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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line of sight; and
control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of displays
indicated by said display means in accordance with said line-of-sight
position and said instruction,
wherein said control means erases at least the non-selected displays and
executes the contents of the selected display.
2. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
3. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
4. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
5. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
6. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
7. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
8. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
9. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means
blinks the selected display.
10. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means
erases the executed selected display after the execution thereof.
11. A selection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising alarm
means for giving an alarm when the selected display is regarded as
invalid.
12. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line of sight; and
control means which, when said line-of-sight position detecting means
detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, and an
instruction is input through said input means, selects the display on
which the line-of-sight position has been detected, and which, when
execution of the contents of the selected display is impossible, cancels
the selecting operation.
13. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
14. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
15. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
16. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
17. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
18. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
19. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
20. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means
further differentiates a status of display of the selected display from
those of the non-selected displays.
21. A selection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means
erases the non-selected displays.
22. A selection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means
blinks the selected display.
23. A selection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means
further executes contents of the selected display, and after the executing
operation, said control means erases the executed selected display.
24. A selection apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising alarm
means for giving an alarm when the selected display is regarded as
invalid.
25. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line of sight; and
control means which, when said display means indicates all the displays on
the same screen in response to an instruction input through said input
means, and said line-of-sight position detecting means detects the
line-of-sight position on any of said displays, selects the display on
which the line-of-sight position has been detected, erases at least the
non-selected displays, and executes the contents of the display thus
selected.
26. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
27. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
28. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
29. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
30. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
31. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
32. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
33. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said control means
blinks the selected display.
34. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said control means
further erases the executed selected display.
35. A selection apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising alarm
means for giving an alarm when the selected display is regarded as
invalid.
36. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line-of-sight; and control means which,
when the instruction to change from a selected function to another
function is input by said input means, controls said display means to
indicate all the displays on the same screen by illuminating them, and
which, when said line-of-sight detecting means detects the line-of-sight
position of any of said displays, controls said display means to
differentiate a status of display of the display on which said
line-of-sight position has been detected from those of other displays on
which said line-of-sight position has not been detected.
37. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
38. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
39. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
40. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
41. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
42. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
43. A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
44. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line of sight; and
control means which, when said input means is in a first condition, selects
one of said displays in accordance with said line-of-sight position, and,
which, when said input means is in a second condition, differentiates a
status of display of the selected display from those of the non-selected
displays and executes the contents of the display selected.
45. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
46. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
47. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
48. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
49. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
50. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
51. A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
52. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line of sight; and
control means which, if said line-of-sight position detecting means detects
said line-of-sight position on one of said displays when said input means
is in a first condition, selects the display on which said line-of-sight
position has been detected and moves the selected display in accordance
with a movement of said line-of-sight position, and, which, when said
input means is in a second condition, stops the movement of the selected
display.
53. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
54. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
55. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
56. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
57. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
58. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
59. A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
60. A selection apparatus comprising:
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on a screen;
display means for indicating on the same screen (i) a plurality of displays
and (ii) a marker which shows the detected line-of-sight position;
input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input
means operating without using a line-of-sight; and
control means which, when said input means is in a first condition,
extinguishes the displays except the marker, and which, when said input
means is in a second condition, selectively shows a display indicated by
said display means at the line-of-sight position where the marker has been
indicated.
61. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said display means
comprises a finder of a camera.
62. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said display means
comprises a monitor.
63. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said input means
comprises a push-button switch.
64. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said input means
comprises a dial switch.
65. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said input means
comprises a lever switch.
66. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said displays
comprise character information.
67. A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said displays
comprise picture information.
68. A selection apparatus comprising:
display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen;
line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight
position of an operator on said screen; and
control means for moving at least one of said plurality of displays
indicated on said screen in accordance with the line-of-sight position of
the operator detected by said line-of-sight position detecting means, and
for inhibiting said display from moving to a position where another
display has been indicated on said screen. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a selection apparatus which is to be used
when an operator selects a desired function from a plurality of functions
of a multi-function apparatus using, in particular, the operator's line of
sight.
2. Description of the Related Art
A "function operation," which requires an operator of an apparatus to
visually observe changes in circumstances during operation so as to
operate the apparatus in accordance with the circumstances thus observed,
is very common in apparatuses produced as consumer goods as well as in
apparatuses for use in special fields. Typical examples of such
apparatuses produced as consumer goods include automobiles and cameras.
Typical examples of the apparatuses for use in special fields include
machining apparatuses equipped with a microscope and remote control
apparatuses using a video camera.
In particular, in a functional apparatus, such as a camera or a microscope,
in which the operator applies his or her eye to the eyepiece section when
operating the apparatus, it is necessary that the switches and other
operating members should be situated in such a way that the operator can
be sure of their positions without a visual check. It would be
inconvenient for the operator if he had to separate the eye from the
eyepiece section upon each operation to be sure of the position of the
relevant switch or operating member. Moreover, the need to visually check
the position of the switch, etc. would make it impossible for the operator
to visually observe changes in the circumstances, with the result that
there is a fear that the apparatus will be prevented from being properly
operated.
In view of this, various ideas have been proposed regarding the arrangement
of switches, operating members, etc. of such apparatuses.
In the field of cameras, for example, an arrangement is generally adopted
in which the release button is situated where the forefinger naturally
comes to rest when the user holds the camera in his hands. Similarly, in a
video camera, the recording start switch is generally situated where the
thumb rests, and the scaling switches are arranged where the index and
middle fingers are to be placed. Further, the plurality of function
switches with which the camera is equipped are made in different sizes or
provided with rough surfaces having different peculiar feels to the touch
so that the switches may be easily identified, whereby it is possible for
a multi-function apparatus to be correctly operated.
In functional apparatuses produced as consumer goods, a rapid reduction in
size and weight is in progress with the increase in the number of
functions. The reduction in size and weight has led to a substantial
reduction in the surface area of the apparatus, resulting in a problem
that all the switches cannot be arranged on the apparatus or, if they can,
no space is available for imparting distinctive sizes and shapes to them.
Further, as a result of the increase in the number of functions, there has
emerged a problem that there is a limit to the variety of rough surfaces,
i.e., the different peculiar feels to the touch, to be imparted to the
plurality of switches.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the layout of basic function selecting switches
in a conventional video camera. In the drawing, numeral 1 indicates a
video camera having a body 2, on a side surface of which there are
arranged: a switch 3 for effecting superimposition of a character title on
an image, a switch 4 for effecting fade-in and out, a switch 5 for
imparting dates to pictures, a switch 6 for switching between auto and
manual focusing, etc. Further, scaling switches 7 and 8 for scaling in the
tele-end and wide-angle-end directions are arranged in that section of the
body 2 where the index and middle fingers of the photographer lie. When
the photographer 9 photographs a subject 11 while observing it through a
finder 10 in the body 2, he manipulates the above switches 3 through 8 as
needed.
Thus, in the conventional video camera 1, it is necessary to manipulate a
number of switches, 3 through 8, during photographing, which is not only
inconvenient but may also lead to an uncertain manipulation of the
switches, resulting in an erroneous operation.
In an actual multi-function video camera, more switches are provided in
addition to the switches 3 through 8 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, it is
practically impossible to correctly manipulate such a large number of
switches without visually checking their positions.
To overcome this problem, the present inventor proposed in Japanese Patent
Applications No. 3-257795 and 4-202 a system (which will be referred to as
the "prior invention") according to which camera function menus are
displayed in the finder through which the photographer looks when
photographing and, from the line of sight of the photographer, which is
observed by a line-of-sight detector arranged in the eyepiece section, it
is determined at which of the function menus displayed in the finder he is
gazing. Then, the function corresponding to the function menu the
photographer is gazing at is caused to be carried out, thus enabling the
photographer to properly select a desired function without separating his
eye from the finder.
In the above-described system of the previous invention, selection of a
menu from the selectable function menus displayed in the finder is
executed far less often as compared with the operation of the entire
apparatus (i.e., photographing). Therefore, there is no need to constantly
display the function menus in the finder. If constantly displayed in the
finder, the menus would become a nuisance to the user, who keeps looking
through the finder throughout the operation. Further, for the function
menus to be displayed in the finder in such a way as not to be an obstacle
to the operation the user performs while looking through the finder, the
number of function menus must be limited.
In addition, the above system, in which the line of sight of the operator
is constantly observed so as to make the apparatus always ready for any of
the functions looked at by the operator, has a problem in that the
operator may look at the wrong menu, resulting in malfunction of the
camera.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
selection apparatus in which not only can the operator select a desired
function without a visual check of the relevant switch, but such selection
is optional according as whether the operator desires to do so or not. For
improved operability, the apparatus includes: a display means for
displaying a plurality of display items on the same screen; line-of-sight
position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight of an operator on
said screen; an input means by which the operator inputs instructions to
the apparatus; and a control means for performing a selecting operation
according to the line-of-sight position and the input instructions.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a selection apparatus
comprises display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same
screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided for detecting
a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen. Input means are
provided through which the operator inputs an instruction. Control means
are provided which, when the line-of-sight position detecting means
detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, and an
instruction is input through said input means, selects the display on
which the line-of-sight position has been detected.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a selection
apparatus includes display means for indicating a plurality of displays on
the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means is provided for
detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen. Input
means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction.
Control means are provided which, when said display means indicates all
the displays on the same screen in response to an instruction input
through said input means, and said line-of-sight position detecting detect
the line-of-sight position of any of said displays, selects the display on
which the line-of-sight position has been detected and executes the
contents of the display thus selected.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a selection
apparatus comprises display means for indicating a plurality of displays
on the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided
for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen.
Control means are provided which, when the display means indicates all the
displays on the same screen by illuminating them, and said line-of-sight
position detecting means detects the line-of-sight position on any of said
displays, control said display means in such a way that the display at
which said line-of-sight position has been detected is flashed.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a selection
apparatus includes a display means for indicating a plurality of displays
on the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means is provided for
detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen. Input
means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction.
Control means are provided which, when said input means is in a first
condition, selects one of said displays in accordance with said
line-of-sight position, and, which, when said input means is in a second
condition, executes the contents of the display selected.
According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, a selection
apparatus includes display means for indicating a plurality of displays on
the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided for
detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen. Input
means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction.
Control means are provided which, if said line-of-sight position detecting
means detects said line-of-sight position on one of said displays when
said input means is in a first condition, selects the display on which
said line-of-sight position has been detected and moves the selected
display in accordance with a movement of said line-of-sight position, and,
which, when said input means is in a second condition, stops the movement
of the display.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a selection
apparatus comprises display means for indicating a plurality of displays
on the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided
for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen.
Input means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction.
Control means are provided which, when said input means is in a first
condition, extinguishes the display given by said display and, which, when
said input means is in a second condition, selectively shows a display
obtained by said display means at the line-of-sight position detected.
Other objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the basic layout of function
selecting switches in a conventional video camera;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a video camera
equipped with a selection apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is an external view of the video camera;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the construction of an E.M switch in the video
camera;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display of function menus
shown in the finder of the video camera;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of selection procedures in the
selection apparatus provided in the video camera;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of selection procedures in a
selection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of menu nominating procedures in a
selection apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of all menu illuminating procedures
in still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of instruction output procedures in
a selection apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of instruction output procedures in
a selection apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 12 is block diagram showing the construction of a video camera
equipped with a selection apparatus according to still another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the construction of a switch unit in a video
camera according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a bottom view taken along line A--A of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of selection procedures in a
selection apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the
operator in a selection apparatus according to still another embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the
operator and specific methods for executing various processes in the
selection apparatus;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the
operator and specific methods for executing various processes in the
selection apparatus;
FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing display areas in a selection
apparatus;
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a table for storing function menus in a
selection apparatus;
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the movement of function menus
displayed on a monitor screen in a finder of a selection apparatus;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the
operator in a selection apparatus according still another embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the
operator and specific methods for executing various processes in the
selection apparatus;
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the
operator and specific methods for executing various processes in the
selection apparatus;
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation procedures for the operator
and specific methods for executing various processes in the selection
apparatus;
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the movement of a marker
displayed on the monitor screen of the finder of a selection apparatus;
and
FIG. 27 is a diagram for illustrating a method of registering new function
menus in the selection apparatus by utilizing a memory for storing
function discriminating codes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 2 through 27.
First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 2 through 6. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the
construction of a video camera equipped with a selection apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing,
numeral 11 indicates a video camera having a finder 12 comprising an
infrared ray generator 12a, an eyepiece 12b, a photoelectric conversion
element 12c and a monitor 12d. An infrared ray from the infrared ray
generator 12a is applied to an eyeball 13 of the photographer through the
eyepiece 12b and reflected by the eyeball 13. The infrared ray, reflected
by the eyeball 13, is received by the photoelectric conversion element
12c, and the received image is converted into an electric signal, which is
supplied to a line-of-sight position detector 14.
The line-of-sight position detector 14 detects the line of sight of the
photographer on the basis of the electric signal supplied from the
photoelectric conversion element 12c so as to detect at what section of
the monitor 12d the photographer is gazing. A line-of-sight position data
signal output from the line-of-sight position detector 14 is supplied to a
central processing unit 15 of a microcomputer or the like. The central
processing unit 15 controls the entire video camera 11.
Numeral 16 indicates a character generator for displaying function menus.
It is controlled by a control signal output from the central processing
unit 15. Whether to display the function menus or not, what kinds of
function menus to display and at what position of the monitor 12d, etc.
are determined by the central processing unit 15. The central processing
unit 15 controls the character generator 16, and a function menu display
signal for displaying a function menu on the monitor 12d is supplied from
the character generator 16 to a superimposing device 17.
The superimposing device 17 superimposes the function menu signal supplied
from the character generator 16 on a video signal supplied from an image
pick-up photoelectric conversion element 21, which will be described
below, before showing them on the monitor 12d of the finder 12. The video
signal input to the superimposing device 17 comprises image information on
a subject 22 projected onto the image pick-up photoelectric conversion
element 21 through an optical system comprising a focusing lens 18, a
scaling lens 19, an aperture 20, etc.
The image pick-up photoelectric conversion element 21 is driven by a
driving circuit 23, to which a signal indicative of drive timing is
supplied from a synchronous signal generating circuit 24. The synchronous
signal generating circuit 24 supplies the central processing unit 15 and
the character generator 16 with vertical and horizontal synchronous
signals for checking a display position on the monitor 12d of the finder
12.
The focusing lens 18, the scaling lens 19 and the aperture 20 are moved by
actuators 25, 26 and 27 corresponding to them, respectively. The actuators
25, 26 and 27 are driven by drivers 28, 29 and 30 corresponding to them,
respectively. The drivers 28, 29 and 30 are controlled by an optical
system control unit 31, which can communicate with the central processing
unit 15 through a communication path 32.
Numeral 33 indicates a pull-up resistor, and numeral 34 indicates an
electro-mechanical switch (hereinafter referred to as the "E.M switch")
which is to be operated when the operator selects a function menu. The E.M
switch 34 comprises a push-button switch of a normally-open type and
includes, as shown in FIG. 3, an armor section 34a having an opening 34b,
through which a push-button section 34c is exposed. When the push-button
section 34c is depressed by a finger 34d of the operator against the
resilient force of the switch, a conductor 34e, which is provided on the
back side of the push-button section 34c, comes into contact with first
and second contacts 34g and 34h, which are provided on a base plate 34f,
to bring the contacts 34g and 34h into conduction. Further, when the
contacts 34g and 34h are not in conduction, an output line 34k, pulled up
by a battery 34j and the pull-up resistor 33, is provided. Then, when the
depression of the push-button section 34c by the finger 34d is cancelled,
the push-button section 34c returns to the initial position by its own
resilient force. As a result, the conductor 34e is separated from the
first and second contacts 34g and 34h, whereby the contacts 34g and 34h
are brought out of conduction, and the output line 34k is pulled up by the
battery 34j and the pull-up resistor 33.
As shown in FIG. 4, the E.M switch 34, constructed as described above, is
arranged substantially at the center of a side surface of the body 35 of
the video camera 11. In order that the photographer may easily feel the
E.M switch 34 when operating the camera, no similar switches are arranged
around the E.M switch 34. Further, according to the present invention, the
number of switches for selecting functions is substantially reduced, so
that it is possible to arrange a single E.M switch 34 on a relatively wide
side surface of the body 35 of the video camera 11.
In FIG. 4, numerals 36 and 37 indicate scaling switches corresponding to
the scaling switches 7 and 8 for scaling in the tele-end and
wide-angle-end directions. These scaling switches are arranged at those
positions on the surface of the body 35 where the index and middle fingers
of the photographer are to be placed when the photographer holds the body
35 with his right hand during photographing.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image shown on the monitor 12d
of the finder 12. In the drawing, numeral 38 indicates the screen of the
monitor 12d, which displays a title 39 and a date 40 as well as an image
22a of the subject 22. Further, the screen 38 of the monitor 12d displays,
in a superimposed form, the following function menus: "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41
for turning on/off the display of the title 39 and superimposed recording;
"AF ON(OFF)" 42 for turning on/off the autofocusing; "FADE" 43 for
executing fading; and "DATE ON(OFF)" 44 for turning on/off the date.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of program operations executed in
the central processing unit 15 in order to enable the photographer to
perform function selection by manipulating the E.M switch 34 while looking
at a function menu displayed on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d.
In FIG. 6, when the execution of this flow of operations is started, a
judgment is first made in step S5-1 as to whether a "MENU SELECTION" flag
is set or not. The "MENU SELECTION" flag is a flag for judging whether a
function has been selected by the photographer or not and whether the
execution of the relevant instruction has been started or not. At this
stage, no menu selection has been executed yet, so that the "MENU
SELECTION" flag is not set. Therefore, the judgment result in step S5-1 is
NO, and the procedure advances to step S5-2.
In step S5-2, a judgment is made as to whether the E.M switch 34 is closed
or not. When it is determined that the E.M switch 34 is open, the
procedure advances to step S5-3, where a judgment is made as to whether a
"SELECTION MODE" flag is set or not. The "SELECTION MODE" flag is a flag
which indicates that function selection can be performed. At this stage,
the E.M switch is not closed at all, so that the "SELECTION MODE" flag is
not set. Accordingly, the judgment result in step S5-3 is NO, so that the
procedure advances to step S5-4, where menu cancelling is effected, that
is, the function menu display on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d is
erased so that the photographer will not perform function selection. Then,
the procedure returns to step S5-1.
If it is determined in step S5-2 that the E.M switch 34 is closed, the
procedure advances to step S5-5, where a judgment is repeatedly made as to
whether the E.M switch 34 has been opened or not until the switch is found
to be open. When it is determined in step S5-5 that the E.M switch 34 is
open, a function menu display is provided on the screen 38 of the monitor
12d, as described above, and the photographer gazes at a particular one of
the function menus thus displayed on the screen 38, closing the E.M switch
34 again. The judgment in step S5-5 is made for the purpose of preventing
the procedure from advancing too far to cause a particular function to be
inadvertently selected even if the photographer holds E.M switch 34 closed
for long after closing it for the first time.
When it is determined in step S5-5 that the E.M switch has been opened, the
procedure advances to step S5-6, where a judgment is made as to whether
the "SELECTION MODE" flag is set or not. As described above, when the E.M
switch 34 is changed from the "closed" to the "open" state for the first
time, the function menus are to be displayed, from this time on, on the
screen 38, so the "SELECTION MODE" flag is not set at this state.
Accordingly, the judgment result in step S5-6 is NO, and the procedure
advances to step S5-7, where the function menus are displayed on the
screen 38. Then, the "SELECTION MODE" flag is set in the next step, S5-8.
After this, line-of-sight coordinate data from the central processing unit
15 of FIG. 1 is captured, and, in the next step, S5-10, the function menu
corresponding to the line-of-sight position, which is being checked, is
nominated as a candidate function to be selected. Then, the procedure
returns to step S5-1.
While the photographer is selecting a function with his or her line of
sight, the E.M switch 34 remains open. When the E.M switch 34 is open, it
means that the photographer desires no function selection or that he is
actually conducting it. In the present case, the "SELECTION MODE" flag is
set, so that the processes of steps S5-1, S5-2 and S5-3 are successively
passed through, and then the above-described procedures from step S5-7
onward are repeatedly executed.
After selecting a function, the photographer closes the E.M switch 34 again
while gazing at the corresponding function menu, and then opens it again.
This time the "SELECTION MODE" flag is set, so that the judgment result in
step S5-6 is YES, and the procedure advances to step S5-11. In step S5-11,
a judgment is made as to whether the function menu nominated in step S5-10
is valid or not. That is, when it is uncertain whether the photographer
has closed the E.M switch 34 while reliably gazing at a particular
function menu, the nominated function menu is regarded as invalid, and the
procedures from step S5-7 onward are executed again to perform the
function menu selecting operation over again.
When it is determined in step S5-11 that the nominated function menu is
valid, the procedure advances to step S5-12, where the display of the
function menus which have not been selected is erased, leaving the
selected function menu only. Then, in step S5-13, a "MENU SELECTED" flag
is set, and, in step S5-14, an instruction signal is supplied to the
optical system control unit 31 from the central processing unit 15. Then,
the procedure returns to step S5-1.
At this stage, the "MENU SELECTED" flag has been set in step S5-13, so that
the judgment result in step S5-1 is YES, and the procedure advances to
step S5-15. In step S5-15, a judgment is made as to whether the execution
of the instruction according to the instruction signal, supplied to the
optical system control system 31 from the central processing unit 15 of
FIG. 2, has been completed or not. This judgment is possible by
communication of the central processing unit 15 with the optical system
control unit 31 through the communication path. If the execution of the
instruction has not been completed yet, the procedures from step S5-12
onward are executed to continue the output of the instruction signal
mentioned above.
When it is determined in step S5-15 that the execution of the instruction
has been completed, the procedure advances to step S5-16, where the
"SELECTION MODE" flag and the "MENU SELECTED" flag are reset. After this,
the function menu displayed on the screen 38 is erased in step S5-17, and
then the procedure returns to step S5-1, where the system is set in
standby for another cycle of function selecting operation, which is
started by manipulating the E.M switch 34.
To summarize the above description, when the photographer closes the E.M
switch 34 once, the apparatus is set to the function selection mode, and
function menus, such as "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41, "AF ON(OFF)" 42, "FADE" 43 and
"DATE ON(OFF)" 44, shown in FIG. 5, are displayed in a superimposed form
on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d. The photographer closes the E.M
switch 34 again while he keeps on gazing at a desired menu of these
function menus, whereby it is determined that an instruction to execute a
particular one of the function menus has been given by the photographer,
and the display of the other function menus is erased, leaving the
selected function menu only.
Then, the function corresponding to the selected function menu is executed,
and, simultaneously with the completion of the execution, the remaining
function menu display is also erased. Subsequently, the apparatus is
automatically restored to the standby condition in which it is ready to
receive another instruction from the photographer with respect to a
desired function menu. That is, the apparatus is restored to the initial
condition, i.e., the condition prior to the first closing of the E.M
switch 34 by the photographer.
Due to the above operations, it is possible for the display, selection and
determination of function menus to be conducted only when the photographer
desires it; if not desired, it need not be performed at all, which is
advantageous from the viewpoint of preventing a malfunction. That is, the
menu display is effected only when the photographer desires a function
selection and starts a menu selection by closing the E.M switch 34 for the
first time.
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the construction of the video
camera is the same as that of the above embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so
FIG. 2 will be referred to in describing this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a
flowchart showing the flow of program operations executed in the central
processing unit 15 in the selection apparatus of this embodiment.
Steps S6-1.about.S6-10, step S6-11, step S6-12, and steps S6-14.about.S6-17
in FIG. 7 correspond to steps S5-1.about.S5-10, step S5-12, step S5-13,
and steps S5-14.about.S5-17 in FIG. 6, respectively. FIG. 7 is
distinguished from FIG. 6 by the position of the step for judging whether
a nominated function menu is valid or not. That is, while in the flowchart
of the FIG. 6 step S5-11, for judging whether a nominated function menu is
valid or not, is between step S | | |
