JP4865145B2 - Control device that can remotely control the camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of a remote operation camera system, and more particularly to a remote operation control method for a camera to which various accessories can be attached.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a camera for taking a picture by remote operation has been devised, and a mechanical release cable in which a release button is mechanically extended or an electromagnetic release cable using an electric signal line and an electromagnetic drive device have been used. These release cables were simple enough to remotely control the release operation.
[0003]
Recently, electronically controlled cameras that control various controls such as exposure control and focus control using a microcomputer have become mainstream, and an electronic control device mounted on the camera and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) are connected to each other. There has also been devised an electronic remote control camera system that can perform various remote controls by sending control signals from a PC to the electronic control unit.
[0004]
Further, as can be seen in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-197465, etc., there has been devised a device for performing remote operation by transmitting setting information from a high-function remote control device equipped with a CPU to a camera.
[0005]
In such an electronic remote control camera system, a remote controller equipped with a PC or CPU and a camera are connected by a serial communication cable, infrared communication, etc., and control information or the like is obtained by control software operating on a remote control device such as a PC. Is transmitted to the camera. The camera that has received the information performs a release operation, a change in shutter speed, and the like according to the received information.
[0006]
In addition, in a camera system in which accessories such as a film feeding auxiliary device can be attached, items that can be set such as a frame speed for continuous shooting can be set in a wide range such as high speed, medium speed, and low speed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the high-speed mode is selected on the PC side, if the accessory such as the film feeding auxiliary device is not installed, only the medium-speed mode and the low-speed mode are effective and the high-speed mode cannot be used. There was a risk that the remote operator would have made a mistake, resulting in a shooting mistake.
[0008]
In remote shooting systems that only support basic functions, it was no longer possible to remotely select additional functions by attaching accessories.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, a remotely operable control device of the camera, a receiving means for accessories before Symbol camera receives a signal indicating whether it is attached from the camera and accessories will be mounted on the camera Display control means for controlling the camera function to be settable on the control device screen when the accessory is mounted, and the settable camera function is displayed on the control device screen by the display control means. when you, in response to the received signal by the reception unit, when the accessory is not mounted, control such accessories can not select the functions that can be selected in correspondence with the accessories that can be set in a state mounted Remote operation means for controlling display of the apparatus screen.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a remote control camera system according to the present invention. 1 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), 2 is a camera body, 3 is a connection cable for transferring information by connecting the PC and camera, and 4 Interchangeable photographic lens attached to the camera body, 5 a flash light emitting device for flash photography by attaching it to the camera body, and 6 a film supply which is attached to the camera body to enhance the film winding ability and shutter drive spring charging ability It is a transmission assist device (hereinafter booster).
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a table comparing the drive modes when the camera alone and the accessory booster 6 are mounted.
[0025]
In the camera of this embodiment, the function can be selected between single shooting for shooting only one frame by one release operation and continuous shooting for continuously shooting multiple frames by one release operation. The single continuous shooting function can shoot only one frame per second, but when a booster is attached, one frame, three frames, five frames, and seven frames can be selected per second.
Next, the operation of the remote operation camera system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. Assume that a drive booster is assumed as an accessory, and the remote operation software is activated on the PC. .
[0026]
# 101
The remote operation software of the PC 1 confirms the connection to the camera, and if communication with the camera is possible, the process proceeds to # 102.
[0027]
# 102
The remote operation software of the PC 1 transmits an accessory confirmation command for confirming whether or not the accessory is attached to the camera, and obtains information on whether or not the accessory is attached from the camera. In response to the confirmation command, the camera transfers to the PC 1 presence / absence information including information indicating the type of accessory attached to the camera and the function of the accessory.
[0028]
# 103
The remote operation software of the PC 1 displays a basic screen (FIG. 6) that does not depend on the accessory mounting status on the PC screen.
[0029]
# 104
The remote operation software of the PC 1 confirms whether or not the accessory is attached based on the accessory attachment / non-existence information acquired in # 102. If the accessory is attached, the process branches to # 105, and if the accessory is not attached, the process branches to # 106. To do.
[0030]
# 105
The remote operation software of the PC 1 additionally displays on the PC screen a function selection member that is effective when the accessory is attached (FIG. 7).
In this case, a drive booster is used as an accessory, and when the booster is attached, one frame, three frames, five frames, and seven frames can be selected per second, so according to the function information transmitted from the camera. Although the display shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the display according to the function of the strobe is naturally displayed when the strobe is attached.
[0031]
# 106
The remote operation software of the PC 1 waits for the operator to operate the PC and select a function displayed on the screen.
Specifically, it waits for an event such as clicking (selecting) P or clicking (selecting) C1 using a mouse or the like.
[0032]
# 107
Control information corresponding to the event that occurred in # 106 is transmitted to the camera.
Specifically, when P is clicked (selected), a P mode instruction command is transmitted, when C1 is clicked (selected), a C1 mode instruction command is transmitted, and when a Tv value is input, a Tv value is transmitted. To do.
[0033]
# 108
The camera performs a predetermined operation based on the control information transmitted in # 107.
Specifically, the P mode is set when the P mode instruction command is received, the C1 mode is set when the C1 mode instruction command is received, and the received Tv value is set when the Tv value is received.
If the received control information is a release instruction, the photographing operation is executed in each currently set mode.
Thereafter, the remote operation software of the PC 1 returns to # 106 and waits for the next operation.
[0034]
This # 108 is an operation on the camera side, and the camera side has a built-in PC for executing processing software for performing the operation of # 108 according to the instruction command from # 107, and when the operation is performed in accordance with the instruction A signal indicating that the processing has been completed is transmitted to the PC 1, and this signal is returned to # 106.
[0035]
Next, the operation of the remote control camera system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. Assuming that a drive booster is assumed as an accessory, the remote control software is activated on the PC. To do.
[0036]
# 201
The remote operation software of the PC 1 confirms connection to the camera, and if communication with the camera is possible, the process proceeds to # 202.
[0037]
# 202
The remote operation software of the PC 1 transmits an accessory confirmation command for confirming the presence / absence of accessory attachment to the camera, and obtains accessory attachment presence / absence information from the camera (processed in the same manner as in the first embodiment).
[0038]
# 203
The remote operation software of the PC 1 displays a screen (FIG. 7) showing all functions that are effective when the accessory is mounted on the PC screen. In this case, since only the booster can be mounted as an accessory, the display of FIG. 7 is displayed, but other functions are also displayed if other accessories can be mounted.
[0039]
# 204
The remote operation software of the PC 1 confirms whether or not the accessory is attached based on the accessory attachment presence / absence information acquired in # 202. If the accessory is not attached, the process branches to # 205, and if the accessory is attached, branches to # 206. To do.
[0040]
# 205
The remote operation software of the PC 1 invalidates the function selection virtual member that is effective only when the accessory is mounted on the PC screen (FIG. 8).
Invalidation means that although it is displayed on the screen, it is displayed in a color / tone different from that of other valid function selection virtual members and cannot be selected by mouse click or the like. In this case, C3, C5, and C7 are invalidated. The display of the disabled function may be deleted.
[0041]
# 206
The remote operation software of the PC 1 waits for the operator to operate the PC and select a function displayed on the screen.
Specifically, it waits for an event such as clicking (selecting) P or clicking (selecting) C1 using a mouse or the like.
[0042]
# 207
Control information corresponding to the event that occurred in # 206 is transmitted to the camera.
Specifically, when P is clicked (selected), a P mode instruction command is transmitted, when C1 is clicked (selected), a C1 mode instruction command is transmitted, and when a Tv value is input, a Tv value is transmitted. To do.
[0043]
# 208
The camera performs a predetermined operation according to the control information transmitted in # 207.
Specifically, the P mode is set when the P mode instruction command is received, the C1 mode is set when the C1 mode instruction command is received, and the received Tv value is set when the Tv value is received.
If the received control information is a release instruction, the photographing operation is executed in each currently set mode.
Thereafter, the remote operation software of the PC 1 returns to # 206 and waits for the next operation.
Specifically, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the remote control camera system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. Assume that a drive booster is assumed as an accessory, and remote control software is activated on the PC. .
[0045]
# 301
The remote operation software of the PC 1 confirms connection to the camera, and if communication with the camera is possible, the process proceeds to # 302.
[0046]
# 302
The remote operation software of the PC 1 transmits an accessory confirmation command for confirming whether or not the accessory is attached to the camera, and obtains information on whether or not the accessory is attached from the camera. (Processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.)
# 303
As in the second embodiment, the remote operation software of the PC 1 displays a screen (FIG. 7) showing all functions that are effective when the accessory is mounted on the PC screen.
[0047]
# 304
The remote operation software of the PC 1 waits for the operator to operate the PC and select a function displayed on the screen.
Specifically, it waits for an event such as clicking (selecting) P or clicking (selecting) C1 using a mouse or the like.
[0048]
# 305
The remote operation software of the PC 1 confirms whether the accessory is attached or not based on the accessory attachment presence / absence information acquired in # 304, determines whether the event generated in # 304 is valid or invalid, and branches to # 306 if it is valid. If invalid, the process branches to # 308.
[0049]
# 306
Control information corresponding to the event that occurred in # 304 is transmitted to the camera.
Specifically, when P is clicked (selected), a P mode instruction command is transmitted, when C1 is clicked (selected), a C1 mode instruction command is transmitted, and when a Tv value is input, a Tv value is transmitted. To do.
[0050]
# 307
The camera performs a predetermined operation according to the control information transmitted in # 306.
Specifically, the P mode is set when the P mode instruction command is received, the C1 mode is set when the C1 mode instruction command is received, and the received Tv value is set when the Tv value is received.
If the received control information is a release instruction, the photographing operation is executed in each currently set mode.
Thereafter, the remote operation software of the PC 1 returns to # 304 and waits for the next operation.
This operation is also processed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0051]
# 308
The remote operation software of the PC 1 displays a message that the event generated in # 304 is invalid on the PC screen (FIG. 9), and notifies the operator that the function cannot be selected.
Specifically, a message such as “C5 cannot be selected” is displayed even if the C5 mode is selected.
[0052]
# 309
The remote operation software of the PC 1 invalidates the event generated in # 304 and does not transmit control information to the camera.
Thereafter, the remote operation software of the PC 1 returns to # 304 and waits for the next operation.
[0053]
【Effect of the invention】
As described above, according to the present invention according to each claim, it is possible to perform an appropriate remote operation in a state where accessories are attached to the camera or not attached.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a remote control camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a table for explaining the operation of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a basic PC screen that is not affected by accessory attachment in the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a PC screen when an accessory is mounted according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a PC screen in the second embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a PC screen in the third embodiment according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Computer 2 Camera Body 3 Connection Cable 4 Interchangeable Lens 5 Flash Light Emitting Device 6 Booster

Claims (2)

A control device capable of remotely controlling a camera,
Receiving means for receiving a signal indicating whether the accessories before Symbol camera is mounted from said camera,
When an accessory is attached to the camera, display control means for controlling the camera function associated with the attachment of the accessory to be displayed on the control device screen in a configurable manner;
When you display by said display control means configurable functions of the camera controller screen, in accordance with the received signal by the reception unit, when the accessory is not mounted, when a state where accessories are mounted And a remote control means for controlling display of the control device screen so that a function that can be selected corresponding to the accessory that can be set can not be selected . Said remote control means, wherein the accessory to the camera, characterized in that the enable state setting function or control value of the camera corresponding to the added function by accessory when in a state of being mounted is mounted Item 2. The control device according to Item 1.

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