JPH1090761A - camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] A camera capable of easily interrupting a delayed exposure operation. SOLUTION: The photometry means 1 for measuring the brightness of a photographing target.
Exposure control means 2 and 3 for performing appropriate exposure control on the photograph from the output thereof, exposure start means 7 for operating the exposure control means, and exposure after a set delay time has elapsed after signal input from the exposure start means. Exposure delay means 4 for operating control means
In the camera having the delay time setting means 8 for setting the delay time, the input light quantity monitored during the operation of the exposure delay means is significantly reduced as compared with the input light quantity determined when a signal is input from the exposure start means. In this case, a canceling means 6 for stopping the exposure operation in the event that the operation has been performed is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mode in which an exposure is executed with a predetermined delay from the operation of an exposure start means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a mode in which exposure is executed with a predetermined time delay from the operation of an exposure start means, for example, in a self-timer mode, a self-timer mode is set as a means for stopping an exposure operation during self-release after release. Button (hereinafter referred to as a self-setting button) for self-setting, or in a shooting scene using the built-in flash, lowering the built-in strobe in the UP state to self-setting. There was a means. In a special case, there is also an urgent means such as turning off a main switch or removing a battery during a delay.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional example, the self-setting button is generally small, and in an extremely tense situation where the self-photographing is suddenly stopped,
There is a problem that it is not easy for even a skilled person to accurately press such a small button.

Accordingly, an object of the invention described in claim 1 is:
An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly camera that allows anyone to easily interrupt an exposure operation after a delay.

Further, an object of the invention described in claim 2 is to provide a method for stopping photographing by visual means during a delay.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of completely setting the delay time and performing a procedure for stopping the exposure operation completely.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a camera which can be easily used by anyone and can easily interrupt the delayed exposure operation by means of auditory means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of completely resetting a delay time and completely stopping an exposure operation when photographing is interrupted by auditory means. Is to do.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of accurately recognizing and detecting a signal of a photographing stop instruction by a voice emitted from a photographer or the like.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photometric device for measuring the brightness of an object to be photographed and an output of the photometric device. Exposure control means for performing exposure control, exposure start means for starting the operation of the exposure control means, and exposure delay means for operating the exposure control means after a lapse of a set delay time after input of a signal from the exposure start means. Canceling the exposure operation when the input light amount monitored during the operation of the exposure delay unit changes by a predetermined amount or more compared with the input light amount determined when a signal is input from the exposure start unit. Camera.

According to this construction, the photometric value is continuously monitored during the operation of the exposure delay means, and when the photographer significantly lowers the photometric value by blocking the light receiving path of the photometric means by hand or the like, the canceling means is provided. Can receive it as a visual cue and stop shooting.

In a specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, as set forth in claim 2, when the exposure operation is stopped, the canceling unit sets the delay time of the delay time setting unit. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the time is initialized to a state before being counted down.

According to this configuration, when the exposure is stopped by visual means, the setting contents of the delay time can be initialized and the procedure of stopping the exposure operation can be completely taken.

According to another aspect of the invention for realizing the object of the present invention, a photometric unit for measuring the luminance of an object to be photographed and exposure control are performed from the output of the photometric unit. Exposure control means, an exposure start means for starting the operation of the exposure control means, and a camera having an exposure delay means for operating the exposure control means after a lapse of a set delay time after a signal input from the exposure start means, Sound signal decoding means for decoding a sound signal input from the outside; and canceling means for canceling the exposure operation when the output from the sound signal decoding means during the operation of the exposure delay means indicates that the photographing is prohibited. The feature is the camera.

According to this configuration, if there is a voice input indicating that the photographing is prohibited during the operation of the exposure delaying means, the canceling means can stop the photographing by using the sound as an auditory signal.

In a specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, as set forth in claim 4, the canceling means sets the delay time of the delay time setting means when the exposure operation is stopped. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the time is initialized to a state before being counted down.

According to this configuration, when exposure is stopped by auditory means, the setting contents of the delay time can be initialized and the procedure of stopping the exposure operation can be completely taken.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, as described in claim 5, the sound signal decoding means is provided when a sound signal of a predetermined pattern is input. The camera according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the input is determined to be an instruction to stop exposure.

According to this configuration, since the sound signal decoding means only needs to judge the sound signal of a predetermined pattern only, it is possible to accurately detect the input of the instruction to stop photographing.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is Bv according to the TTL system.
It is a photometric circuit that calculates a value (luminance value). Reference numeral 2 denotes a circuit for controlling the opening and closing of the shutter in response to a signal from the control circuit. Reference numeral 3 denotes a circuit for controlling the aperture in response to a signal from the control circuit. The shutter control circuit 2 and the aperture control circuit 3 are combined. Henceforth, it is called an exposure control circuit.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a delay timer circuit which is activated by the control circuit when the release switch is turned on, and which returns a time lapse signal to the control circuit after a preset delay time. Reference numeral 5 denotes a feeding circuit for controlling film auto-loading, film winding-up operation after completion of the exposure operation, and film winding-up and rewinding such as rewinding of the film after photographing all the frames.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a control circuit such as a microcomputer for managing all operations of the camera. Reference numeral 7 denotes an external signal input means for instructing the control circuit 6 to perform an exposure operation. is there. Reference numeral 8 denotes a button for setting a delay time of 0 second, 2 seconds, and 10 seconds when the delay time is set.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. This flow is started (S10), and the delay shooting button 8
Is determined (S11), and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to a delay time setting transition block of S14 to S18 to sequentially change the delay time mode from 0 second to 2 seconds to 10 seconds.

Otherwise, a photometric operation for photographing is performed (S12), and the state of the release SW2 is checked (S1).
3). As a problem at the time of mounting, the delay shooting button 8
While the button is kept depressed, there may be a case where a suspension process such as not proceeding the flow is performed.

The above sequence is repeated until the release switch SW2 is pressed, and the process waits.
The delay time determined in steps S18 to S18 is set in the delay timer as counter information (S19). Note that the counter set here is automatically decremented at regular time intervals, and therefore, there is no part in the flow where the counter is explicitly decremented as initialization processing.

Wait for the elapse of the delay timer and monitor the counter value (S20). The measurement of the photometric value Bv is repeated during 0 <counter (S21). For example, if the Bv value at the start of photographing is 4 or more and the Bv value calculated in S21 becomes 3 or less, the flow is returned to S11. To cancel the exposure operation during the exposure delay. If the condition of the Bv value is not satisfied, the process returns to S20 and continues this sequence until the counter becomes 0 (S22).

If the counter becomes 0 in S20 without stopping the photographing, the normal exposure processing is performed (S2).
3) A film feeding process is performed (S24), and a series of processes is completed (S25).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the delay time is set, the photometric value is continuously monitored after the switch SW2 is turned on, during which the photographer or the like intentionally holds the lens by hand. If it is covered, the photometric value drops sharply, and this is considered a signal to stop the shooting operation, so there is no need to operate switches and buttons, etc. The photographing can be stopped during the delay time by a visual switching such as a proper operation.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the structure from the photometric circuit 1 to the delay time setting button 8 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a circuit for analyzing a voice signal by FFT (Fast Fourier Analysis Module) or the like. When this circuit 9 is activated by the control circuit 6, when a signal corresponding to a predetermined voice signal pattern is received. This is a sound recognition circuit that notifies the control circuit of the gist.
In this example, for example, the voice signal is "chush".

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. Here, during the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the processing from the start S10 to the monitoring of the delay time counter value S20 and the processing from the normal exposure processing S23 to the end of this flow S25 are the first processing shown in FIG. Since the processing is the same as the operation flow of the embodiment, the duplicated description will be omitted, and the processing of S41 and S42 different from the previous embodiment will be described.

The delay time counter value is monitored (S2
0), the sound recognition circuit 9 is turned on while 0 <counter value,
For example, an input of a voice pattern indicating stoppage of the exposure process such as "chuushi" uttered by the photographer is detected (S41), and S
If the voice pattern input at step 41 is confirmed and it is determined that the signal is a signal for instructing stop of exposure, the flow returns to step S11 to stop exposure. Otherwise, return to S20 and set the counter value to 0.
This sequence is continued until (S42).

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
The delay time is set, and the photometric value is continuously monitored after the release switch SW2 is turned on. During this time, when the photographer or the like emits a sound signal of a predetermined sound pattern, the sound recognition circuit 9 changes the pattern. Recognizing and judging that it is an instruction input to stop exposure by a sound signal, it stops shooting, so without stopping operation of switches, buttons, etc. during shooting, the natural and auditory switching means of sound, during the delay time, Shooting can be stopped.

(Correspondence between Claims and Embodiments) The canceling means performs visual switching for detecting a light-shielding operation performed manually by a photographer or the like during self-operation as a decrease in photometric value, or a predetermined pattern. The control circuit 6 which determines that the auditory switching performed by voice input is an instruction input to stop shooting, returns the shooting flow to the start, and stops shooting.
Is equivalent to the processing by.

The sound signal decoding means corresponds to the sound recognition circuit 9.

(Other Embodiments) In the foregoing, a camera that determines the stop of photographing based on a change in the photometric value and a camera that determines the stop of photographing by inputting a sound signal of a prescribed pattern have been described separately. Of course, those having both functions are also within the scope of the present invention.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a model in which a delay time is set from outside the machine using a remote controller such as an infrared drive.

Also, in the present invention, the initialization of the delay time timer has been particularly described for the initialization processing after the photographing is stopped.
For models that blink the AF auxiliary lamp when the self-timer is activated, turn off the lamp. For models that display the self-activation mark and the set time on the LCD display panel, turn off the display panel. Needless to say, when the photographing is stopped, the respective initializations are performed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the delay time is set and the switch SW2 is turned on, the canceling means determines that the self-operation is performed based on the first photometry value. If the photometric value being monitored is significantly reduced, the exposure operation is stopped, so that a user-friendly visual method can be used to create a camera that can be easily used by anyone to easily interrupt the delayed exposure operation. .

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, when the exposure operation is stopped, the initialization relating to the self-setting of the delay time counter and the like is completely performed. When the photographing is stopped by a visual means, the self-operation stopping procedure can be completely executed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the delay time is set and the switch SW2 is turned on, the canceling means stops the photographing when the sound signal decoding means detects a sound signal indicating that the photographing is stopped. Therefore, a user-friendly camera can be configured in which anyone can easily interrupt the exposure operation after the delay via an auditory means.

Further, according to the present invention, when the exposure operation is stopped via the auditory means, the initialization relating to the self-setting of the delay time counter and the like is completely performed. In the case where the photographing is stopped by an auditory means during the self-operation, the procedure for stopping the exposure operation can be completely executed.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the sound signal decoding means determines that the photographing is to be instructed to stop photographing when a sound signal of a predetermined pattern is inputted, and is issued by the photographer or the like. It is possible to accurately detect and recognize a sound signal instructing the stop of shooting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera shown in FIG.

[Description of Signs] 1 Photometry circuit 2 Shutter control circuit 3 Aperture control circuit 4 Delay timer circuit 5 Feed circuit 6 Control circuit 7 Release switch 8 Delay shooting button 9 Sound recognition circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] An exposure control unit configured to perform exposure control based on an output of the photometry unit; an exposure start unit configured to start an operation of the exposure control unit; A camera having exposure delay means for operating the exposure control means after a set delay time has elapsed after inputting a signal from the means, wherein the exposure delay is compared with an input light amount determined when a signal is input from the exposure start means. A camera comprising a canceling means for stopping an exposure operation when an input light amount monitored during operation of the means changes by a predetermined amount or more. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the canceling unit initializes a delay setting time of the delay time setting unit to a state before being counted down when the exposure operation is stopped. . 3. Exposure control means for measuring the brightness of an object to be photographed, exposure control means for performing exposure control from the output of the light measurement means, exposure start means for starting operation of the exposure control means, and exposure start A camera having exposure delay means for operating the exposure control means after a lapse of a set delay time after input of a signal from the means, wherein sound signal decoding means for decoding a sound signal inputted from outside; and A camera comprising a canceling unit for stopping the exposure operation when the output from the sound signal decoding unit indicates that the photographing is prohibited. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein said canceling means initializes the delay setting time of said delay time setting means to a state before being counted down when the exposure operation is stopped. . 5. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the sound signal decoding unit determines that an instruction to stop exposure has been input when a sound signal having a predetermined pattern is input.