JP3668488B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera having an optical and electronic zoom function.

  Recently, many cameras have a zoom function for taking a picture by changing the size of a subject. This will be described in the case of a video camera.

  In this type of video camera, the focal length of the zoom optical system is continuously changed in order to change the size of the subject image displayed on an image sensor such as a CCD (charge coupled device), and the actual focal point of the optical system is thus changed. A value obtained by dividing the distance by the shortest focal length of the optical system, that is, the zoom magnification is changed, thereby changing the size of the subject image on the image sensor.

  In addition to the optical zoom function as described above, in recent years, some electronic zoom functions have been realized, and electronic zoom is performed together with optical zoom to cope with higher zoom magnification. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-135171 describes a technique for displaying information represented by an angle of view at the current zoom position of a lens system as an image on a viewfinder.

  The image quality in the electronic zoom area uses image information that has been enlarged by interpolating a part of the information of the image sensor used. Therefore, the image quality is higher than that in the optical zoom area. Has deteriorated. Therefore, an image having an inferior image quality as compared with an image recorded during a zoom operation by the optical zoom means is recorded.

  In particular, recently, there are electronic zooms that can be magnified by a factor of 8, and the larger the electronic zoom, the more prominent the effect.

  In the technical means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-135171, information on the zoom magnification of the lens system is merely displayed as an image, and the magnification of the recorded image can be changed from an optical zoom operation state in which the recorded image quality does not deteriorate. However, it is impossible to visually recognize that the state has shifted to an electronic zoom operation state in which the recording image quality deteriorates.

In addition, if the zoom end cannot be accurately recognized, it is not possible to know in which direction the zoom operation can be performed from the current zoom position, and the zoom operation direction will be mistaken, and a photo opportunity will be missed. For example, in a camera that can perform an optical zoom operation that does not deteriorate the recorded image quality but has a low enlargement ratio and an electronic zoom operation that does not deteriorate the recorded image quality but has a high enlargement ratio, Even if the boundary position of the electronic zoom operation range is known, it cannot be determined whether the current zoom state is the optical zoom operation state or the electronic zoom operation state. When the zoom operation state is mistaken, the zoom operation direction is mistaken, and a photo opportunity may be missed.

  Furthermore, if it is not possible to determine whether the current zoom state is an optical zoom operation state or an electronic zoom operation state, the zoom magnification is inadvertently set so that the electronic zoom region is set, and shooting is performed. There is a possibility that a person may take a picture at the zoom magnification without being aware of the deterioration of the image quality.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and even when only the optical zoom means operates, or when the electronic zoom means operates in addition to the optical zoom means, An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can reliably recognize the current zoom state and zoom position and can easily visually recognize in which direction the zoom operation can be set to a desired zoom state.

  The camera of the present invention includes an optical zoom means, an electronic zoom means, an optical zoom mode for operating only the optical zoom means, and an electronic zoom for operating the electronic zoom means in addition to the optical zoom means. A switching means for switching between modes, a display means for displaying an operating state of the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means, and the optical zoom means operates when the mode is switched to the optical zoom mode. A first display area for visually recognizing the first zoom magnification and a tele-wide recognition index for recognizing the wide end and the tele end in the first display area are displayed on the display means. When the electronic zoom mode is switched to, the first display area and the first when the electronic zoom means is operating in addition to the optical zoom means. A display for displaying on the display means a second display area for recognizing the zoom magnification of the first display area and a tele-wide recognition index for recognizing the wide end in the first display area and the tele end in the second display area And a control means.

  Further, the camera of the present invention operates an optical zoom means, an electronic zoom means, an optical zoom mode for operating only the optical zoom means, and an electronic zoom means in addition to the optical zoom means. Switching means for switching between the electronic zoom mode, display means for displaying the operation state of the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means, and the optical zoom means when switched to the optical zoom mode A first display area for visually recognizing the first zoom magnification when operating and a tele-wide recognition index for recognizing the wide end and the tele end in the first display area are displayed on the display means. When the electronic zoom mode is switched to the electronic mode, the electronic zoom means is operating in addition to the first display area and the optical zoom means. A tele display recognition index for displaying a wide end in the first display area and a tele end in the second display area together with a second display area for visually recognizing the second zoom magnification. And display control means for displaying on the display means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily recognize the wide end and the tele end in the optical zoom operation state, and the wide end and the tele end in the electronic zoom operation state, so that the current zoom state and zoom position can be surely confirmed. Thus, it is possible to easily determine in which direction the zoom operation can be performed to set the desired zoom state.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a principal block diagram of a camera showing an embodiment of the present invention. Subject light from the subject 14 passes through the zoom lens 1a of the photographing optical system 1 and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 2. The electrical signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 2 is processed by the image pickup circuit 3 and sent to a recording circuit (not shown) or the like, and is also supplied to an adder 8 for optical and electronic zoom from the zoom control unit 10 described later. Is added to the display signal for displaying the state of, and is displayed on the EVF (electronic viewfinder) 9 as a finder.

  The zoom control unit 10 has a microcomputer inside, and performs sequence control of both the optical zoom operation and the electronic zoom operation of the camera. A tele zoom switch 11, a wide zoom switch 12, an electronic zoom are provided outside the zoom control unit 10. Switches 13 are connected to each other. When these external switches are operated, the zoom control unit 10 exchanges signals with the optical zoom control unit 6. Accordingly, the optical zoom control unit 6 drives the zoom motor 4 based on the optical position information detected by the zoom sensor 5 to drive the zoom lens 1a to a desired zoom position. Further, when the electronic zoom switch 13 is operated, the zoom control unit 10 instructs the electronic zoom circuit 7 to perform electronic zoom in the imaging circuit 3.

  The first recognizing means for recognizing the first zoom magnification set by the optical zoom means comprises a microcomputer built in the zoom control unit 10 and the zoom sensor 5. The second recognizing means for recognizing the second zoom magnification set by the electronic zoom means is constituted by a microcomputer built in the zoom control unit 10. Further, the display means for displaying the first zoom magnification recognized by the first recognition means and the second zoom magnification recognized by the second recognition means in a manner capable of being recognized separately, The zoom control unit 10 includes a function unit for forming a display signal in a microcomputer built in the microcomputer 10 and the EVF 9 described above.

  The zoom control operation in this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this flow, it is assumed that the first zoom magnification by the optical zoom means operates up to 8 times and the second zoom magnification by the electronic zoom means operates up to 4 times. Further, OZ in the flow indicates the first zoom magnification, and EZ indicates the second zoom magnification. Further, the coefficient n indicates the amount of change per unit time, that is, the zoom speed, in the optical zoom unit and m in the electronic zoom unit.

  When this flow starts, it is first checked whether the tele zoom switch 11 or the wide zoom switch 12 (see FIG. 1) is operated (step S1). It is checked whether or not the electronic zoom switch 13 is pressed (step S2). In this case, if the electronic zoom switch is on, the zoom magnification OZ can be used up to the electronic zoom region. Therefore, the first zoom magnification OZ by the optical zoom means is checked first (step S4). Since only the optical zoom means needs to be operated, the process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, if the electronic zoom switch 13 is off in step S2, the second zoom magnification EZ is set to 1 (step S3) and the process proceeds to step S5 because it is not necessary to operate the electronic zoom means.

  In this step S5, a value obtained by adding the coefficient n to the first zoom magnification OZ is set as a new first zoom magnification OZ, and this new OZ is compared with 8 (step S6). If it exceeds 8, the first zoom magnification OZ cannot exceed 8. Therefore, this is set to 8 (step S7). If it does not exceed 8, the process proceeds to step S8.

  Returning to step S4, if the first zoom magnification OZ is equal to 8, the electronic zoom means must be used to obtain a zoom magnification higher than this, so the coefficient m is added to the second zoom magnification EZ. Then, the new second zoom magnification EZ is set (step S10), and the new second zoom magnification EZ is compared with 4 (step S11). If it exceeds 4, the second zoom magnification EZ cannot exceed 4, so it is set to 4 (step S12). If it does not exceed 4, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, zoom driving is performed in accordance with the first zoom magnification OZ and the second zoom magnification EZ, and the drive result is displayed as described in FIG. 3 (step S9), and the process returns to another process.

  Returning to step S1, if the wide zoom switch 12 (see FIG. 1) has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S13 to check on / off of the electronic zoom switch 13, which is an electronic zoom means. By the way, as explained in the prior art, the zoom magnification is defined as a value obtained by dividing the actual focal length in the zoom optical system by the shortest focal length, that is, the focal length at the time of wide. The electronic zoom means should be equal to 1 regardless of the optical zoom means, but cannot be less than 1.

  If the electronic zoom switch 13 is turned on in step S13, the second zoom magnification EZ is compared with 1 (step S14). If this EZ is larger than 1, the coefficient m is subtracted from the second zoom magnification EZ to obtain a new second zoom magnification EZ (step S15), which is further compared with 1 (step S16). If this new second zoom magnification EZ is smaller than 1, it is forcibly set to 1 (step S17). If it is larger than 1, the process proceeds to steps S8 and S9 and returns.

  If the electronic zoom switch 13 is turned off in step S13, the second zoom magnification EZ is forcibly set to 1 in step S18, and if the second zoom magnification EZ is equal to 1 in step S14, immediately. The process proceeds to steps S19 to S21, respectively, and proceeds to the setting of the first zoom magnification OZ by the optical zoom means.

  That is, the coefficient n is subtracted from the first zoom magnification OZ to obtain a new first zoom magnification OZ (step S19). This new first zoom magnification OZ is compared with 1 (step S20), and if it is smaller than 1, it is set to 1 (step S21). If it is equal to or larger than 1, the above steps S8 and S9 are immediately performed. Execute and return.

  Next, a display example in the subroutine “zoom display” shown in step S9 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in FIG. 3, the same precondition as in FIG. 2 above, that is, the first zoom magnification by the optical zoom means is a maximum of 8 times, and the second zoom magnification by the electronic zoom means is a maximum of 4 times. The electronic zoom switch can be turned on / off. The description will be made assuming that the zoom magnification is 1 to 8 times only by the optical zoom means, and that the zoom magnification is 9 to 32 times, the electronic zoom means in addition to the optical zoom means.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the zoom magnification is performed in the bar display and the digital display. In the case of the bar display, the total length of the bars 21 and 31 is made to correspond to the total zoom magnification 8 × 4 = 32 and A horizontal line 22 indicating the boundary between the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means is drawn at a position substantially 1/4, that is, at a zoom magnification of 8 times. A triangle mark 23 is arranged on the right side of the bars 21 and 31 and is movable up and down from a wide end (W) corresponding to a zoom magnification of 1 to a tele end (T) corresponding to a zoom magnification of 32. It is marked. On the other hand, the digital display is a numerical display as shown on the right side of the figure.

  Now, even if the electronic zoom switch 13 (see FIG. 1) is on, only the optical zoom means operates when the zoom magnification is 1 to 8, so that the triangle mark 23 is a region 21b below the horizontal line 22 of the bar 21. Will move up and down. On the other hand, when the zoom magnification is 9 to 32, both the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means operate, and the triangle mark 23 moves up and down along the region 21a above the horizontal line 22.

  On the other hand, when the electronic zoom switch 13 is turned off, only the optical zoom means operates, and the zoom magnification becomes 1 to 8 times. Therefore, the triangle mark 23 in the bar display cannot move up and down in the region above the horizontal line 22. Therefore, the user can determine whether the area 31a and the lower area 31b above the horizontal line 22 indicating the boundary between the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means are different in color, for example, whether or not they are hatched. It is preferable that it can be easily recognized.

  In this case, assuming that the second zoom magnification set by the electronic zoom means is 8 times the same as the first zoom magnification by the optical zoom means, the length of the region 31b below the horizontal line 22 is 1 of the total length. / 8. Therefore, when the electronic zoom switch 13 is turned off and zoom magnifications 1 to 8 are displayed, the magnification is displayed in an area that is 1/8 of the total length of the bar 31, so the triangle mark 23 indicating the zoom magnification is the lower region 31b. Even if it moves up and down along, it will be very difficult to see. Therefore, as shown in the second example of the bar display, characters such as “OPT” are put in the bar 51 to indicate that this bar is an area where the zoom magnification is varied only by the optical zoom means. In this case, since the vertical movement of the triangle mark 53 is enlarged and displayed, the user can easily recognize it.

  According to the bar display, the user can recognize the entire zoom position at a glance, and can determine whether the current zoom magnification is due to the optical zoom means or the electronic zoom means.

Next, the case of digital display will be described. When the electronic zoom switch 13 is turned on and the zoom magnification is 1 to 8, assuming that the first zoom magnification by the optical zoom means is 4 times, as shown in the upper part of FIG.
4 x 1 = x 4
become. When the zoom magnification is 9 to 32, for example, if the first zoom magnification by the optical zoom means is 4 and the second zoom magnification by the electronic zoom means is 3, as shown in the middle part of the figure.
4 × 3 = × 12
Is displayed. Further, when the electronic zoom switch 13 is turned off and the zoom magnification is 1 to 8, the second zoom magnification by the electronic zoom means is off. For example, if the first zoom magnification by the optical zoom means is 6. As shown in the lower part of FIG.

6 x OFF = x 6
According to the digital display, it is possible to recognize at a glance whether the zoom magnification is set using the electronic zoom means or the optical zoom means, and it is possible to recognize specific numerical values thereof.

The principal part block diagram of the camera which shows one Example of this invention. The flowchart of the zoom control operation | movement in the said one Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the subroutine "zoom display" in the said FIG.

Explanation of symbols

5. Zoom sensor (first recognition means)
9 ... EVF (display means)
10: Zoom control section (first recognition means, second recognition means, display means)
Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (3)

Optical zoom means;
Electronic zoom means;
Switching means for switching between an optical zoom mode for operating only the optical zoom means and an electronic zoom mode for operating the electronic zoom means in addition to the optical zoom means;
Display means for displaying operating states of the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means;
When switched to the optical zoom mode, a first display area for visually recognizing the first zoom magnification when the optical zoom means is operating, and a wide end in the first display area. And a tele-wide recognition index for recognizing the tele end are displayed on the display means, and when the electronic zoom mode is switched, the electronic display is added to the first display area and the optical zoom means. Tele-wide for recognizing the second display area for visually recognizing the second zoom magnification when the automatic zoom means is operating, the wide end in the first display area, and the tele end in the second display area Display control means for displaying a recognition index on the display means;
A camera comprising: Optical zoom means;
Electronic zoom means;
Switching means for switching between an optical zoom mode for operating only the optical zoom means and an electronic zoom mode for operating the electronic zoom means in addition to the optical zoom means;
Display means for displaying operating states of the optical zoom means and the electronic zoom means;
When switched to the optical zoom mode, a first display area for visually recognizing the first zoom magnification when the optical zoom means is operating, and a wide end in the first display area. And a tele-wide recognition index for recognizing the tele end are displayed on the display means, and when the electronic zoom mode is switched, the electronic display is added to the first display area and the optical zoom means. And the second display area for visually recognizing the second zoom magnification when the automatic zooming unit is operating are displayed side by side, and the wide end and the second display in the first display area are displayed. A tele-wide recognition index for recognizing the tele end in the area, and display control means for displaying on the display means;
A camera comprising:   The display control means is a zoom for recognizing the zoom magnification on the first or second display area when a predetermined zoom magnification is set by the optical zoom means or the electronic zoom means. The camera according to claim 1, wherein a position recognition index is displayed.

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