JP2001251544A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera having reduced power consumption. SOLUTION: It is discriminated whether a sound recording button has been changed from the turning-off state to the turning-on state (step S51), and, when has been changed (step S52), power supply to a block used exclusively for photographing which is a set of members related to only photographing is turned off. Power supply to an LCD is turned off (step S54), if live view display on the LCD is set, and sound recording of an image having the largest frame number is started (step S55). Sound recording is continued, and when the sound recording button is changed from the turn-on state to the turn-off state, power supply to the block used exclusively for photographing is turned on, and an EVF is restored (step S57) to the original display state. Power supply to the LCD is turned on (step S59), if live view display on the LCD has been set, and then sound recording is terminated (step S60).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera capable of recording audio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, since digital cameras are carried and used, demands for power consumption have become severe.
In particular, in current digital cameras, display devices, CPs
The three blocks U and CCD are pointed out as places where power consumption is high, and various techniques for power saving have been proposed.

[0003] On the other hand, in response to demands for multifunction, some digital cameras are capable of voice recording. Unlike a video camera, there is a function that can record a sound for at most several tens of seconds as a function for taking a memo (voice memo) for an image.

[0004]

However, in conventional digital cameras, power saving during sound recording has not been sufficiently studied. Even during sound recording, the power supply to the CCD and the display device is maintained. Power was consumed.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to provide a digital camera with reduced power consumption.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera including a display unit for displaying a captured image and a voice recording unit for performing voice recording. A display control means for turning off the display means at the time of voice recording by the voice recording means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the display means is an electronic viewfinder.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the display means is a liquid crystal display element.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the display control means controls the display means to respond to the end of the sound recording before the start of the sound recording. Is controlled to return to the original display state which is the display state of.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the fourth aspect, wherein the display means includes an electronic viewfinder and a liquid crystal display element. The electronic viewfinder and the liquid crystal display element can be individually turned on and off, and the original display state is an on / off state of the electronic viewfinder and the liquid crystal display element before the start of the audio recording.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the first aspect, wherein the photographed image is associated with audio data recorded by the audio recording means. Further, there is provided a sound reproducing means for reproducing the recorded sound data, and the display control means controls the display means to be turned on when the sound is reproduced by the sound reproducing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the sixth aspect, wherein the display control means displays the progress status of the audio reproduction on the display means at the time of the audio reproduction. Is displayed.

The invention according to claim 8 is a digital camera comprising a photographing-only function means functioning only at the time of photographing, and a sound recording means for performing sound recording. Further, there is provided an energization control means for interrupting energization to the photographing exclusive function means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the eighth aspect, the photographing-dedicated function means includes a solid-state image sensor.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the eighth aspect, wherein the power supply control means includes:
In response to the end of the voice recording, the power supply to the photographing-only function means is restarted.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1. Overall Configuration> FIGS. 1 to 4 are views showing a main configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a side view, and FIG. , FIG. 4 particularly shows the state of the upper surface. These drawings do not always follow the triangular projection, and the main purpose is to conceptually illustrate the configuration of the main part of the digital camera 1.

As shown in these figures, the digital camera 1 has a structure roughly divided into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped camera body 2 and an image pickup section 3.

The image pickup section 3 is provided with an image pickup circuit 302 having a CCD color area sensor 303 (hereinafter simply referred to as "CCD 303") at an appropriate position behind the lens group 30 having a macro function as a photographing lens. The lens group 30 includes a zoom lens 300 and a focusing lens 301 in a lens barrel.

On the other hand, the focus ring 41 is driven inside the camera
Is provided with a focus motor M1 for driving and focusing.

A grip G is provided on the front of the camera body 2.
The camera body 2 is provided with a shutter button 9 on the upper surface thereof, which is a switch for photographing processing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 has a memory card slot 501 on the right side thereof as a mounting portion for the memory card 8.

A card I / F 212 is provided in the memory card slot 501, and a seal reading sensor 502 is provided near the memory card slot 501. The digital camera 1 uses smart media (registered trademark) as the memory card 8.

The smart media indicates a writable state when the non-writable seal is not affixed to a predetermined sticking position, and conversely, a writable state when the non-writable seal is affixed to the sticking position. Indicates the status. As shown in FIG. 1, a seal reading sensor 502 including an LED and a photocoupler is provided near the memory card slot 501 and at a position corresponding to the sticking position of the smart media in the state where the smart media is mounted in the memory card slot 501. Is provided. The non-writable seal has a high reflectivity on its surface.
1 detects whether or not a non-writable sticker is attached to the smart media based on the intensity signal of the reflected light from the sticker position of the smart media by the sticker reading sensor 502.

The digital camera 1 uses a power supply battery E, which is composed of four AA batteries E1 to E4 connected in series, as a drive source.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A liquid crystal display (LCD) 10 for performing live view display, after view display, reproduction display of a recorded image, and the like, and an electronic device for live view display and after view display of the captured image are provided substantially in the center of the back of the camera. A viewfinder (EVF) 20 is provided. Among them, the EVF 20 is for enlarging and displaying a liquid crystal display with an eyepiece. This LCD 10 and EVF
At 20, an image is displayed in color.

The digital camera 1 mainly has two modes, a "photographing mode" and a "playback mode". Among them, the photographing mode is a mode for performing processing relating to photographing, and the reproduction mode is a mode for performing processing relating to photographed images such as reproduction display of the photographed images.

However, the digital camera 1 is not provided with a switch for switching between a photographing mode and a reproducing mode. As will be described later in detail, in the playback mode, the mode automatically shifts to the shooting mode by detecting an event related to shooting (various operations related to shooting and eyepieces to the eyecup), and conversely, an event related to playback in the shooting mode (playback This is because the operation automatically shifts to the reproduction mode upon detection of various operations related to the operation.

Hereinafter, each member mainly related to the photographing mode and the reproduction mode of the digital camera 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrel is provided with a focus ring 41, a zoom ring 42, and an aperture ring 43. The focus ring 41 is an operation member (selector) that is manually turned when the auto focus (AF) is performed and is manually rotated when the manual focus (MF) is performed, and the lens 301 is driven accordingly to focus. Is performed. An AF / MF switch 4 for switching between AF and MF is provided on the focus ring 41.
4 are provided. In the focus ring 41, a focus operation sensor 40 for detecting the rotation position is provided.
1 is provided.

The zoom ring 42 is an operation member (selector) for performing a zoom operation by manually rotating the zoom ring 42. Further, inside the zoom ring 42, a zoom operation sensor 402 for detecting the rotation position is provided.

The aperture ring 43 is an operation member (selector) for adjusting the aperture by manually rotating the aperture ring 43. Inside the aperture ring 43, an aperture operation sensor 403 for detecting the rotational position is provided. At the time of manual shooting, the photographer manually operates the aperture ring 43 to adjust the aperture.
Further, an aperture driving actuator 404 for driving the aperture is provided inside the imaging unit 3. Then, at the time of automatic exposure adjustment (AE), the aperture is driven by the aperture drive actuator 404.

The digital camera 1 has a lens 3
A lens cap 45 for protecting 00 is attached, and is detachable from the tip of the lens barrel of the imaging unit 3.

A flash 5 of a pop-up type is provided at an appropriate position at the upper end of the camera body 2. The flash 5 can be manually popped up or stored. In addition, a flash pop-up sensor 405 for detecting the state of the flash 5 (pop-up state or stored state) is provided near the flash 5 inside the camera body 2. The camera body 2
An eyecup 46 is provided around the EVF 20 on the back of the eyepiece 20. The eyecup 46 is provided with an eyepiece sensor 406 composed of an LED and a photocoupler. Eyepiece sensor 40
6 detects whether or not the eye EY of the photographer is in eye contact with the eyecup 46.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A microphone 47 for voice input is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the.

On the right side of the upper surface, in addition to the shutter button 9 described above, a slide-type EVF / LCD switch 49 for switching between the LCD 10 and the EVF 20 for displaying in the photographing mode, and whether or not to perform self-photographing A self-photographing switch 50 for switching between
A flash setting switch 51 for switching between automatic light emission, light emission inhibition, and constant light emission, a rotary switch 52 for switching programs and setting, and for turning on / off the power supply, and a switch for performing voice recording while the switch is pressed. A recording button 53, and selection buttons 54a and 54b, which are switches for selecting various photographing settings,
A setting display unit 55, which is a liquid crystal display unit for displaying a list of items of various settings of the photographing, is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a USB connector 56 is provided on a side surface of the digital camera 1, and a speaker 57 for sound reproduction is provided on an upper left portion of the rear surface.
Further, switches SW1 and SW2 as soft keys (function keys) for selecting display items displayed on the LCD 10 are provided below the switches. Further, on the rear right side, a four-way switch 35 including buttons U, D, L, and R is provided, and buttons U, D, L, and R are provided.
The user performs various selection switching operations described later.

The switches described above are connected to the general control unit 211, and the operation thereof is always performed by the general control unit 2.
11 is detected.

Of the above members, the focus ring 41, zoom ring 42, aperture ring 43, AF /
MF changeover switch 44, flash 5, eyecup 4
6, EVF 20, EVF / LCD switch 49, self-photographing switch 50, flash setting switch 51,
The rotary switch 52 (other than turning the power on / off), the selection buttons 54a and 54b, the shutter button 9, the recording button 53, and the microphone 47 are effective only in the shooting mode, and the quad switch 35, the switches SW1, SW2, and the speaker 57 are Only valid in playback mode,
The power on / off of the rotary switch 52, the memory card slot 501 and the LCD 10 are effective in both the photographing mode and the reproduction mode.

As can be seen from the above, all the switches (four switches 35 and switches SW1 and SW2) for performing the operation in the reproduction mode are collected on the rear side of the camera body 2 (see FIG. 3), and the photographing is performed. Switches (shutter button 9, AF
/ MF switch 44, EVF / LCD switch 49, self-photographing switch 50, flash setting switch 51, rotary switch 52, record button 53, select buttons 54a and 54b) and selectors (focus ring 41, zoom ring 42, aperture ring). 43) are all collected around the lens and on the upper surface side of the camera body 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Thus, the camera has good operability.

<2. Functional Configuration> FIG. 5 is an internal block diagram of the digital camera 1. In FIG.
Reference numeral 03 denotes a light image of a subject formed by the lens group 30 formed by converting image signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components (from a signal train of pixel signals received by each pixel). Signal)
And outputs the result. Timing generator 31
Reference numeral 4 denotes various kinds of timing pulses for controlling the driving of the CCD 303.

The exposure control in the image pickup section 3 is performed by the aperture driving actuator 40 controlled by the aperture control driver 306.
4 drives the aperture of the lens group 30 and the exposure amount of the CCD 303, that is, CC corresponding to the shutter speed.
This is performed by adjusting the charge accumulation time of D303. If an appropriate shutter speed cannot be set when the subject brightness is low, the improper exposure due to insufficient exposure is corrected by adjusting the level of the image signal output from the CCD 303. That is, when the luminance is low, the exposure control is performed by combining the shutter speed and the gain adjustment. The level adjustment of the image signal is performed in the gain adjustment of the AGC circuit in the signal processing circuit 313.

The timing generator 314 generates a drive control signal for the CCD 303 based on the reference clock transmitted from the timing control circuit 202.
The timing generator 314 generates clock signals such as integration start / end (exposure start / end) timing signals and readout control signals (horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, transfer signal, etc.) of the light receiving signal of each pixel, and the like. Output to the CCD 303.

The signal processing circuit 313 performs predetermined analog signal processing on an image signal (analog signal) output from the CCD 303. The signal processing circuit 313
It has a DS (correlated double sampling) circuit and an AGC (auto gain control) circuit. The CDS circuit reduces the noise of the image signal, and the level of the image signal is adjusted by adjusting the gain of the AGC circuit.

The sensor group 305 includes various sensors such as the focus operation sensor 401 and the zoom operation sensor 402 described above.

The dimming circuit 304 controls the light emission amount of the flash 5 during flash photography to a predetermined light emission amount set by the overall control unit 211. In flash photography, the reflected light of the flash light from the subject is received by the light control sensor included in the sensor group 305 simultaneously with the start of exposure, and when the amount of received light reaches a predetermined light emission amount, the light control circuit 304 stops light emission. A signal is output, and the light emission of the flash 5 is forcibly stopped in response to the light emission stop signal, whereby the light emission amount of the flash 5 is controlled to a predetermined light emission amount.

The A / D converter 205 converts each pixel signal of the image signal into a 12-bit digital signal. The A / D converter 205 converts each pixel signal (analog signal) into a 12-bit digital signal based on an A / D conversion clock input from the timing generation circuit.

A timing control circuit 202 for generating a clock for the timing generator 314 and the A / D converter 205 is provided. Timing control circuit 20
2 is controlled by a reference clock in the overall control unit 211.

The black level correction circuit 206 corrects the black level of the A / D converted pixel signal to a reference black level. Also, a WB (white balance) circuit 207
Performs level conversion of pixel data of each of the R, G, and B color components. The WB circuit 207 includes the overall control unit 21
Using the level conversion table input from R, G,
The level of the pixel data of each color component of B is converted. In addition,
The WB parameter, which is the conversion coefficient (gradient of the characteristic) of each color component in the level conversion table, is
It is set for each captured image automatically or manually.

The gamma correction circuit 208 corrects the gradation of pixel data.

The image memory 209 is a memory for storing the pixel data output from the gamma correction circuit 208. The image memory 209 has a storage capacity for one frame. That is, the image memory 209 has a storage capacity of pixel data for pixels corresponding to the number of CCD pixels, and each pixel data is stored in a corresponding pixel position.

The VRAM 210 is a buffer memory for image data displayed on the LCD 10. VRAM 210
Has a storage capacity of image data corresponding to the number of pixels of the LCD 10.

The VRAM 220 is a buffer memory for image data displayed on the EVF 20. VRAM 220
Has a storage capacity of image data corresponding to the number of pixels of the EVF 20.

In the photographing standby state, the imaging unit 3
After subjecting each pixel data of the image captured every 1/30 seconds to predetermined signal processing by the A / D converters 205 to γ correction circuit 208, the pixel data is temporarily stored in the image memory 209, and the overall control is performed. VRAM 21 via the unit 211
0, transferred to the VRAM 220,
0 (live view display). Immediately after the photographing, the overall control unit 211 keeps the pixel data temporarily stored in the image memory 209 and the pixel data stored in the VRAM 210 and VRAM 220 for a predetermined time at the moment when the shutter button 9 is fully pressed. As a result, the photographed image is displayed on the LCD 10 or EVF for a predetermined time.
20 is displayed (after-view display). Thereby, the photographer can visually recognize the subject image or the photographed image.

In the reproduction mode, the image read from the memory card 8 is subjected to predetermined signal processing by the overall control unit 211, and then transferred to the VRAM 210, and
It is reproduced and displayed on CD10. In the playback mode, the EVF 20 does not display an image.

The card I / F 212 is an interface for writing image data to the memory card 8 and reading image data. Also, communication I / F
Reference numeral 224 denotes a U which is used to externally connect the personal computer 225 and the like via a USB connector 56 so as to be communicable.
The interface conforms to the SB standard.

The RTC 219 is a clock circuit for managing the shooting date and time. It is driven by another power source (not shown).

The operation unit 250 is provided with the four-
5, switch SW1, SW2, shutter button 9, A
F / MF switch 44, EVF / LCD switch 49, self-photographing switch 50, flash setting switch 51, rotary switch 52, record button 53,
This is an operation member (switch) composed of the selection buttons 54a and 54b.

The shutter button 9 is a two-stage switch capable of detecting a half-pressed state in which the shutter button 9 is partially pushed and a fully-pressed state in which the shutter button 9 is completely pushed as employed in a silver halide camera.

The power control unit 230 is connected to the power supply battery E and also to each unit in the digital camera 1 that requires power other than the RTC 219, and supplies power to the units other than the general control unit 211 and the RTC 219. Control the supply. In particular, the digital camera 1 is a set of members (photographing-only function means) related only to photographing and has a photographing-only block BL that is turned on only in the photographing mode. Power is supplied to each unit requiring power only in the photographing mode, and is not supplied in the reproduction mode. At this time, the power control unit 230 performs the power control upon receiving a signal from the overall control unit 211 that the mode has shifted to the shooting mode or the reproduction mode. This reduces power consumption.

The overall control unit 211 is a microcomputer including a work RAM 211a composed of a DRAM and a flash ROM 211b.
By executing the control program stored in the memory 11b, the driving of each of the above-mentioned members is organically controlled, and the photographing operation of the digital camera 1 is totally controlled.

In particular, the overall control unit 211 has an AF control function, reads out image data stored in the image memory 209 or the work RAM 211a, and drives the focus motor M1 so that the contrast of the image is maximized. Is moved to perform focusing. In this case, a known technique such as a hill-climbing method can be used as a control method for maximizing the contrast.

The overall control unit 211 has an AE control function, obtains luminance from image data stored in the image memory 209 or the work RAM 211a, and based on the luminance, uses the aperture control driver 306 and the timing control circuit 202.
Exposure is adjusted by setting the aperture value and shutter speed (SS) suitable for.

The overall control unit 211 has a WB control function, obtains WB parameters from the image data stored in the image memory 209 or the work RAM 211a, and sets the WB parameters in the WB circuit 207. Accordingly, the WB circuit 207 performs a WB process on the image data obtained by the CCD 303.

In the photographing mode, the CCD 303
Image data is always obtained by light incident from the lens 300, but the overall control unit 211 constantly monitors the image data, and when the brightness of the image data falls below a predetermined value, Lens cap 4 on lens barrel
5 is determined to be attached.

Hereinafter, recording and reproduction of images and sounds on the memory card 8 by the overall control unit 211 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data array of the memory card 8. The memory card 8 that can be used in the digital camera 1 is of two types: a recording memory card for recording image data and audio data, and a reproduction memory card on which a captured image and audio data accompanying it are recorded. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the memory card 8 at the time of image recording can store images stored by the digital camera 1 for a predetermined compression ratio of 230 frames, and the data of each frame is , Tag information DA1 (information such as frame number, exposure value, shutter speed, compression ratio, shooting date, flash 5 on / off data at shooting, scene information, image determination result, etc.) and JPEG format The image data DA3 of the compressed high-resolution image and the image data DA4 of the thumbnail image for displaying the thumbnails can be handled in frame units. The digital camera 1 is also capable of recording (recording of audio data), and includes audio data DA2 when recording is performed. The tag information DA1 of the image file includes link information (head address of the storage area) to the audio data DA2.
Is described, and audio data DA2 is stored after the address indicated by the link information.

When the photographing is instructed by the shutter button 9 in the photographing mode, the overall control unit 211 generates the thumbnail image and the compressed image from the image taken in the image memory 209 after the photographing is instructed. Both images together with information such as tag information are stored in a memory card 8
To memorize. In the shooting mode, the recording button 5
When the record button 3 is pressed, the sound can be recorded through the microphone 47 only while the recording button is pressed. At this time, the overall control unit 211 records the sound data on the memory card 8 and the tag information of the tag information for the photographed image data. As one, link information for the audio data is recorded.

Further, in the reproduction mode, the overall control unit 211 reads out the image data having the largest frame number (most recently photographed) or the designated image data in the memory card 8, expands the data, and expands the VRAMs 210 and 220.
, The captured image is displayed on the LCD 10 or the EVF 20. Further, in the reproduction mode, the overall control unit 211 executes processing according to the menu such as audio reproduction and image processing in response to menu operations such as audio reproduction and various image processing described later.

<3. Processing procedure and setting operation>
Processing procedures and various operations in the shooting mode and the playback mode will be described.

In the photographing mode, the live view image is
Of the D10 and the EVF 20, the display is displayed on the one selected by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 49, and the photographer can use the rotary switch 52 and the selection buttons 54a, 5a.
After performing a shooting mode setting, a focus operation, an aperture operation, and a zoom operation described later by 4b, a shooting process is performed.

Here, the photographing processing is the following processing. That is, when the shutter button 9 is half-pressed, focusing, exposure adjustment, WB adjustment, and the like are performed according to the shooting mode setting. Next, when the shutter button 9 is fully depressed, a photographed image is stored in the image memory 209, an after-view display is performed for a predetermined time, and the image data is recorded on the memory card 8 if the photographer performs a save operation. Is done.

In the photographing mode, voice recording can be performed. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the audio recording process. Hereinafter, the audio recording process will be described. The following control is performed by the overall control unit 211.

First, it is determined whether or not the recording button 53 has changed (pressed) from off to on (step S5).
1) If it has not changed, nothing is executed, this routine is terminated, and if it has changed, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, when the recording button 53 is pressed, the power supply to the photographing exclusive block BL is turned off in response to the operation (step S52). Thereby, the CCD 303 and the EVF 20 are also turned off.

Next, it is determined whether or not the live view display by the LCD 10 is set (step S5).
3) If it is set, the process proceeds to the next step, and if it is not set, the process proceeds to step S55. Specifically, EV
The setting position of the F / LCD switch 49 is set to the overall control unit 2
11 detects and determines.

Next, when the live view display by the LCD 10 is set, the power supply to the LCD 10 is turned off (step S54).

Next, sound recording is started for the image having the largest frame number (step S55).

Next, it is determined whether or not the recording button 53 has been changed from on to off (returned) (step S5).
6) If it has not changed, repeat this step to continue voice recording, and if it has changed, proceed to the next step.

Next, when the recording button 53 is returned, the power supply to the photographing exclusive use block BL is turned on, and the EVF 20 returns to the original display state (step S57). However, if the original display state of the EVF 20 is off, it is turned off.

Next, it is determined whether or not the live view display by the LCD 10 is set (step S5).
8) If it is set, the process proceeds to the next step. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S60. This determination is made in the same manner as in step S53.

Next, when the live view display by the LCD 10 has been set, the power supply to the LCD 10 is turned on (step S59).

Finally, the work RA in the overall control unit 211
The audio data temporarily stored in M211a is stored in the inserted memory card 8, and the audio recording ends (step S60). At this time, link information for the audio data is recorded for the image data having the largest frame number.

As described above, in the audio recording process, the display of the EVF 20 and the LCD 10 is turned off at the time of audio recording, and at the end of the audio recording process, step S5
In steps 7 to S59, the EVF 20 and the LCD
10 display state, ie, EVF 20 and LCD 10
The on / off combination is returned to the state before the start of recording.

Next, various operations using the rotary switch 52 and the selection buttons 54a and 54b will be described.

When the rotary switch 52 is positioned at the Lock position, the power can be turned off. As described above, the power on / off operation is effective in both the shooting mode and the reproduction mode.

In the photographing mode, various settings relating to photographing can be performed by setting the rotary switch 52 to a position other than the lock position.

When the rotary switch 52 is set to the P position, the program selection, which is the selection of the program diagram used for the program photographing, is performed by the selection buttons 54a and 54.
It can be performed by the operation of b. Similarly, setting to the A position sets the aperture priority AE, setting to the S position sets the shutter priority AE, setting to the M position sets manual exposure, setting to the W position sets white balance, and setting to the G position. And the other settings, that is, the date and time setting when matched with the Set position,
a, 54b.

In the reproduction mode, the photographed image data stored in the memory card 8 is reproduced and displayed. However, in the playback mode, as described above, the power supply control unit 230 cuts off the power supply to the dedicated shooting block BL that is turned on only in the shooting mode, especially the EVF 20, so that the playback display is performed on the LCD.
Only 10 is possible.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the reproduction mode. Control of display and screen transition in the following reproduction mode is performed by the overall control unit 211.

From the LCD display OFF state or the photographing mode screen D0, a quad switch, switches SW1, SW2
When an event related to reproduction, such as an operation of pressing any of the above, is detected, the mode shifts to the reproduction mode. When the mode is shifted to the reproduction mode, a recorded image display screen D1 on which image data having the largest frame number is displayed is displayed as an initial state.
On this screen, selection items of “thumbnail” and “setting” are further displayed corresponding to the switches SW1 and SW2.
When the switch SW1 is pressed on this screen and the item of "thumbnail" is selected, the screen shifts to the thumbnail list screen D2. If the image displayed on the recorded image display screen D1 is accompanied by sound, an icon IC indicating that is displayed.

The switch SW is displayed on the thumbnail list screen D2.
Selection items of “return” and “delete” are displayed corresponding to SW1 and SW2. When button U is operated on this screen, an image with a large frame number is selected, and when button D is pressed, an image with a small frame number is selected. Then, when the switch "SW1" is pressed and the item of "RETURN" is selected in a state where the desired image is selected, the screen shifts to a recorded image display screen D1 on which the image of the selected frame number is displayed. Conversely, when the switch "SW2" is pressed to select the "delete" item, the image data of the selected frame number is deleted, and the thumbnail list screen D2 is continued.

In the recorded image display screen D1, the switch S
When W2 is pressed to select the item of "Setting", the screen shifts to the reproduction mode setting screen D3.

The switch SW is displayed on the reproduction mode setting screen D3.
Selection items of "execute" and "return" are displayed in correspondence with 1, SW2, and a list of menu items for various processes such as sound reproduction, saturation enhancement, card format, edge enhancement, and the like. Is displayed. Pressing button U on this screen selects the next higher menu item, and pressing button D selects the next lower menu item. When the switch "SW1" is pressed and the "execute" item is selected while a desired menu item is selected, a process corresponding to the menu item is executed. At that time, the screen shifts to a processing execution screen D4 displaying different contents for each processing.

FIG. 8 shows a state at the time of audio reproduction processing as the processing execution screen D4. At the time of the audio reproduction process, the audio data recorded on the memory card 8 is reproduced by the speaker 57, and as shown in FIG. 8, the progress status of the audio reproduction (reproduced time with respect to the total reproduction time) is displayed on the LCD 10 as a processing execution screen D4. ), And the image P (the most recently recorded image) with the largest frame number associated with the audio data is displayed. As described above, in the digital camera 1, the LCD 10 is on at the time of sound reproduction.

When the processing is completed, the screen shifts to the reproduction mode setting screen D3.

When the switch SW2 is pressed on the reproduction mode setting screen D3 to select the item "return", the screen returns to the recorded image display screen D1.

Note that the reproduction mode menu on the reproduction mode setting screen D3 includes image processing such as saturation enhancement processing and edge enhancement processing. When returning to the recorded image display screen D1 after this image processing, shooting is performed. An image obtained by performing the image processing on the completed image is displayed. Thus, the displayed image changes before and after the image processing.

Then, the mode shifts to the photographing mode upon detection of an event relating to photographing, such as operation of an operation member that is effective only in the photographing mode on the recorded image display screen D1.

The above is the processing procedure and operation in the reproduction mode.

<4. Transition Between Modes> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state of power on / off and transition between the shooting mode and the reproduction mode. Hereinafter, the state transition will be described with reference to FIG. The following state transition control is performed by the overall control unit 211.

When the power is turned on (step S1), first, the overall control unit 211 detects the insertion of a memory card (step S12). When the memory card is inserted, a determination process (step S13) is performed next. Do. In the determination processing, it is determined whether or not the inserted memory card 8 is write-protected. If writing is not possible, it is determined that the memory card 8 is a memory card for reproduction, and the reproduction mode MD2 is set. Conversely, if writing is possible, it is determined that the memory card is a recording memory card, and the camera is set to the photographing mode MD1.

Thus, the photographing mode MD1 or the reproduction mode MD2 (see FIG. 9) has been set. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the state transitions between the reproduction mode and the shooting mode as follows.

The mode shifts to the photographing mode upon detection of the following photographing-related event in the reproducing mode.

The transition is made by a flash operation. The flash operation is, specifically, an operation of switching between automatic light emission, light emission inhibition, and constant light emission by the flash setting switch 51, and manual pop-up or storage operation of the flash 5.

The transition is also made by detecting the eyepiece to the eyecup 46.

[0108] The operation is also shifted by a shooting mode setting operation. More specifically, the operations include program selection other than the power-off operation using the rotary switch 52 and the selection buttons 54a and 54b, aperture priority AE, shutter priority AE, manual setting, white balance setting, gain setting, and other settings. .

Further, the operation is shifted by a self-photographing operation. Specifically, a self-photographing button is pressed.

Further, the operation is shifted by a focus operation. More specifically, a focus operation by the focus ring 41 (automatic operation by the focus motor in the AF mode, a manual operation by the MF) and a switching operation between AF and MF by the AF / MF switch 44.

Further, the operation is shifted by a zoom operation. Specifically, the zoom operation is performed by the zoom ring 42.

Further, the operation is shifted by the aperture operation. Specifically, an aperture operation by the aperture ring 43 (automatic operation by the aperture drive actuator 404 at the time of AE, manual operation at the time of manual exposure).

Further, the operation is shifted by operating the shutter button. Specifically, the shutter button 9 is pressed halfway and fully pressed.

[0114] The process is also shifted by a recording operation. Specifically, the recording button 53 is pressed. By this operation, sound recording can be immediately performed on the photographed image that has been photographed most recently.

Further, the operation is shifted by the display switching operation.
Specifically, the display in the photographing mode is indicated by the LCD 10, E,
The selection is made by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 49, which of the VFs 20 is used.

Further, the operation is shifted by selecting button operation. Specifically, the selection buttons 54a and 54b are pressed.

Further, the operation is shifted by an operation of mounting a recording memory card in the memory card slot 501. However, it does not shift depending on the installation of the playback memory card.

In the photographing mode, photographing processing is performed following the setting of the photographing mode as described above.

Conversely, in the photographing mode, the mode shifts to the reproduction mode upon detection of the following event related to reproduction.

The operation is shifted by detecting the attachment of the lens cap. This detection is performed by the overall control unit 211 based on the image data from the CCD 303 as described above.

Further, the quad switch 35 and the switch SW
The transition is also made by the operations of SW1 and SW2. Specifically, FIG.
, Four switches 35 (buttons L, R, U, D) for various processes in the reproduction mode, and switches SW1,
This is a pressing operation of any one of SW2.

Further, the operation is shifted by an operation of mounting a reproduction memory card in the memory card slot 501. However, it does not change depending on the installation of the recording memory card.

In the reproduction mode, as described above, the reproduction of the photographed image and the reproduction mode setting screen D3 (FIG. 8)
Playback mode setting, which is various operations described in (1), is performed.

In both the reproduction mode and the photographing mode, the power is turned off by the power-off operation using the rotary switch 52 (FIG. 12: step S1).
4).

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the LCD 10 or the EVF 2 as the display means is used when recording the voice by the overall control unit 211 through the microphone 47.
Since 0 is turned off, power consumption can be suppressed without wastefully consuming power during audio recording.

Also, since the overall control unit 211 controls the display means to return to the original display state in response to the end of the voice recording, there is no need to return to the original display state when the voice recording ends. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed without impairing operability.

Further, since the original display state is the ON / OFF state of each of the LCD 10 and the EVF 20 before the start of the sound recording, the operation of returning each of the LCD 10 and the EVF 20 to the original state becomes unnecessary, and the operability is further impaired. There is no.

The overall control unit 211 controls the speaker 57
Since the display means is controlled to be turned on during the sound reproduction by means of, there is no need to turn on the display means during the sound reproduction, and the power consumption can be suppressed without impairing the operability.

Also, since a progress bar PB indicating the progress of the audio reproduction is displayed on the LCD 10 during the audio reproduction, the time until the end of the audio reproduction can be considered. Therefore, it is difficult to know how long the audio reproduction will continue. To the user.

[0130] Also, when recording audio, the block BL
Since power supply to the power supply is cut off, power consumption can be suppressed without wasting power during voice recording. Especially CCD
By cutting off the power supply to the power supply 303, unnecessary heat generation can be suppressed.

Further, since the overall control unit 211 controls the power supply to the photographing dedicated block BL to be restarted in response to the end of the sound recording, the work to restart the power supply to the photographing dedicated block BL at the end of the sound recording is bothersome. Is unnecessary, so that power consumption can be suppressed without impairing operability.

<5. Modified Example> Although the example of the digital camera 1 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, in the above embodiment, the display of the image in the photographing mode is performed by the EVF / LCD switch 4.
Although switching is performed only on either the EVF 20 or the LCD 10 by switching the number 9, the digital camera may be set so that both can be turned off or both can be turned on. Also in that case, at the end of the voice recording process, step S57
In step S59, the EVF 20 and the LCD 1
The display state of “0” can be returned to the state of both off or both on, which is the state before the start of recording.

Further, in the above embodiment, the progress bar is displayed to indicate the progress of the audio reproduction. However, the progress bar may be displayed by other methods such as displaying the progress ratio by a numerical value that changes every moment.

[0135]

As described above, according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the display means is turned off at the time of voice recording by the voice recording means, so that power is wasted during the voice recording. Power consumption can be reduced.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the display control means controls the display means to return to the original display state in response to the end of the voice recording. Since it is not necessary to return to the original display state at the end of the operation, power consumption can be suppressed without impairing operability.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the original display state is an on / off state of each of the electronic viewfinder and the liquid crystal display element before the start of the sound recording, each of the electronic viewfinder and the liquid crystal display element is There is no need to restore the original state, and the operability is not further impaired.

According to the inventions of claims 6 and 7, the display control means controls the display means to be turned on when sound is reproduced by the sound reproduction means. There is no need to turn on the means, and power consumption can be suppressed without impairing operability.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, since the progress information indicating the progress status of the audio reproduction is displayed on the display means at the time of the audio reproduction, the time until the end of the audio reproduction can be estimated. The user is not worried that the sound reproduction will not last.

According to the invention of claims 8 to 10, the power supply to the photographing-only function means is cut off during audio recording, so that power is not wasted when recording audio. Can be suppressed.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the photographing-dedicated function means includes a solid-state image sensor, power is not continuously supplied when the solid-state image sensor is unnecessary, so that unnecessary heat generation can be suppressed.

Further, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
Since the energization control unit controls the energization of the photographing-only function unit in response to the end of the audio recording, it is not necessary to restart the energization of the imaging-only function unit at the end of the audio recording. Power consumption can be suppressed without impairing operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of a digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of a digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an internal block diagram of the digital camera.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data array of a memory card.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a voice recording process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation in a reproduction mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating power on / off and transition between a shooting mode and a playback mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital Camera 10 LCD (Display Means) 20 EVF (Display Means) 47 Microphone 53 Record Button 57 Speaker 211 Overall Control Unit (Sound Recording Means and Display Control Means with 47, Sound Playback Means and Electricity Control Means with 57) 303 CCD ( Solid-state image sensor) BL Special block for shooting PB Progress bar (Progress information)

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/91 RF term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB12 AB15 AB66 AB67 AC03 AC11 AC13 AC32 AC34 AC42 AC52 AC69 AC71 AC72 AC73 AC80 5C052 AA17 AB04 AB05 AC08 DD02 DD06 DD08 EE02 EE08 GA02 GA03 GA06 GB01 GB06 GB07 GB09 GC05 GD03 GD09 GD10 GE08 5C053 FA06 FA08 FA27 GB06 GB28 GB36 HA30 JA01 JA12 JA22 JA23 KA08 KA24 LA06

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera comprising a display unit for displaying a photographed image and an audio recording unit for performing audio recording, further comprising a display control for turning off the display unit when the audio recording unit records audio. A digital camera comprising means. 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said display means is an electronic viewfinder. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display device. A digital camera. 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said display control means controls said display means in response to an end of said audio recording to an original display state prior to said audio recording start. A digital camera characterized by controlling to return to a display state. 5. The digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising: an electronic viewfinder and a liquid crystal display element as said display means, wherein said display control means includes: an electronic viewfinder; A digital camera, wherein each of the liquid crystal display elements can be individually turned on and off, and the original display state is an on / off state of each of the electronic viewfinder and the liquid crystal display element before the start of the audio recording. 6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the captured image and audio data recorded by the audio recording unit are associated with each other, and further, the recorded audio data A digital camera, comprising: audio playback means for playing back audio data; wherein the display control means controls to turn on the display means when audio is played back by the audio playback means. 7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display progress information indicating a progress status of the audio reproduction at the time of the audio reproduction. Digital camera. 8. A digital camera comprising: a photographing-only function unit that functions only at the time of photographing; and a sound recording unit that performs sound recording. The digital camera further includes: A digital camera, comprising: an energization control unit that interrupts energization of the digital camera. 9. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein the photographing-only function unit includes a solid-state imaging device. 10. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein said power supply control means restarts power supply to said photographing-only function means in response to termination of said audio recording. .