JPH02306229A - Trimming camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set a pseudo panorama mode only with a simple operation by controlling in such a manner that a motor-operated zoom lens is driven to the shortest focal distance in response to the set of the pseudo panorama mode. CONSTITUTION:The pseudo panorama mode is set when the index mark 30A of a photographic screen mode switching member 30 on the top of the camera 3 faces an index mark 30W; in response to that, a switch 41 is turned on; the zoom lens 34 is zoomed down toward the shortest focal distance by rotating a zoom motor 47A in the normal direction. Thus, the pseudo panorama mode can be set by the single operation regardless of the focusing position of the zoom lens. In addition, a pseudo telephoto mode can be similarly set by the operation of the index mark 30T.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a trimming camera that can input information onto a film or the like to enable a printer to automatically trim a specific part of a photographic screen. , information necessary to obtain a pseudo-panoramic photo that is wider than the normal screen aspect ratio by cropping the top and bottom of the shooting screen, or a pseudo-telephoto photo that is trimming the top, bottom, left, and right peripheral areas of the shooting screen on film, etc. Regarding the trimming camera that can be input.

[Conventional technology]

A conventional camera of this type is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,678,299.

The camera shown here is equipped with a zoom lens whose focal length can be varied from the shortest focal length to the longest focal length by manual zoom operation.

In order to capture a pseudo-panoramic image, it was necessary to perform a continuous zoom operation to set the zoom lens to the shortest focal length, and then to set the camera to pseudo-panoramic shooting mode. Only after these two operations were performed could the code information indicating pseudo-panoramic photography be imprinted on the film near the photographic screen during photography.

Also, in the case of pseudo-telephoto shooting, by setting the zoom lens to the longest focal length using the zoom operation and then setting the zoom lens to pseudo-telephoto shooting mode, a code indicating pseudo-telephoto shooting is issued. Information could be imprinted on the film near the photographic screen as the image was taken.

These code information are automatically detected by the printer after the film is developed, and the printer prints a pseudo-panoramic photo or pseudo-telephoto based on this information.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

For such a configuration, the conventional camera described above requires an operation to set the zoom lens to the shortest or longest focal length, and a pseudo-panoramic or pseudo-telephoto shooting mode when taking pseudo-panoramic or pseudo-telephoto photos. Since two operations are required to set the image, the operation takes time, and there is a risk that a photo opportunity may be missed during the operation.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve this problem, the invention of claim 1 adopts the following configuration.

Electric zoom lens (31, 43, 44, 40, 47, 4
7A, 34), a setting means (30, 41) for setting a pseudo-panoramic mode for obtaining a pseudo-panoramic shooting screen (11) in which the upper and lower portions of the shooting screen are cropped, and responsive to the setting of the pseudo-panoramic mode, A trimming camera (3) characterized in that it has a control means (40) for controlling the electric zoom lens to drive it to the shortest focal length position.

The invention set forth in claim 2 employs the following configuration.

Electric zoom lens (31, 43, 44, 40°47.4
7A, 34), setting means (30, 42) for setting a pseudo-telephoto mode for obtaining a pseudo-telephoto shooting screen (21) in which the left, right, top, and bottom portions of the shooting screen are cropped; A trimming camera (3) comprising: a control means (40) for controlling the electric zoom lens to drive the electric zoom lens to a maximum focal length position.

The invention set forth in claim 3 employs the following configuration.

A photographic lens (80), a wide conversion lens (80W) that is inserted into the optical path of the photographic lens and widens the angle of the photographic lens, and in response to the insertion of the wide conversion lens, the upper and lower portions of the photographic screen are trimmed. A trimming camera (8) comprising a setting means (82) for setting a pseudo-panoramic mode for obtaining a pseudo-panoramic photographic screen (11).

The invention set forth in claim 4 employs the following configuration.

A photographic lens (80), a teleconversion lens (80T) that is inserted into the optical path of the photographic lens and makes the photographic lens telephoto; Setting means (8) for setting a pseudo-telephoto mode to obtain a cropped pseudo-telephoto shooting screen (21)
2) A trimming camera (8) characterized by having
).

[Effect]

As described above, according to the camera of the invention of item 1 or 2, no matter what focal length the zoom lens is at, a single operation can change the zoom lens to its shortest or longest focal length. settings and settings for pseudo-panorama or pseudo-telephoto mode.

Further, according to the camera of the invention as set forth in item 3 or 4, the pseudo-photograph is automatically created in response to a single operation of inserting a wide conversion lens that changes the focal length to wide-angle or a teleconversion lens that changes the focal length to telephoto into the photographing optical path. Panorama mode or pseudo-telephoto mode can now be set.

In either invention, the operation can be performed easily and quickly, so that it is possible to prevent the user from missing a photo opportunity due to time-consuming operation.

Ta.

〔Example〕

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a developed film 1 photographed by a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

On the film 1 shown in FIG. 1, a normal photographic screen 10 photographed with a zoom lens set at the shortest focal length and a pseudo panoramic photographic screen 11 are formed. The upper and lower portions of the pseudo-panoramic shooting screen 11 surrounded by broken lines are
The image is cropped during printing to create a horizontal pseudo-panoramic photo.

Note that both screens 10 and 11 capture the same scene. Pseudo-panoramic information 12 is recorded between the perforations below the photographic screen 11, indicating that the photographic screen 11 located above is a pseudo-panoramic screen that should be blanked.

The film 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a normal photographic screen 20 taken with the zoom lens set at its longest focal length and a pseudo-telephoto photographic screen 21. The upper, lower, left, and right portions of the pseudo-telephoto shooting screen 21 surrounded by broken lines are trimmed when printing, thereby obtaining a pseudo-telephoto.

Note that both screens 20 and 21 capture the same scene.

Between the perforations below the photographic screen 21, pseudo-telephoto information 22 indicating that the photographic screen 21 located above is a pseudo-telephoto screen that should be blanked is recorded at a different position from the pseudo-panorama information 12.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the camera 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. A photographing screen mode switching member 30 is disposed on the top surface of the camera 3.

An index 30A is printed on the rear side of the switching member 30, and when this index 30A is opposed to the index 3ON on the top of the camera, the normal mode is set, and the normal shooting screen 10 in FIG. 1 and the index 3ON in FIG. The normal photographing screen 20 is now in a state where it can be photographed. When the index 30A faces the index 30W, the pseudo panoramic mode is set, and the pseudo panoramic photographing screen 11 of FIG. 1 becomes ready for photographing. Index 30A to index 3
When facing 0T, pseudo-telephoto mode is set and the second
The pseudo-telephoto shooting screen 20 shown in the figure becomes ready for shooting.

A zoom lens 34 is disposed in front of the camera 3.

A zoom operation member 31 is provided on the back of the camera 3. When you press the right side 31W, the zoom lens 3
4 zooms down and presses the left side 31T, during which time the zoom lens 34 zooms up.

Furthermore, a release button 32 for starting photography is provided on the top surface of the camera 3, and a finder eyepiece 33 is provided on the back surface.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing only the portion of the same embodiment related to the present invention. Central control circuit (CPU)
40 generally controls the operation of the camera 3.

The input port of this CPU 40 has five switches 41.
.about.45 and a focal length encoder 46 are connected.

The switch 41 is turned on when the index 30A of the switching member 30 shown in FIG. 3 is opposed to the index 30W, and generates a signal for setting the pseudo panorama mode. The switch 42 is turned on when the indicator 30A of the switching member 30 faces the indicator 30T, and generates a signal for setting the pseudo-telephoto mode.

The switch 43 is turned on when the left side 31W of the zoom operation member 31 in FIG. 3 is pressed, and generates a signal for zooming down. The switch 44 is the zoom operation member 31
Pressing the right side 31T turns it on and generates a signal for zooming up. The switch 45 is turned on when the release button 32 is pressed and generates a signal to start a photographing operation.

Focal length encoder 46 generates focal length information indicating which focal length state zoom lens 34 is in.

A zoom motor drive circuit 4 is connected to the output port of the CPU 40.
7. A photographing screen mode information recording circuit 48 and a photographing screen mode display circuit 49 are connected.

A zoom motor 47A is connected to the zoom motor drive circuit 47. The drive circuit 47 rotates the motor 47A forward and reverse in response to a control signal from the CPU 40.
The zoom lens 34 is zoomed down and zoomed up.

Light emitting diodes 48W and 48T are connected to the photographing screen mode information recording circuit 48. The recording circuit 48
In response to a control signal from the PU 40, the light emitting diode 48W is turned on to record the pseudo panoramic information 12 shown in FIG. As photography is carried out, the light emitting diode 48T is turned on and the pseudo-telephoto information 22 shown in FIG. 2 is recorded on the film 1.

The photographing screen mode display circuit 49 includes a light emitting diode 49.
W, 49T are connected. The display circuit 49 is a CPU
In response to the control signal from 40, the light-emitting diode 49W is turned on when the pseudo-panoramic mode is set, and the light-emitting diode 49 is turned on when the pseudo-telephoto mode is set.
Turn on T. Surface emitting diodes 49W and 49T are
It is disposed at a position observable from the finder eyepiece 33 in FIG. 3, so that it is possible to confirm which photographing screen mode is set even when looking through the finder eyepiece 33.

Next, the operation of this embodiment controlled by the CPU 40 will be explained in the fifth section.
The process will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

Note that the normal zoom operation by operating the zoom operation member 31 is well known and is therefore not shown in the flowchart. This zoom operation is performed on the left side 3 of the zoom operation member 31.
When the switch 43 is turned on by pressing 1W, the zoom motor 47A is rotated normally via the zoom motor drive circuit 47, and the zoom lens 34 is zoomed down to the shortest focal length position. This zoom down is done on the left side 31
As long as W is kept pressed, that is, while the switch 43 is on, the focusing continues until the shortest focal length position is reached. When the shortest focal length position is reached, power to the motor 47A is cut off even if the switch 43 is on. Similarly, when the switch 44 is turned on by pressing the right side 31T of the zoom operation member 31, the zoom motor 47A is reversed via the zoom motor drive circuit 47, and the zoom lens 3
4 toward the longest focal length position and zoom up. This zoom-up is possible while holding down the right side 31T.
That is, it continues while the switch 44 is on. However, when the longest focal length position is reached, even if the switch 44 is on, the power to the motor 47A is cut off.

The flowchart in FIG. 5 shows the setting operation of the pseudo panoramic mode. This operation is performed by the index 3 of the switching member 30.
The process starts by placing 0A facing the indicator 30W and turning on the switch 41 (step 50).

In the next step 51, the memory in the CPU 40 (a flag indicating that the pseudo panorama mode has been set) is set.
Proceed to step 52.

In step 52, the light emitting diode 49W is turned on via the photographing screen mode display circuit 49 to display that the pseudo panorama mode has been set.

In the next step 53, it is determined from the focal length information from the focal length encoder 46 whether the zoom lens 34 is currently at the shortest focal length position.

If the zoom lens 34 is at the shortest focal length position, the process skips to step 55; if it is not at the shortest focal length position, the process proceeds to the next step 54.

In step 54, zooming down is performed via the zoom motor drive circuit 47 and zoom motor 47A until the zoom lens 34 reaches its shortest focal length. When focal length information indicating that the zoom lens 34 has reached the shortest focal length position is obtained from the focal length information of the focal length encoder 46, this zooming down is stopped and the process proceeds to step 55.

In step 55, the process returns to the main routine (not shown), and the operation of this flowchart ends.

The flowchart in FIG. 6 shows the setting operation of the pseudo-telephoto mode. This operation is performed by the indicator 30A of the switching member 30.
The process starts by turning on the switch 42 while facing the index 30T (step 60).

In the next step 61, a flag indicating that the pseudo-telephoto mode has been set is set in the memory in the CPU 40, and the process proceeds to step 62.

In step 62, the light emitting diode 49T is turned on via the photographing screen mode display circuit 49 to display that the pseudo-telephoto mode has been set.

In the next step 63, it is determined from the focal length information from the focal length encoder 46 whether the zoom lens 34 is currently at the longest focal length position.

If the zoom lens 34 is at the longest focal length position, the process skips to step 65, and if it is not at the longest focal length position, the process proceeds to the next step 64.

In step 64, zoom-up is performed via the zoom motor drive circuit 47 and zoom motor 47A until the zoom lens 34 reaches its longest focal length. When focal length information indicating that the zoom lens 34 has reached the longest focal length position is obtained from the focal length information of the focal length encoder 46, this zoom-up is stopped and the process proceeds to step 65.

In step 65, the process returns to the main routine (not shown), and the operation of this flowchart ends.

The flowchart in FIG. 7 shows a photographing operation and a pseudo-panoramic or pseudo-telephoto information recording operation performed in conjunction with the photographing operation. This operation is started by pressing the release button 32 and turning on the switch 45 (step 700).

In the next step 701, the diaphragm, shutter, etc. are operated to take an image on the film 1.

In step 702, it is determined whether or not there is a pseudo panorama flag. If there is, the process proceeds to the next step 703; if not, the process skips to step 707.

In step 703, the photographing screen mode information recording circuit 48
The light emitting diode 48W is turned on to record the pseudo panoramic information 12 on the film 1.

In the next step 704, the pseudo panoramic flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step 705.

In step 705, the light emitting diode 49W, which had been displaying the pseudo panorama mode, is turned off via the photographing screen mode display circuit 49, and the process proceeds to step 706.

In step 706, the process returns to the main routine (not shown), and the operation of this flowchart ends.

In step 707, it is determined whether or not there is a pseudo-telephoto flag. If there is, the process proceeds to the next step 708; if not, the process skips to step 706 and ends the operation.

In step 708, the photographing screen mode information recording circuit 4B
, the light emitting diode 48T is turned on, and the pseudo telephoto information 22 is recorded on the film 1.

In the next step 709, the pseudo-telephoto flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step 710.

In step 710, the light emitting diode 49T, which was displaying the pseudo-telephoto mode, is turned off via the photographing screen mode display circuit 49, and then the process proceeds to step 706, and the operation of this flowchart ends.

According to the above embodiment, setting the pseudo panoramic mode or pseudo telephoto mode and zooming the zoom lens 34 to the shortest focal length or the longest focal length can be performed by a single operation of turning on the switch 41 or 42. This provides excellent operability and prevents you from missing a photo opportunity.

Note that in the above embodiments, the switches 41 and 42 for setting the shooting screen mode and the switches 43 and 44 for zoom control were provided separately, but the functions of the switches 41 and 42 are
switch 43 or 44, switch 41.4
2 can also be omitted. To do this, for example, if the switch 43 or 44 is turned on and off twice or more within a short period of about 1 second, the pseudo panorama mode or the pseudo telephoto mode may be set.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a camera 8 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

A single focus photographing lens 80, a finder objective window 81, and a photographing screen mode switching member 82 are disposed on the front surface of the camera 8.

A wide conversion lens 80W and a teleconversion lens 80T are arranged on both the left and right sides of the photographic lens 80.

Furthermore, a wide conversion lens 8+W and a teleconversion lens 81T are arranged on both the left and right sides of the finder objective window 81.

An indicator 82A is printed on the front surface of the switching member 82.

When this indicator 82A faces the indicator 82N on the front of the camera, the normal mode is set.

When the index 82A is moved to a position facing the index 82W, the pseudo panoramic mode is set, and the wide conversion lens 80W is inserted in the front of the photographic lens 80 to widen the angle of the photographic lens 80, and the viewfinder objective window Wide conversion lens 8 behind 81
1W is inserted, and the angle of view of the finder becomes wider commensurate with the wider angle of the photographing lens 80.

Setting of this pseudo panorama mode is performed by omitting steps 53 and 54 of the flowchart of FIG.

When the index 82A faces the index 82T, the pseudo-telephoto mode is set, and the teleconversion lens 80T is inserted in the front of the photographic lens 80.
0 is made telephoto, and a teleconversion lens 81T is inserted behind the finder objective window 81, so that the angle of view of the finder is narrowed to the extent that the photographic lens 80 is made telephoto.

Setting of this pseudo-telephoto mode is performed by omitting steps 63 and 64 in the flowchart of FIG.

A release button 83 is provided on the top surface of the camera 8.

The photographing operation of this camera is similar to that shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, so the explanation will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, in response to a single operation of inserting the wide conversion lens 80W for switching the focal length to wide-angle or the teleconversion lens 80T for switching to telephoto into the photographing optical path, pseudo-panoramic mode or pseudo-telephoto mode is automatically activated. Once the settings are set, all you have to do is shoot.
Information necessary to obtain pseudo-panoramic photos or pseudo-telephotos can be recorded.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As mentioned above, the camera of the invention of item 1 or 2 (3
), no matter what focal length a zoom lens has,
By adding a single operation, the zoom lens can now be set to its shortest or longest focal length and set to pseudo-panoramic or pseudo-telephoto mode.

Further, according to the camera (8) of the invention as set forth in item 3 or 4, the camera automatically adjusts the focal length in response to a single operation of inserting a wide conversion lens that changes the focal length to wide-angle or a teleconversion lens that changes the focal length to telephoto into the photographing optical path. Pseudo-panorama mode or pseudo-telephoto mode can now be set.

Therefore, in any of the inventions, since the operation can be performed easily and quickly, it is possible to prevent the user from missing a photo opportunity due to time-consuming operation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 and 2 are plan views showing a film taken with the camera of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 shows the electrical system of the embodiment. FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the same embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) an electric zoom lens; a setting means for setting a pseudo-panoramic mode for obtaining a pseudo-panoramic photographic screen in which the upper and lower portions of the photographic screen are cropped; 1. A trimming camera comprising: a control means for controlling the drive to a focal length position. (2) an electric zoom lens; a setting means for setting a pseudo-telephoto mode for obtaining a pseudo-telephoto shooting screen in which the left, right, top, and bottom portions of the shooting screen are cropped; 1. A trimming camera comprising: control means for controlling the camera to drive the camera to the longest focal length position. (3) A photographic lens, a wide conversion lens that is inserted into the optical path of the photographic lens to widen the photographic lens, and a pseudo panorama in which the upper and lower parts of the photographic screen are trimmed in response to the insertion of the wide conversion lens. 1. A trimming camera comprising: a setting means for setting a pseudo-panoramic mode for obtaining a photographic screen. (4) A photographic lens, a teleconversion lens that is inserted into the optical path of the photographic lens to make the photographic lens telephoto, and a pseudo-photograph that trims the top, bottom, left and right parts of the photographic screen in response to the insertion of the teleconversion lens. 1. A trimming camera comprising a setting means for setting a pseudo-telephoto mode to obtain a telephoto shooting screen.