JP2005257869A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a subject visually recognize remaining time until performing photography in an imaging apparatus equipped with a self-timer function. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus having a self-timer means for performing photography after the lapse of fixed time of release operation and a picture display means has a display control means for changing display on the picture display means for displaying information concerning the time until performing the photography to such display size/form that the subject can be visually confirmed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-timer means for taking a picture after a predetermined time of a release operation, a display device such as an LCD provided in the imaging device, a lighting device such as an LED provided on the lens side of the imaging device, and a subject. The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a distance measuring function for obtaining the distance information.

  In the conventional technique, when the photographer takes a picture far away from the image pickup apparatus, a method of changing the color display of a self-timer drive display (such as an LED provided on the image pickup apparatus lens side) as means for recognizing completion of the image pickup Has been taken.

Also, in Patent Document 1, when a photographer takes a picture far away from the imaging device, the flash unit automatically enters the flash forced flash mode, and the flash is emitted at the moment when the picture is taken to make the subject recognize the completion of the picture taking. Measures are taken.
JP-A-10-104734

  However, when using the conventional self-timer, it is difficult for the subject to recognize the moment of completion of shooting and the span until shooting. There may be a difference between the moment and the timing at which the imaging apparatus actually captures images. Therefore, it is an object to eliminate these deviations when the self-timer and the remote control are operated.

  In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is provided on a lens side of a self-timer unit that performs imaging after a predetermined time elapses in a release operation, a display device such as an LCD provided in the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus. LED and other lighting devices and a distance measuring function that obtains distance information to the subject. Based on distance information to the subject after the release operation during the self-timer, the distance to the subject is within a predetermined distance. In some cases, the display device displays the time until photographing, and when the distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the time display until photographing on the display device and the lighting device cause the subject to recognize the time until photographing. Features.

  In more detail, the present invention can solve the above problems by the following configuration.

  (1) In an imaging apparatus having a self-timer means for taking an image after a predetermined time elapses in the release operation, an image display means, and a distance measuring means for obtaining distance information to the subject, the distance measurement information when the self-timer function is used. An image pickup apparatus comprising: display control means for changing the display on the image display means for displaying information on the time until photographing to a display size / form in which the subject can be visually recognized.

  (2) The image display means is further configured to change a direction in which the user can visually recognize, and the display control means further displays the image display means according to the direction of the image display means. The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to change the above.

  Further, the display control means includes display means different from the image display means for displaying the time until photographing. The display control of the display control means is based on distance measurement information to the subject when the self-timer function is used. When the distance is within the distance, the image display device displays the time until shooting, and when the distance exceeds the predetermined distance, the image display device and / or the display means displays information about the time until shooting. The imaging apparatus according to (1).

  (4) When the angle between the display direction of the image display means and the optical axis of the image pickup means is within a predetermined range at the time of the self-timer, the display control means sends information on the time until photographing to the image display means. The imaging apparatus according to (2) or (3), wherein no display is performed.

  (5) The imaging according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the display of the information related to the time until the photographing displayed on the image display means is a countdown display until the photographing time. apparatus.

  (6) The countdown display until the shooting is performed at a position where the image display means displays the number of images that can be shot at the time of image shooting, or at a position where the number of frames displayed when the image is reproduced. The imaging apparatus according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein:

  (7) Based on the distance measurement information to the subject when the self-timer function is used, the display control unit determines that the image display device has a second predetermined distance smaller than the predetermined distance. The image picked up by the image pickup means is displayed together with the time until photographing, and when the second predetermined distance is exceeded and within the predetermined distance, only the information regarding the time until photographing is displayed by the image display device. The imaging apparatus according to any one of (2) to (6), characterized in that:

  (8) In the image display means, when the second predetermined distance is exceeded and within the predetermined distance, the information about the time until photographing is displayed using a majority of the image display means. The imaging device according to any one of (2) to (5).

  (9) In an image pickup apparatus having a self-timer means for taking a picture after a predetermined time of the release operation and an image display means, the display on the image display means for displaying information about the time until the picture is taken is visually recognized by the subject. An image pickup apparatus comprising display control means for changing to a possible display size / form.

  (10) The image pickup apparatus according to (9), wherein the display of information related to the time until photographing in the image display means is displayed using a majority of the image display means.

  (11) The image display means is further configured to change a direction in which a user can visually recognize, and the display control means further displays the image display means according to the direction of the image display means. The imaging apparatus according to (9) or (10), wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to change the above.

  (12) When the angle between the display direction of the image display means and the optical axis of the image pickup means is within a predetermined range at the time of the self-timer, the display control means sends information on the time until photographing to the image display means. The imaging apparatus according to (11), wherein no display is performed.

  (13) The imaging according to any one of (9) to (12), wherein the display of the information related to the time until the photographing displayed on the image display means is a countdown display until the photographing time. apparatus.

  (14) Furthermore, a display means different from the image display means for displaying the time until photographing is provided, and the display control of the display control means is based on distance measurement information up to the subject when using the self-timer function. When the distance is within a predetermined distance, the time until shooting is displayed on the image display device. When the distance exceeds the predetermined distance, information about the time until shooting is displayed by the image display device and / or the display means. The imaging apparatus according to (9) or (10), wherein:

  According to the present invention, based on distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation at the time of the self-timer, when the distance to the subject is within a predetermined distance, the display device in the position that can be recognized by the subject until the subject is photographed. When the time is displayed and the distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the subject can easily recognize the time until photographing by displaying the time until photographing on the display device and the lighting operation by the lighting device.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a camera body that is an image pickup device, 2 is a release switch, 3 is a liquid crystal display device, 4 is a hinge portion for rotating the liquid crystal device, 5 is a lens barrel, 6 is a strobe light emitting portion, and 7 is a strobe light emitting portion. An LED 8 provided on the camera lens side is a viewfinder.

  2 to 5 show an embodiment in which the display method of the image display means is changed based on the distance information to the subject based on the distance measurement information.

  First, FIG. 2 shows the display device when the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation at the time of the self-timer is a close distance (the distance to the subject is within a predetermined distance α). It is an example of the span display until imaging | photography. In this case, the remaining time until shooting is displayed at a position where the number of shootable images is displayed in the shooting mode, or at a position where the number of frames being played back when the shot image is played back. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3 described later, the remaining time until photographing may be displayed on the entire screen of the display device.

  FIG. 3A shows a case where the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation during the self-timer is within a range where the numerical value displayed on the display device can be visually recognized (this distance). Is an example of span display until shooting on the display device with α ≦ L ≦ β).

  FIG. 3B shows a case where the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation during the self-timer is within a range where the animation displayed on the display device can be visually recognized (this distance). Is an example of span display until shooting on the display device with α ≦ L ≦ β).

  As described above, span display up to shooting is performed on the entire screen of the display device by display with a numerical value of the remaining number of seconds until shooting or display by animation so that the subject can recognize the span until shooting. Moreover, the lighting operation by the LED 7 provided on the front side of the camera may be used simultaneously, and both may be used simultaneously.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation during the self-timer is outside the range where the numerical value or animation displayed on the display device can be visually recognized (β ≦ L ) Is an example of span display until photographing on the display device. In this case, the power of the display device is turned off, and the lighting operation by the LED 7 provided on the front side of the camera is used to cause the subject to recognize the span until photographing. As the lighting operation, there may be used means for shortening the lighting interval of the lighting device and means for gradually changing the color of the lighting device as the moment of photographing approaches. Further, as described in the explanation of FIG. 3, both the full screen display by the display device and the lighting operation by the lighting device may be used simultaneously. Further, the countdown display for the subject is changed depending on the distance to the subject, but the countdown display may always be performed when the subject can see the display regardless of the distance.

  FIG. 5 is an example showing a display form of the image display means.

  FIG. 5 (a) shows a method of displaying the remaining time until shooting at a position where the number of storable images is displayed in the shooting mode / a position where the number of frames being played back when playing back the shot image is displayed. Is. This display mode is effective when the subject is at a distance (closest distance) where even a small character on the image display device can be seen, and the angle of view can be confirmed until shooting and the remaining time until shooting is also visible. it can.

  FIG. 5B shows a method for displaying the remaining time until photographing on the entire surface of the image display device. The display using the entire surface makes it possible to visually recognize the remaining number of seconds displayed on the screen even at a certain distance. In order to make it easier to check the angle of view, the remaining seconds may be displayed in halftone as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5D shows a method of displaying the remaining time until photographing on a part / entire surface of the image display device by animation. In this case as well, the animation display may be halftone so that the angle of view can be easily confirmed, as in the embodiment FIG. Further, the display method described in FIG. 5A may be used at the same time.

  FIG. 5E shows a method in which the entire surface of the image display device is used and notification of the remaining time until photographing is performed by changing the color of the image display device / blinking / blinking interval. Further, the luminance of the image display device may be temporarily increased immediately before shooting. Thereby, for example, even when it is difficult to visually recognize the remaining number of seconds / animation display on the image display device because the distance from the image device to the subject is large, Can be detected.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the imaging apparatus when the self-timer mode is set.

(A) is the schematic seen from the back of the imaging device which is embodiment of this invention, (b) is the schematic seen from the front of the imaging device which is embodiment of this invention. Span display until photographing on the display device when the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation at the self-timer is a close distance (the distance to the subject is within a predetermined distance α) It is a figure which shows an example. (A) shows a case where the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation at the time of the self-timer is within a range where the numerical value displayed on the display device can be visually recognized (this distance is expressed as β (B) is obtained from distance measurement information up to the subject after the release operation during the self-timer. An example of span display until shooting on the display device when the distance L to the subject is within a range in which the animation displayed on the display device can be visually recognized (when this distance is β, α ≦ L ≦ β) FIG. The display when the distance L to the subject obtained from the distance measurement information to the subject after the release operation during the self-timer is outside the range where the numerical value or animation displayed on the display device can be visually recognized (β ≦ L) It is a figure which shows an example of the span display until imaging | photography to an apparatus. (A)-(e) is a figure which shows the Example which shows the display form of an image display means. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an imaging device when self-timer mode is set.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Release switch 3 Display apparatus 4 Hinge part 5 Lens barrel 6 Strobe light emission part 7 LED
8 Finder

Claims (14)

Self-timer means for taking a picture after a certain period of release operation;
Image display means;
In an imaging apparatus having distance measuring means for obtaining distance information to a subject,
Based on distance measurement information when using the self-timer function,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: display control means for changing a display on the image display means for displaying information related to a time until photographing to a display size / form in which a subject can be visually recognized. The image display means is further configured to change the direction in which the user can visually recognize,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is further configured to change the display of the image display unit according to the direction of the image display unit.   Further, the display control means includes display means different from the image display means for displaying the time until photographing. The display control of the display control means is based on distance measurement information to the subject when the self-timer function is used. When the distance is within the distance, the image display device displays the time until shooting, and when the distance exceeds the predetermined distance, the image display device and / or the display means displays information about the time until shooting. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   When the angle between the display direction of the image display unit and the optical axis of the imaging unit is within a predetermined range at the time of the self-timer, the display control unit displays information on the time until shooting on the image display unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is not provided.   5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display of the information related to the time until the photographing displayed on the image display means is a countdown display until the photographing time.   The countdown display until the shooting is performed in the image display unit at a position where the number of storable images is displayed at the time of image shooting, or at a position where the number of frames displayed at the time of image playback is displayed. The imaging device according to claim 2.   The display control means, based on distance measurement information to the subject when using the self-timer function, if the distance to the subject is within a second predetermined distance smaller than the predetermined distance, The image picked up by the image pickup means is displayed with time, and when the second predetermined distance is exceeded and within the predetermined distance, only the information about the time until photographing is displayed by the image display device. The imaging device according to claim 2.   The display of information relating to the time until photographing when the second predetermined distance is exceeded and within the predetermined distance in the image display means is displayed using a majority of the image display means. Item 6. The imaging device according to any one of Items 2 to 5. Self-timer means for taking a picture after a certain period of release operation;
In an imaging device having an image display means,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: display control means for changing a display on the image display means for displaying information about time until photographing to a display size / form in which a subject can be visually recognized.   10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image display unit displays information related to the time until photographing using a majority of the image display unit. The image display means is further configured to change the direction in which the user can visually recognize,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the display control unit is further configured to change the display of the image display unit in accordance with the direction of the image display unit.   When the angle between the display direction of the image display unit and the optical axis of the imaging unit is within a predetermined range at the time of the self-timer, the display control unit displays information on the time until shooting on the image display unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the imaging apparatus is not provided.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the display of the information related to the time until the photographing displayed on the image display means is a countdown display until the photographing time.   Further, the display control means includes display means different from the image display means for displaying the time until photographing. The display control of the display control means is based on distance measurement information to the subject when the self-timer function is used. When the distance is within the distance, the image display device displays the time until shooting, and when the distance exceeds the predetermined distance, the image display device and / or the display means displays information about the time until shooting. The imaging device according to claim 9 or 10.

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