JP2005221970A - Controller for optical equipment, control method and photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the position of a lens from being shifted by a vibration or the like when a strobe unit is popped up. <P>SOLUTION: The controller for an optical equipment, provided with a light emitting unit 404 which can be popped up, a 1st driving mechanism 402 of driving the light emitting unit, a movable lens 10 and a 2nd driving mechanism of driving the lens, is provided with a control means 50 for driving the 1st driving mechanism so as to pop up the light emitting unit, and for driving the 2nd driving mechanism so as to move the lens after popping up the light emitting unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and an imaging device for an optical device that drives a lens.

  In a conventional digital still camera, an exposure control process for ensuring subject brightness necessary for focusing is performed by half-pressing the release, and a focusing process for driving the focus lens to the in-focus position is performed. Furthermore, exposure control for photographing is performed in consideration of the focus adjustment information obtained by the focusing process. At this time, it is determined whether or not the strobe unit is caused to emit light based on the obtained exposure information. If the strobe unit needs to emit light, the strobe unit housed in the camera body is popped up to the light emission position.

  In general, the pop-up type flash unit has a high-speed pop-up operation. Therefore, due to the structure of the camera, a mechanical shock is applied to the camera body when the strobe unit pops up, and the focus lens shifts from the in-focus position due to vibration at this time. There is a fear. That is, the focus lens is structurally sensitive to mechanical vibration and is easily affected by vibration at the time of strobe pop-up.

  In particular, the above-mentioned problem becomes significant in a low-priced, small and light digital camera that has been requested from the market in recent years.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for an optical apparatus and a photographing device that can suppress the displacement of the lens position due to vibration at the time of strobe pop-up.

  1st invention of this application is the control apparatus of the optical apparatus which has the light emission unit which can be popped up, the 1st drive mechanism which drives a light emission unit, the movable lens, and the 2nd drive mechanism which drives a lens Then, when the light emitting unit is popped up, the first driving mechanism is driven to pop up the light emitting unit, and then the second driving mechanism is driven to move the lens.

  A photographing apparatus according to a second invention of the present application includes the above-described control device and an image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by a lens.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the lens position due to vibration or the like when the light emitting unit is popped up.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  A camera that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a camera. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 denotes an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 to a digital signal. It is an A / D converter. In FIG. 1, one lens is shown as the photographic lens 10, but actually, a plurality of lenses (focus lens and zoom lens) are provided in the camera 100.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50 (control circuit). The

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data output from the A / D converter 16 or the data output from the memory control circuit 22. Further, in the image processing circuit 20, predetermined calculation processing is performed using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control circuit 40 and the focus control circuit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. . Thereby, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing of the TTL (through-the-lens) method are performed.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls driving of the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. . Output data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or only through the memory control circuit 22.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT_LCD. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Are output to the image display unit 28 and displayed on the image display unit 28.

  Here, if the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic finder function can be realized. The image display unit 28 can switch between a display state and a non-display state in response to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the image display unit 28 is in a non-display state, the image display unit 28 is driven. Since no power is required, the power consumption of the camera 100 can be greatly reduced.

  Furthermore, since the image display unit 28 is connected to the camera 100 by a rotatable hinge, the display surface of the image display unit 28 can be directed in various directions. Thereby, the electronic finder function, the reproduction display function, and various display functions can be used in a state where the display surface is oriented in a direction that is easy for the user to see.

  Further, the image display unit 28 can be stored with the display surface facing the camera 100. When the image display unit 28 is in the storage state, the system control circuit 50 detects that the image display unit 28 is in the storage state based on the output of the open / close detection circuit 106, and stops the display operation of the image display unit 28. . Thereby, unnecessary display on the image display unit 28 can be prevented and power saving of the camera 100 can be achieved.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still image data and moving image data, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still image data and moving image data for a predetermined time. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses or decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like. The image data stored in the memory 30 is read and subjected to compression processing or decompression processing. Write to memory 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control circuit that controls driving of the shutter 12 having an aperture function. A flash light control operation can be performed by linking the driving of the shutter 12 and the driving of the strobe unit 404 (light emitting unit). Reference numeral 42 denotes a focus control circuit that controls driving of the focus lens of the photographic lens 10.

  Driving of the exposure control circuit 40 and the focus control circuit 42 is controlled by the system control circuit 50 based on the TTL method. That is, the system control circuit 50 outputs a control signal to the exposure control circuit 40 and the focus control circuit 42 based on the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 for the captured image data.

  Reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control circuit that controls driving of the zoom lens of the photographic lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control circuit that controls the operation of the barrier unit 102 that opens and closes the front surface of the photographic lens 10. The drive of these control circuits 44 and 46 is controlled by the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the overall operation of the camera 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes an information output unit, which is a liquid crystal display unit that displays a camera operation state, a message, or the like using characters and images according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50, and information on the operation state described above. Is output as sound. The information output unit 54 is composed of, for example, a combination of an LCD, an LED, a sound generating element, and the like. Further, the information output unit 54 is provided in the vicinity of an operation member provided in the camera 100 and is provided in a single or a plurality at a position where the user can easily recognize the information output unit 54.

  A part of the display contents in the information output unit 54 is also displayed in the optical viewfinder 104. Here, the optical viewfinder 104 is connected to the photographing lens 10 via a not-shown interlocking mechanism, and when the photographing lens 10 moves in the optical axis direction, the viewfinder lens in the optical viewfinder 104 also moves in the optical axis direction. Will do. Thereby, zooming by the optical viewfinder 104 is also performed in accordance with zooming of the photographing optical system. Therefore, the photographer can check the change in the shooting angle of view via the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the contents displayed on the information output unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like is a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression rate display, a recording pixel number display, a recording number display, and a remaining number of images that can be shot. , Shutter speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display , Attachment / detachment status display of the recording media 200 and 210, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, and the like.

  Among the display contents of the information output unit 54, the information displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, etc. There is.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are operation units for inputting various operation instructions to the system control circuit 50, such as switches, dials, touch panels, pointing by line of sight detection or voice recognition units. It may be composed of any combination of these.

  Hereinafter, each operation unit will be described in detail.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which is operated to switch each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, manual shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, and the like.

  A shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned on when a shutter button (not shown) provided in the camera 100 is half-pressed, and AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, Instructs the start of operation such as EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch (SW2) which is turned on when the shutter button is fully pressed, and instructs the start of photographing processing. In the photographing process, an exposure process in which a signal read from the image sensor 12 is written to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22 and an operation in the image processing circuit 20 or the memory control circuit 22 are used. Development processing and recording processing in which the image data read from the memory 30 is compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 and then written to the recording media 200 and 210 are performed.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch for instructing switching between the display state and the non-display state of the image display unit 28. When taking an image using the optical viewfinder provided in the camera 100, the current supply to the image display unit 28 is cut off to make it non-displayed, so that the power consumption of the camera 100 can be reduced.

  Reference numeral 68 denotes a single-shot / continuous-shot switch, which instructs setting of a single-shot mode or a continuous-shot mode. In the single shooting mode, one shooting is performed when the shutter switch 64 is turned on, and then the camera enters a standby state. In the continuous shooting mode, while the shutter switch 64 is ON, shooting is continuously performed a plurality of times.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, etc., a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus ) Button, menu movement-(minus) button, reproduction image movement + (plus) button, and reproduction image-(minus) button. Also, a shooting / selection button for setting selection and switching of various functions when shooting and playback such as a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure compensation button, a date / time setting button, a panorama mode, and a panorama mode. A determination / execution button for setting the determination and execution of various functions when executing, and a quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data captured immediately after shooting. Furthermore, a compression mode switch, a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erase mode, which is a switch for selecting a RAW mode for selecting a compression rate of JPEG compression or digitizing a signal of an image sensor as it is and recording it on a recording medium, Playback mode switch that can set each function mode such as a PC connection mode, and start of a playback operation in which the captured image data is read from the memory 30 or the recording medium 200, 210 and displayed on the image display unit 28 in the shooting mode state. Has a playback switch or the like.

  Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply control unit, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 80 detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and instructions from the system control circuit 50, and requires the necessary voltage. The time is supplied to each circuit in the camera 100 including the recording medium.

  82 is a connector on the power supply control unit 80 side, and 84 is a connector on the power supply unit 86 side. A power supply unit 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to the recording medium. A recording medium attachment / detachment detection circuit 98 detects whether or not the recording mediums 200 and 210 are attached to the connectors 92 and 96.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of system configurations. Further, a configuration in which interfaces and connectors of different standards are combined may be used.

  The interface and the connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card or the like conforming to a standard. When the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, IEEE1394 Image data and management information attached to image data are transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS communication cards. I can meet each other.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a barrier unit that can open and close the front surface of the photographic lens 10, and covers the front surface of the photographic lens 10 to suppress contamination and damage to the front surface. Reference numeral 106 denotes an open / close detection circuit for detecting whether or not the image display unit 28 is in the housed state.

  A communication circuit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the camera 100 to another device, or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numerals 200 and 210 denote recording media such as a memory card and a hard disk. The recording media 200 and 210 are connectors 206 and 216 that are connected to recording units 202 and 212 constituted by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., interfaces 204 and 214 with the camera 100, and connectors 92 and 96 on the camera 100 side, respectively. And have.

  Reference numeral 400 denotes a strobe device. The strobe device 400 includes a strobe control circuit 48, a strobe position sensor 403, a pop-up motor 402 (part of the first drive mechanism), and a strobe unit 404. The strobe unit 404 is movable between the light emission position and a storage position stored in the camera 100.

  When the strobe control circuit 48 receives an instruction from the system control circuit 50 to transmit information regarding the pop-up state of the strobe unit 404, the strobe unit 404 is in a pop-up state (in the light emission position) based on the output of the strobe position sensor 403. Or the storage position, and the determination result is transmitted to the system control 50.

  Further, when receiving an instruction for popping up the strobe unit 404 from the system control circuit 50, the strobe control circuit 48 drives the pop-up motor 402 to move the strobe unit 404 to the light emission position. The strobe unit 404 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The operation of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 show flowcharts of the main routine of the camera of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the system control circuit 50 initializes a flag, a control variable, etc. by power-on such as battery replacement (S101), and initializes the image display unit 28 to a non-display state (S102).

  Then, the system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial 60 (S103). If the setting on the mode dial 60 is “Power OFF”, the camera operation end process is performed (S105). Specifically, each display unit in the camera 100 is changed to a non-display state, the barrier unit 102 is driven to cover the front surface of the photographing lens 10, and necessary parameters and setting values including flags, control variables, etc. The setting mode is recorded in the non-volatile memory 56, or unnecessary power supply to the image display unit 28 or the like is cut off under the control of the power control unit 80. Thereafter, the process returns to step S103.

  On the other hand, when the setting on the mode dial 60 is “shooting mode” (S103), the process proceeds to step S106. If the mode dial 60 is set to another mode (S103), the system control circuit 50 executes a process according to the selected mode (S104). When the process is completed, the process returns to S103. .

  In step S <b> 106, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the remaining capacity of the power source 86 configured by a battery or the like via the power source control unit 80 or the operation status of the power source 86 has a problem in the operation of the camera 100. . If there is the above problem, a predetermined warning is given by image or sound using the information output unit 54 (S108), and the process returns to step S103.

  On the other hand, if there is no such problem (S106), the system control circuit 50 has a problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200, 210, the operation of the camera 100, particularly the recording / reproducing operation of the image data with respect to the recording medium 200, 210. It is determined whether or not (S107). If there is the above problem with respect to the recording media 200 and 210, the information output unit 54 is used to give a predetermined warning by an image or sound (S108), and the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, if there is no problem with the recording media 200 and 210 (S107), the process proceeds to step S109.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the setting state of the single shooting / continuous shooting switch 68 for setting the single shooting mode / continuous shooting mode (S109). If the single shooting mode is set, the single shooting / continuous shooting flag is set to single shooting (S110). If the continuous shooting mode is selected, the single shooting / continuous shooting flag is set to continuous shooting. (S111), and when the setting of each flag is completed, the process proceeds to step S112.

  In the single shooting mode, a single shooting is performed when the shutter switch 64 (SW2) is pressed, and then a standby state is entered. Further, in the continuous shooting mode, shooting is continuously performed a plurality of times while the shutter switch 64 (SW2) is being pressed. On the other hand, the state of the single / continuous shooting flag is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

  The system control circuit 50 outputs information related to various setting states of the camera 100 using images and sounds using the information output unit 54 (S112). When the image display unit 28 is in the display state, various setting states of the camera 100 are displayed using the image display unit 28 as well.

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 determines the setting state of the image display ON / OFF switch 66 (S113), and proceeds to S114 if it is set to the image display state (ON state).

  Furthermore, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the image display unit 28 is in the retracted state or the display state (the state in which the image display unit 28 protrudes from the camera) based on the output of the open / close detection circuit 106 (S114). . If it is determined that the image is in the display state, the image display flag is set (S115), and the image display unit 28 is set to the ON state (display state) (S116). And it sets to the through display state which displays the imaged image data sequentially (S117), and progresses to step S131 (FIG. 3).

  In the through display state, the data sequentially written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 are converted into the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A conversion. The image is output to the image display unit 28 via the device 26. Accordingly, images are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 28 and function as an electronic viewfinder.

  When the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is set to the image display OFF (non-display state) (S113), or when it is determined that the image display unit 28 is in the storage state by the output of the open / close detection circuit 106 (S114). ), The image display flag is canceled (S118). Then, the image display on the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (non-display state) (S119), and the process proceeds to step S131.

  When the image display is OFF, since the electronic viewfinder function by the image display unit 28 is not operating, photographing is performed using the optical viewfinder 104. In this case, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the image display unit 28, the D / A converter 26, and the like that consume a large amount of power. The setting state of the image display flag is stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  In step S131 in FIG. 3, the ON / OFF state of the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is determined. If it is in the OFF state, the process returns to step S103. If the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is in the ON state (S131), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S132).

  If the image display flag has been set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the freeze display state (S133), and the process proceeds to step S134.

  In the freeze display state, rewriting of image data in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 is prohibited. Then, the image data last written in the image display memory 24 is output to the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26 and displayed on the image display unit 28. As a result, the frozen video is displayed on the image display unit 28.

  On the other hand, if the image display flag has been canceled in step S132, the process proceeds to step S134.

  The system control circuit 50 (measuring means) moves the taking lens 10 (focus lens) to the in-focus position by performing a focus adjustment operation, and determines the aperture value and the shutter speed by performing a photometric operation (S134). . If it is determined that the flash unit 404 is to be used based on the photometric result of the photometric operation, the flash is set. Detailed processing in the above-described focus adjustment operation and photometry operation will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S135, the shutter speed determined based on the photographing mode set by the operation of the mode dial 60 and the exposure result obtained in the photometry operation (S134) is the shutter on the fastest side of the shutter 12 (mechanical shutter). Determine if the speed is exceeded.

  Here, if the shutter speed on the fastest side is not exceeded, the shutter time setting of the shutter 12 is performed (S136), and the process proceeds to step S138. On the other hand, if the shutter speed on the highest speed side is exceeded, the shutter time setting using both the driving of the shutter 12 and the electronic shutter (drive of the image sensor 14) is performed (S137), and the process proceeds to step S138.

  As described above, when the shutter speed at the time of shooting exceeds the shutter speed on the fastest side of the shutter 12 (mechanical shutter), by using the electronic shutter together, the mechanical shutter prevents the occurrence of smear and the electronic shutter speed is increased. The shutter can enable a high shutter speed.

  Then, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S138). If the image display flag is set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is changed to the through display state. After setting (S139), the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, it is determined whether the shutter switch 64 (SW2) is on or off. If the shutter switch 64 is in the OFF state, the ON / OFF state of the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is determined again. If SW1 is also in the OFF state, the process returns to step 103. If SW1 is in the ON state, the process returns again to step S140.

  When it is determined that the shutter switch 64 (SW2) is in the ON state (S140), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S142). If the image display flag has been set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the fixed color display state (S143), and the process proceeds to step S161. If the image display flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S161.

  In the fixed color display state, instead of the image data written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22, the replaced fixed color image is displayed. Data is output to the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26. As a result, fixed-color image data (video) is displayed on the image display unit 28.

  In step S161 (FIG. 4), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the single / continuous shooting flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52, and if the single shooting flag is set, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S162. If the flag is set, the process proceeds to step S181.

  In step S162, the system control circuit 50 executes shooting processing. Specifically, the image is taken in the memory 30 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22. An exposure process for writing the processed image data is performed. Further, using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20, a development process is performed in which the image data written in the memory 30 is read and various processes are performed. Details of this photographing process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Then, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S163). If the image display flag is set here, the first quick review display is performed. Specifically, the image data that has been processed in accordance with the display format of the image display unit 28 is read from the memory 30, the display image data is transferred to the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22, and the image display is performed. The display image data read from the memory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28.

  Since the first quick review display process is performed before the dark capture process (S165) described later is performed, display image data is created using the image data before the dark correction calculation is performed, and the display image data is used as the display image data. Based on this, a first quick review display is performed.

  As described above, in the single shooting mode, the shooting process is performed before the dark capturing process, and the image data before dark correction is used as an image for quick review display, thereby shortening the shutter release time lag, It is possible to display a quick review immediately after shooting.

  In the first quick review display (S164), since the dark capturing process (S165) is not completed, a character display such as busy is displayed on the quick review display in the image display unit 28. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 163 that the image display flag has been canceled, the process proceeds to step S165 while the image display unit 28 remains in the OFF state. In this case, the image display unit 28 remains in the non-display state even after shooting, and no quick review display is performed. When shooting is continued using the optical viewfinder 104, and it is not necessary to confirm the shot image immediately after shooting with the image display unit 28, the above state is obtained.

  The system control circuit 50 closes the shutter 12, accumulates noise components such as dark current of the image sensor 14 for the same time as the actual photographing, and reads the noise image signal after accumulation (dark capturing process) (S165), and the process proceeds to step S166.

  By using the dark image data captured by the dark capturing process and performing correction calculation processing on the image data obtained by actual exposure, dark current noise generated by the image sensor 14 and scratches unique to the image sensor 14 are obtained. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration in image quality such as pixel deficiency. Details of the dark capturing process (S165) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads out part of the image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 and performs WB (white balance) integration calculation processing OB ( (Optical black) Performs integral calculation processing. Then, the calculation result is stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S166).

  Further, the system control circuit 50 reads out the captured image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 by using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20, and stores it in the internal memory or the memory 52. Various development processes including an AWB (auto white balance) process, a gamma conversion process, and a color conversion process are performed using the calculation result (S166).

  In the development processing, dark correction calculation processing for canceling dark current noise and the like of the image sensor 14 is also performed by performing subtraction processing using the dark image data captured in the dark capturing processing. Details of the development processing (S166) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the image data written in the predetermined area of the memory 30 and performs image compression processing according to a preset mode by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (S167). Then, the image data that has been subjected to the above-described series of processing is written into an empty area in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the image data stored in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30, and the recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card via the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96. , 210 is written (recording process) (S168).

  Note that while the image data is being written to the recording media 200 and 210, in order to clearly indicate that the writing operation is being performed, the information output unit 54 is driven, and the recording medium writing operation is performed by blinking the LED, for example. Let the user know what is happening.

  In step S169, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52. If the image display flag is set, the image data processed in accordance with the display format of the image display unit 28 is read from the memory 30 and transferred to the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22. The display image data read from the image display memory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28 (second quick review display, S170).

  Since the second quick review display process is after the dark capture process (S165) is performed, display image data is created using the image data after the dark correction calculation is performed in the development process (S166). The quick review display is performed based on the image data.

  As described above, in the single shooting mode, the shooting process is first performed before the dark capturing process, and the first quick review display is performed using the image data before dark correction. Then, after performing the dark capturing process, the second quick review display is performed using the image data after dark correction. As a result, the shutter release time lag can be shortened, and quick review display (first quick review display) can be performed immediately after shooting.

  In the second quick review display process (S170), since the dark capture process (S165) has already been completed, the quick review display in the image display unit 28 is performed in the first quick review display (S164). Erases the display of characters such as busy displayed in a superimposed manner.

  If the image display flag is canceled in step S169, the image display unit 28 remains in the OFF state, and the process proceeds to step S171. In this case, the image display unit 28 remains off even after shooting, and no quick review display is performed. This is a case where confirmation of a photographed image immediately after photographing is unnecessary and power saving is emphasized without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28 as in the case where photographing is continued using the optical finder 104.

  In step S171, the process waits until the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is turned off. When the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is turned on, the process proceeds to step S172. When the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is in the OFF state, the second quick review display remains on.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S161 that the single / continuous shooting flag has been set, if the continuous shooting flag is set, the process proceeds to step S181. In step S181, after the shutter 12 is closed, a noise component such as a dark current of the image sensor 14 is accumulated for the same time as the main photographing, and a dark capturing process is performed to read out the noise image signal after the accumulation (S181). The process proceeds to step S182.

  By performing the correction calculation process using the dark image data captured in the dark capturing process, the captured image data is related to image quality degradation such as dark current noise generated by the image sensor 14 and pixel defects due to scratches unique to the image sensor 14. Can be corrected. Details of the dark capturing process (S181) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S182, shooting processing is executed. Specifically, the image was taken in the memory 30 through the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter through the memory control circuit 22. An exposure process for writing image data is performed. Further, the image data written in the memory 30 is read out and various processes are performed using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20. Details of this photographing process (S182) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads out part of the image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 and performs WB (white balance) integration calculation processing OB ( (Optical Black) Integration calculation processing is performed, and the calculation result is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S183).

  Then, the system control circuit 50 uses the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20 to read out the captured image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 and store it in the internal memory or the memory 52. Various development processes including an AWB (auto white balance) process, a gamma conversion process, and a color conversion process are performed using the calculation result (S183).

  In the development processing, dark correction calculation processing for canceling dark current noise and the like of the image sensor 14 is also performed by performing subtraction processing using the dark image data captured in the dark capturing processing. Details of this development processing (S183) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S184). If the image display flag is set, the third quick review display is performed (S185). Specifically, the image data processed according to the display format of the image display unit 28 is stored from the memory 30. The display image data is read and transferred to the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22, and the display image data read from the image display memory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28.

  Since the third quick review display process is after the dark capture process (S181) is performed, display image data is created using the image data after the dark correction calculation is performed in the development process (S183). This display image data is displayed as a quick review.

  As described above, in the continuous shooting mode, the third quick review display is performed using the image data after the dark correction, and the interval between the continuous shooting frames of the first image and the second image is made substantially constant. Quick review display can be performed immediately after shooting.

  If it is determined in step S184 that the image display flag has been released, the process proceeds to step S186 with the image display unit 28 kept in the OFF state. In this case, even after shooting, the display on the image display unit 28 remains off and no quick review display is performed. This is a case where confirmation of a photographed image immediately after photographing is unnecessary and power saving is emphasized without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28 as in the case where photographing is continued using the optical finder 104.

  Then, the system control circuit 50 reads the image data written in the predetermined area of the memory 30 and starts the image compression process according to the preset mode by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (S186).

  In step S187, it is determined whether or not there is an empty area in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30 (S187). If there is an empty area, writing of the compressed image data is sequentially performed, and the process proceeds to step S189. On the other hand, if there is no free space in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30 (S187), the system control circuit 50 reads out the image data stored in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30, and the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connector 92, A recording process for writing to the recording media 200 and 210 such as a memory card and a compact flash (registered trademark) card is performed through the process 96 (S188), and the process proceeds to step S189.

  As a result, when the continuous shooting is performed for a predetermined number or more and the image recording buffer area is insufficient, the continuous shooting can be resumed by performing recording processing to create an empty area in the image recording buffer area. Become. In the case where the recording process is performed in step S188, there is no problem even if the image display unit 28 or the information output unit 54 is used to issue a predetermined warning by an image or sound when there is no free space.

  In step S189, the ON / OFF state of the shutter switch 64 (SW2) is determined (S189). If it is in the ON state, the system control circuit 50 returns to step S182 and repeats a series of continuous shooting. On the other hand, if the shutter switch 64 (SW2) is in the OFF state (S189), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the shutter switch 62 (SW1) (S190).

  If the shutter switch 62 (SW1) is on (S190), the process returns to step S189. On the other hand, if it is in the OFF state, the system control circuit 50 reads out the image data stored in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30, and via the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96, the memory card or compact flash ( A recording process for writing to the recording media 200 and 210 such as a registered card is performed (S191).

  In order to clearly indicate that the writing operation is being performed while the image data is being written to the recording media 200 and 210, the information output unit 54 is driven, for example, the LED is blinking and the recording medium is being written. Display something. When the recording process (S191) is completed, the process proceeds to step S172.

  In step S172, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52. If the image display flag is set (S172), the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the through display state (S173), the series of photographing operations are finished, and the process returns to step S103. In this case, after confirming the captured image by the quick review display on the image display unit 28, it is possible to enter a through display state in which image data captured for the next imaging is sequentially displayed.

  On the other hand, if the image display flag has been canceled (S172), the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (S173), the series of photographing operations are finished, and the process returns to step S103.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed flowchart of the focus adjustment / photometry process in step S134 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 201, a charge accumulation signal (image data) is read from the image sensor 14, and image data is sequentially read into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16. Using the sequentially read image data, the image processing circuit 20 is a predetermined used for TTL (through-the-lens) AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and AF (autofocus) processing. The operation is performed.

  In each processing here, a specific portion of the total number of photographed pixels is extracted by extracting a necessary portion according to necessity and used for calculation. This makes it possible to perform optimum calculations for different modes such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode in each of the TTL method AE, EF, AWB, and AF processes.

  Using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 (determination means) uses the shutter control circuit 40 to perform AE control (aperture drive control) until the exposure (AE) is determined to be appropriate (S202). (S203). Using the measurement data obtained by the AE control, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the flash unit 404 needs to emit light (S204).

  Here, if the flash unit 404 needs to emit light, a flash flag is set, and an instruction is issued to the flash control circuit 48 to charge the flash unit 404 (S205). As a result, the flash unit 404 is charged for light emission.

  Further, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the strobe unit 404 is popped up at the light emission position based on the output of the strobe position sensor 403. If the strobe unit 404 has already popped up, the strobe process ends.

  On the other hand, when the strobe unit 404 is not popped up, the system control circuit 50 instructs the strobe control circuit 48 to pop up the strobe unit 404 to the light emission position. Accordingly, the strobe control circuit 48 drives the pop-up motor 402 to pop up the strobe unit 404 in the storage position to the light emission position.

  Then, the strobe control circuit 48 determines whether or not the strobe unit 404 has moved to the light emitting position based on the output of the strobe position sensor 403, and if it has moved to the light emitting position, stops driving the pop-up motor 402. Let On the other hand, when the strobe unit 404 has not moved to the light emitting position, the pop-up motor 402 is continuously driven until the strobe unit 404 moves to the light emitting position.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the exposure (AE) is appropriate, the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

  The system control circuit 50 uses the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control until the white balance (AWB) is determined to be appropriate (S206). The color processing parameters are adjusted to perform AWB control (S207).

  If it is determined that the white balance (AWB) is appropriate (S206), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

  If the flash flag is set in step S204 (S208), it waits for the completion of the strobe pop-up operation (S209). If it is determined in step 204 that flash is necessary (flash emission of the flash unit 404 is necessary), the flash control circuit 48 is instructed to charge in step 205, but in parallel with the flash emission preparation process. If the white balance (AWB) at step 206 is determined to be appropriate and the strobe unit 404 has not been popped up, the AF at step 210 is waited until the strobe unit 404 has been popped up. It is for making it perform appropriately.

  In step S210, the system control circuit 50 uses the measurement data obtained by the AE control and the AWB control to determine whether or not the photographing optical system is in a focused state. The process proceeds to S212, and if not in focus, the process proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the focus control circuit 42 is used to perform AF control (focus lens drive control). Specifically, the focus control circuit 42 is provided in the camera body 100 (lens barrel), and performs AF control by driving a drive mechanism (second drive mechanism) that moves the focus lens in the optical axis direction. Do.

  If it is determined in step S210 that the photographing optical system is in focus, the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  In step S212, AE correction processing is performed using measurement data obtained in the focused state of the photographing optical system. Then, the focus adjustment / photometry processing routine (S134 in FIG. 3) ends.

  Here, when the strobe unit 404 is popped up after focus adjustment, the photographing lens (focus lens) 10 may be displaced from the in-focus position due to vibration or the like generated in the camera body 100 at the time of pop-up. However, in the camera of this embodiment, when it is necessary to make the strobe unit 404 emit light as described above, the strobe unit 404 is popped up to the light emitting position before performing the focus adjustment operation. In other words, after the strobe unit 404 is popped up, the photographing lens (focus lens) 10 is driven.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the photographing lens (focus lens) 10 from being shifted from the in-focus position due to vibration generated when the flash unit 404 is popped up.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in steps S162 and S182 of FIG.

  After performing the charge clear operation of the image sensor 14 (S301), the system control circuit 50 starts the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 (S302). By driving the shutter 12 via the shutter control circuit 40, the shutter 12 is opened (S303). Then, exposure to the image sensor 14 is started (S304).

  Here, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the flash unit 404 is caused to emit light based on the setting state of the flash flag (S305). If it is determined that the flash unit 404 needs to emit light, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined that the flash unit 404 does not need to emit light, the process proceeds to step 307.

  In step S 306, the flash unit 404 is caused to emit light via the flash control circuit 48.

  Then, the system control circuit 50 waits for the exposure of the image sensor 14 to end based on the photometric data in the photometric process (at the time of shutter speed) (S307), and drives the shutter 12 to the closed state via the shutter control circuit 40 (S307). S308). Thereby, the exposure of the image sensor 14 is terminated.

  Then, it waits until the set charge accumulation time elapses (S309), and when the charge accumulation time elapses, the system control circuit 50 ends the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 (S310). Then, a charge signal is read out from the image sensor 14, and the memory 30 is connected via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22. The photographed image data is written to the predetermined area (S311).

  When the series of processes is finished, the photographing process routine (S162 or S182) is finished.

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the dark capturing process in steps S165 and S181 of FIG.

  After performing the charge clear operation of the image sensor 14 (S401), the system control circuit 50 starts the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 with the shutter 12 closed (S402).

  If the predetermined charge accumulation time has elapsed (S403), the system control circuit 50 ends the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 (S404). Then, a charge signal is read out from the image sensor 14, and the memory 30 is connected via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22. The image data (dark image data) is written to the predetermined area (S405).

  As described above, by performing development processing using dark image data, the captured image data is corrected with respect to image quality degradation such as dark current noise generated in the image sensor 14 and pixel defects due to scratches inherent to the image sensor 14. Can do.

  The dark image data is held in a predetermined area of the memory 30 until a new dark capturing process is performed or the power of the camera 100 is turned off. Further, when a part or all of the memory 30 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a hard disk, and dark image data is written in the non-volatile memory, the dark until the dark capturing process is newly performed. The image data is held in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory.

  The dark image data stored in the memory 30 is used when developing the image data read from the image sensor 14. When the series of processes described above is completed, the dark capturing process routine (S165 or S181) is terminated.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of the development processing in steps S166 and S183 in FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the captured image data and dark image data written in the memory 30 and sequentially performs known luminance signal processing (S501), color processing (S502), and thumbnail image processing (S503). The processed image data is written in the memory 30. When the series of processing is finished, the development processing routine (S166 and S183) is finished.

  In this embodiment, the lens-integrated camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a camera system including a camera and a lens device that is detachably attached to the camera.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera which is Example 1 of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the camera of Embodiment 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the camera of Embodiment 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the camera of Embodiment 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine for focus adjustment / photometry processing according to the first exemplary embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting processing subroutine according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of dark capturing processing according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a development processing subroutine according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10: photographing lens 48: strobe control circuit 50: system control circuit 402: pop-up motor 404: strobe unit

Claims (5)

A control apparatus for an optical device, which includes a pop-up light emitting unit, a first driving mechanism for driving the light emitting unit, a movable lens, and a second driving mechanism for driving the lens,
When the light emitting unit is popped up, it has control means for driving the first driving mechanism to pop up the light emitting unit and then driving the second driving mechanism to move the lens. Control device for optical equipment.   2. The control apparatus for an optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not to pop up the light emitting unit based on luminance information of object light.   The control device for an optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens is a focus lens. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging element that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the lens. A method for controlling an optical apparatus, which includes a pop-up light emitting unit, a first driving mechanism for driving the light emitting unit, a movable lens, and a second driving mechanism for driving the lens,
When the light emitting unit is popped up, the lens is moved by driving the first driving mechanism to pop up the light emitting unit and then driving the second driving mechanism. Control method.

Images