IP Library Patent Application 12557859
Patent Application
App. No. 12/557,859

DIGITAL CAMERA

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/557,859
Abstract

A digital camera of the present invention enables a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions, a release portion that receives an instruction of a user regarding a start of capturing of an image for recording by the image pickup element, an AF start instruction receiving portion that receives an instruction of the user regarding activation of an autofocus portion in the lens unit, and a control portion. After the control portion causes the lens unit to start an autofocus operation in accordance with an operation of the AF start instruction receiving portion, the control portion determines whether to cause the digital camera to be shifted directly to an image pickup operation of an image for recording in accordance with a timing at which the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup or to cause the digital camera to display an image on the display portions and thereafter to be shifted to an image pickup operation of an image for recording when the release portion receives an instruction for starting image pickup.

Claims (18)

1 . A digital camera with respect to which a lens unit is attachable/detachable, comprising:

an image pickup element that captures a subject image formed by the lens unit to generate image data;

a shutter capable of limiting light incident upon the image pickup element;

a plurality of display portions capable of displaying an image based on the image data generated by the image pickup element or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the image pickup element to predetermined processing;

a release portion that receives an instruction of a user regarding a start of capturing of an image for recording by the image pickup element;

an AF start instruction receiving portion that receives an instruction of the user regarding activation of an autofocus portion in the lens unit;

a control portion that causes the plurality of display portions to selectively display the image data generated by the image pickup element or the image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the image pickup element to predetermined processing as a moving image in real time; and

a communication portion capable of communicating information with respect to the lens unit,

wherein, after the control portion causes the lens unit to start an autofocus operation in accordance with an operation of the AF start instruction receiving portion, the control portion determines whether to cause the digital camera to be shifted directly to an image pickup operation of an image for recording in accordance with a timing at which the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup or to cause the digital camera to display the image on the display portions and thereafter to be shifted to an image pickup operation of an image for recording when the release portion receives an instruction for starting image pickup.

2 . The digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein, after the control portion causes the lens unit to start the autofocus operation in accordance with the operation of the AF start instruction receiving portion,

in a case where the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup within a predetermined time, the control portion causes the digital camera to be shifted directly to the image pickup operation of an image for recording, and

in a case where the release portion does not receive the instruction for starting image pickup within the predetermined time, the control portion causes the digital camera to display the image on the display portions and thereafter to be shifted to the image pickup operation of an image for recording when the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup.

3 . The digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein, after the control portion causes the lens unit to start the autofocus operation in accordance with the operation of the AF start instruction receiving portion,

in a case where the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup before completion of the autofocus operation, the control portion causes the digital camera to be shifted directly to the image pickup operation of an image for recording, and

in a case where the release portion does not receive the instruction for starting image pickup before the completion of the autofocus operation, the control portion causes the digital camera to display the image on the display portions and thereafter to be shifted to the image pickup operation of an image for recording when the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup.

4 . The digital camera according to claim 1 , further comprising an ocular detection portion that is placed in a vicinity of a predetermined display portion of the plurality of display portions and is capable of detecting that the user is observing the predetermined display portion,

wherein, when the ocular detection portion detects the user, the control portion causes the predetermined display portion to display an image, and

when the ocular detection portion does not detect the user, the control portion causes a second display portion of the plurality of display portions to display an image.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2010
From: UEDA, HIROSHI; HONJO, KENICHI; YUMIKI, NAOTO
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023797/0928 →