Electronic still camera with dual contact shutter switch for picture review

• US 6,184,930 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Mitsuhashi, Syoji, Gozu, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, WENDY RAE
• Application Number:
  US08/484,353
• Time in Patent Office: 2,071 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231, 348/233, 348/207
• US Class Current: 348/333.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A method of processing picture data, by an electronic still camera, that includes forming image data of an object, displaying the image data as a picture on a display, recording the image data in memory in response to a first switching operation, and reproducing and displaying the recorded image data in response to a second switching operation. The first and second switching operations are carried out by a two-level push button switch.

Claims

1. A method of processing picture data with a camera having two-level push button, including the steps of:

forming image data of an object;

displaying said image data as a picture on a display means;

recording said image data in a memory means in response to a first switching operation performed by pushing the push button all the way in; and

reproducing and displaying said image data recorded in said memory means on said display means in response to a second switching operation performed by pushing the push button partially in.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said recording is repeated in response to said first switching operation, to thereby continuously record successively image data in said memory means.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said reproducing and display are repeated during said second switching operation.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said forming and displaying steps are performed when the push button is not pushed in at all.

5. An electronic still camera comprising:

means for forming a data image of an object to be photographed;

means for displaying said image data as a picture on a display means;

a memory;

means for recording said image data in said memory in response to a first switching operation;

means for reproducing and displaying said image data recorded in said memory on said display means in response to a second switching operation; and

a two-level push button wherein said second switching operation is made when said push button is pushed partially in and said first switching operation is made when said push button is pushed all the way in.

6. An electronic still camera as in claim 5 wherein said image data from said data image forming means is displayed on said display means when said push button is not pushed in at all.

7. An electronic still camera comprising:

a push button having a first, second, and third operating positions;

means for forming a data image of an object to be photographed;

means for displaying said image data as a picture on a display means when said push button is in said third operating position;

a memory;

means for recording said image data in said memory in response to said push button being in said second operating position;

means for reproducing and displaying said image data recorded in said memory on said display means in response to said push button being in said first operating position.

8. An electronic still camera as in claim 7 wherein said first, second and third positions correspond to said push button being pushed in partially, fully, and not at all, respectively.