JPH09311376A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically set a self-timer time and a eliminate a troublesome setting operation by providing a self-timer setting means for automatically setting the self-timer time in accordance with a photographing condition detected by a photographing condition detection means. SOLUTION: When a self button 20 is depressed so as to select a self-timer, the self-timer time is automatically set in accordance with a photographic condition by a release process routine, then, after the lepse of the self-timer time, a shutter is released. That is, in the case that an automatic setting mode is selected and the self-timer mode, it is decided by a range-finder routine whether a recognized main object is at a long, or short distance. In the case of deciding that the object is at the long distance, the self-timer time is set 20sec. and also the self-timer time is displayed on an LCD, on the other hand, in the case of deciding that the object is at the short distance, the self-timer time is set 10sec, and also, the self-timer time is displayed on the LCD.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera that automatically sets a self-timer time according to shooting conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a general self-timer measures a fixed time after recognition of a shutter release signal regardless of photographing conditions, and when the fixed time is measured, a release operation is executed.

[0003]

By the way, the self-timer is used for photographing in various situations such as traveling by one person, traveling by a group of several people, traveling by a large number of people such as school. Therefore, the distances at which the cameras are arranged (distances between the main subject and the cameras) differ considerably depending on the respective purposes and situations. For example, a trip by one person may be about 3 m, and a school trip may exceed 10 m, and sometimes may reach about 20 m.

However, if the self-timer time is constant, in the former case, the waiting time is too long, which causes frustration and subject blurring (such as when a pose is continuously made). on the other hand,
In the case of the latter, there is a possibility that the person who presses the release completes the shooting while moving to try to enter the picture. Also,
The self-timer may be used for the purpose of preventing camera shake. In this case, the self-timer time may be short, but if the self-timer time is constant, there is a problem that the waiting time is too long.

Some cameras mechanically set the self-timer time and some can change the set time, but such a camera has a problem that the setting operation is troublesome. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of automatically setting a self-timer time according to a shooting condition in which the self-timer is used and omitting a troublesome setting operation. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a camera equipped with a self-timer function that performs a shutter release operation when a predetermined self-timer time elapses after a shutter button is pressed. It is characterized by further comprising: photographing condition detecting means for detecting a condition; and self-timer time setting means for automatically setting the self-timer time according to the photographing condition detected by the photographing condition detecting means.

According to the present invention, the photographing conditions are detected by the photographing condition detecting means, and the self-timer time is automatically set by the self-timer time setting means according to the photographing conditions detected by the photographing condition detecting means. For example,
The photographing condition detecting means detects the photographing distance, and the self-timer time setting means sets the self-timer time longer as the photographing distance detected by the photographing condition detecting means becomes longer.

As a result, the self-timer time is set to a suitable value according to the photographing condition without performing a troublesome operation.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a camera according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2
FIG. 3A is a front view and a rear view showing the appearance of a camera according to the present invention. Reference numeral 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a photographing lens,
12 is a finder, 14 is a strobe, 16 is a shutter button, 18 is a power button, 20 is a self button, 22 is a macro button, and 24 is a zoom button. A liquid crystal display unit (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control unit of the camera. As shown in the figure, the control unit of the camera is mainly composed of a central processing unit (CPU) 3
0, switch circuit 32, logic driver circuit 34,
And a liquid crystal display unit 36. Switch circuit 32
Outputs signals from various switches to the CPU 30.
For example, a signal indicating whether the shutter button 16 is pressed halfway or fully, a signal indicating whether the tele switch 24A or the wide switch 24B of the zoom shooting button 24 is pressed, or the self button 20 is pressed. A signal indicating whether or not the self-timer is selected, a signal indicating whether or not the macro button 22 is pressed and the close-up mode is selected, and the like are output.

The logic driver circuit 34 includes the CPU 3
Based on a control signal from 0, a stepping motor for shutter / exposure control, a film feeding motor, a lens moving motor, etc. are driven. The CPU 30 detects a signal from the switch circuit 32 and controls the logic driver circuit 34, the liquid crystal display unit 36, a strobe circuit (not shown), and the like based on the signal.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the main routine processing of the CPU 30. When the power button 18 is pressed and the power is turned on, a predetermined power-on process is performed to enable photographing (step S10). Then, the following processing from step S12 to step S32 is repeatedly executed until the power button 18 is pressed and the power is turned off.

First, it is determined whether the self-timer 20 has been pressed to select the self-timer (step S1).
2). When the self-timer is selected, a predetermined self-timer mode process according to this photographing mode is performed (step S14). Next, it is determined whether or not the tele switch 24A of the zoom button 24 has been pressed (step S1).
6). When the tele switch 24A is pressed, the lens is moved to the long focus side (step S18).

Next, it is determined whether or not the wide switch 24B of the zoom button 24 has been pressed (step S2).
0). When the wide switch 24B is pressed, the lens is moved to the short focus side (step S22). next,
It is determined whether the macro button 22 has been pressed (step S24). When the macro button 22 is pressed, a predetermined close-up mode process is performed (step S26).

Next, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 16 has been pressed (step S28). Shutter button 16
When is pressed, a predetermined release processing routine is executed (step S30). When the power button 18 is pressed by repeating the above-described processing from step S12 to step S32, predetermined power-off processing is performed to turn off the power (step S34).

Next, when the shutter button 16 is pressed in the camera, step S of the main routine described above.
The release processing routine executed in 30 will be described in detail. When the self-timer 20 is pressed and the self-timer is selected, the camera automatically sets the self-timer time according to the photographing condition in the release processing routine,
When the self-timer time has elapsed, shutter release is performed. Several shooting conditions to be referred to when the self-timer time is automatically set are conceivable, and some modes of automatically setting the self-timer time under different shooting conditions will be described below.

First, a release processing routine (first embodiment) for setting the self-timer time based on the main subject distance (shooting distance) will be described. FIG.
Is a flowchart showing this release processing routine. When the release signal is input from the switch circuit 32, the CPU 30 first executes a distance measuring routine (step S40). In this distance measurement routine, the camera does AF
In the case of an (autofocus) camera, the AF result is input from a distance measuring circuit (not shown), and in the case of an MF (manual focus) camera, the distance setting value (lens setting position) is input from the switch circuit 32. Recognize subject distance.

Next, it is determined by the signal from the switch circuit 32 whether or not the self-button 20 is pressed and the self-timer is selected (step S44). If the self-timer is not selected, a shutter release signal is output to the logic driver circuit 34 to execute shooting (step S56). When the self-timer is selected, it is next determined whether the self-timer mode (self-timer mode) is the fixed value mode or the automatic setting mode (step S44). In the self-timer mode, the fixed value mode and the automatic setting mode can be switched depending on the number of times the self-button is pressed. If the self-timer mode is the fixed value mode, the self-timer time is set to 12 sec and the self-timer time is displayed on the LCD (step S46).

On the other hand, when the self-timer mode is the automatic setting mode, it is determined whether the main subject distance recognized by the distance measuring routine is a long distance or a short distance (step S4).
8). The long distance or the short distance is determined by a predetermined threshold value. At this time, when it is determined that the distance is long, the self-timer time is set to 20 sec, and the self-timer time is displayed on the LCD (step S50), and when it is determined to be short-distance, the self-timer time is set to 10 sec. At the same time, the self-timer time is displayed on the LCD (step S52). That is, considering the time required for the person who presses the shutter button 16 to move to the position of the shooting distance, the self-timer time is longer than usual in the case of long-distance shooting and shorter than usual in the case of short-distance shooting. Set.

After the self-timer time is set in this way and the LCD is displayed, the self-timer is executed (step S54). That is, the CPU 30 counts the time after the release signal is input, and when this time reaches the self-timer time, the shutter release is executed and the photographing is executed (step S56). The selection of the self-timer and the self-timer mode described above are performed by the self button 20. The self-timer mode is switched according to the number of times the self-button 20 is pressed, and the self-timer time is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the self-timer time which is switched and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit each time the self-button 20 is pressed. As shown in the display example 100 of FIG. 6, the remaining number of film frames is displayed at the start of shooting (the numeral 24 in the display example 100 of FIG. 6 indicates the number of remaining film frames). When the self button 20 is pressed once, the self timer is selected at this time, and the self timer mode becomes the automatic setting mode. At this time, the self-timer time corresponding to the main subject distance is displayed on the liquid crystal display. A display example 102 of FIG. 6 shows a display example when the main subject distance is at a long distance, and a display example 104 of FIG. 6 shows a display example when the main subject distance is at a short distance. The number is displayed.

When the self button 20 is further pressed, the self timer mode becomes the fixed value mode, and the display example 106 in FIG. 6 is displayed.
As shown in, the liquid crystal display section displays 12 seconds. Then, when the self button 20 is pressed again, the normal photographing mode is restored, and each time the self button 20 is pressed, the above switching display is repeated. As described above, in the first embodiment, the self-timer time is set by dividing the main subject distance into two types, that is, the long distance and the short distance. However, the main subject distance is further finely divided to set the main subject distance. The longer the distance, the longer the self-timer time may be set. Further, the self-timer time is not limited to the above value.

Next, as another embodiment for automatically setting the self-timer time, a case where the self-timer time is set based on the focal length will be described. Generally, when taking a group photo, a short focal length is often selected. When taking a picture with a long focal length selected with a camera with a variable optical system, that is, when selecting the zoom function, lens exchange, etc., it is better to select the self-timer than the purpose of taking a group photo. Is considered to prevent camera shake (camera shake) that occurs when the shutter button is pressed. Therefore, when the focal length is long and the self-timer is selected, it is determined that the mode is selected to prevent shake, and the self-timer time is set to be short.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU (the above-mentioned release processing routine) (second embodiment) when the self-timer time is set based on the focal length. When the release signal is input from the switch circuit 32, the CPU 30 first executes a distance measuring routine (step S60). Similar to the distance measurement routine described above, in this distance measurement routine, the camera performs AF (autofocus).
In the case of a camera, the AF result is input from a distance measuring circuit (not shown), and in the case of an MF (manual focus) camera, the distance setting value (lens setting position) is input from the switch circuit 32 to recognize the main subject distance. To do.

Next, it is determined by the signal from the switch circuit 32 whether or not the self-timer is selected (step S62). If the self-timer is not selected, a shutter release signal is output to the logic driver circuit 34 to execute shooting (step S76). When the self-timer is selected, it is next determined whether the self-timer mode is the fixed value mode or the automatic setting mode (step S64). If the self-timer mode is the fixed value mode, the self-timer time is set to 12 sec (step S72).

On the other hand, when the self-timer mode is the automatic setting mode, the focal length is recognized (step S6).
6). The focal length can be recognized from the set position of the lens, but the zoom circuit 2 is selected from the switch circuit 32.
It is also possible to recognize the focal length by inputting operation signals of the tele switch 24A and the wide switch 24B of No. 4.

Then, it is determined whether the focal length is long or short (step S68). Whether the focal length is long or short is determined by a predetermined threshold value. At this time, if it is determined that the focal length is long, the self-timer time is set to 3 sec.
(Step S70), and if it is determined to be short, the self-timer time is set to 12 sec (step S70).
72). That is, when the focal length is long, it is determined that the self-timer is selected to prevent shake, and the self-timer time is set shorter than usual.

After setting the self-timer time in this way, the self-timer is executed (step S74). Then, when the self-timer time has elapsed, shutter release is executed and shooting is executed (step S7).
6). Next, as another embodiment for automatically setting the self-timer time, a case where the self-timer time is set based on the photographing mode will be described.

Some cameras have a close-up mode, and some cameras allow close-up shooting by replacing the lens (or mounting a close-up lens). When the photographer performs close-up photography, it is unlikely that the photographer will do so because the person himself / herself appears in the photograph taken. In this case, it is appropriate to consider that the purpose of selecting the self-timer is to prevent camera shake. Therefore, it is known that the photographer performs close-up photography, and when the self-timer is selected, it is determined that the purpose is to prevent camera shake, and the self-timer time is set short.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU (release processing routine) (third embodiment) when the self-timer time is set based on the photographing mode. When the release signal is input from the switch circuit 32, the CPU 30 first executes a distance measuring routine (step S80). Similar to the above-described distance measuring routine, in this distance measuring routine, when the camera is an AF (autofocus) camera, the AF result is input from a distance measuring circuit (not shown), and when the camera is an MF (manual focus) camera. , Input the distance setting value (lens setting position) from the switch circuit and recognize the main subject distance.

Next, it is determined whether or not the self-timer is selected by the signal from the switch circuit 32 (step S82). If the self-timer is not selected, the shutter release signal is output to the logic driver circuit 34 to execute photographing (step S96). When the self-timer is selected, it is next determined whether the self-timer mode is the fixed value mode or the automatic setting mode (step S84). If the self-timer mode is the fixed value mode, the self-timer time is set to 12 sec (step S92).

On the other hand, when the self-timer mode is the automatic setting mode, the photographing mode is recognized (step S8).
6). That is, the shooting mode is the normal mode or the macro button 2
It is recognized from the signal of the switch circuit whether 2 is pressed to enter the close-up mode. Then, it is determined whether the shooting mode is the close-up mode (step S88). At this time, if the close-up mode is determined, the self-timer time is set to 3 sec.
(Step S90), and when it is determined that the close-up mode is not set, the self-timer time is set to 12 sec (step S92). That is, in the close-up mode, it is determined that the self-timer is selected to prevent shake, and the self-timer time is set shorter than usual.

After setting the self-timer time in this way, the self-timer is executed (step S94). Then, when the self-timer time has elapsed, the shutter release is executed and the photographing is executed (step S9).
6). In the second and third embodiments shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, the display example of the self-timer time which is switched and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit each time the self-button 20 is pressed is shown in FIG. Shown in. Display example 1 of FIG.
As shown in 00, at the start of shooting, the remaining number of film frames is displayed as shown in a display example 108 of FIG. When the self button 20 is pressed once, the self timer is selected at this time, and the self timer mode becomes the automatic setting mode. At this time, the liquid crystal display unit displays the self-timer time according to the focal length or the shooting mode. The display example 112 of FIG. 9 shows the case where the focal length is long or the shooting mode is the close-up mode, and the display example 110 of FIG. 9 shows the case other than that, and the numbers of seconds of 3 and 12 are displayed, respectively.

When the self button 20 is further pressed, the self timer mode becomes the fixed value mode, and the display example 114 in FIG.
As shown in, the liquid crystal display section displays 12 seconds. Then, when the self button 20 is pressed again, the normal photographing mode is restored, and each time the self button 20 is pressed, the above switching display is repeated. that's all,
Although three different embodiments for automatically setting the self-timer time have been shown, the self-timer time can be automatically set by combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For example, when the focal length is long, the self-timer time is shortened (for example, 3 sec) regardless of the main subject distance. When the focal length is short, the self-timer time is set to be long (for example, 20 sec) when the main subject is far, and the self-timer time is set to be short (for example, 10 sec) when the main subject is short.

[0034]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, when the self-timer is selected, the photographing condition is detected and the self-timer time is automatically set according to the photographing condition. It is possible to set the self-timer time to a suitable value without performing a troublesome setting operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine process of the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a first diagram for automatically setting a self-timer time.
3 is a flowchart showing the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display unit when a self-timer is selected.

FIG. 7 is a second diagram for automatically setting a self-timer time.
3 is a flowchart showing the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a third example of automatically setting a self-timer time.
3 is a flowchart showing the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display unit when a self-timer is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Shooting lens 12 ... Viewfinder 14 ... Strobe 16 ... Shutter button 18 ... Power button 20 ... Self button 22 ... Macro button 24 ... Zoom button 30 ... CPU 32 ... Switch circuit 34 ... Logic driver circuit 36 ... Liquid crystal display section

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera equipped with a self-timer function that performs a shutter release operation when a predetermined self-timer time elapses after a shutter button is pressed, and a shooting condition detecting means for detecting a shooting condition, and the shooting condition detecting means. A self-timer time setting means for automatically setting the self-timer time according to the photographing condition detected by the camera. 2. The photographing condition is a photographing distance, and the self-timer time setting means sets the self-timer time longer as the photographing distance detected by the photographing condition detecting means becomes longer. Item 1 camera. 3. The photographing condition is a focal length of a photographing lens, and the self-timer time setting means normally sets the self-timer time when the focal length detected by the photographing condition detecting means is larger than a predetermined distance. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is set shorter. 4. The photographing condition is a photographing mode, and the self-timer time setting means sets the self-timer time shorter than usual when the photographing mode detected by the photographing condition detecting means is a close-up photographing mode. The camera according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A fixed value setting means for setting a self-timer time to a fixed value, and a selecting means for selecting one of the self-timer times set by the self-timer time setting means and the fixed value setting means. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: