Abstract:
An image pickup apparatus has a plurality of modes, at least one of the modes being a mode where an imaging process is conducted, wherein the apparatus comprises: a displaying portion that displays a state; and a mode switchover operating element that is switchable to select an arbitrary one of the modes, and wherein the mode switchover operating element comprises a light transmitting member that covers the displaying portion irrespective of a mode to which the mode switchover operating element is switched.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus which has a plurality of modes, and in which at least one of the modes is a mode where an imaging process is conducted.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0004]     Many image pickup apparatuses such as cameras comprise a large number of operating elements. In order to produce a small camera which is easy to handle, as the number of operating elements is larger, the many operating elements must be arranged more adequately in a limited size. Some of such cameras are configured so that, when an operating element is operated, the operation contents are displayed on a display screen in order to enable the user to know the contents of the operation. The operation contents displayed on the screen helps the user to operate the camera, and hence it is preferable to increase the size of the display screen as much as possible. However, it is difficult to dispose such a large display screen together with a required number of operating elements on a small camera body.  
         [0005]     Even in the case where the size of the display screen is increased so as to meet the request for a large screen, when an excessive amount of information is displayed on the screen, necessary information is hardly seen. Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which, in accordance with a switching operation on a mode switchover operating element in operating elements disposed on a camera body, display contents that are not required in the selected mode are covered by a mask member, so that only necessary information corresponding to the mode is clearly displayed on a display screen (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3,370,425). However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3,370,425 is directed to assurance of easy viewing of a display screen, and does not contribute to size reduction.  
         [0006]     In a digital camera or the like, there is a case where a screen for displaying an image is not used for displaying operation contents, and a displaying portion such as LEDs for displaying operation contents is additionally disposed. In such a case, it is difficult to dispose the displaying portion while maintaining the size of the screen for displaying an image. In most situations, therefore, the size of the screen for displaying an image is slightly reduced, or the number of operating elements is decreased, so that several LEDs or a small LCD can be disposed as a displaying portion. In such situations, a cross key or the like may be disposed so as to enable items on the screen to be selected, whereby the number of operating elements is decreased or LEDs are omitted. However, not a few people think that the user can handle a camera more easily in a configuration where operating elements are disposed respectively for items and the user is requested only to conduct one-touch operation on one of the operating elements. Even in a case where a cross key or the like is disposed, it is often that only operating elements which are particularly necessary are additionally disposed together with LEDs or the like for displaying operation contents.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a hybrid camera which comprises both a digital camera and a film camera.  
         [0008]     On the back face of the body of the camera  20  shown in  FIG. 1 , disposed are an LCD panel  21  which has a size of a degree that can assure easy viewing, a mode dial  22  which has a size of a degree that can assure easy operation, and four LEDs  24  which serve as a displaying portion for displaying contents of an operation. Since the camera shown in  FIG. 1  is a hybrid camera, also a film loading check window (hereinafter, referred to as CC window)  23  is disposed in the back face of the camera body.  
         [0009]     In layout design of the back face of the body of such a camera, the components each having a minimum required size are arranged on the back face. Because of restrictions on the external shape of the camera body, however, there may inevitably arise a case where, even though the operability or easy viewing is somewhat reduced, at least one of the LCD panel  21 , the operating element  22 , the LEDs  24 , and the CC window  23  must be replaced with a component having a size which is slightly smaller.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In view of the above-discussed circumstances, it is an object of the invention to provide a camera (image pickup apparatus) in which it is not required to replace components that are to be disposed on the surface of the camera, such as a displaying portion, a display screen, operating elements, and a CC window, with those having a size which is slightly smaller.  
         [0011]     A first camera of the invention which attains the object is a camera which has a plurality of modes, at least one of the modes being a mode where an imaging process is conducted, wherein the camera comprises: a displaying portion that displays a state; and a mode switchover operating element that is switchable to select an arbitrary one of the modes, and wherein the mode switchover operating element comprises a light transmitting member that covers the displaying portion irrespective of a mode to which the mode switchover operating element is switched.  
         [0012]     According to the camera of the invention, the displaying portion is placed in a state where the portion is covered by the mode switchover operating element formed by the light transmitting member. Therefore, at least part of the operating element can be placed to overlap with the displaying portion. The space where the operating element overlaps with the displaying portion produces a dimensional latitude. Because of this latitude, it is possible to realize a camera in which it is not required to replace the mode switchover operating element and the displaying portion with those having a size which is slightly smaller.  
         [0013]     A second camera of the invention which attains the object is a camera which has a plurality of modes, at least one of the modes being a mode where an imaging process is conducted, 
        wherein the camera comprises: a mode switchover operating element that is switchable to select an arbitrary one of the modes; and a displaying portion that conducts a display having a meaning in only a first mode of the modes, and     wherein the mode switchover operating element comprises a check window that overlaps with the displaying portion when the mode switchover operating element is switched to the first mode.        
 
         [0016]     In the second camera of the invention, the check window which overlaps with the displaying portion when the mode switchover operating element is switched to the predetermined mode (the first mode) enables a display having a meaning in only the predetermined mode, to be viewed through the check window. In the first camera, the display of the displaying portion is viewed through the mode switchover operating element formed by the light transmitting member which covers the displaying portion irrespective of the mode to which the mode switchover operating element is switched. By contrast, also in a configuration where, as in the second camera, the check window is formed in the mode switchover operating element to enable the display to be viewed only in the predetermined mode, it is possible to attain the same effect as that in the first camera.  
         [0017]     In the second camera, information related to modes other than the predetermined mode is hidden, so that unnecessary information is not displayed and only necessary information is displayed to be informed to the user. Therefore, the operability of the camera is improved.  
         [0018]     In the second camera, preferably, the camera further comprises a film compartment into which a photographic film is to be loaded; and an image pickup device, wherein the first mode is a mode where the imaging process is conducted on the photographic film loaded, and a second mode of the modes is a mode where image data indicating an object is produced with the image pickup device, the second mode being different from the first mode, and wherein the displaying portion comprises a film loading check window for checking whether the photographic film is loaded into the film compartment or not.  
         [0019]     According to the configuration, in a state where the mode switchover operating element is switched to the first mode, the film loading check window serving as the displaying portion overlaps with the check window. Only when the imaging process is to be conducted on a photographic film in the state where the mode switchover operating element is switched to the first mode, therefore, it is possible to check whether a photographic film is loaded or not, through the film loading check window. As a result, only necessary information can be informed to the user when necessary. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a view showing an example in which a display screen and an operating element are placed on the back face of a camera body;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A  to  2 C are views showing the appearance of a hybrid camera which is a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the hybrid camera of  FIGS. 2A  to  2 C;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a view showing only a mode dial and an LCD panel in  FIG. 2C  so that they can be compared with those in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a view showing another embodiment;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a view showing only a mode dial in  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a view showing an example in which the mode dial of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is applied to a slide switch  200 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 2A  to  2 C are views showing the appearance of a hybrid camera which is a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]     The hybrid camera  1  comprises both a digital camera (hereinafter, referred to as DSC) and a film camera, and can take also motion pictures.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  is a front view,  FIG. 2B  is a section view taken long the center line of  FIG. 2A , as viewed from a lateral side, and  FIG. 2C  is a rear view.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 2A , a lens mount  10  is disposed at the middle of the camera body, and an imaging lens  11   a  for the film camera is incorporated in the lens mount. An imaging lens  12   a  for the DSC is disposed above the lens mount  10 . A finder  13  and a flash emission window  14  are disposed on both sides of the imaging lens  12   a  for the DSC, respectively. A shutter release button  150  is placed on the upper face of the camera body. When the release button  150  is operated, imaging instructions are transmitted to an internal controlling section.  
         [0032]     In this way, the hybrid camera  1  comprises independently a first imaging optical system for the film camera, and a second imaging optical system for the DSC.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a section view of the lens mount as viewed from a lateral side, and showing the positional relationship between a film cartridge  100  loaded into a medium compartment and an image pickup device  120 . A photographic film which is wound in the cartridge  100  loaded into the medium compartment is drawn out by a feed motor (not shown), and an imaging frame is set to an imaging plane. An object image is formed on the set imaging frame by the imaging lens  11   a  disposed in the first imaging optical system, and an object image which is identical with the object image is formed on the image pickup device  120  by the imaging lens  12   a  disposed in the second imaging optical system.  
         [0034]     In a back portion shown in  FIG. 2C , a mode switchover operating element  157 , various switch groups, and an LCD panel  101   a  on which a framing image captured by the imaging lens  12   a  in the second imaging optical system is to be displayed are arranged.  
         [0035]     An operating element  151  for instructing ON/OFF of the display screen, a menu button  152  for displaying a menu on the LCD panel  101   a , and an OK button  153  for designating a selected item when the selection menu is displayed are arranged above the LCD panel  101   a  to constitute a switch group. Furthermore, UP and DOWN keys  154  and  155  for changing a selected item displayed on the LCD panel  101   a  are arranged on the right side of the LCD panel  101   a , and a flash switchover button  156  is disposed below the keys. When the flash switchover button  156  is operated, one of flash modes such as a program flash mode and a red-eye-reduction flash mode is designated.  
         [0036]     A mode dial  157  is placed adjacent to the UP key  154  and the DOWN key  155 , and a power switch  158  is placed below the mode dial  157 . The hybrid camera shown in  FIGS. 2A  to  2 C has four modes of a DSC mode, a film mode, a motion picture mode, and a play mode. The mode dial  157  corresponds to the mode switchover operating element in the invention. Among the modes, the film mode corresponds to the first mode in the invention, and the DSC mode or the motion picture mode corresponds to the second mode in the invention. The mode dial  157  is formed by a light transmitting member. When the mode dial  157  is switched to one of the modes, one of LEDs  16   a  to  19   a  which, in the embodiment, serve as a displaying portion placed on the surface of the camera body  1   a  so as to overlap with the mode dial  157  lights up to inform the photographer of the selected mode.  FIG. 2C  shows a state where the mode dial  157  is switched to the film mode.  
         [0037]     When the mode dial  157  is switched to the film mode, the LED  16   a  lights up to inform the photographer that the selected mode is the film mode, and an imaging process using the first imaging optical system is prepared. At this time, as described above, a framing image captured by the second imaging optical system is displayed on the LCD panel  101   a , so that the photographer can conduct an imaging process while viewing the framing image or while looking through the finder. In the hybrid camera  1 , a film loading check window (hereinafter, referred to as CC window)  100   a  for checking whether a photographic film is loaded or not is opened in the camera body, so that an operation of checking whether a photographic film is loaded or not can be conducted at any time.  
         [0038]     In this way, it is checked through the mode switchover operating element and the CC window whether a photographic film is loaded or not, and a framing operation is conducted based on the framing image. When the shutter button  150  is depressed at the right moment, an object image is formed on the photographic film by the imaging lens  11   a  of the first imaging optical system. In the hybrid camera  1 , an object image which is identical with the object image captured by the imaging lens  11   a  of the first imaging optical system is formed on the light-sensitive surface of the image pickup device  120  by the imaging lens  12   a  of the second imaging optical system, and an aperture/shutter module disposed in the first imaging optical system  11  is driven on the basis of brightness information in image data produced by the image pickup device  120 , so that an object image is formed at an optimum light amount on the imaging frame of the photographic film. When the mode dial  157  is switched to the DSC mode or the motion picture mode, the LED  17   a  or  18   a  lights up to inform the photographer that the selected mode is the DSC mode or the motion picture mode. In these modes, the aperture/shutter module disposed in the first imaging optical system is not driven, image data are produced by the image pickup device  120  at the timing when the shutter button  150  is depressed, and the image data are recorded into a memory card.  
         [0039]     A zoom lens is disposed in the imaging lens  11   a  of the first imaging optical system. The focal length of the zoom lens is changed by operating a zoom switch  159  which is placed above the mode dial  157 . A back-cover release knob  1581  which is to be operated in replacement of the film is disposed beside the mode dial  157 .  
         [0040]     When the mode dial  157  is switched to the play mode, the LED  19   a  lights up to inform the photographer that the selected mode is the play mode, and an image based on image data which were obtained at the latest time among those stored in the memory card is displayed on the LCD panel  101   a . When the UP key  154  or the DOWN key  155  is operated, images based on other image data are sequentially displayed on the LCD panel  101   a.    
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the hybrid camera of  FIGS. 2A  to  2 C.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a CPU  110  and a DSP  130  cooperate to control operations of the whole hybrid camera  1  of  FIG. 1 . Programs are stored in an EEPROM  111  on the side of the CPU  110 . On the basis of the programs, the CPU  110  implements processes of controlling the operations of the whole hybrid camera.  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the CPU  110  controls the first imaging optical system on the side of the film camera, and the DSP  130  which receives instructions from the CPU  110  controls the second imaging optical system on the side of the DSC.  
         [0044]     The first imaging optical system  11  on the side of the film camera comprises: the imaging lens  11   a  including a focusing lens and the zoom lens; and the aperture/shutter module  11   b  which adjusts the light amount to be applied to the film. The second imaging optical system  12  on the side of the DSC comprises: the imaging lens  12   a  including a focusing lens; and an aperture  12   b.    
         [0045]     First, operations in the case where the mode dial is switched to the DSC mode which is the second mode will be briefly described.  
         [0046]     When the mode dial  157  is switched to the DSC mode, the LED  17   a  lights up to inform the photographer that the selected mode is the DSC mode. At the same time when the mode dial  157  is switched to the DSC mode, the imaging process is prepared so that the process can be conducted on the side of the DSC.  
         [0047]     The configuration and operation of the DSC will be briefly described.  
         [0048]     On the side of the DSC, a CMOS sensor is disposed as the image pickup device  120 . A CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) which reduces the noise level, and an AGC (Auto Gain Control) which controls the amplitude are disposed in the stage subsequent to the image pickup device  120 .  
         [0049]     In the image pickup device  120 , RGB signals are produced on the basis of the object image which is formed on a light receiving portion, i.e., the light-sensitive surface by the second imaging optical system  12 , and the produced RGB signals are supplied to the CDS/AGC  121  at predetermined intervals (for example, 33 ms) in accordance with a timing signal output from a TG (Timing Generator). By the CDS/AGC  121 , noises are removed away and the amplitudes are adjusted. The RGB signals in which noises are removed away and the amplitudes are adjusted are supplied to an A/D section  122  to be converted to digital signals. The digitized RGB signals are supplied to the DSP  130 , and adequate image processing is applied on the RGB signals. Based on the RGB signals, photometering is conducted by a photometering section  132 , and the object distance is measured by a range finder (hereinafter, referred to as AF)  131 . In the distance measurement by the AF  131 , the focusing lens must be moved. Therefore, a focus driving section  124  is disposed. The aperture must be driven in accordance with a result of the photometering by the photometering section, and hence also a driver IC  123  is disposed.  
         [0050]     The digitized RGB signals of one screen are once stored into an SDRAM  140 , and then passed through a digital I/O and an LCD controller which are incorporated in the DSP, so that the pixel arrangement pattern of RGB is changed to a format corresponding to the LCD panel  101   a . Then, the signals are transferred to the LCD panel  101   a . The digitized RGB signals of one screen are updated at intervals of 33 ms. At each updating, the image displayed on the LCD panel  101   a  is switched over so that images of an object are displayed as if they are motion picture images. The imaging process is conduced while using the image as a framing image.  
         [0051]     Next, the imaging process in the DSC mode or the motion picture mode will be described.  
         [0052]     When the shutter button  150  is depressed in a state where a framing image is displayed, a timing signal indicative of instructions for starting exposure is supplied from the TG  120   d  at the timing when the shutter button  150  is depressed, and, after an elapse of a predetermined time period, a signal indicative of instructions for ending the exposure is supplied from the TG. When the signal indicative of instructions for ending the exposure is supplied to the image pickup device  120  after an elapse of a predetermined time period from the start of the exposure, RGB signals in the image pickup device  120  are output to the CDS/AGC  121  to be supplied toward the DSP  130 , and all the RGB signals supplied to the DSP  130  are once stored into the SDRAM  140 . Thereafter, the RGB signals are read out and converted to YUV signals by the DSP  130 . The YUV signals are compressed, and a header is added to image data configured by the compressed YUV signals to form an image file, so that the image data are stored into the memory card. In the motion picture mode, a series of image data which are read out at intervals of 33 ms from the image pickup device are stored as motion picture data into the memory card. The DSP  130  further incorporates a battery check (hereinafter, referred to as BC)  133 , and the like.  
         [0053]     Next, operations in the case where the mode dial  157  is switched to the film mode which is the first mode will be described.  
         [0054]     When the mode dial  157  is switched to the film mode, the LED  16   a  lights up to inform the photographer that the selected mode is the film mode.  
         [0055]     In the hybrid camera  1 , even when the mode dial  157  is switched to the film mode, the framing image which is produced in the DSC remains to be displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the imaging process can be conducted by applying a framing operation on the framing image and then depressing the shutter button  150 .  
         [0056]     When the shutter button  150  is depressed in this way, the CPU  110  drives the aperture/shutter module  11   b  so that the imaging process is conducted on the photographic film. In the driving of the aperture/shutter module  11   b , the photometric value obtained in the photometering section  132  in the DSC is transmitted from the DSP  130  to the CPU  110 , and the opening of the aperture/shutter module  11   b  of the first imaging optical system  11  is controlled. The aperture/shutter module  11   b  is a program shutter. In order to enable the aperture/shutter module  11   b  to operate as a program shutter, combinations of an aperture and a shutter speed which are required for driving the aperture/shutter module  11   b  as the program shutter are previously recorded as aperture values into the EEPROM  111 . In accordance with the photometric value measured by the photometering section  132  in the DSC, the CPU  110  reads out one of the aperture values, and supplies the aperture value to a driver IC  11   c . The driver IC  11   c  drives the opening of the aperture/shutter module  11   b  to the maximum opening angle as time elapses so as to attain the aperture value, and, after a predetermined time period elapses, closes the aperture/shutter module.  
         [0057]     In the lower left portion of  FIG. 3 , a driving section which drives the zoom lens in the imaging lens  11   a  of the first imaging optical system  11 , the aperture/shutter module  11   b  of the first imaging optical system  11 , and the feed motor that feeds the photographic film is indicated as the single driver IC  11   c.    
         [0058]     The hybrid camera  1  further comprises a temperature measuring device  113 . In accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device, and the aperture value, the light emission time of a flash lamp  114  and the like are finely controlled. AFs  131 ,  115  which measure the object distance are disposed in both the DSC and film sides in order to correct their measured values of the object distance.  
         [0059]     In the thus configured hybrid camera, the CPU  110  controls also lighting of the displaying portion configured by the four LEDs  16   a  to  19   a.    
         [0060]      FIG. 4  shows only the mode dial and the LCD panel in  FIG. 2C  so that they can be compared with those in  FIG. 1 . Although the switch groups are shown in  FIG. 2C ,  FIG. 4  shows the back face of the camera body in which only the LCD panel  101   a  and the mode dial  157  are indicated, thereby enabling the sizes of the mode dials in  FIGS. 1 and 4  to be compared with each other.  
         [0061]     The four LEDs  16   a  to  19   a  of the displaying portion are located at positions which correspond to the film mode, the DSC mode, the motion picture mode, and the play mode, respectively. When the mode dial  157  is switched to one of the modes, corresponding one of contacts of the mode dial  157  is connected, and a signal is supplied from the connected contact to the CPU  110  (see  FIG. 3 ). The CPU  110  receives the signal, and supplies a lighting signal to one of the LEDs  16   a  to  19   a  which corresponds to the contact, so that the one of the LEDs  16   a  to  19   a  to which the lighting signal is supplied lights up. As a result of the lighting, the photographer is informed of the selected mode. Moreover, it is possible to check at any time whether a photographic film is loaded or not, through the mode dial  157  formed by a light transmitting member, and the CC window  100   a.    
         [0062]     When  FIGS. 1 and 4  are compared with each other, it will be seen that the configuration where the LEDs  16   a  to  19   a  serving as a displaying portion, and the CC window  100   a  are placed so as to overlap with the mode dial  157  formed by a light transmitting member enables both the components to be disposed on a compact camera body even when the size of the mode dial  157  is increased.  
         [0063]      FIG. 5  is a view showing another embodiment.  
         [0064]     The embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in  FIGS. 2A  to  2 C except that a mode dial  157 A is configured in a different manner.  
         [0065]      FIG. 6  is a view showing only the mode dial in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 6  shows the embodiment where the displaying portion in the invention which conducts a display having a meaning in only a predetermined mode is formed as a film loading check window.  
         [0067]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the mode dial  157 A having the film mode, the DSC mode, the motion picture mode, and the play mode has a check window  1571 A which, in a state where the mode dial is switched to the film mode, overlaps with a displaying portion, or, in the embodiment, the CC window  100   a  opened in the camera body. Only when the mode dial  157 A is switched to the film mode, the check window  1571 A overlaps with the CC window  100   a  to enable the photographer to check whether a photographic film is loaded or not.  
         [0068]     In the case where it is not required to conduct a display when the mode dial  157 A is switched to a mode other than the film mode, the above configuration may be employed. When compared with  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the mode dial  157 A in which the size is increased by a degree corresponding to the overlapping with the CC window  100   a  is disposed. It is possible to attain another effect that information related to modes other than the predetermined mode is hidden and only necessary information is informed to the operator.  
         [0069]      FIG. 7  shows an example in which the configuration of the mode dial of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is applied to a slide switch  200 .  
         [0070]     The configuration of  FIG. 5  can be applied to such a slide switch  200 . In the case where there is a space corresponding to the width and length of the slide switch  200 , when a check window  200 A overlaps with the slide switch  200  and the CC window  100   a , the CC window  100   a  functions as a displaying portion so that it is possible to visually check whether a photographic film is loaded or not, through the check window  200 A and the film loading check window  100   a.    
         [0071]     In the above, the invention has been described with taking a hybrid camera as an example. Alternatively, the image pickup apparatus may be a digital camera, a single-lens reflex camera, or the like. The example in which the predetermined mode is the film mode and the displaying portion which conducts a display having a meaning in only the film mode is the film loading check window has been described. Various displaying portions may be employed as the displaying portion which conducts a display having a meaning in a predetermined mode. In the case where the predetermined mode is the flash mode, for example, information having a meaning in only the flash mode may be that indicating whether a power necessary for flash light is charged in a main capacitor or not.  
         [0072]     As described above, it is possible to realize a camera in which an operating element formed by a light transmitting member is disposed so as to overlap with LEDs of a displaying portion, and, even when a dedicated operation displaying portion is disposed, the display screen and the operating element are not requested to be reduced in size. Moreover, it is possible to realize a camera which has a mode dial having a size that is increased by a degree corresponding to a space where LEDs are conventionally disposed, and which is therefore easy to operate.  
         [0073]     As described above, it is possible to realize a camera in which it is not required to replace components that are to be disposed on the surface of the camera, such as a displaying portion, a display screen, operating elements, and a CC window, with those having a size which is slightly smaller.  
         [0074]     The entire disclosure of each and every foreign patent application from which the benefit of foreign priority has been claimed in the present application is incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth.