Digital camera with a mode selectable structure

Abstract

A digital camera has a shutter release button. A mode selector sets a selected one of a regular photographing mode and a macro photographing mode adapted to image pickup at a nearer distance of close-up than the regular photographing mode. An LCD display panel as a user interface has an alarm generating region which outputs an alarm signal visually as an enlarged alarm icon, and/or a sound source as a user interface audibly outputs sound of alarm message voice. A controller is responsive to depression of the shutter release button, for mode discernment by checking a state of the mode selector. The LCD and/or sound source is driven if the macro photographing mode is set selectively.

1 . A digital camera having a shutter release button, comprising:
 a mode selector for setting a selected one of a regular photographing mode and a high sensitivity photographing mode adapted to image pickup at a higher sensitivity than said regular photographing mode;   a signal generator for outputting an alarm signal visually and/or audibly; and   a controller, responsive to depression of said shutter release button, for mode discernment by checking a state of said mode selector, and for driving said signal generator if said high sensitivity photographing mode is set selectively.   
   
   
       2 . A digital camera as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a power switch for power supply of power;
 said controller controls for said mode discernment in response to turning on of said power switch.   
   
   
       3 . A digital camera as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an input unit operable for inputting to designate a first alarm output status adapted to alarm turning-off;
 if said first alarm output status is designated, said controller forcibly suppresses operation of said signal generator, and if said first alarm output status is not designated, said signal generator operates according to said mode discernment.   
   
   
       4 . A digital camera as defined in  claim 3 , wherein if said first alarm output status is not designated, then said input unit is adapted to inputting information of at least one of second and third alarm output statuses;
 said controller, if said second alarm output status is designated, determines whether said signal generator should be operated by considering object brightness according to said image data, and if said third alarm output status is designated, determines whether said signal generator should be operated by considering type information of said image according to said image data.   
   
   
       5 . A digital camera as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said type information is at least one of a portrait image, landscape image, sport image, and night scene image. 
   
   
       6 . A digital camera as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a brightness detecting unit, supplied with image data of said image, for detecting brightness of an object to control exposure;
 said controller further evaluates said object brightness, and if said object brightness is equal to or lower than a predetermined limit brightness, suppresses operation of said signal generator irrespective of a state of said mode selector, and if said object brightness is higher than said predetermined limit brightness, controls said signal generator according to said mode discernment.