JP2017120946A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera that considers power saving while allowing the release interval of interval timer photography to be kept constant in consideration of camera accessories connected to the camera.SOLUTION: A camera having an auto power off function and performing an automatic release operation at a preset timing, includes determining means for determining a camera accessory connected to the camera, first calculating means for calculating a time required for the camera to transit to an auto power off state based on a result obtained by the determining means, and second calculating means for calculating a time required for the camera to transmit from the auto power off state to a releasable state, on the basis of a result obtained by the first and second calculating means, whether transition to the auto power off state is performed being determined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having an auto power off function.

  Conventionally, there is an interval timer photographing function that repeats a photographing operation at a predetermined photographing interval (hereinafter referred to as an interval time) placed in an electronic camera that converts a subject image into an electrical signal and records the image data on a recording medium as image data. When the interval timer photographing operation is started by a predetermined operation, first, the first photographing is performed, and at the same time, timing is started, and the next photographing is waited. Then, after the interval time elapses, after performing the photographing operation, the function waits again until the next predetermined time, and operates so as to repeat this a predetermined number of times (hereinafter, the number of interval photographing).

  On the other hand, recent electronic cameras have an auto power off function for automatically turning off the power of the camera when the camera is not operated for a certain period of time in order to save power.

  By combining the above functions, if the interval time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as auto power off time), the camera is turned off and enters the auto power off state. By performing shooting, it is possible to consider power saving even when the interval time is long.

  However, a certain amount of time (hereinafter referred to as camera restoration processing time) is required until the camera transitions from the auto power off state to the photographing enabled state. Therefore, depending on the timing when the camera starts to return, the release operation is performed after the interval time, and it becomes difficult to keep the release interval of the interval timer shooting, that is, the interval time constant.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 sets the release operation after the interval time has elapsed by estimating the camera return processing time in consideration of the lens barrel operating time when the camera returns in interval timer shooting. An electronic camera that can keep the interval time constant by being surely performed at the timing is disclosed.

JP 2004-134845 A

  By the way, regardless of whether it is external or internal, the time required for camera startup and shooting preparation processing depends on the type of camera accessories such as interchangeable lenses and strobes connected to the camera, their connection status, and the camera settings related to them. Different.

  For example, the time required varies depending on the type of lens connected to the camera, depending on lens optical correction processing, shooting preparation processing such as AF operation, or camera settings related to the lens such as AF enabled / disabled.

  In the case of flash photography, for example, the flash charging time differs depending on whether it is a built-in flash or an external flash. Some strobes have an auto bounce function. In such a case, a preparatory operation for determining the bounce angle is required before the release, and it is necessary to consider the time required for the operation.

  On the other hand, a certain amount of time (hereinafter referred to as auto power off transition processing time) is also required for processing when the camera transitions from the activated state to the auto power off state. For example, when the interchangeable lens has a camera shake correction function (hereinafter referred to as IS), there is a case where the lens IS-off control, the energization release processing, or the like is required at the time of power-off or auto power-off transition.

  Thus, it is conceivable that the auto power-off transition processing time and the camera return processing time vary depending on the type of camera accessory connected to the camera.

  Therefore, when the auto power-off transition during the interval time is made when the time until the next release is shorter than the sum of the auto power-off transition processing time and the camera recovery processing time, the actual release timing is There is a risk of being delayed from the setting. In other words, depending on the timing at which the camera transitions to the auto power off state during the interval time, there is a concern that the release operation may be performed after the interval time, making it difficult to keep the interval time constant.

  However, the conventional technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 considers the case where the camera return processing time is almost constant in interval timer shooting, such as the lens barrel operation, and enters the auto power-off state. This does not take into consideration the case where the transition processing takes time or the case where the processing time changes depending on the type of camera accessory connected.

  In addition, it may be possible to prohibit the auto power off function of the camera during interval timer shooting, but it becomes difficult to consider power saving.

  In view of the above, the present invention has an object to provide an electronic camera that also considers power saving while allowing the release interval of interval timer shooting to be kept constant in consideration of camera accessories connected to the camera. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes:
An imaging device having an auto power-off function and performing an automatic release operation at a preset timing, based on a result obtained by the discrimination means for discriminating a camera accessory connected to the imaging device First calculation means for calculating the time required for the imaging device to transition to the auto power off state, and second calculation for calculating the time required for the imaging device to transition from the auto power off state to the release enabled state Based on the results obtained by the means and the first and second calculation means, it is determined whether or not to make a transition to the auto power off state.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electronic camera which considered the power saving can be provided, considering the accessory connected to the camera and enabling it to keep the release interval of interval timer imaging | photography constant.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the camera in connection with embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow representing specific processing in step 2004; It is an image figure showing the relationship between the interval time TI, the auto power off time TA, the auto power off transition processing time TX, and the camera return processing time TY in the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, an interchangeable lens, an external strobe, and a built-in strobe are taken up as examples of camera accessories connected to the camera. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a device that can be connected to a camera such as a GPS device or a WFT.

(Example)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This apparatus is specifically an imaging apparatus (digital single-lens reflex camera). Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control unit that controls the entire system. Reference numeral 61 denotes a shutter switch SW1, and 62 denotes a shutter switch SW2.

  The shutter switch 61 (SW1) is turned ON during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and instructs to start operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing. The shutter switch 62 (SW2) is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, processes a signal read from an image sensor (not shown), and records a captured image obtained by the processing on a recording medium (not shown). Instructs the start of a series of processing operations.

  Reference numeral 63 denotes an operation unit. The operation unit 63 is a means for inputting instructions of various operations of the system control circuit 50, and is configured by a single or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by eye-gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like.

  The operation unit 63 includes various buttons, a touch panel, etc., and includes a menu button, a set button, an erase button, an ISO sensitivity selection button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu movement− ( (Minus) button, playback image move + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, determination / execution button for setting execution and execution of various operations such as interval shooting setting, Auto-focus operation starts when the shutter switch SW1, a playback button for reading from the recording medium shown in the figure, is pressed. Once in focus, the one-shot AF mode that keeps the focused state and the shutter switch SW1 are pressed. Serve AF mode that keeps autofocusing continuously while Auto mode, program mode, shutter speed priority mode, aperture priority mode, manual mode, etc. There is a power switch for switching the power on / off of the device.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes a lens control unit, and 72 denotes a lens detection unit. When a lens is connected to the camera, the lens detection unit 72 detects that the lens is connected to the camera. When the lens is connected, the lens control unit 71 performs communication between the camera and the lens, captures information from the lens into the camera, and notifies the lens of information from the camera.

  Information exchanged between the camera and the lens includes lens information such as the lens type, lens drive processing for performing lens alignment according to focusing processing and camera status, and lens optical correction for performing lens aberration correction, etc. There is information.

  73 is a strobe control unit, and 74 is an external strobe detection unit. When an external strobe is connected to the camera, the external strobe detector 74 detects that the external strobe is connected to the camera. When an external strobe is connected, the strobe control unit 73 performs communication between the camera and the external strobe to control the strobe. Alternatively, when an external strobe is not connected and the camera uses a built-in strobe, the strobe control unit 73 performs communication between the camera and the built-in strobe to control the strobe.

  Reference numeral 75 denotes a built-in strobe controller. In this embodiment, the built-in strobe is provided. However, a configuration without the built-in strobe may be used.

  Reference numeral 81 denotes a distance measurement processing unit, and 82 denotes a photometry processing unit. The distance measurement processing unit 81 is means for performing AF processing, and performs focusing processing using light rays incident from a lens (not shown). The photometric processing unit 82 is a means for performing AE processing, performs exposure processing using light rays incident from a lens (not shown), and sets exposure conditions (aperture and shutter speed). The photometry processing unit 82 also has an EF processing function in cooperation with the strobe control unit 73.

  Reference numeral 85 denotes a power control unit. The power control means 85 is configured by a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, etc., and detects whether or not the battery is connected, the type of battery, the remaining battery level, The DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  91 is a lens processing time table, 92 is an external strobe processing time table, and 93 is a built-in strobe processing time table. If the built-in strobe is not provided, the built-in strobe processing time table 93 may not be provided.

  The processing time here means the time required for the camera accessory that can be connected to the camera to transition from the camera activation state to the auto power off state (that is, the auto power off transition processing time), and the auto power. This is the time required for processing from returning from the off state to transition to a release enabled state (that is, camera return processing time). For example, the auto power-off transition processing time and the camera return processing time for the lens include IS drive stop processing, AF / MF setting, in addition to lens information, lens drive processing, and lens communication time for lens optical correction information. If AF is AF, various cases such as the time required for the focusing process can be considered.

  Also, the auto power-off transition processing time and camera recovery processing time for the strobe include the time required for communication between the camera and strobe, the time required for charging the strobe, and the auto bounce operation if an auto bounce function is installed. Various cases are conceivable, such as the time required for the AF auxiliary light emission operation.

  Here, in this embodiment, for convenience, the auto power-off transition processing time and the camera return processing time are described in the same table, and each processing time can be acquired. Regarding this, a configuration may be adopted in which tables are prepared separately, such as an auto power-off transition processing time table and a camera return processing time table.

  The lens processing time and strobe processing time related to the shooting preparation operation differ depending on the lens type and strobe type. As one method for obtaining them, a table in which the camera accessory type and the processing time are associated is stored in the camera body, such as the lens processing time table 91, the external strobe processing time table 92, and the built-in strobe processing time table 93. By doing so, the processing time can be acquired from the table using the type of lens / strobe connected to the camera as a key.

  As another method, for example, a method of storing on the camera body side the time required for processing when the lens / strobe connected to the camera is actually driven in the past is also conceivable.

  In the present invention, the acquisition method is not limited to these, and any method may be used.

  The camera operation according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing the relationship among the interval time TI, auto power off time TA, auto power off transition processing time TX, and camera return processing time TY in this embodiment.

  Here, the release ready state refers to a state in which the release process can be started immediately when the camera receives a release instruction. The activated state is a state in which the camera is turned on and a process for photographing is not performed. The auto power off state is a state for power saving in which the camera is transitioned by the auto power off process.

  In interval timer imaging, if a certain release operation is R1, and the next release operation is R2, the interval time TI indicates the time from R1 to R2.

  The camera transitions to the activated state after R1, and further transitions to the auto power off state when the auto power off time TA elapses. At that time, it takes an auto power off transition processing time TX until the camera completes the transition from the activated state to the auto power off state. Thereafter, the camera waits for a while in the auto power off state, and when the next release operation R2 approaches, the camera transitions from the auto power off state to the activated state and to the release enabled state. At that time, it takes a camera recovery processing time TY until the transition of the camera from the auto power off state to the release enabled state is completed. TB is a time obtained by subtracting the auto power off time TA from the interval time TI.

  The camera compares the time TB with the sum of the auto power-off transition processing time TX and the camera recovery processing time TY, and the release operation is performed even when the camera transitions to the auto power-off state and returns the camera from that state. It is judged whether or not it is in time for R2.

  In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the state immediately after the release of the interval timer shooting transitions from the release-enabled state to the start-up state, and further, from the auto power-off state to the release-enabled state before the next release. However, the state transition before and after the release is not limited to this. For example, immediately after the release, you may wait in the release ready state without transitioning to the start state. Also, before the release, after transitioning from the auto power off state to the start state and waiting there for a while, Various cases are possible, such as transition to a release enabled state.

  FIG. 2 is a control flow of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step 2001, the camera is set for interval timer shooting. Examples of the setting contents include an interval time TI, the number of interval photographing, and the like.

  Next, in step 2002, a time TB obtained by subtracting the auto power off time TA from the interval time TI is calculated.

  Next, in step 2004, the total value of the auto power-off transition processing time TX and the camera return processing time TY is calculated. A specific calculation method will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step 2006, the camera starts interval timer shooting.

  Next, in step 2007, it is determined whether or not the interval time TI has elapsed. If it is determined that the interval time TI has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 2015. If it is determined that the interval time TI has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step 2008.

  Next, in step 2008, it is determined whether or not the auto power off time TA has elapsed. If it is determined that the auto power off time TA has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 2009. If it is determined that the auto power off time TA has not elapsed, the process returns to step 2007 again.

  Next, in step 2009, the time TB calculated in step 2002 is compared with the total value of TX and TY calculated in step 2004 to determine whether the time TB is greater. If it is determined that the time TB is larger, the process proceeds to step 2010. If it is determined that the time TB is not greater, the process returns to step 2007 again.

  Next, in step 2010, the camera transitions to auto power off.

  Next, in step 2011, the remaining time until the next release is confirmed. If the remaining time is TY, the process proceeds to step 2012. If the remaining time is not yet TY, step 2011 is performed again.

  Here, in this embodiment, the time TY is used to check the remaining time, but for example, TY + α (α is a correction value for the camera return processing time) in order to secure a certain margin for the camera return processing. The remaining time may be checked using.

  Next, in step 2012, the camera performs a return process from the auto power off state.

  Next, in step 2015, the camera performs a shooting preparation operation. As a result, the camera transitions from the activated state to the release enabled state.

  Next, in step 2016, the camera performs a release process.

  Next, in step 2017, the preset setting conditions of interval timer shooting are confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the interval timer shooting can be ended. If it is determined to end, this sequence ends. If it is determined not to end, the process returns to step 2007.

  FIG. 3 is a control flow showing specific processing in step 2004.

  Here, TXL and TYL represent auto power-off transition processing time and camera return processing time corresponding to the lens, respectively. Further, TXN and TYN represent auto power-off transition processing time and camera return processing time corresponding to the built-in flash, respectively. Further, TXG and TYG represent auto power-off transition processing time and camera return processing time corresponding to the external strobe, respectively.

  First, in step 3001, it is determined whether a lens is connected to the camera. If it is determined that it is connected, the process proceeds to step 3002. If it is determined that the connection is not established, in step 3004, time TXL = 0 and time TYL = 0 are set, and the process proceeds to step 3010.

  Next, in step 3002, the type of the connected lens is acquired. In the camera-lens communication executed when the lens is connected, the camera can acquire the lens type based on information notified from the lens.

  Next, in step 3003, time TXL and time TYL are acquired based on the lens processing time table 91 using the acquired lens type.

  If the acquired lens type is not in the table 91, or if the lens type cannot be acquired and the table 91 cannot be searched, preset fixed values are set as TXL and TYL. Further, the fixed values set in TXL and TYL may be updated and held by measuring the processing time during various operations of the camera.

  Next, in step 3010, it is determined whether an external strobe is connected to the camera. If it is determined that it is connected, the time TXN = 0 and TYN = 0 corresponding to the built-in flash are set in step 3021 and the process proceeds to step 3022. If it is determined that they are not connected, the time TXG = 0 and TYG = 0 corresponding to the external strobe are set in step 3031 and the process proceeds to step 3032.

  Next, in step 3022, the type of external strobe connected is acquired. When the strobe connected to the camera is an external strobe, the camera can acquire the external strobe type based on information notified from the external strobe in the camera-external strobe communication.

  Next, in step 3023, the time TXG and time TYG are acquired based on the external strobe processing time table 92 using the acquired external strobe type, and the process proceeds to step 3040.

  Here, the value obtained from the table 92 is used as it is as the processing time corresponding to the external strobe, but for example, camera settings such as whether or not the AF auxiliary light function is valid and whether or not the external strobe is valid for the auto bounce function. It may be possible to add additional time depending on the situation.

  Here, if the acquired external strobe type is not in the table 92, or if the external strobe type cannot be acquired and the table 92 cannot be searched, preset fixed values are set as TXG and TYG. Also, fixed values set in TXG and TYG may be updated and held by measuring the processing time during various operations of the camera.

  Next, in step 3032, it is determined whether the built-in flash is connected to the camera. If it is determined that it is connected, the process proceeds to step 3033. If it is determined that they are not connected, in step 3035, the time TXN = 0 and TYN = 0 corresponding to the built-in strobe are set, and the process proceeds to step 3040.

  Next, in step 3033, the type of the built-in flash connected to the camera is acquired.

  Next, in step 3034, the time TXN and time TYN are acquired based on the built-in strobe processing time table 93 using the acquired type of built-in strobe, and the process proceeds to step 3040.

  Here, the value obtained from the table 93 is used as the time corresponding to the built-in flash as it is, but as in the case of the external flash, for example, separately depending on the camera settings such as whether or not the AF auxiliary light function is enabled. It is possible to add more time.

  Here, when the acquired built-in strobe type is not in the table 92 or when the built-in strobe type cannot be obtained and the table 93 cannot be searched, predetermined fixed values are set as TXN and TYN. Also, fixed values set in TXN and TYN may be updated and held by measuring the processing time during various operations of the camera. In addition, since the built-in strobe is an apparatus provided in the camera, the camera may hold the time TXN and the time TYN in advance, and in that case, calculation using a table may not be performed.

  Next, in step 3040, auto power-off transition processing time TX is calculated. As a specific calculation method, for example, TX = TXL + TXG + TXN + α can be considered.

  In this embodiment, TXL + TXG + TXN is the sum of the auto power-off transition processing times corresponding to the camera accessories connected to the camera. When the processing of each camera accessory is performed in parallel, the maximum value of any one of TXL, TXG, and TXN may be used instead of the sum of each time, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  Here, α represents a correction value for the auto power-off transition processing time. For example, the time required for the camera itself excluding the camera accessory to transition from the activated state to the auto power off state may be calculated and set as α. In this case, the camera body may store the time in advance, or may count the time during the camera operation. Further, in order to keep the release interval of the interval timer photographing constant under various circumstances, the time for securing a certain margin in the auto power-off transition processing time TX may be set as α.

  Next, in step 3041, a camera return processing time TY is calculated. As a specific calculation method, for example, TY = TYL + TYG + TYN + β can be considered.

  In this embodiment, TYL + TYG + TYN is the sum of the camera restoration processing times corresponding to the camera accessories connected to the camera. When the processing of each camera accessory is performed in parallel, the maximum value of any of TYL, TYG, and TYN may be used instead of the sum of each time, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  Here, β represents a correction value for the camera restoration processing time. For example, the time required for the camera itself excluding the camera accessory to transition from the auto power-off state to the image-capable state may be calculated and set as β. In this case, the camera body may store the time in advance, or may count the time during the camera operation. Further, in order to keep the release interval of the interval timer shooting constant under various circumstances, the time for securing a certain margin in the camera return processing time TY may be set as β.

  Next, in step 3042, the sum of the auto power-off transition processing time TX calculated in step 3040 and the camera return processing time TY calculated in step 3041 is obtained. Then, as described above, using the value of TX + TY and the time TB obtained by subtracting the auto power off time TA from the interval time TI, it is determined in step 2009 whether or not to perform the auto power off transition.

  In this way, by using the auto power-off transition processing time TX and the camera return processing time TY corresponding to the camera accessory, it is possible to consider the accessory connected to the camera by determining whether or not to perform the auto power-off transition. In addition, the interval timer shooting interval can be kept constant.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

50 System control unit, 61 Shutter switch SW1,
62 shutter switch SW2, 63 operation unit, 71 lens control unit,
72 lens detection unit, 73 strobe control unit, 74 external strobe detection unit,
75 Built-in flash control unit, 81 Distance measurement processing unit, 82 Photometry processing unit, 85 Power supply control unit,
91 Lens processing time table, 92 External strobe processing time table,
93 Built-in flash processing time table

Claims (5)

An imaging apparatus having an auto power-off function and performing an automatic release operation at a preset timing,
Determining means for determining a camera accessory connected to the imaging device;
First calculation means for calculating a time required for the imaging apparatus to transition to an auto power-off state based on a result obtained by the determination means;
Second calculating means for calculating the time required for the imaging device to transition from the auto power off state to the release enabled state;
An image pickup apparatus that determines whether or not to make a transition to an auto power-off state based on the results obtained by the first and second calculation means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera accessory is an interchangeable lens. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera accessory is an external strobe. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera accessory is a built-in flash. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit is based on a camera setting related to the camera accessory.