Display system and method for a camera

A display and selection system for selecting a control mode and for setting an operational parameter of a camera capable of operating in a plurality of control modes, the display and selection system comprising:

• a plurality of selection means for selecting control modes and setting operational parameters of the camera;
• display means for displaying symbols and numerals indicative of control modes and operational parameters of the camera, the display means having first and second display conditions and comprising:
• a plurality of display block means for displaying a symbol or numerals, each of the plurality of display block means corresponding to and laterally adjacent at least one of the plurality of selection means, and
• a plurality of indicator means for indicating which of the plurality of selection means corresponds to each of the plurality of display block means, each of said plurality of indicator means being located between a corresponding one of said plurality of display block means and a corresponding one of said plurality of selection means;
• and
• control means for selecting the control mode of the camera when the display means is in the first display condition, and for changing at least one operational parameter of the camera when the display means is in the second display condition;
• wherein a plurality of control mode symbols are displayed on the display means when the display means is in the first display condition, each control mode symbol being displayed on one of the plurality of display block means, a control mode being selectable by operation of the selection means corresponding to the display block means displaying the control mode symbol;
• and
• wherein at least one operational parameter is displayed on the display means during the second display condition, the at least one operational parameter being changeable by operation of a selection means corresponding to a display block means on which the at least one operational parameter is displayed.

A method for selecting a control mode of a camera capable of operating in at least two control modes, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a plurality of control mode symbols on a display screen of the camera located laterally adjacent a plurality of switches on the camera, each control mode symbol corresponding to a separate control mode of the camera, each control mode symbol corresponding to at least one of the plurality of switches;
• displaying a plurality of indicators on the display screen, each indicator corresponding to a control mode symbol and being located between one of said control mode symbols and a corresponding one of said plurality of switches, each indicator indicating which of the plurality of switches on the camera corresponds to each of the plurality of control mode symbols;
• and
• operating one of the plurality of switches to select the control mode represented by the control mode symbol corresponding to the operated switch.

A method for changing an operational parameter of a camera, comprising the steps of:

• displaying an operational parameter of the camera on a display screen of the camera located laterally adjacent a plurality of switches on the camera, the operational parameter corresponding to at least two of the plurality of switches;
• displaying a plurality of indicators on the display screen, at least two indicators corresponding to the operational parameter being located between the displayed operational parameter and the at least two of the plurality of switches and indicating that the at least two switches may be used to change the value of the operational parameter;
• causing the indicators corresponding to the displayed operational parameter to blink to indicate that the operational setting may be changed by operation of the at least two switches;
• and
• operating at least one of the at least two switches to change the value of the operational parameter.