Camera shutter release and camera

Abstract

To provide a shutter release for a camera to provide expanded control functions on the camera.SOLUTION: Provided is a shutter release 10 for a camera having: a base body 12; an operation element 14 movably supported by the base body along an adjustment route between a stationary position and a terminal position; a spring element 16 for biasing the operation element in a direction of the stationary position; a magnetic field sensor 22 configured to generate an output signal which is the scale of a relative position of the operation element to the base body; and an evaluation unit 30 configured to receive the output signal from the magnetic field sensor, and connected to the magnetic field sensor. The evaluation unit is further configured to specify a relative speed and / or a relative acceleration of the operation element to the base body on the basis of the sequence of received output signals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a magnetic field sensor device comprising a base body, an operating element supported on the base body so as to be movable along an adjustment path between a rest position and an end position, a spring element biasing the operating element towards the rest position, a magnetic field sensor device configured to generate an output signal which is a measure of the relative position of the operating element with respect to the base body, and a magnetic field sensor. Device a magnetic field sensor configured to receive an output signal from the Device The present invention relates to a shutter release for a camera, which has an evaluation unit connected to it. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical shutter release is disclosed, for example, in EP 1845542. In the shutter release shown there, a magnetoelectric transducer detects the strength of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic element arranged on the push button to determine the distance of the push button from the substrate. In this way, a multi-stage shutter release can be realized, which can define a first and a second stage in addition to a rest position. For example, the first stage—e.g., when the push button is pressed halfway—can activate the camera's focusing function, while the second stage—e.g., when the push button is pressed all the way—can activate the camera's release function for recording an image.

[0003] However, such conventional shutter releases can only control a limited number of different camera functions. It is also conceivable to increase the number of possible functions by increasing the number of intermediate positions that are evaluated. However, this entails the risk of incorrect operation, since the evaluated positions are often located so close to one another that a reliable distinction is no longer possible for the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1845542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter release for a camera that provides expanded control over the camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by a shutter release having the features of claim 1. In the case of a shutter release according to the invention, it is provided that the evaluation unit is further configured to determine the relative velocity and / or relative acceleration of the operating element with respect to the base body based on the sequence of received output signals.

[0007] In the shutter release according to the invention, the actuating element can be moved from a rest position toward an end position by the user applying a force to the operating element against the biasing force of the spring element. The output signal can be provided by the magnetic field sensor device continuously or at time intervals. For example, in the case of continuous provision, scanning of the output signals can be performed in the evaluation unit. Correspondingly, the received output signal sequence is a sequence of output signals received or scanned at different times. To determine the operating speed of the operating element, the sequence must include at least two output signals determined at different times. However, preferably, the speed of the operating element is determined from more than two output signals for increased accuracy. The relative speed can then be determined directly based on the output signal sequence or indirectly, i.e., by an intermediate step in which the relevant relative positions are first determined based on each output signal of the sequence; of course, in both cases, the time elapsed between the generation of each output signal is taken into account.

[0008] By alternatively or additionally determining the relative acceleration of the operating element, further movement characteristics of the operating element can be evaluated. The relative acceleration can be determined directly based on the output signal or indirectly based on a plurality of respective values ​​of the relative position or relative velocity determined from the output signal. Therefore, in the simplest case, the output signal sequence for which the acceleration determination is to be performed must include at least three output signals. In the case of indirect acceleration determination based on the relative velocity, at least two velocity values ​​are required.

[0009] Therefore, besides the possible direct evaluation of the relative position as a basis for outputting control commands to the camera, the shutter release according to the invention additionally offers the possibility of providing one or more further control commands for the camera based on the determined relative speed and / or relative acceleration, which makes cameras equipped with the shutter release according to the invention more versatile in their use.

[0010] An exemplary application may be, for example, that the speed is used to accelerate the release process of a camera, i.e., the actual image recording. Thus, in the case of the conventional shutter release, which was exemplarily described at the beginning, the focusing process is first initiated when the shutter release is half-pressed, and the actual image is only recorded when the shutter release is fully pressed. This can result in a delay in the image release, which can be detrimental, particularly when recording spontaneous snapshots of a moving subject, because, due to this delay, the subject may no longer be captured, or at least may no longer be captured in the desired position. On the other hand, with the shutter release according to the present invention, the user has the option of triggering an accelerated release by relatively quickly operating the shutter release—the operating element reaching a higher speed—in which, for example, the focusing process is skipped or released before the actual release position is reached, thereby starting the actual image recording at an earlier point in time—counted from the start of the release process.

[0011] According to another advantageous embodiment, the evaluation unit is configured to output at least one respective control signal or control command indicating a respective value or value range for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity, and / or at least one respective relative acceleration. The respective control signal can be output, for example, when the operating element is in a predetermined position or within a predetermined position range and / or when the operating element falls below or exceeds a predetermined threshold value for the relative velocity and / or a predetermined threshold value for the relative acceleration. Thus, the control signal can signal to a camera connected to the shutter release that the relative velocity of the operating element has exceeded a predetermined minimum velocity. After receiving such a control signal, the camera can then, for example, perform a correspondingly associated function or enter a corresponding operating mode. The control signal can be output periodically or only when the value or value range for the relative position, relative velocity, or relative acceleration changes significantly, for example, by falling below or exceeding a predetermined threshold value, or by reaching or leaving a predetermined value range.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment, the magnetic field sensor device comprises a permanent magnet arranged on the operating element and at least one, preferably two, magnetic field sensors arranged on the base. The magnetic field sensors can detect, in particular, the magnetic field strength and / or the orientation of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, which are indicative of the relative position of the operating element, as well as changes in the magnetic field strength or orientation that occur when the operating element is moved. If two or more magnetic field sensors are provided instead of just one, the resulting redundancy can increase the sensor accuracy and eliminate the influence of external magnetic fields, thereby reducing, in particular, the risk of generating erroneous control signals. The magnetic field sensors can be arranged, for example, laterally and / or at the end faces of the permanent magnet—each relative to the longitudinal axis of the operating element extending along the direction of movement.

[0013] Advantageously, at least one magnetic field sensor is a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor. Magnetoresistive magnetic field sensors are used for measuring magnetic fields based on resistance. By appropriate geometric arrangement of a plurality of layer structures or layer stacks, other physical quantities, such as the path, angle or current intensity, can be indirectly detected. Magnetoresistive magnetic field sensors are based on the magnetoresistive effect, in which a change in electrical resistance in the structure is caused by the application of an external magnetic field. Magnetic field sensors with a relatively high magnetoresistance effect, which can be described by the quotient of the change in resistance and the resistance in the absence of an external magnetic field, are based on the giant magnetoresistance effect (GMR effect, from English "giant magnetoresistance"), the colossal magnetoresistance effect (CMR effect, from English "colossal magnetoresistance") or the tunnel magnetoresistance effect (TMR effect, from English "tunnel magnetoresistance"). Another type of magnetic field sensor is based on the anisotropic magnetoresistance effect (AMR effect, from English "anisotropic magnetoresistance") or the Hall effect.

[0014] The present invention further relates to a camera having a shutter release according to at least one of the above-described inventive or advantageous embodiments, characterized in that the camera has a plurality of operating modes, the evaluation unit is configured to output at least one respective control command indicating a respective value or value range for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity, and / or at least one respective relative acceleration, and the camera is operated in the respective operating mode depending on the control command. The respective operating modes mentioned include, for example, focusing, single image recording, sequence recording (i.e., film recording in which a film sequence or video is recorded), or continuous image recording (i.e., recording of a series or succession of single images at an image recording speed lower than sequence recording). Some advantages of such a camera with an inventive or advantageous shutter release have already been mentioned at the beginning when describing the advantages of the shutter release. Generally, with a camera according to the present invention, more functions can be controlled solely via the operating elements of the shutter release compared to cameras with conventional shutter releases.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the camera, the plurality of operating modes comprises at least one secondary operating mode and at least one recording operating mode, the secondary operating mode being selected from a group of operating modes including focusing the camera and determining, i.e., specifying and / or setting, at least one exposure parameter, such as exposure time, light sensitivity (ISO value) or aperture (F-stop), the recording operating mode being selected from a group of operating modes including recording a single image, recording an image series and recording an image sequence, the evaluation unit of the shutter release outputting a first control command for activating the secondary operating mode when the operating element is moved from its rest position to a first relative position and, before reaching the first relative position, a specified speed or a specified acceleration does not exceed a predetermined threshold, and the evaluation unit of the shutter release outputting a second control command for immediately activating the recording operating mode when the operating element is moved from its rest position to a first relative position and, before reaching the first relative position, a specified speed or a specified acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold. The list of operating modes within each group is not deterministic.

[0016] For example, if the operating element is slowly operated after the secondary operating mode is activated and the operating element is moved to a second relative position, the recording operating mode can be subsequently activated, where the second relative position is located after the first relative position in the direction of movement. The second relative position can, in particular, correspond to an end position. That is, if the operating element is operated at a relatively low speed, the focusing process is first initiated upon reaching the first relative position. Only upon further movement of the operating element in the direction of the end position does the actual recording of the image, image series, or image sequence take place. On the other hand, if the operating element is operated at a relatively high speed or high acceleration from the beginning, this signals to the camera that, for example, a snapshot should be recorded, and it is important to start the recording process immediately, with as little delay as possible. In this context, immediate activation of the recording operating mode means, in particular, that activation of the secondary operating mode is omitted or skipped.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment of the camera, the plurality of operating modes includes at least a series image recording operating mode in which the camera continuously records each image and a memory operating mode in which the last recorded image is transferred to memory. When the operating element is moved from the rest position to a first relative position, the evaluation unit of the shutter release outputs a third control command to activate the series image recording operating mode. When the operating element is moved from the first relative position to a second relative position, the evaluation unit of the shutter release outputs a fourth control command to activate the memory operating mode. The second relative position is located after the first relative position in the direction of movement, and is, for example, the same as the end position. In the series image recording operating mode, the camera continuously records single images at predetermined time intervals, but these single images are not yet stored. When the memory operating mode is then activated, the last recorded single image of the image series is transferred to volatile or non-volatile memory.

[0018] If desired, it can be set or selected whether the shutter release controls switching between the secondary and record operating modes, or between the series image recording and memory modes of operation.

[0019] Advantageous developments of the invention are also set forth in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings, which contain a number of combined features that a person skilled in the art can expediently consider individually and combine into other meaningful combinations.

[0020] The invention is exemplarily illustrated below by means of drawings, in which the figures should not be understood to be to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shutter release according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shutter release according to an embodiment; [Figure 3]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shutter release according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shutter release according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 to 4 show a shutter release 10 that can be integrated into a camera (not shown). The shutter release 10 comprises a cup-shaped base body 12 and an operating element 14 that is supported on the base body 12 so that it can move along an adjustment path between a rest position and an end position. A spring element 16 that cooperates with the operating element 14 and is configured as a helical spring is arranged in the base body 12 and biases the operating element 14 towards its rest position as shown in FIG. 1. The arrangement of the spring element 16 between the base body 12 and the operating element 14 is shown only diagrammatically, omitting any necessary stops.

[0023] The shutter release 10 further comprises a magnetic field sensor arrangement which comprises a permanent magnet 18 arranged in a recess below the operating element 14 and a magnetic field sensor 22 arranged on a circuit board 20 which is arranged below the base body 12. The magnetic field sensor 22 detects the field strength or changes in the field strength of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 18 and transmits an output signal to an evaluation unit 30 which is connected to the magnetic field sensor 22 depending on the detected field strength or changes in the detected field strength.

[0024] At the bottom of the base body 12, an elastic element 24 can be arranged, which, by suitable selection of its material and its dimensions, is arranged and shaped in such a way that, when the operating element 14 moves in the direction of the end position shown in FIG. 4, it exerts an additional counterforce on the operating element 14 in addition to the restoring force of the spring element 16, from the moment it reaches an intermediate position, which is approximately halfway between the adjustment positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0025] Two or more magnetic field sensors may be provided instead of one magnetic field sensor 22. Alternatively or additionally to the placement of the magnetic field sensor 22 on the bottom side, it may be placed on the sidewall of the substrate 12 or at any other suitable location.

[0026] The evaluation unit 30 can be configured to determine the relative position of the operating element 14 with respect to the base 12 based on an output signal received by the magnetic field sensor device indicative of the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic field sensor 22. This can be done, for example, by means of a pre-specified calibration function or a mapping table.

[0027] Based on the sequence of received output signals, the evaluation unit 30 can determine the relative velocity and / or relative acceleration of the operating element 14 with respect to the substrate 12. This can be done directly, i.e. immediately based on the output signals - taking into account the time elapsed between the reception of the respective output signals - or indirectly, based on a pre-determined relative position.

[0028] The sequence must include at least two output signals or relative positions for velocity measurement and at least three output signals or relative positions for acceleration determination. Optionally, the determination of relative acceleration can be performed indirectly based on at least two pre-determined velocity values.

[0029] The evaluation unit 30 can furthermore be configured to determine, based on the at least one received output signal, the reaction force acting on the operating element 14 and generated by the elastic element 24. The reaction force is therefore determined indirectly, i.e. not by means of a load cell, but based on a predefined force-displacement relationship resulting in particular from the spring constant or modulus of elasticity of the elastic element 24 and its dimensions, for example mathematically based on the aforementioned parameters, or based on an experimentally determined characteristic curve or look-up table which represents the force-displacement relationship in the form of a dependence of the reaction force on the respective value of the output signal of the magnetic field sensor or on the relative position of the operating element 14 determined based on the output signal.

[0030] The restoring force of the spring element 16 is significantly lower than the reaction force generated by the elastic element 24. When operating the operating element 14, the user initially feels a relatively small restoring or reaction force in the adjustment position shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, as soon as the operating element 14 comes into contact with the elastic element 24, the restoring or reaction force increases by a larger amount depending on the adjustment path, which becomes noticeable as resistance when transitioning from the adjustment position according to Figure 2 to the adjustment position according to Figure 3. If the operating element 14 is moved further downwards in accordance with the transition from Figure 3 to Figure 4, the restoring or reaction force increases further until an end position is reached in which further compression of the elastic element 24 is no longer possible even with significant force or a stop limits the adjustment path.

[0031] In the following, various methods of controlling the camera by the shutter release 10 are described exemplarily, and these various control methods can also be combined with one another in an appropriate manner. The camera can be controlled, for example, by the evaluation unit 30 transmitting corresponding control signals to a control unit of the camera, which can control various camera operating modes. According to one variant, the evaluation unit 30 of the shutter release 10 and the control unit of the camera can also be integrated into a common evaluation and control unit. In particular, the evaluation unit 30 of the shutter release 10 can be formed by a logical or physical subunit of the evaluation or control unit of the camera.

[0032] The control signals or control commands output by the evaluation unit can indicate respective values ​​or value ranges for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity and / or at least one respective relative acceleration. Thus, for example, a respective control signal can signal that the operating element is in a predetermined position or within a predetermined position range. Furthermore, the control signal can also signal that a predetermined threshold value for the relative velocity and / or the relative acceleration is exceeded or falls below.

[0033] The camera can be operated in several operating modes, which can include, for example, focusing, single image recording, series image recording, sequence image recording, or exposure metering. The above list is not conclusive. Furthermore, control signals or control commands can also change parameters of the respective operating modes, such as the image recording rate for series image recording, i.e., the number of images or frames recorded per unit time.

[0034] According to exemplary operating modes, the camera can be operated in a secondary operating mode and a recording operating mode. The secondary operating mode can, for example, include determining, i.e., specifying and / or setting, for example, focusing and / or at least one exposure parameter, such as exposure time, light sensitivity (ISO value), or aperture (F-stop). In the recording operating mode, for example, a single image, an image series, or an image sequence can be recorded. The desired recording operating mode can be preselected, for example, by a corresponding operating element or operating menu. For example, the evaluation unit 30 can output a first control command activating the secondary operating mode if the operating element 14 is moved from the rest position (FIG. 1) to the first relative position (FIG. 2) and the simultaneously determined speed and / or acceleration does not exceed a predetermined threshold before reaching the first relative position. However, if the operating element 14 is operated with a speed or acceleration above the predetermined threshold before reaching the first relative position, the evaluation unit 30 can output a second control command activating the recording operating mode immediately, i.e., without prior activation of the secondary operating mode.

[0035] This control variant improves snapshot recording, for example, because the user can skip time-consuming focusing or exposure measurement by a bold actuation of the shutter release 10. Even without an intermediate focusing step that can be skipped if necessary, acceleration considerations can accelerate the release, i.e., the start of image recording. Thus, for a typical shutter release 10, the adjustment path between the rest position and the adjusted position—where the release process typically begins—can be approximately 1.25 mm. This can result in a period of 10 to 20 ms between the start of the operating movement and the actual release. However, if the speed or acceleration of the operating element 14 is also taken into account, in the event of a bold actuation by the user, moving the operating element 14 as quickly as possible toward the release position, image recording can begin even before the release position is reached, based on the detection of exceeding a threshold value for speed or acceleration. This reduces the release delay by a few milliseconds, which can be used to determine whether a subject can be captured at the desired movement stage when recording a fast-moving scene.

[0036] In another exemplary operating mode of the camera, the camera's multiple operating modes can include at least a series image recording operating mode in which the camera continuously records each image and a memory operating mode in which the last recorded image is transferred to memory. When the operating element 14 is moved from the rest position 14 to the first relative position, the shutter release 10 can output a third control command to activate the series image recording operating mode. In this series image recording operating mode, the camera continuously records single images at predetermined time intervals, for example, one image every 500 ms. When the operating element 14 is moved from the first relative position 14 to the second relative position, the shutter release 10 outputs a fourth control command to activate the memory operating mode. Here, the last recorded single image in the series is transferred to volatile or non-volatile memory.

[0037] When describing the different operating modes, it will be explained below how the elastic element 24 can assist in the selection of the respective operating mode.

[0038] In an exemplary operating mode, the camera can be operated in multiple recording operating modes, including, for example, recording a single image, recording a sequence of images, and recording a sequence of images. The intermediate position of the shutter release 10 is defined by the operating element 14 just contacting the elastic element 24, thereby creating an additional reaction force. Thus, for example, the single image recording operating mode can be activated when the reaction force reaches a first value or when the operating element reaches a first relative position located between the rest position and the intermediate position, which corresponds to this value of force. This can correspond, for example, to the situation in FIG. 2.

[0039] If the operating element 14 is pressed down more firmly, the series image recording operating mode is activated instead of the single image recording operating mode when the evaluation unit 20 determines that the reaction force has reached at least a second value or that the operating element 14 has reached a second relative position that is located between the intermediate position and the end position and that corresponds to this value of force. This can correspond, for example, to the situation in FIG. 3 .

[0040] 3 and 4, when the operating element 14 is further depressed, corresponding to an adjustment position located between the adjustment positions of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a third control command for setting the image recording speed for the series image recording operating mode can be output by the evaluation unit 30 when the reaction force exceeds the second value by a predetermined amount or when the operating element 14 reaches a relative position corresponding to this force value. In particular, a quasi-continuous setting of the image recording speed can also be performed depending on the reaction force, i.e., the harder the user presses the operating element 14, the higher the image recording speed is set, and vice versa. For example, when the reaction force reaches a second number, an image series is recorded at a predetermined minimum image recording speed. When the operating element 14 is pressed further, the image recording speed is increased continuously or stepwise up to a predetermined maximum image recording speed depending on the reaction force. According to one variation, the series image recording operating mode can also be switched to the sequence recording operating mode when a predetermined reaction force is reached—when the corresponding image playback speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value, for example, 12 fps (frames per second).

[0041] The shutter release 10 may comprise an actuator 26 (only shown in FIG. 1 ), which in an embodiment is arranged laterally on the base 12 and is provided for generating tactile feedback in the form of an impact or vibration that can be felt by a user upon finger contact with the shutter release 10 or through the camera housing. To generate the tactile feedback, the actuator 26 may be formed, for example, as a solenoid driver, an eccentric driver or a piezoelectric element, in which case a firing pin is moved towards the base 12 to generate the tactile feedback. The tactile feedback may, for example, be generated whenever a predetermined control command is output. The respective tactile feedbacks may differ from one another for different control commands, for example in terms of intensity, frequency or rhythm.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, acoustic feedback for the output control commands can be generated by a speaker built into the camera.

[0043] Via the optional configuration menu or corresponding functions, it is possible to set or adapt within a wide range which operating modes of the camera should be activated by each characteristic operating mode, which can be obtained in a configurable manner from different positions, velocities or accelerations of the operating elements, or how the operating modes should be parameterized. The present application relates to the invention described in the claims, but may also include the following as other aspects. 1. a base (12), an operating element (14) supported on the base (12) so as to be movable along an adjustment path between a rest position and an end position, a spring element (16) biasing the operating element (14) toward the rest position, a magnetic field sensor device (22) configured to generate an output signal that is a measure of the relative position of the operating element (14) with respect to the base (12), and a magnetic field sensor Device (22) a magnetic field sensor configured to receive an output signal from the Device A shutter release (10) for a camera having an evaluation unit (30) connected to (22), The shutter release (10) is characterized in that the evaluation unit (30) is further configured to determine the relative velocity and / or relative acceleration of the operating element (14) with respect to the substrate (12) based on the sequence of received output signals. 2. 11. The shutter release (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (30) is configured to output at least one respective control signal indicative of a respective value or value range for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity and / or at least one respective relative acceleration. 3. 3. The shutter release (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic field sensor device (22) comprises a permanent magnet (18) arranged on the operating element (14) and at least one, preferably two, magnetic field sensors (22) arranged on the base body (12). 4. 4. The shutter release (10) according to claim 3, wherein at least one magnetic field sensor (22) is a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor (22). 5. 5. A camera having a shutter release (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 above, characterized in that the camera has a plurality of operating modes, and the evaluation unit (30) is configured for outputting at least one respective control command indicating a respective value or value range for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity and / or at least one respective relative acceleration, and the camera is operated in the respective operating mode depending on the control command. 6. the plurality of operation modes includes at least one secondary operation mode and at least one record operation mode, the secondary operation mode being selected from a group of operation modes including focusing the camera and determining at least one exposure parameter, and the record operation mode being selected from a group of operation modes including recording a single image, recording a series of images, and recording a sequence of images; the operating element (14) is moved from a rest position to a first relative position, and if the specified velocity or the specified acceleration does not exceed a predetermined threshold before reaching the first relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a first control command activating a secondary operating mode; 6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein when the operating element (14) is moved from a rest position and the specified velocity or specified acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold before reaching the first relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a second control command that immediately activates the recording operating mode. 7. the plurality of operating modes including at least a series image recording operating mode in which the camera continuously records each image, and a memory operating mode in which the last recorded image is transferred to memory; when the operating element (14) is moved from the rest position to the first relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a third control command to activate a series image recording operating mode; 7. The camera according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that when the operating element (14) is moved from the first relative position to the second relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a fourth control command that activates a memory operating mode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Shutter Release 12 Base 14 Operating Elements 16 Spring Elements 18 Permanent Magnets 20 Circuit Board 22 Magnetic field sensor 24 Elastic Elements 26 Actuator 30 evaluation units

Claims

1. 1. A camera comprising: a base (12); an operating element (14) supported on the base (12) so as to be movable along an adjustment path between a rest position and an end position; a spring element (16) biasing the operating element (14) towards the rest position; a magnetic field sensor device (22) configured to generate an output signal which is a measure of a relative position of the operating element (14) with respect to the base (12); and an evaluation unit (30) connected to the magnetic field sensor device (22) configured to receive the output signals from the magnetic field sensor device (22), the evaluation unit (30) being configured to determine a relative velocity and / or a relative acceleration of the operating element (14) with respect to the base (12) based on a sequence of received output signals, the camera having a plurality of operating modes, the evaluation unit (30) being configured to output at least one respective control command indicative of a respective value or value range for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity and / or at least one respective relative acceleration, the camera being operated in each operating mode depending on the control command. the plurality of operation modes includes at least one secondary operation mode and at least one record operation mode, the secondary operation mode being selected from a group of operation modes including focusing the camera and determining at least one exposure parameter, and the record operation mode being selected from a group of operation modes including recording a single image, recording a series of images, and recording a sequence of images; the operating element (14) is moved from a rest position to a first relative position, and if the specified velocity or the specified acceleration does not exceed a predetermined threshold before reaching the first relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a first control command activating a secondary operating mode; When the operating element (14) is moved from a rest position and the specified velocity or specified acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold before reaching the first relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a second control command that immediately activates a recording operating mode.

2. the plurality of operating modes including at least a series image recording operating mode in which the camera continuously records each image, and a memory operating mode in which the last recorded image is transferred to memory; When the operating element (14) is moved from the rest position to the first relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a third control command to activate a series image recording operating mode; 2. The camera of claim 1, wherein when the operating element (14) is moved from the first relative position to the second relative position, the shutter release (10) outputs a fourth control command that activates a memory operating mode.

3. A camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (30) is configured to output at least one respective control signal indicating a respective value or value range for at least one respective relative position, at least one respective relative velocity and / or at least one respective relative acceleration.

4. A camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic field sensor device (22) has a permanent magnet (18) arranged on the operating element (14) and at least one magnetic field sensor (22) arranged on the base (12).

5. A camera as described in claim 4, characterized in that at least one magnetic field sensor (22) is a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor (22).

Images