Digital Camera Patent Abstract
An LCD (21) for displaying a plurality of set information items
is provided for a digital camera (10). When a plurality of input
keys disposed around the LCD (21) are depressed, set information
which is displayed adjacent to the input key can be changed. A control
portion of the digital camera (10) performs a variety of control
operations of the digital camera (10) in accordance with set information.
Therefore, the position of the input portion which is used when
the setting of the digital camera (10) can easily be understood.
Thus, the setting can be changed by performing only a simple operation.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera, comprising: an image pickup portion which
converts light from an object to be photographed, into image data;
a display portion capable of displaying a plurality of set information
items; a plurality of input devices; a circularly displaying device
which circularly displays a plurality of alternatives whenever input
to at least one of the input devices is performed when the number
of the alternatives of the set information items is not larger than
a predetermined number; a displaying device which displays a selection
screen on the display portion when input to at least one of the
input devices has been performed in case where the number of the
alternatives of the set information items is larger than a predetermined
number; a control portion which controls the digital camera in accordance
with at least one of the set information items; and a shutter button
capable of inputting an instruction to start photographing to the
control portion.
2. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the input devices include:
a plurality of first input devices disposed along a periphery of
the display portion in a first direction which is in parallel with
an axial line of the shutter button; and a plurality of second input
devices disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first
direction.
3. The digital camera of claim 2, wherein the first input devices
are disposed along a first side surface of the display portion adjacent
to the shutter button, and the second input devices are disposed
along a second side surface of the display portion opposite to a
third side surface of the display portion adjacent to the shutter
button, across the display portion.
4. The digital camera of claim 3, wherein the input devices are
disposed adjacent to a plurality of set information items displayed
on the display portion, respectively.
5. The digital camera of claim 4, wherein the set information items
include at least one kind of set information of shutter speed, aperture,
white balance, and flash.
6. The digital camera of claim 4, wherein the display portion is
capable of displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
7. The digital camera of claim 4, wherein the selection screen
displays all of the set information items.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera which converts
light from an object to be photographed, into digital data, and
stores the digital data.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application
Nos. Hei. 11-105277, Hei. 11-105285, Hei. 11-105124, and 2000-90663,
which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a digital camera which converts light into an electric
signal by an optical sensor, such as a CCD or the like and further
converts the electric signal into digital data so as to be stored
in a storage medium, such as a flash memory or the like. The digital
camera permits saving of image data and a variety of processes to
easily and personally be performed by using a personal computer
or the like. Moreover, a photograph can be printed by outputting
image data to a printer without a necessity for performing development
of a film. Since the print quality of the printer has been improved,
a photograph having excellent quality which cannot substantially
be distinguished from a film photograph can be printed.
It is preferable that the digital camera has a multiplicity of
functions to permit a user to set a multiplicity of required items.
To enable the user to quickly change the setting, a multiplicity
of input device, such as buttons etc., must be provided. In the
foregoing case, assignment of the functions to the buttons cannot
easily be understood by the user. Since the size of each button
is undesirably reduced, there arises a problem in that the button
cannot easily be depressed.
It might be feasible to employ a structure for reducing the number
of buttons such that a menu screen is displayed on a display unit,
such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, to permit a process
which must be executed to be selected in accordance with combination
of the selected button and a decision button. In the foregoing case,
there arises another problem in that the required operation becomes
too complicated and an excessively long time is required.
When the menu screen is displayed on the display portion to select
a process which must be executed in accordance with the combination
of the selected button and the decision button, there is apprehension
that the finger of the user undesirably covers the display portion
when the button is operated. Therefore, the operation for causing
the finger to approach the display portion and move away from the
display must be repeated. Thus, there arises a problem in that the
operability deteriorates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention
is to provide a digital camera which is capable of changing a variety
of settings by a simple operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital
camera with which the operability of input devices can be improved.
According to the first, tenth or seventeenth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a digital camera which comprises a
plurality of input devices respectively disposed adjacent to a plurality
of set information items displayed on a display portion. Therefore,
the input devices can be operated while the set information items
displayed on the display portion are being observed. Accordingly,
it follows that the location of the input portion which is used
when the setting of the digital camera is changed can easily be
detected, and therefore, the setting can be changed by performing
a simple operation.
According to the second, eighth, or fifteenth aspect of the present
invention, the input devices may include a plurality of first input
devices disposed along a periphery of the display portion in a direction
which is in parallel with an axial line of the shutter button, and
a plurality of second input devices disposed in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of the first input devices. The first input devices
and the second input devices are disposed perpendicular to each
other. Accordingly, there is no apprehension that the fingers of
the user intersect in the vicinity of the display portion when the
digital camera is operated and that the operation of either finger
obstructs the operation of another finger. Hence, it follows that
the operability of the input devices can be improved.
According to the third, ninth, or sixteenth aspect of the present
invention, the first input devices may be disposed along a first
side surface of the display portion adjacent to the shutter button,
and the second input devices may be disposed along a second side
surface of the display portion opposite to a third side surface
of the display portion adjacent to the shutter button, across the
display portion. In general, a user operates the shutter button
with the forefinger. Therefore, when, for example, the shutter button
is operated with the right hand, an operation is permitted such
that the thumb of the right hand operates the first input devices
and the thumb of the left hand operates the second input devices.
That is, an operation of the input devices is permitted such that
the thumbs of the right and left hands are used to operate the input
devices in a state where the middle, third and little fingers of
the right and left hands are holding the digital camera. At this
time, the thumbs of the right and left hands do not obstruct the
upper surface of the display portion. Moreover, the thumbs do not
intersect each other and obstruct the operation. Accordingly, the
input devices can be operated while the display portion is being
observed. Moreover, the operability of the input devices can be
improved.
According to the fourth, eleventh, or eighteenth aspect of the
present invention, the plurality of set information items may include
at least one kind of set information of shutter speed, aperture,
white balance, and flash. Accordingly, the photographing conditions
can quickly be changed by performing a simple operation.
According to the fifth or twelfth aspect of the present invention,
a plurality of contents of the set information items may be circularly
changed whenever input to the input devices is performed. Accordingly,
one setting item can be changed without using a plurality of the
input devices, and therefore, the operation can easily be performed.
Incidentally, it is preferable that the number of the contents of
set information which is circularly changed is four or less.
According to the sixth, thirteenth, or nineteenth aspect of the
present invention, the display portion is capable of displaying
an image in accordance with the image data. Therefore, the display
can be used as a finder when the photograph operation is performed
and the photographed image can be confirmed on the spot.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a digital camera which comprises an image pickup portion
which converts light from an object to be photographed, into image
data, a display portion capable of displaying at least one of setting
screens including a plurality of set information items, a displaying
device which displays one type of a plurality of types of the setting
screens on the display portion, a plurality of input devices, and
a changing device which changes at least one of the set information
items in accordance with input to at least one of the input devices.
Accordingly, when one set information is changed, simple input to
one input device is required, and therefore, the operation can easily
be performed. Since the role of the input devices is changed in
accordance with the setting screen of the plural types of setting
screens, a multiplicity of settings can be changed in spite of a
small number of input devices.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a digital camera in which a plurality of alternatives
are circularly displayed whenever input to the input devices is
performed when the number of the alternatives of the set information
items is not larger than a predetermined number. Accordingly, use
of a plurality of the input devices is not required when one setting
is changed, and therefore, the operation can easily be performed.
It is preferable that the number of the alternatives which are circularly
displayed is four or less. When the number of the alternatives of
set information is larger than a predetermined number, another selection
screen is displayed on the display portion. Therefore, increase
in the number of input operations causing the operation to be made
complicated can be prevented.
According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the
selection screen displayed owing to input to the input devices displays
all of the alternatives of the set information items. Therefore,
permitted alternatives can easily be understood by a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a digital camera according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view showing the digital camera according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the digital camera according
to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C) are diagrams showing input ! keys of the digital
camera according to the embodiment of the present invention and
a screen displayed on the LCD in a setup mode;
FIGS. 5(D) and 5(E) are diagrams showing the input keys of the
digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention
and a screen displayed on the LCD in the setup mode;
FIGS. 6(F) to 6(H) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digital
camera according to the embodiment of the present invention and
a screen displayed on the LCD in a playback mode;
FIGS. 7(I) to 7(K) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digital
camera according to the embodiment of the present invention and
a screen displayed on the LCD in a view finder mode;
FIGS. 8(L) and 8(M) are diagrams showing the input keys of the
digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention
and a screen displayed on the LCD in the view finder mode;
FIGS. 9(N) and 9(O) are diagrams showing the input keys of the
digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention
and a screen displayed on the LCD in a LCD mode;
FIGS. 10(P) to 10(R) are diagrams showing the input keys of the
digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention
and a screen displayed on the LCD in the LCD mode; and
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a state where the digital camera
according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital camera
10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The digital
camera 10 includes a control portion 11, a converging lens 12, a
CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 13 serving as an image pickup portion,
an A/D converter 14, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15 in which image
data is temporarily recorded, a memory card 16 in which compressed
image data can be recorded, a card slot 20 into which the memory
card 16 can be inserted and from which the same can be removed,
a liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 21 for displaying an image,
a VRAM 18 in which data for the image which is displayed on the
LCD 21 is stored and an interface 19 for outputting data in the
memory card 16 to an external unit.
The control portion 11 includes a CPU and a device for inputting/outputting
data to execute a control program to perform a variety of control
operations of the digital camera 10. The converging lens 12 is provided
with a diaphragm 121 for adjusting the quantity of light which is
input to the converging lens 12. When the CCD 13 is a CCD 13 having
a structure that a plurality of image pickup devices having complementary-color
filters C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow) and G (Green) are disposed
in a matrix configuration, a color image can be photographed. The
complementary-color filters may be C, M and Y filters. A CCD including
primary color filters in R (Red), G (Green) and B (Blue) is sometimes
employed. The RAM 15 is an S-DRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) having
a self-refreshing function.
The memory card 16 includes a flash memory or the like which is
a reloadable storage medium capable of storing the recorded contents
without a necessity of power supply and on which image data is recorded.
The memory card 16 is removably inserted into the card slot 20 of
the digital camera 10. When the memory card 16 is a memory card
which is in conformity with PCMCIA standard or a memory card which
can be adapted to a PCMCIA card adapter is employed, the contents
of the memory card 16 can directly be read/written by a personal
computer having a PCMCIA card slot.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are a rear view and a plan view showing the digital
camera 10 according to this embodiment. The digital camera 10 is
operated such that a user uses the LCD 21 or an optical finder 110
serving as a view finder to determine a range which must be photographed.
When the user has depressed a shutter button 101, a photographing
operation is started. The control portion 11 is able to distinguish
and recognize a state of "half depression" in which the
shutter button 101 has been depressed half and a state of "full
depression" in which the shutter button 101 has been depressed
to the limit of movement or adjacent to the limit. The user operates
a mode-switching dial 102 for switching the operation mode of the
digital camera to select a mode from six modes which include a "view
finder mode" which is a first photographing mode, an "LCD
model" which is a second photographing mode, "Off",
a "playback mode", a "direct print mode" and
a "setup mode".
The "view finder mode" is a mode in which a photographing
operation is performed by mainly using the optical finder 110 to
save power consumption of the digital camera 10. The "LCD mode"
is a mode in which a photographing operation is performed by mainly
using the LCD 21 as the finder. The "playback model" is
a mode in which an image in accordance with image data recorded
on the memory card 16 is displayed. The "direct print mode"
is a mode in which the digital camera 10 is connected to an external
printer through the interface 19 to print the image. The "setup
mode" is a mode in which a variety of settings of the digital
camera 10 including the photographing condition are set. When the
mode-switching dial 102 has been set to the position of "Off",
the power source of the digital camera 10 is turned off.
Input keys 103 to 109 serving as input devices are disposed around
the LCD 21. The digital camera 10 executes a control program corresponding
to the selected mode. Then, the digital camera 10 detects input
of the shutter button 101 and the input keys 103 to 109 performed
by the user to perform corresponding control. An image-quality selection
button 111, a flash selection button 112 and a mode selection button
113 are disposed in the upper portion of the digital camera 10.
When the image-quality selection button 111 has been depressed,
the compression ratio and the number of pixels of image data are
changed. Thus, the image quality of the recorded image is changed.
When the flash selection button 112 is depressed, the light emission
mode of the flash can be selected from "automatic light emission
control", "always light emission" and "always
inhibition of light emission". When the mode selection button
113 has been depressed, switching is permitted among a "usual
photographing mode", a "proximate photographing mode",
an "enlargement photographing model" and a "panorama
photographing mode". The contents set by each of the selection
buttons 111, 112 and 113 are displayed on the segment-type LCD 114.
The input devices include first input devices having input keys
103, 104, 105 and 106 disposed in parallel with the axial line of
the shutter button 101; and input keys 107, 108 and 109 disposed
in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first
input devices are disposed.
The first input devices are disposed in the side portion along
the LCD 21 adjacent to the mode-switching dial 102. The input keys
103, 104, 105 and 106 serving as the first input devices are disposed
below the mode-switching dial 102 shown in FIG. 1. On the other
hand, the second input devices are disposed along the LCD 21 at
an end opposite to the shutter button across the LCD 21. The input
keys 107, 108 and 109 serving as the second input devices are disposed
along the lower end of the LCD 21 shown in FIG. 1.
The first input devices are disposed along the short side of the
rectangular LCD 21, while the second input devices are disposed
along the longer side of the LCD 21. The first input devices are
operated by the hand with which the mode-switching dial 102 is depressed,
while the second input devices are operated by the other hand. Therefore,
the hands for operating the first and second input devices do not
intersect at a position above the LCD 21. Moreover, one of the hands
does not obstruct the movement of the other hand.
The operation of the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment
will now be described.
When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the position
of "Setup", the digital camera 10 is put into the setup
mode. Thus, a plurality of set information items concerning the
digital camera 10 as shown in FIG. 4(A) are displayed on the LCD
21.
When the input key 103 disposed adjacent to a position on the LCD
21 at which the time and date are displayed has been depressed,
the display on the LCD 21 is changed to that as shown in FIG. 4(B).
Thus, the time and date can be adjusted. The input keys 108 and
109 are used to select the items which must be modified and the
input keys 104 and 105 are used to change the numerical values.
When the input key 103 or the input key 107 is depressed, the display
is returned to the screen shown in FIG. 4(A).
When the input key 104 provided for a position adjacent to the
position at which setting about the view finder mode is displayed
has been depressed in a state in which the screen shown in FIG.
4(A) is displayed, a screen shown in FIG. 4(C) is realized. Thus,
the setting of the view finder mode is changed from "custom"
to "automatic". When the input key 104 has been again
depressed, the screen shown in FIG. 4(A) is realized. Thus, the
setting of the view finder mode is changed from the "automatic"
to the "custom". That is, whenever the input key 104 is
depressed, the setting of the view finder mode is alternately changed
between the "custom" and the "automatic".
Also in a case where the input key 105 disposed adjacent to a position
at which the setting about the LCD mode is displayed has been depressed
in a state where the screen shown in FIG. 4(A) is displayed, the
setting of the LCD mode is alternately changed between "ME/MF"
shown in FIG. 4(A) and "AE/AF" shown in FIG. 5(D) whenever
the input key 105 is depressed. The "ME/MF" mode is a
mode in which the user manually sets the exposure and/or the focal
point, while the "AE/AF" mode is a mode in which the control
portion 11 automatically sets the exposure and/or the focal point.
When the input key 107 disposed adjacent to a position at which
characters "another setting" is depressed in a state where
the screen shown in FIG. 4(A) is displayed, a screen shown in FIG.
5(E) is displayed. Thus, another setting information item is displayed.
With the foregoing screen, the input key 103 is depressed to select
setting of energy saving or no setting of the same. The input keys
104 and 105 are depressed to correct the exposure. When the input
key 106 has been depressed, the language of the characters which
are displayed on the LCD is selected. When the input key 108 has
been depressed, whether or not sound recording is performed is selected.
When the input key 109 has been depressed, whether or not shutter
sound created by electronic synthesis is generated is selected when
the shutter button 101 is depressed. When the input key 107 has
been depressed, the setting screen shown in FIG. 4(A) is restored.
When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the position
corresponding to "Play", the playback mode is started.
Thus, a photographed image in accordance with image data stored
in the memory card 16 is displayed on the LCD 21. Moreover, a menu
screen as shown in FIG. 6(F) is displayed to overlap the photographed
image. Display/non-display of the menu screen can be changed by
depressing the input key 107.
When the input key 103 has been depressed in a state where the
screen shown in FIG. 6(F) is displayed, the "manual playback
mode" is changed to a "slide playback mode" shown
in FIG. 6(G). When the input key 103 has been depressed in a state
where the screen shown in FIG. 6(G) is displayed, the "slide
playback mode" is changed to an "enlargement/scroll playback
mode". When the input key 103 has been depressed in a state
where a screen shown in FIG. 6(H) is displayed, the "enlargement/scroll
playback mode" is changed to the "manual playback mode".
In the "manual playback mode" shown in FIG. 6(F), the
number of images recorded in the memory card 16 and the order of
the image among the recorded images are displayed on the LCD 21
in the form of, for example, "12/32". When the input key
104 has been depressed, an immediately forward image in the memory
card 16 is displayed. When the input key 105 has been depressed,
a next image is displayed. When the input key 106 has been depressed,
image data can be locked to prevent unintentional deletion of image
data. When the input key 106 has again been depressed, locking is
suspended. When the input key 108 has been depressed, the number
of images which are displayed on one screen of the LCD 21 can be
selected. Whenever the input key 10B is depressed, circulation of
display is performed such that, for example, one image, 2.times.2=4
images and 3.times.3=9 images are circularly changed. When the input
key 109 has been depressed, image data can be eliminated. When data
elimination is performed, a confirmation screen is displayed so
that whether or not image data is eliminated is confirmed.
In the "slide playback mode" shown in FIG. 6(G), slide
playback is started when the input key 106 has been depressed. Thus,
a plurality of images can successively be displayed. When the digital
camera 10 is connected to a TV set or the like, a presentation can
satisfactorily be performed. When the input key 104 has been depressed,
time for which one image is displayed can be set. When the input
key 105 has been depressed, images which are played back in the
slide manner can be selected. When the input key 108 has been depressed,
the playback order can be changed between a forward direction and
the reverse direction. When the input key 109 has been depressed,
display/non-display of photographing information, such as date and
time can be changed.
In the "enlargement/scroll model" shown in FIG. 6(H),
lines for sectioning the image displayed on the LCD 21 into 4.times.4
regions are displayed. Moreover, a selective frame enclosing the
2.times.2 region is displayed. When the input keys 104, 105, 108
and 109 are depressed, the region enclosed by the selective frame
is shifted. When the input key 106 has been depressed, the selected
region is enlarged and displayed fully in the screen of the LCD
21.
When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the position
of "SH1", the view finder mode which is the first photographing
mode is started.
When the setting of the view finder mode is the "automatic"
in the setup mode, supply of electric power to the LCD 21 is inhibited.
Therefore, the display of the LCD 21 is inhibited. Usually, no electric
power is supplied to the CCD 13. When the user has depressed the
shutter button 101 half, the operation of the CCD 13 is started.
Thus, the control portion 11 automatically sets the exposure, focal
point and the white balance. The exposure is determined according
to the shutter speed and the aperture. The user uses the optical
finder 110 to determine the range which must be photographed. When
the mode selection button 113 has been depressed to select any one
of the proximate photographing modes, the enlargement photographing
mode or the panorama photographing mode, it is preferable that the
range which-must be photographed can accurately be confirmed. Therefore,
light converged onto the CCD 13 by the converging lens 12 is conveyed
into an electric signal at intervals of a fraction of one second
to shorter intervals. Thus, electric signal is converted into image
data so as to be transferred to the VRAM 18. Thus, an object to
be photographed is displayed on the LCD 21 as a kinetic image.
When the setting of the view finder mode is the "custom"
in the setup mode, a screen shown in FIG. 7(I) is displayed on the
LCD 21. In an initial state, the white balance is automatically
set. When the input key 104 adjacent to a position at which the
setting about the white balance is displayed has been depressed,
the screen is changed to a screen shown in FIG. 7(J). The setting
of the white balance which has been set by a custom manner is used.
When the input key 104 has been depressed in a state where the foregoing
screen is displayed, the screen is changed to a screen shown in
FIG. 7(K). When the input key 105 adjacent to the position at which
"NO" has been displayed has been depressed, the screen
is returned to the screen shown in FIG. 7(J). When the input key
104 has again been depressed, the screen is changed to the screen
shown in FIG. 7(I). Thus, the white balance is made to be automatic
setting. When the input key 106 adjacent to a position at "YES"
has been displayed is depressed in a state where the screen shown
in FIG. 7(K) is displayed, a screen is realized with which the user
is able to custom-set the white balance.
In the state where the screen show in FIG. 7(I) is displayed, the
light emission mode of the flash is fixed to the automatic setting.
Therefore, when the flash selection button 112 has been depressed,
the setting is not changed. When the input key 105 adjacent to the
position at which the setting about the flash has been displayed
is depressed, the screen is changed to a screen shown in FIG. 8(L).
Thus, the light emission mode of the flash can be changed.
In a portion adjacent to the input key 106, setting about the exposure
correction is displayed. When the input key 106 has been depressed,
the screen is changed to a screen shown in FIG. 8(M). When the input
keys 104 and 105 have been depressed, the degree of change of the
exposure from the degree automatically set by the control portion
11 can be determined. When the input key 107 has been depressed,
the original screen is restored.
When the input key 108 has been depressed, whether or not the image
is recorded in color or in white and black can be selected. When
the input key 109 has been depressed, whether or not the photographing
operation is performed with standard sensitivity or high sensitivity
can be selected.
When the user has depressed the shutter button 101 of the digital
camera 10 half, adequate exposure and focus for the image which
is recognized by the CCD 13 are set. Therefore, the exposure and
the focus are fixed in a period of time in which the shutter button
101 is depressed half.
When any one of the proximate photographing mode, the enlargement
photographing mode and the panorama photographing mode has been
selected, light converged onto the CCD 13 by the converging lens
12 is conveyed into an electric signal at intervals of a fraction
of one second or shorter intervals. The electric signal is converted
into digital image data so as to be transferred to the VRAM 18.
Thus, the object to be photographed is displayed on the LCD 21 as
a kinetic image. The menu screen shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are displayed
to overlap the kinetic image.
When the user has depressed the shutter button 101 fully, the photographing
operation is started so that image data is produced.
Initially, electric charges accumulated in the CCD 13 are completely
discharged. Then, light converged by the converging lens 12 is input
to the CCD 13. The CCD 13 converts light into an electric charge
corresponding to the quantity of light. The electric signal output
from the CCD 13 is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter
14. The digital data output from the A/D converter 14 is directly
transferred to the RAM 15 by a DMA (Direct Memory Access) such that
the control portion 11 is bypassed to perform a quick operation
and the address in the RAM 15 is instructed.
Data transferred from the CCD 13 has information about only one
color of one pixel corresponding to the color of the filter. Therefore,
color interpolation of data recorded in the RAM 15 is performed
in accordance with color information about the surrounding pixels.
For example, image data of 1280.times.960 pixels having color information
in C, M, Y and G is produced.
To enlarge the number of images which can be recorded in the memory
card 16, compression is performed by the non-reciprocal compression
method conforming to JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group). Thus,
compressed data having a small volume is produced. The JPEG method
is a usual method of compressing a color image. When the compression
ration is changed, the image quality of the preserved image can
be adjusted. The JPEG compression operation can be performed by
a software manner by the control portion 11 or a special circuit
capable of raising the operation speed. Data compressed by the JPEG
method is recorded on the memory card 16.
When the mode switch dial 102 has been set to "SH2",
the LCD mode which is the second photographing mode is started.
Thus, the object to be photographed is displayed on the LCD 21 as
a kinetic image.
When "AE/AF" has been selected in the setup mode, a screen
shown in FIG. 9(N) is displayed to overlap the kinetic image which
is being displayed on the LCD 21.
On the screen shown in FIG. 9(N), the enlargement photographing
mode has been set. Whenever the input key 103 adjacent to the position
at which the magnification is displayed is depressed, the display
of the magnification is circularly changed among, for example, ".times.1.25",
".times.1.6" and ".times.2.0". Thus, the magnification
can be set. The LCD 21 displays a kinetic image in a printed range
corresponding to the magnification.
When the input key 105 has been depressed in a state where the
screen shown in FIG. 9(N) is displayed, a screen shown in FIG. 9(O)
is displayed. The metering mode of AE/AF is changed from a spot
metering mode to a center-weighted metering mode. When the input
key 105 has been depressed in a state where the screen shown in
FIG. 9(O) is displayed, the center-weighted metering mode is changed
to the spot metering mode.
The operation which is performed when any one of the input keys
104, 106, 108 and 109 has been depressed is similar to the operation
which is performed when the "custom" has been selected
in the view finder mode.
When "ME/MF" has been selected in the setup mode, a screen
as shown in FIG. 10(P) is displayed on the kinetic image which is
being displayed on the LCD 21. When the input keys 104 and 105 adjacent
to the position at which the focal distance of the digital camera
10 is displayed have been depressed, the focal distance can manually
be changed by the user. Therefore, photographing in a front or rear
focus state is permitted.
When the input key 108 provided for a position adjacent to a position
at which the shutter speed is displayed has been depressed, the
shutter speed can be selected from, for example, 1/2, 1/30, 1/125
and 1/750. Moreover, shutter speed can be selected with which the
aperture is given priority and which is determined by the control
portion 11 such that adequate shutter speed is realized when the
set aperture has been fixed as shown in FIG. 10(Q).
When the input key 106 provided for a position adjacent to a position
at which the aperture is displayed has been depressed, the aperture
can be selected from, for example, F2.4, F8 and F16. Moreover, the
aperture can be selected with which the shutter speed is given priority
and which is determined by the control portion 11 such that an adequate
aperture is realized when the set shutter speed has been fixed as
shown in FIG. 10(R).
When the user has completely depressed the shutter button 101,
the photographing operation is started. Thus, image data is produced
by a procedure similar to that in the view finder mode. Data compressed
by the JPEG method is recorded on the memory card 16. A long time
is sometimes taken from start of recording of image data in the
memory card 16 to completion of recording. During this, an image
in accordance with the image data is continuously displayed on the
LCD 21.
When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the position
of "DP", the direct print mode is started. When the digital
camera 10 has been connected to an external printer and the user
has depressed the input keys 103 to 109, a photographed image can
be selected and printed.
When the digital camera 10 according to the present invention is
used, the following operation is permitted.
As shown in FIG. 11, the right hand 2 of the user holds either
side portion of the digital camera 10. Moreover, the forefinger
2b is able to depress the shutter button. Thus, the thumb is able
to operate the input keys 103, 104, 105 and 106. The residual fingers,
the middle finger, the third finger and the little finger (not shown)
hold the digital camera 10.
On the other hand, the left hand of the user holds the other end
of the digital camera 10. The thumb 3a is able to operate the input
keys 107, 108 and 109.
The input keys 103 to 109 of the digital camera 10 are distinguished
into the set of the input keys 103, 104, 105 and 106 which are operated
by the right hand 2 of the user and the set of the input keys 107,
108 and 109 which are operated by the left hand. Thus, intersection
of the right hand 2 and the left hand 3 at a position above the
LCD 21 and obstruction of movement of either hand by the other hand
can be prevented. Therefore, when the operation of the digital camera
10 according to this embodiment is performed while the LCD 21 is
being observed, obstruction of the display of the LCD 21 by the
hand which operates the input key does not occur. Thus, the operability
of the digital camera 10 can be improved.
That is, the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment requires
a user to operate the input keys 103 to 109 while viewing the LCD
21. Therefore, the input keys 103 to 109 must be disposed at positions
at which the input keys 103 to 109 can easily be recognized. In
general, a user uses the forefinger 2b of the right hand 2 to depress
the shutter button 101. Therefore, the thumb 2a is placed on the
rear surface of the digital camera 10, that is, on the surface of
the LCD 21. Therefore, the input keys 103, 104, 105 and 106 of the
first input devices are disposed on the side portion of the LCD
21 adjacent to the shutter button 101. Thus, the operation of the
foregoing input keys 103, 104, 105 and 106 can easily and smoothly
be performed with the thumb 2a of the right hand 2. Moreover, the
input keys 107, 108 and 109 serving as the second input devices
which are operated by the left hand 3 are disposed apart from one
another. Thus, if the number of the input keys is enlarged, the
input keys can easily and smoothly be performed.
The input keys 103 to 109 are separated into the set of the input
keys 103, 104, 105 and 106 and arranged to be operated by the right
hand and the set of the input keys 107, 108 and 109 and arranged
to be operated by the left hand. Thus, interference between the
right hand 2 and the left hand 3 occurring when the input key is
operated can be prevented. Therefore, even if a small size LCD 21
is employed, the display on the LCD 21 can easily be recognized.
The digital camera according to this embodiment enables the contents
of set information displayed on the display portion to directly
be changed owing to input to the input devices. Therefore, the set
information items can quickly be changed. When one input key has
a plurality of functions corresponding to the modes, the contents
of the process which is executed can easily be recognized.
The digital camera according to this embodiment is able to change
setting by depressing only one input key when setting having a small
number of alternatives is changed, for example, selection of white
and black photographing or color photographing is performed. Therefore,
the operation can easily be performed. Moreover, each input key
is disposed adjacent to each of contents of the settings displayed
on the LCD. Hence it follows that the correspondence between the
depressed key and caused change in the setting can easily be understood.
When a large number of alternatives is large, for example, when
the date and time are set, another screen is displayed to perform
the setting. When the exposure is set, all of the alternatives are
displayed to perform selection among the displayed alternatives.
Thus, selection can easily be performed.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical finder
is employed as the view finder. A view finder including a small-size
LCD may be employed.
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