JP2010004109A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of reducing power consumption according to photographing conditions without damaging convenience of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: an apparatus body; an imaging element 111 for imaging object light from an object through a photographing lens provided on the front surface side of the apparatus body; a display unit which has a first display part 4 and a second display part 7 provided to the back surface side on the opposite side of the front surface side of the apparatus body, and is switchable to the first state of being piled on the first display part 4 so as to block the first display part 4 and the second state of being projected from the upper surface of the apparatus body so as to expose the first display part 4; and a display control part 110 for controlling the first display part 4 to a prescribed display state by a low power consumption mode on the basis of the arrangement state to the apparatus body under the second state of the display unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device including a plurality of display units for displaying images.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a camera that includes a monitor capable of displaying a through image on the back surface of the camera and can rotate the monitor so that the monitor image can be easily seen in a high-angle or low-angle shooting posture (see Patent Document 1). . In addition, there are cameras including a plurality of display units such as an electronic viewfinder and a liquid crystal display (see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-9-43717 JP 2004-104335 A

  By the way, in a digital camera, it is desirable to reduce battery consumption as much as possible. Conventionally, techniques for reducing power consumption by various methods have been developed. In particular, in the case of a camera having a plurality of displays, a through image can be displayed on one display, and a menu image and auxiliary information related to camera operation can be displayed on the other display. However, it has a problem that power consumption is large.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of reducing power consumption without impairing user convenience.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, it attaches | subjects and demonstrates the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention, This invention is not limited to this.

  A camera (1) according to the present invention includes an image pickup device (111) for picking up subject light from a subject via a device main body (2) and a photographing lens (3) provided on the front side of the device main body (2). ) And a first display unit (4) and a second display unit (7) provided on the back side opposite to the front side of the apparatus body (2), and the first display unit ( 4) in a first state superimposed on the first display unit (4) so as to shield and a second state protruded from the upper surface of the apparatus body (2) so that the first display unit is exposed. Based on the switchable display unit (6) and the disposition state of the display unit (6) with respect to the device main body (2) under the second state, the first display unit (4) is provided with low power consumption. And a display control unit (110) that controls the display state according to the mode.

  The present invention controls the first display unit to the display state of the low power consumption mode based on the arrangement state of the display unit. Therefore, the power consumption of the camera can be reduced without impairing the convenience for the user.

  A camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of the camera according to the present embodiment. The camera 1 is provided at a camera body 2 having an inclined back surface portion 2b, a photographing lens 3 provided on the front surface 2c of the camera body 2 so as to be replaceable (detachable), and an upper end portion on the back surface 2b side of the camera body 2. The display unit 6 is rotatably supported by the hinge portion 5. The display unit 6 is configured to be held at a desired rotational position. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display unit 6 illustrated in FIG. 1 is rotated toward the photographing lens 3 side. A first display unit 4 is provided on the back of the camera body 2, and a second display unit 7 is provided on the display unit 6. The camera 1 has a first state in which the first display unit 4 and the second display unit 7 face each other by the rotation of the display unit 6 and the first display unit 4 is exposed so that the first display unit 4 is exposed. It is possible to switch to the second state in which the display unit 6 protrudes from the upper surface 2a.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment. The camera 1 includes an image sensor 111, an image data storage unit 112, an image processing unit 113, a memory card 114, an operation unit 115, an angle (rotation amount) detection unit 116, an angle (rotation amount) information storage unit 117, and a first display unit. 4 and the second display unit 7, and a control unit 110 that is connected to each of these units and controls each unit constituting the camera 1.

  The image sensor 111 is configured by a CCD, a CMOS, or the like, and images subject light via the photographing lens 2 and outputs an analog image signal. The image data storage unit 112 temporarily stores image data generated by A / D converting an image signal output from the image sensor 111 in an A / D conversion unit (not shown). The image processing unit 113 performs image processing such as white balance adjustment, contour compensation, and gamma correction on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112.

  The memory card 114 is composed of an SD card or the like, and stores image data such as RAW data and JPEG, shooting information (information on shooting conditions such as shutter speed), and the like. The operation unit 115 includes operation buttons such as a release button and a power button, and accepts a user operation using each operation button. The angle (rotation amount) detection unit 116 is disposed in the vicinity of the hinge unit 5 and detects the rotation angle of the display unit 6. The 1st display part 4 and the 2nd display part 7 are comprised by the liquid crystal display etc., and display a through image, a menu image, etc.

  The angle (rotation amount) information storage unit 117 stores angle information (θ1, θ2) for determining whether the photographing form is a high angle or a low angle according to the rotation angle of the display unit 6. . FIG. 4 shows the rotation position of the display unit 6 when the photographing form is a high angle and a low angle. As shown in FIG. 4A, the position of the display unit 6 where the first display unit 4 and the second display unit 7 are parallel (the position where the display unit 6 is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4A) is the reference position. When the display unit 6 is inclined at an angle θ2 or more from the reference position toward the back side of the camera body 2 (when the display unit 6 is arranged at a rotational position as indicated by 6a), the high-angle photographing form is used. On the other hand, the case where the angle θ1 or more is tilted from the reference position to the front side (when the display unit 6 is disposed at the rotational position shown by 6b) is defined as a low-angle photographing form. FIG. 4B shows an example of shooting using the low angle shooting form, and FIG. 4C shows an example of shooting using the high angle shooting form.

  Next, the operation of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the power is turned on using the operation unit 115 (step S11), the control unit 110 of the camera 1 detects the rotation angle of the display unit 6 using the angle (rotation amount) detection unit 116 (step S12).

  The control unit 110 reads the angle information stored in the angle (rotation amount) information storage unit 117, and the detected angle detected by the angle (rotation amount) detection unit 116 is inclined by θ2 or more from the reference position to the back side. If it is an angle, it is determined that the form is a high-angle shooting form (YES determination in step S13). In addition, when the control unit 110 determines in step S13 that it is not a high-angle shooting form, if the detection angle is an angle that is tilted by θ1 or more from the reference position to the front side, it is determined to be a low-angle shooting form. (YES judgment of step S14). When it is determined in step S13 or step S14 that the high-angle shooting form or the low-angle shooting form is used, the control unit 110 performs image processing by the image processing unit 113 based on the imaging signal output from the imaging element 111. The obtained through image is displayed on the second display unit 7 (step S15), and the first display unit 4 is turned off (step S16).

  Further, when the control unit 110 determines in step S14 that the detected angle is not an angle inclined by θ1 or more from the reference position to the front side (NO determination in step S14), the imaging output from the image sensor 111 is performed. The through image that has been image-processed by the image processing unit 113 based on the signal is displayed on the second display unit 7 (step S17), and the current display conditions (shutter speed, aperture value, etc.), brightness are displayed on the first display unit 4. Shooting information such as a histogram, a menu image for changing the shooting information, and the like are displayed (step S18).

  When the power source is turned off using the operation unit 115 (step S19), the control unit 110 ends the process. When the power source is not turned off (step S19), the control unit 110 returns to step S12 and performs the above steps. Repeat the process.

  In the camera according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether the shooting form is a high angle or a low angle according to the rotation angle of the display unit 6, and when the shooting form is a high angle or a low angle, the second display unit 7. A through image is displayed, and the first display unit 4 is turned off. When shooting at a high angle or a low angle, the photographer cannot see the image displayed on the first display unit 4 at all or is difficult to see. For this reason, when shooting at a high angle or a low angle, even if the first display unit 4 is turned off and a through image is displayed only on the second display unit 7, the convenience of the user is not impaired. Moreover, the power consumption of a camera can be reduced by doing in this way.

  In the above-described embodiment, the angle of the display unit 6 is detected when the power is turned on. However, when the release button is pressed halfway by the user, the angle (rotation amount) detection unit 117 causes the display unit 6 to be detected. An angle of 6 may be detected. The user may be looking at the first display unit 4 and the second display unit 7 until the release button is half-pressed. Therefore, the shooting form is determined when the release button is half-pressed, and a high angle view is displayed. Alternatively, by turning off the first display unit 4 in the case of a low-angle shooting form, it is possible to save power of the camera while improving user convenience.

  In the embodiment described above, a high-angle or low-angle shooting form is determined according to the angle of the display unit 6. In addition to this, a proximity sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a photographer (object) is provided in the vicinity of the lower edge of the first display unit 4 of the camera according to the above-described embodiment, and this is used as follows. You may judge. When the display unit 6 is inclined to the back side of the camera by an angle θ2 or more and the photographer is not detected by the proximity sensor, it is determined that the photographing form is a high angle. When the display unit 6 is inclined to the front side of the camera by an angle θ1 or more and the photographer is detected by the proximity sensor, it is determined that the photographing form is at a low angle. In this case, whether or not the photographer is detected using not only the angle of the display unit but also the proximity sensor is set as the determination condition of the imaging form, so that the determination of the imaging form can be performed more accurately.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the display state of the low power consumption mode is set by turning off the first display unit 4 when the photographing form is a high angle or a low angle. However, the display state may be such that the contrast and brightness of the first display unit 4 are reduced or the output of the image signal to the first display unit 4 is stopped.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the shooting form is neither high angle nor low angle, a through image is displayed on the second display unit 7 and shooting information and a menu image are displayed on the first display unit 4. However, the through image may be displayed using the first display unit 4 and the second display unit 7 as one screen.

  In addition, in this embodiment, although it was set as the structure which inclined the back surface in view of the visibility with respect to the 1st display part 4 of a photographer, this invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a camera in which the rear surface of the camera is formed substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing lens and the first display unit 4 is disposed on a surface substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.

  In the above embodiment, the interchangeable lens camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a lens-integrated camera.

It is a side view in case the camera which concerns on embodiment is a 1st state. It is a side view in case the camera which concerns on embodiment is a 2nd state. 1 is a system block diagram of a camera according to an embodiment. (a) is a figure explaining the high angle imaging | photography form and low angle imaging | photography form which concern on embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the example image | photographed with a low angle imaging | photography form, (c) is a figure which shows high It is a figure which shows the example imaged with an angle imaging | photography form. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Camera body, 3 ... Shooting lens, 4 ... 1st display part, 5 ... Hinge part, 6 ... Display unit, 7 ... 2nd display part, 110 ... Control part, 111 ... Imaging element, 112 ... Image data storage unit 113 ... Image processing unit 114 ... Memory card 115 ... Operation unit 116 ... Angle (rotation amount) detection unit 117 ... Angle (rotation amount) information storage unit

Claims (5)

The device body;
An image sensor that images subject light from a subject via a photographing lens provided on the front side of the apparatus body;
A first display unit and a second display unit are provided on a back side opposite to the front side of the apparatus main body, and are superimposed on the first display unit so as to shield the first display unit. A display unit switchable between a first state and a second state protruding from the upper surface of the apparatus main body so that the first display unit is exposed;
A display control unit configured to control the first display unit to a predetermined display state in a low power consumption mode based on an arrangement state of the display unit with respect to the apparatus main body under the second state. An imaging device. A determination unit configured to determine whether a photographing form by a user is a predetermined photographing form based on an arrangement state of the display unit with respect to the apparatus main body under the second state;
The second display unit is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body,
When it is determined that the display control unit is the predetermined imaging form, the display control unit displays a through image based on an imaging signal output from the imaging element on the second display unit, and the first display unit is displayed on the predetermined display form. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display state is controlled. The predetermined photographing form is a low angle photographing form or a high angle photographing form,
The discriminating unit is arranged when the second display unit is arranged at a position rotated more than a predetermined angle on the front side of the apparatus main body with respect to a surface parallel to the display surface of the first display unit. It is determined that it is an angle shooting form, and it is determined that it is the high angle shooting form when the second display unit is arranged at a position rotated by a predetermined angle or more on the back side of the apparatus main body. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2. Provided on the back of the apparatus main body with a detection unit for detecting an object in the back direction,
The discriminating unit discriminates the low-angle shooting form when the object is detected by the detecting unit, and discriminates the high-angle shooting form when the object is not detected. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined display state includes turning off the first display unit.

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