjusting the sensitivity of its image pickup part such as a CCD in
accordance with the brightness of a subject so as to shoot the
subject even when the brightness of the subject is low.
[0009] The electronic camera also has a "through image" display
function of displaying on the liquid crystal monitor the image of a
subject which the image pickup part is presently imaging (the
"through image" helps the camera operator check the image to be
captured). The camera is also structured to enter into a power
saving mode in which it standbys with minimum power consumption
when it is powered on but not in operation for a predetermined
period of time.
[0010] In a case where the setting of the exposure and the focus
adjustment has been done with the release button half-pressed, and
thereafter, even a portion of the lens aperture of the camera gets
covered with some object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the
like) when the release button full-pressed, (i.e., so-called
vignetting occurs), the camera of the prior art disadvantageously
takes inappropriate pictures because it performs shooting with
conditions (AE and AF processing) which are to be set when the
release button half-pressed.
[0011] In addition, if even a portion of the lens aperture of the
electronic camera gets covered with some object (e.g., a lens cap,
a camera case or the like) while the electronic camera is shooting
in a continuous shooting mode (if vignetting occurs), the
electronic camera of the prior art disadvantageously continues to
take inappropriate pictures thereafter.
[0012] Similarly, if even a portion of the lens aperture of the
electronic camera gets covered with some object (e.g., a lens cap,
a camera case or the like) while the electronic camera is shooting
in a movie imaging mode (if vignetting occurs), the electronic
camera of the prior art disadvantageously continues to take
inappropriate movie images thereafter.
[0013] The electronic camera of the prior art as stated above
prepares for a flash emission upon its release button half-pressed,
when the brightness of the subject is insufficient, or when it has
been set to flash light. In such a case, even if a portion of the
aperture of the lens part of the camera is covered with by some
object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the like) (even if
vignetting occurs), the flash part flashes light. At this moment,
the object covering the light emitting part of the flash part
limits the space which is to be affected by the flash emission.
This may cause a deformation of a structure between the camera case
and the light emitting part, for example, due to the heat. The heat
may also result in shortening the life of the electronic camera,
and may have an adverse effect on the human body.
[0014] Further, in the prior art if at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part of the electronic camera gets covered
with some object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the like) (if
a vignetting occurs), the electronic camera automatically raises
the sensitivity of the image pickup part up to be ready for the
shooting, which results in producing inappropriate pictures.
[0015] Still further, it is disadvantageous that if at least a
portion of the aperture of the lens part of the electronic camera
gets covered with some object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or
the like) with a "through image" displayed on the liquid crystal
monitor (if a vignetting occurs), it continuously displays
inappropriate images on the liquid crystal monitor thereafter. In
such a case, there arises a problem that the larger the covered
portion of the aperture is, the greater the amount of noise
included in the displayed image is.
[0016] Moreover, the camera is structured to enter into a power
saving mode in which it standbys with minimum power consumption
when it is powered on but not in operation for a predetermined
period of time, as stated above. However, if at least a portion of
the aperture of the lens part of the camera gets covered with some
object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the like) (if a
vignetting occurs), good images cannot be produced. This will lead
to another problem of unnecessary power consumption because the
electronic camera does not enter into the power saving mode until
the predetermined period of time elapses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electronic camera that is capable of determining whether or not a
proper shooting can be performed upon its release button's being
full-pressed, in order to inhibit the shooting operation if no
proper shooting is feasible.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
electronic camera that is capable of determining during continuous
shooting whether or not a proper shooting can be performed, in
order to inhibit the continuous shooting if no proper shooting is
feasible.
[0019] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an electronic camera capable of determining, while a movie
is being imaged, whether or not a proper movie imaging can be
performed, in order to inhibit the movie imaging processing if no
proper movie imaging is feasible.
[0020] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an electronic camera capable of determining, prior to
flashing from the flash part, whether at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part of the camera is covered with some
object, in order to inhibit the shooting processing if covered.
[0021] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an electronic camera that is capable of determining whether
at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part of the camera
is covered with some object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the
like) to control adjustment of sensitivity of the image pickup part
based on the determination result.
[0022] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an electronic camera that is capable of determining, while
a "through image" being displayed on the liquid crystal monitor,
whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part of the
camera is covered with some object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case
or the like), to control the display of the "through image" based
on the determination result.
[0023] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a camera being capable of determining whether at least a
portion of the aperture of the lens part of the camera is covered
with some object (e.g., a lens cap, a camera case or the like), to
select one of predetermined durations of time for the power saving
mode according to the determination result.
[0024] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an electronic
camera of the present invention has: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of the lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered with the covering unit; a
release button for setting a shooting condition when half-pressed,
and for executing a shooting when being full-pressed; and a
shooting inhibiting unit for inhibiting the shooting of an image
when the determining unit determines that at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered upon the release button's
being full-pressed.
[0025] The present invention makes it possible to determine whether
at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered when
the release button is full-pressed.
[0026] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an electronic
camera of the present invention has: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of the lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered with the covering unit; a
continuous shooting unit for performing continuous shooting; and a
continuous shooting interrupting unit for interrupting continuous
shooting of the continuous shooting unit when the determining unit
determines, during the continuous shooting, that at least a portion
of the aperture of the lens part is covered. It is preferable that
the continuous shooting interrupting unit resumes continuous
shooting when the determining unit determines, during the
interruption of the continuous shooting, that neither a portion nor
the whole of the aperture of the lens part is covered.
[0027] The present invention makes it possible to determine during
the continuous shooting whether at least a portion of the aperture
of the lens part is covered.
[0028] An electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens
part; a covering unit for covering at least a portion of an
aperture of the lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
covered with the covering unit; a movie imaging unit for imaging a
movie; and an imaging interrupting unit for interrupting the movie
imaging of the movie imaging unit when the determining unit
determines, during the movie imaging, that at least a portion of
the aperture of the lens part is covered.
[0029] The present invention makes it possible to determine during
the movie imaging whether at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is covered.
[0030] An electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens
part; a flash unit for flashing light; a covering unit for covering
at least a portion of an aperture of the lens part; a determining
unit for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of
the lens part is covered with the covering unit; and a
shooting-process interrupting unit for interrupting a shooting
processing when the determining unit determines, immediately before
a flash emitted from the flash unit, that at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered. In this camera, the flash
emission is, for example, a preparative light emission, a main
light emission, or an auxiliary light emission for preventing
red-eye effect.
[0031] The present invention makes it possible to determine,
immediately before a flash emitted from the flash unit, whether at
least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered.
[0032] An electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens
part being position-changeably mounted on the body of the camera; a
position changing unit for changing, in accordance with a change of
a position of the lens part, a degree of how much an aperture of
the lens part is hidden by the body; a determining unit for
determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part is hidden by the body and hence the lens part is located at an
unsuitable position for shooting an image; a release button for
setting a shooting condition when half-pressed, and for executing a
shooting when full-pressed; a shooting inhibiting unit for
inhibiting the shooting when the release button is full-pressed;
and the determining unit determines that at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is located at a position unsuitable for
the shooting.
[0033] The present invention makes it possible to determine, upon
the release button's being full-pressed, whether or not at least a
portion of the aperture of the lens part is hidden.
[0034] An electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens
part position-changeably mounted on the body of the camera; a
position changing unit for changing, in accordance with a change of
a position of the lens part, a degree of how much an aperture of
the lens part is hidden by the body; a determining unit for
determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part is hidden by the body and hence the lens part is located at a
position unsuitable for the shooting; a continuous shooting unit
for performing continuous shooting; and a continuous shooting
interrupting unit for interrupting the continuous shooting of the
continuous shooting unit when the determining unit determines,
during the continuous shooting, that at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is located at a position unsuitable for
the shooting.
[0035] The present invention makes it possible to determine, during
continuous shooting, whether at least a portion of the aperture of
the lens part is hidden.
[0036] Preferably, the continuous shooting interrupting unit of
this camera resumes the continuous shooting when the determining
unit determines, during the interruption of the continuous
shooting, that the aperture of the lens part is not located at any
position unsuitable for the shooting.
[0037] An electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens
part position-changeably mounted on the body of the camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by the body, in accordance with a change of a
position of the lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
hidden by the body and hence the lens part is located at a position
unsuitable for shooting an image; a movie imaging unit for imaging
a movie; and an imaging interrupting unit for interrupting a movie
imaging of the movie imaging unit when the determining unit
determines, during the movie imaging, that at least a portion of
the aperture of the lens part is located at a position unsuitable
for the imaging.
[0038] The present invention makes it possible to determine, during
a movie imaging, whether at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is hidden.
[0039] An electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens
part position-changeably mounted on the body of the camera; a flash
unit for flashing light; a position changing unit for changing a
degree of how much an aperture is hidden by the body, in accordance
with a change of a position of the lens part; a determining unit
for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is hidden by the body and hence the lens part is located
at a position unsuitable for shooting; and a shooting-process
interrupting unit for interrupting a shooting processing when the
determining unit determines, immediately before a flash emitted
from the flash unit, that at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is located at a position unsuitable for the shooting. In
this camera, the flash emission is, for example, a preparative
light emission, a main light emission, or an auxiliary light
emission for preventing red-eye effect.
[0040] The present invention makes it possible to determine, just
before a flash emission from the flash unit, whether at least a
portion of the aperture of the lens part is hidden.
[0041] Further, in order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an
electronic camera of the present invention has: a lens part; a
covering unit for covering at least a portion of an aperture of the
lens part; a determining unit for determining whether at least a
portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered with the
covering unit; an image pickup unit for imaging a subject with the
lens part to produce an image signal; an amplifying unit for
amplifying the image signal outputted from the image pickup unit;
and a gain control unit for controlling the gain of the amplifying
unit based on a determination result from the determining unit.
Preferably, the gain control unit of this camera inhibits the
control of the gain of the amplifying unit when the determining
unit determines that at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part is covered with the covering unit.
[0042] The present invention makes it possible to determine whether
or not at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
covered, in order to control the gain of an amplifier that
amplifies the image signal.
[0043] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an electronic
camera of the present invention has: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of the lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered with the covering unit; an
image pickup unit for imaging a subject with the lens part to
produce an image signal; a display unit for displaying an image in
accordance with the image signal produced by the image pickup unit;
and a display control unit for controlling the image display of the
display unit based on the determination result from the determining
unit.
[0044] Preferably, the display unit of this camera inhibits the
image pickup unit from displaying the image when the determining
unit determines that at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part is covered with the covering unit.
[0045] More preferably, the display unit of this camera stops the
driving of the image pickup unit when the determining unit
determines that at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part
is covered with the covering unit.
[0046] The present invention makes it possible to determine whether
or not at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
covered, in order to control the image display of the display
unit.
[0047] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an electronic
camera of the present invention has: a lens part; a covering unit
for covering at least a portion of an aperture of the lens part; a
determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered with the covering unit; an
inoperative-state detecting unit for measuring a duration of time
for which the camera is powered on but not in operation; a power
saving unit for setting the operation mode of the camera to a power
saving mode in which the power consumption is reduced, when the
duration of time measured by the inoperative-state detecting unit
is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration of time; and a
selecting unit for selecting one of predetermined durations of time
according to a determination result from the determining unit, the
predetermined durations of time being durations for which the
camera is powered on but not in operation, and of which the power
saving unit enters into the power saving mode on the basis.
[0048] Preferably, when at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is covered with the covering unit, the selecting unit of
this camera sets the predetermined durations of time to smaller
values than when the aperture of the lens part is not covered. It
is also preferable that the power saving unit of this camera
cancels the power saving mode when the determining unit determines
that a state of the aperture of the lens part shifts from a covered
state to an uncovered state.
[0049] The present invention makes it possible to select one of the
predetermined durations of time of which the camera enters into the
power saving mode on the basis, according to the result of the
determination as to whether or not at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is covered.
[0050] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an electronic
camera of the present invention has: a lens part
position-changeably mounted on the body of the camera; a position
changing unit for changing a degree of how much an aperture is
hidden by the body, in accordance with a change of a position of
the lens part; a determining unit for determining whether at least
a portion of the aperture of the lens part is hidden by the body
and hence the lens part is located at a position unsuitable for
shooting; an amplifying unit for amplifying an image signal
outputted from the image pickup unit; and a gain control unit for
controlling the gain of the amplifying unit based on a
determination result from the determining unit.
[0051] According to the present invention, it is possible to
determine whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part is hidden, in order to control the gain of an amplifier that
amplifies the image signal.
[0052] Preferably, the gain control unit of this camera inhibits
the control of the gain of the amplifying unit when the determining
unit determines that at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part is covered with the covering unit.
[0053] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, an electronic
camera of the present invention has: a lens part
position-changeably mounted on the body of the electronic camera; a
position changing unit for changing a degree of how much an
aperture is hidden by the body, in accordance with a change of a
position of the lens part; a determining unit for determining
whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
hidden by the body and hence the lens part is located at a position
unsuitable for shooting; an image pickup unit for imaging a subject
with the lens part to produce an image signal; a display unit for
displaying an image in accordance with the image signal produced by
the image pickup unit; and a display control unit for controlling
the image display of the display unit based on the determination
result from the determining unit.
[0054] Preferably, the display unit inhibits the display unit from
displaying the image when the determining unit determines that at
least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered with
the covering unit. Also preferably, the display unit stops the
driving of the image pickup unit when the determining unit
determines that at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part
is covered with the covering unit.
[0055] The present invention enables the control of the image
display of the display unit according to the determination as to
whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is
covered.
[0056] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, a camera of
the present invention has: a lens part position-changeably mounted
on the body of the camera; a position changing unit for changing a
degree of how much an aperture is hidden by the body, in accordance
with a change of a position of the lens part; a determining unit
for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is hidden by the body and hence the lens part located at
a position unsuitable for shooting an image; an inoperative-state
detecting unit for measuring a duration of time for which the
camera is powered on but not in operation; a power saving unit for
setting the operation mode of the camera to a power saving mode in
which the power consumption is reduced, when the duration of time
measured by the inoperative-state detecting unit is equal to or
longer than a predetermined duration of time; and a selecting unit
for selecting one of predetermined durations of time according to
the determination result from the determining unit, the
predetermined durations of time being durations for which the
camera is powered on but not in operation, and of which the power
saving unit enters into the power saving mode on the basis.
[0057] The present invention makes it possible to select the
predetermined duration of time of which the camera enters into the
power saving mode on the basis, according to the result of the
determination as to whether or not at least a portion of the
aperture of the lens part is hidden.
[0058] Preferably, when at least a portion of the aperture of the
lens part is covered with the covering unit, the selecting unit
sets the predetermined durations of time to smaller values than
when the aperture of the lens part is not covered with the covering
unit. Also preferably, the power saving unit cancels the power
saving mode when the determining unit determines a state of the
aperture shifts from a covered state to an uncovered state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a camera used in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows an image pickup block with its position
rotationally changing relative to the body of the camera.
[0061] FIG. 3 show an image pickup block with its position
rotationally changing relative to the body of the camera.
[0062] FIG. 4 show an image pickup block with its position
rotationally changing relative to the body of the camera.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the camera.
[0064] FIG. 6 show that switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on/off by a
cam directly coupled to a rotational axis, in accordance with
rotational positions of the image pickup block.
[0065] FIG. 7 show that the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on/off
by the cam directly coupled to the rotational axis, in accordance
with rotational positions of the image pickup block.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing that the camera determines
whether shooting is feasible or not in accordance with the on/off
states of the switches SW1 and SW2.
[0067] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
block diagram of FIG. 5.
[0068] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
block diagram of FIG. 5.
[0069] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
block diagram of FIG. 5.
[0070] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
block diagram of FIG. 5.
[0071] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
block diagram of FIG. 5.
[0072] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
block diagram of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0073] Embodiments of the present invention will be described
below.
[0074] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a camera used in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] In FIG. 1, illustrated are a camera body 1, an image pickup
block 2, an aperture 21 of a lens part, a light emitting part 22 of
a flash part, and a rotation axis 23 of the image pickup block 2.
The image pickup block 2 has, the lens part (not shown), a CCD (not
shown) serving as an image pickup device, and the light emitting
part 22 of the flash part. The body 1 has a liquid crystal monitor
11 and a release button 12.
[0076] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the image pickup block 2 can be
rotated on its rotation axis 23 in directions as indicated by
arrows A and B. As apparent from FIG. 1, the image pickup block 2
is rotatable within the body 1. This body 1 corresponds to
"covering unit" recited in the Claims, and the rotation of the
image pickup block 2 corresponds to the position changing of
"position changing unit" recited therein.
[0077] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the image pickup block
2 with its position rotationally changing relative to the body
1.
[0078] FIG. 2 shows the image pickup block 2 with rotated to a
position at angle .theta. (.theta. is a variable) on its rotation
axis 23. FIG. 2 shows that the image pickup block 2 is positioned
at the angel .theta. of minus 90 degrees.
[0079] FIGS. 3-(a), 3-(b), 3-(c), 4-(d), 4-(e) and 4-(f) each show
position to which the image pickup block 2 has rotated.
[0080] FIG. 3-(a) shows the rotated image pickup block 2 in a
position at the angle .theta. of 90 degrees. In the present
embodiment, the angle .theta. of 90 degrees is a "face-to-lens
shooting" limit position. That is, the present embodiment is
configured that the rotational angle .theta. not be greater than 90
degrees. The term "face-to-lens shooting" used herein means that
the lens part 20 of the image pickup block 2 faces to a user at the
shooting (taking a picture of the user himself or herself).
[0081] FIG. 3-(b) shows the rotated image pickup block 2 in a
position at the angle .theta. of .alpha.1. In the present
embodiment, at the angle .theta. being less than .alpha.1, the
aperture of the lens part 2 begins to be hidden by the body 1,
which causes a vignetting. FIG. 3-(b), therefore, shows another
face-to-lens shooting limit position.
[0082] FIG. 3-(c) shows the image pickup block 2 in a position at
angle .theta. of zero degrees. In this state, the image pickup
block 2 is housed in the body 1. Therefore, shooting is not
feasible.
[0083] FIG. 4-(d) shows the rotated image pickup block 2 in a
position at angle .theta. of minus .alpha.1. In the present
embodiment, at the angle .theta. being less than minus .alpha.1,
the aperture of the lens part 2 is no longer hidden by the body 1,
which means no vignetting occurs. FIG. 4-(d), therefore, shows a
front upper-limit shooting position.
[0084] FIG. 4-(e) shows the rotated image pickup block 2 in a
position at angle .theta. of minus 90 degrees. This is a front
shooting position of a conventional camera. The term "front
shooting" signifies that the lens part 20 of the image pickup block
2 faces to a subject at the shooting (a conventional shooting).
[0085] FIG. 4-(f) shows the rotated image pickup block 2 in a
position at angle .theta. of minus .alpha.2. In the present
embodiment, at the angle .theta. less than minus .alpha.2, the
aperture of the lens part 2 will begin to be hidden by the body 1,
which may cause a vignetting. This embodiment is configured,
therefore, that the angle .theta. not be less than minus .alpha.2.
Thus, FIG. 4-(f) showing is a front lower-limit shooting position
of the electronic camera.
[0086] The electronic camera of the present embodiment is so
constructed as to allow the camera operator to recognize rotational
position changing of the lens part 20 with clicking feeling while
it rotates from the position of FIG. 3-(a) to the position of FIG.
4-(f).
[0087] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic camera in the
present embodiment. In FIG. 5, depicted are a CPU 100, a bus 101, a
gain adjustable amplifier 102, an A/D converter 103, an image
processing part 104, a buffer memory 105, an image
compression/extension part 106, a recording medium 107, a D/A
converter 108, the liquid crystal monitor 11, a power switch 110,
the release button 12, an imaging mode/playback mode switch 112,
and switches SW1 and SW2. The image pickup block 2 includes a flash
part 202. The image pickup block 2 also includes AF and AE
mechanisms, which are well known and hence not shown in the
figure.
[0088] The switches SW1 and SW2, fixed to the body 1, are used to
determine whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens
part 20 is hidden by the body 1 and hence the lens part 20 is
located at a position unsuitable for shooting. The switches SW1 and
SW2 constitute, together with a cam (which will be described later)
provided to the rotation axis 23, a part of "determining unit"
recited in the Claims.
[0089] Operations of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 5 will be
described below.
[0090] In FIG. 5, when the power switch 110 is turned on, the
electronic camera starts its operation. In the following
description, it is assumed that the imaging mode/playback mode
switch 112 has been set to an imaging mode. The operation in the
playback mode is not relevant to the present invention, and hence
its description is omitted.
[0091] Firstly, an ordinal picture taking will now be
described.
[0092] When the release button 12 is half-pressed, the AE and AF
processings are executed, and it is decided whether a flash will be
emitted.
[0093] When the release button 12 is full-pressed, a subject image
focused on a CCD 24 of the image pickup block 2 is converted, by
the CCD 24, into an analog image signal, which is then inputted to
the amplifier 102.
[0094] The amplifier 102 amplifies the inputted analog image signal
by a gain established by the CPU 100. The analog image signal
outputted from the amplifier 102 is inputted to the A/D converter
103 and then converted thereby into a digital image signal.
[0095] The digital image signal outputted from the A/D converter
103 is inputted to the image processing part 104 and subjected
thereby to image processings, such as white balance, gamma
conversion, pixel interpolation and so on. These image processings
are not directly relevant to the present invention and hence their
descriptions are omitted.
[0096] The image-processed digital image data is temporarily stored
in the buffer memory 105.
[0097] The digital image signal outputted from the buffer memory
105 is image compressed by the image compression/extension part 106
and thereafter stored in the recording medium 107, such as a memory
card or the like.
[0098] On the other hand, the digital image signal outputted from
the A/D converter 103 is also inputted to the D/A converter 108 and
converted thereby to an analog image signal, which is outputted to
the liquid crystal monitor 11.
[0099] The liquid crystal monitor 11 displays the image currently
captured by the CCD 24 as it is. This displayed image will be
referred to as "through image" hereinafter.
[0100] The flash part 202 provides flash emissions (preparative and
main light emissions) in response to commands from the CPU 100.
[0101] Next, the operation of the switches SW1 and SW2 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. As previously stated,
the switches SW1 and SW2 are provided for determining whether at
least a portion of the aperture of the lens part 20 is hidden by
the body 1 and hence located at a position unsuitable for
shooting.
[0102] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the operations of the switches SW1
and SW2 from that the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on/off by a
cam 26 directly coupled to the rotation axis 23, to that they
decide whether the position of the image pickup block 2 is
unsuitable for shooting. The operations of the switches SW1 and SW2
accord with a rotational position of the image pickup block 2 (See
the angles .theta. of FIGS. 3 and 4). More specifically, the CPU
100 (See FIG. 5) determines whether the image pickup block 2 is
oriented at a position unsuitable for shooting by monitoring the
on/off states of the switches SW1 and SW2. The switches SW1 and
SW2, cam 26 and CPU 100 correspond to the "determining unit"
recited in the Claims.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 6-(a), the switches SW1 and SW2 both are in
off-state at the face-to-lens shooting position (.theta.=90
degrees) because a protrusion part of the cam 26 is not engaged
with the switches SW1 and SW2. At this moment, the CPU 100 (See
FIG. 5) determines that the shooting is feasible.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 6-(b), at the face-to-lens shooting limit
position (.theta.=.alpha.1), the switch SW1 remains in the
off-state, but the switch SW2 begins to engage with the protrusion
part of the cam 26 and hence shift from the off-state to the
on-state. Therefore, when the image pickup block 2 exceeds the
face-to-lens shooting limit position, the CPU 100 (See FIG. 5)
determines that the shooting is unfeasible. In such a case, even
with the release button 12 full-pressed, the CPU 100 will not
respond to that.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 6-(c), at the in-house position
(.theta.=zero degrees), the switches SW1 and SW2 are in the
off-state and the on-state, respectively, and hence the CPU 100
(See FIG. 5) determines that the shooting is unfeasible. In such a
case, even with the release button 12 full-pressed, the CPU 100
will not respond to it.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 7-(d), at the front upper-limit shooting
position (.theta.=minus .alpha.1), the switch SW2 remains in the
on-state, and the switch SW1 begins to engage with the protrusion
part of the cam 26 and hence shifts from the off-state to the
on-state. Therefore, when the image pickup block 2 exceeds the
front upper-limit shooting position, the CPU 100 (See FIG. 5)
determines that the shooting is feasible.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 7-(e), at the front lower-limit shooting
position (.theta.=minus .alpha.2), the switches SW1 and SW2 both
remain in the on-states, and hence the CPU 100 (See FIG. 5)
determines that the shooting is feasible.
[0108] As apparent from the above descriptions, the CPU 100 shown
in FIG. 5 determines whether the shooting is feasible or
unfeasible, according to a table shown in FIG. 8. When the CPU 100
determines that the shooting is unfeasible, it inhibits any
shooting processing even if the release button 12 is full-pressed.
The CPU 100 also controls, based on its determination result, the
gain of the amplifier 102 and the display of "through image" on the
liquid crystal monitor 11, while adjusting the time after which the
power saving mode is entered.
[0109] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This flowchart shows the operation in
the continuous shooting mode.
[0110] At the start of the continuous shooting mode, the CPU 100
determines whether the release button 12 has been full-pressed, at
a step S10. If the release button 12 has been full-pressed, the CPU
100 proceeds to a step S11. Otherwise, the CPU 100 repetitively
executes the determination of the step S10, while initiating no
continuous shooting.
[0111] In the step S11, the CPU 100 provides AF and AE processings
as pre-processings of the continuous shooting.
[0112] Next, in a step S12, the CPU 100 determines whether the
image pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position.
If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S13. If no, the CPU 100 goes
back to the step S10.
[0113] In the step S13, the CPU 100 executes a continuous
shooting.
[0114] In a step S14, the CPU 100 determines whether the release
button 12 has been being full-pressed. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds
to a step S15. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to the step S10.
[0115] In the step S15, CPU 100 determines whether the image pickup
block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes, the
CPU 100 returns to the step S13 and maintains the continuous
shooting. If no, the CPU 100 returns to the step S14 and interrupts
the continuous shooting until the image pickup block 2 becomes
oriented at a shooting-possible position.
[0116] According to the flowchart of FIG. 9, when the image pickup
block 2 is rotated, during a continuous shooting, to a position in
which the shooting is not possible, the continuous shooting can be
interrupted. Thereafter, when the image pickup block 2 is rotated
back to a shooting-possible position, the continuous shooting can
be resumed. This enables prevention of inappropriate image
capturing during the continuous shooting.
[0117] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This flowchart shows the operation in a
movie imaging mode.
[0118] At the initiation of the movie imaging mode, the CPU 100
determines whether the release button 12 has been full-pressed, at
a step S20. If the release button 12 has been full-pressed, the CPU
100 proceeds to a step S21. Otherwise, the CPU 100 repetitively
executes the determination of the step S20, while initiating no
movie imaging.
[0119] In the step S21, the CPU 100 initiates a movie imaging.
[0120] Next, in a step S22, the CPU 100 determines whether the
release button 12 has been full-pressed again after the step S20.
If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S23. If yes, the CPU 100
terminates the movie imaging.
[0121] In the step S23, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 goes back to the step S22, and maintains the movie
imaging. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S24.
[0122] In the step S24, the CPU 100 interrupts the movie
imaging.
[0123] Next, in a step S25, the CPU 100 determines whether the
release button 12 has been full-pressed again. If no, the CPU 100
proceeds to a step S26. If yes, the CPU 100 terminates the movie
imaging.
[0124] In the step S26, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S27. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to
the step S24.
[0125] In the step S27, the CPU 100 resumes the movie imaging, and
goes back to the step S22.
[0126] According to the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the image pickup
block 2 is rotated, during a movie imaging, to a
shooting-impossible position, the movie imaging can be interrupted.
Thereafter, when the image pickup block 2 is rotated back to a
shooting-possible position, the interrupted movie imaging can be
resumed. In this way, an inappropriate movie can be prevented from
being imaged during the movie imaging.
[0127] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This flowchart describes the operation
of determining whether the image pickup block 2 is oriented at a
shooting-possible position before a light emission of the flash
part.
[0128] In a step S30, the CPU 100 determines whether the release
button 12 has been half-pressed. If no, the CPU 100 repetitively
executes the determination of the step S30. If yes, the CPU 100
proceeds to a step S31.
[0129] In the step S31, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S33. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to
a step S32.
[0130] In the step S32, the CPU 100 displays an indication
informing that shooting is not feasible on the liquid crystal
monitor 11 for a predetermined period of time, and then goes back
to the step S30.
[0131] In the step S33, the CPU 100 provides AF and AE
processings.
[0132] Next, in a step S34, the CPU 100 locks the AF and AE values
obtained in the preceding step S33.
[0133] In a step S35, the CPU 100 determines whether the release
button 12 has been being half-pressed. If no, the CPU 100 goes back
to the step S30. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S36.
[0134] In the step S36, the CPU 100 determines whether the release
button 12 has been full-pressed. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to
the step S35. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S37.
[0135] In the step S37, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S38. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to
the step S35.
[0136] In the step S38, the CPU 100 determines whether a presently
set mode is a mode for allowing flash part 202 to flash light. If
no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S44. If yes, the CPU 100
proceeds to a step S39.
[0137] In the step S39, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S40. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to
the step S35.
[0138] In the step S40, the CPU 100 causes the flash part 202 to
emit a pre-flash (preparative light emission).
[0139] In a step S41, the CPU 100 decides the amount of a main
light emission from the pre-flash emission (preparative light
emission).
[0140] In a step S42, the CPU 100 determines whether a presently
set mode is a mode for allowing the flash part 202 to emit a flash
for preventing red-eye effect. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a
step S45. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S43.
[0141] In the step S43, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S44. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to
the step S35.
[0142] In the step S44, the CPU 100 allows the flash part 202 to
emit a flash for preventing red-eye effect.
[0143] In the step S45, the CPU 100 determines whether the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position. If yes,
the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S46. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to
the step S35.
[0144] In the step S46, the CPU 100 allows the flash part 202 to
emit a main light.
[0145] In the step S47, the CPU 100 executes shooting, and returns
to the step S30.
[0146] It is able to inhibit the flash emission according to the
flowchart of FIG. 11, when the image pickup block 2 is rotated to a
shooting-impossible position before a flash emission (a preparative
light emission, a light emission for preventing red-eye effect, or
a main light emission). This can prevent the occurrences of
problems that a structure between the camera case and the flash
part otherwise would be deformed due to the heat and that the heat
otherwise would cause the shortening of the life of the electronic
camera, and the like.
[0147] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This flowchart describes the operations
of controlling the gain of the amplifier 102 and of controlling the
display of "through image".
[0148] In the flowchart of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the
electronic camera is to be in a shooting-possible state.
[0149] In a step S50, according to the table of FIG. 8, the CPU 100
determines, based on the on/off states of the switches SW1 and SW2,
whether the image pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible
position. If yes, the CPU 100 repetitively executes the step S50.
If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S51.
[0150] In the step S51, the CPU 100 inhibits the control of the
gain of the amplifier 102 shown in FIG. 5. Also in the step S51,
the CPU 100 inhibits the display of "through image" on the liquid
crystal monitor 11, and disables the liquid crystal monitor 11.
[0151] Next, in a step S52, according to the table of FIG. 8, the
CPU 100 again determines, according to the on/off states of the
switches SW1 and SW2, whether the image pickup block 2 is oriented
at a shooting-possible position. If no, the CPU 100 repetitively
executes the step S52. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step
S53.
[0152] In the step S53, the CPU 100 cancels the inhibition of the
control of the gain of the amplifier 102 shown in FIG. 5. Also in
the step S53, the CPU 100 cancels the inhibition of the display of
"through image" on the liquid crystal monitor 11, and enables the
liquid crystal monitor 11.
[0153] As apparent from the above, operating according to the
flowchart of FIG. 12 can prevents automatic increases in the
sensitivity of the image pickup part in a case where the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-impossible position.
Thereafter, when the image pickup block 2 is rotated to a
shooting-possible position, it is able to resume the automatic
adjustment of the sensitivity of the image pickup part.
[0154] Moreover, operating according to the flowchart of FIG. 12
can prevent improper images with noise from being displayed on the
liquid crystal monitor 11 when the image pickup block 2 is oriented
at a shooting-impossible position. Thereafter, when the image
pickup block 2 is rotated back to a shooting-possible position, it
is able to resume the display of "through image" on the liquid
crystal monitor 11.
[0155] According to the flowchart of FIG. 12 the gain and display
controls are described. The present invention, however, is not
limited thereto. It may be configured that, for example, the CCD 24
serving as an image pickup device may be disabled when the image
pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-impossible position.
Thereafter, the image pickup block 2's rotating back to a
shooting-possible position, the CCD 24 may be enabled again.
[0156] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This flowchart explains the operation
in which the camera executes a power saving mode.
[0157] In the flowchart of FIG. 13, it is assumed that the camera
is to be shooting-possible.
[0158] In a step S60, the CPU 100 sets a sleep timer. This sleep
timer may be a timer included in, for example, the CPU 100. Time
can be set on the sleep timer at a desired time using a menu for
display on the liquid crystal monitor 11 or the like. In the
present embodiment, it is assumed that in the step S60, the time of
the sleep timer is set at thirty seconds.
[0159] In a step S61, the CPU 100 starts the count of the sleep
timer.
[0160] In a step S62, the CPU 100 determines whether any button has
been operated. If yes, the CPU 100 goes back to the step S60 and
repeats the foregoing operations. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a
step S63.
[0161] In the step S63, the CPU 100 determines whether the count of
the sleep timer exceeds the value set in the step S60. If yes, the
CPU 100 proceeds to a step S64, and enters into a power saving
mode. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S65.
[0162] In the step S65, according to the table of FIG. 8, the CPU
100 determines, according to the on/off states of the switches SW1
and SW2, whether the image pickup block 2 is oriented at a
shooting-possible position. If yes, the CPU 100 repetitively
executes the step S63. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step
S66.
[0163] In the step S66, the CPU 100 sets the sleep timer at a time
shorter than the value set in the step S60. In the present
embodiment, it is assumed that in the step S66, the time of the
sleep timer is to be set at five seconds.
[0164] In a step S67, the CPU 100 starts the count of the sleep
timer.
[0165] In a step S68, the CPU 100 again determines whether the
image pickup block 2 is oriented at a shooting-possible position.
If yes, the CPU 100 goes back to the step S60. If no, the CPU 100
proceeds to a step S69.
[0166] In the step S69, the CPU 100 determines whether the count of
the sleep timer exceeds the five seconds. If no, the CPU 100
repeats the determination of the step S69. If yes, the CPU 100
proceeds to the step S64, and enters a power saving mode.
[0167] It should be noted that the operations of "inoperative-state
detecting unit" recited in the Claims correspond to the processings
in the steps S60 through S62 described above; the operations of
"power saving unit" recited in the Claims correspond to the
processings in the steps S63, S64 and S69; and the operations of
"selecting unit" recited in the Claims correspond to the
processings in the steps S63 through S67.
[0168] It also should be noted that a camera capturing images on a
silver film enters a power saving mode through similar procedures
to those shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13.
[0169] As apparent from the above, when the image pickup block 2 is
not oriented at any shooting-possible position, the operations
according to the flowchart of FIG. 13 allow the camera to enter
into the power saving mode earlier than in usual operations, which
is advantageous in eliminating unnecessary power consumption.
[0170] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This flowchart shows the operation in
which the camera recovers from a power saving mode.
[0171] In a step S70, the CPU 100 determines whether the release
button 12 has been operated. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step
S73, and causes the camera to shift from a sleep state to a
shooting state. If no, the CPU 100 proceeds to a step S71.
[0172] In the step S71, according to the table of FIG. 8, the CPU
100 determines, based on the on/off states of the switches SW1 and
SW2, whether the image pickup block 2 is oriented at a
shooting-possible position. If yes, the CPU 100 proceeds to the
step S73 and causes the camera to shift from a sleep state to a
shooting state. If no, the CPU 100 goes back to the step S70.
[0173] As apparent from the above, operating according to the
flowchart of FIG. 14 enable the camera to shift from the power
saving mode to the imaging mode when the image pickup block 2
returns to a shooting-possible position.
[0174] It should be noted that a camera capturing images on a
silver film recovers from a power saving mode according to similar
procedures to those shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14.
[0175] The invention is not limited to the above embodiments and
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Any improvement may be made in part or
all of the components.
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