JP5159536B2 - Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are some imaging apparatuses capable of capturing moving images by sequentially driving imaging elements such as a CCD and a CMOS image sensor, which perform still image capturing while capturing moving images. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation timing when interrupting still image shooting during moving image shooting in a conventional imaging apparatus. As shown in FIG. 9, when the still image start switch is operated while the moving image start switch is operated and the moving image is being shot, the imaging device immediately stops moving image shooting and switches to still image shooting. Perform still image preprocessing. After the still image pre-processing, the imaging device performs still image shooting, performs still image post-processing for switching to moving image shooting, and resumes moving image shooting.

In a conventional imaging device, the moving image missing time when still image shooting is interrupted during moving image shooting is the processing time of still image preprocessing and still image postprocessing and the time of still image shooting. Exposure time. Therefore, in order to make discontinuity of moving images inconspicuous when still image shooting is performed during moving image shooting, it is necessary to shorten the above-described missing time. Most of the missing time is an aperture driving time and an exposure time for switching between an aperture when capturing a moving image and an aperture when capturing a still image in the still image pre-processing and the still image post-processing. Patent Document 1 describes controlling the aperture and shutter speed at the time of still image shooting that is interrupted so that the sum of the aperture drive time that occupies most of the missing time and the exposure time of still image shooting is minimized. Has been.
JP 2006-287586 A

  However, even with the above-described conventional technology, it is not sufficient to shorten the missing time of moving images when still image shooting is performed while still taking a moving image, and further reduction of the missing time has been desired.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program that have a short moving image missing time when still image shooting is interrupted during moving image shooting.

The above object is achieved by an imaging apparatus for performing the dynamic image recording shooting and still image recording for photography, a diaphragm driving means for adjusting the aperture amount and drives the diaphragm, the still image recording shooting instruction during moving recording shooting If there is, after performing the adjustment to the aperture amount of the iris still image recording for photography on the diaphragm drive means, Ru row Align the still image recording photographed by interrupting the video recording imaging control and means, are achieved by an imaging apparatus according to the present invention characterized by Ru with a.

The above-described object performs dynamic eth recording shadows and still image recording for photography, a control method of an image pickup apparatus having a diaphragm driving means for adjusting the aperture amount by driving the diaphragm, the control of the imaging apparatus When the means is instructed to shoot still image recording during shooting for moving image recording , the aperture driving means adjusts the aperture amount for still image recording of the aperture , and then shooting for moving image recording row Align Ru control process still image recording photographed by interrupting also achieved by a control method of an imaging apparatus according to the invention which is characterized in that have a.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten a moving image missing time when still image shooting is performed while moving image shooting is being performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, the embodiment of the present invention shows the most preferable mode of the invention, and does not limit the scope of the invention.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating an optical viewfinder mode (hereinafter referred to as OVF mode) state. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the imaging apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100, and is a diagram illustrating an electronic viewfinder mode (hereinafter, EVF mode) state.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a main body 101 and a lens device 102 that is detachably attached to the main body 101.

  The image pickup apparatus 100 is a single-plate digital still camera using an image pickup element 106 such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor. The image pickup element 106 is sequentially driven or driven once to generate an image signal representing a moving image or a still image. obtain. Here, the image sensor 106 is a type of area sensor that converts the exposed light into an electrical signal for each pixel, accumulates charges according to the amount of received light, and reads the accumulated charges.

  In the lens apparatus 102, a photographing optical system 103 and a diaphragm 104 for adjusting the amount of light at the time of photographing are provided. The lens device 102 is electrically and mechanically connected to the main body 101 via a known mounting mechanism. In the imaging apparatus 100, it is possible to obtain shooting screens with various angles of view by attaching the lens apparatus 102 having different focal lengths to the main body 101.

  Further, in the lens device 102, a focus lens (not shown), which is a part of the photographing optical system 103, is moved in the direction of the optical axis L1 via a driving mechanism (not shown), so that the focus of the photographing optical system 103 is increased. Make adjustments.

  The image sensor 106 is housed in the package 110. In the optical path from the photographic optical system 103 to the image sensor 106, the cutoff frequency of the photographic optical system 103 is limited so that a spatial frequency component higher than necessary for the subject image (optical image) is not transmitted to the image sensor 106. An optical low-pass filter 156 is provided.

  The signal read from the image sensor 106 is displayed on the display unit 107 as image data after being subjected to predetermined processing as will be described later. The display unit 107 is attached to the back surface of the main body 101 so that the user can directly observe the display on the display unit 107.

  Specifically, the image sensor 106 is a CMOS process compatible image sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as a CMOS sensor) which is one of the amplification type solid-state image sensors. One of the features of the CMOS sensor is that the MOS transistors in the area sensor and the peripheral circuits such as the image sensor drive circuit, AD converter circuit, and image processing circuit can be formed in the same process. It can be greatly reduced. In addition, it has a feature that random access to an arbitrary pixel is possible, and readout that is thinned for display is easy, and real-time display can be performed at a high display rate on the display unit 107.

  The image sensor 106 uses the above-described features to perform a moving image output operation (reading in a region where a part of the light receiving region of the image sensor 106 is thinned) and a high-definition image output operation (reading in the entire light receiving region). Both operations can be performed. Further, the focus of the lens can be adjusted by a contrast detection method using the output of the image sensor 106.

  The half mirror 111 is a movable mirror member that reflects a part of the light flux from the photographing optical system 103 and transmits the remaining part, and divides one optical path into two optical paths. The focusing screen 105 is disposed on the planned image plane of the subject image formed by the photographing optical system 103. The pentaprism 112 restores the subject image (inverted inverted image) formed on the focusing screen 105 into an erect image. The viewfinder lens 109 is a lens for observing a subject image formed on the focusing screen 105 via the pentaprism 112, and is generally composed of a plurality of lenses. The focusing screen 105, the pentaprism 112, and the finder lens 109 constitute a finder optical system.

  A movable sub-mirror 122 is provided behind the half mirror 111 (image surface side). The sub mirror 122 reflects the light beam close to the optical axis L 1 out of the light beam transmitted through the half mirror 111 and guides it to the focus detection unit 121. Further, the sub mirror 122 can be moved back and forth with respect to the photographing optical path in conjunction with the half mirror 111 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The focus detection unit 121 receives the light beam from the sub-mirror 122 and performs focus detection by the phase difference detection method.

  The flash light emitting unit 108 is a unit that irradiates a subject with flash light, and is movable between a storage position stored in the main body 101 and a light emission position protruding from the main body 101. The focal plane shutter 113 has a front curtain and a rear curtain composed of a plurality of light shielding blades, and adjusts the amount of light incident on the image plane. The main switch 119 is a switch that receives an activation instruction for the imaging apparatus 100.

  The release button 120 is a button that is pressed in two stages. The first switch is turned on by a half-press operation, and the second switch is turned on by a full-press operation. When the first switch is turned on, photographing preparation operations such as a photometric operation and a focus adjustment operation by a central control circuit described later are started. When the second switch is turned on, the operation of the focal plane shutter 113 by the central control circuit and the photographing operation such as recording of the image data read from the image sensor 106 on the recording medium are started. Further, when taking a still image during moving image shooting, the second switch by a full-press operation functions as a still image shooting start switch.

  The finder mode changeover switch 123 is a switch for accepting an instruction for switching between the OVF mode and the EVF mode from the user. In the imaging apparatus 100, it is possible to switch between the OVF mode and the EVF mode as a subject image observation mode each time the finder mode switching switch 123 is pressed.

  The moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 is a switch for receiving a moving image shooting start instruction or a moving image shooting stop instruction from the user. In the imaging apparatus 100, when the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 is first pressed in the EVF mode, moving image shooting is started, and when the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 is pressed again, moving image shooting is ended.

  The information display unit 180 is a unit for displaying specific information on the focusing screen 105 by, for example, lighting of an LED element.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same members as those described in FIG. First, a description will be given from the part related to the imaging and recording of the subject image.

  The imaging apparatus 100 has an imaging system, an image processing system, a recording / reproducing system, and a control system. The imaging system has a photographing optical system 103 and an imaging element 106, and the image processing system has an A / D converter 130, an RGB image processing circuit 131, and a YC processing circuit 132. The recording / reproducing system includes a recording processing circuit 133 and a reproducing processing circuit 134, and the control system includes a central control circuit 135, an operation detection circuit 136, an image sensor driving circuit 137, an AF control circuit 140, and a lens system control circuit 141. Have

  The connection terminal 138 is a terminal that is connected to an external computer or the like and is standardized to transmit and receive data. The above-described electric circuit is driven by receiving power supply from a power supply unit (not shown) such as a small battery or a commercial power supply.

  The imaging system is an optical processing system that forms an image of light from a subject on the imaging surface of the imaging element 106 via the imaging optical system 103. In the imaging system, the control system controls the driving of the diaphragm 104 provided in the lens device 102 and the focal plane shutter 113 as required. In the imaging system, light from the subject can be received by the imaging element 106 with an appropriate amount of light by the control described above.

  The image sensor 106 may have a total of about 10 million square pixels. The image sensor 106 may constitute a so-called Bayer arrangement in which R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color filters are alternately arranged in each pixel, and four pixels form a set. In the Bayer array, the overall image performance is improved by arranging more G pixels that are easily felt when an observer views the image than the R and B pixels. In general, in image processing using this type of image sensor, a luminance signal is generated mainly from G, and a color signal is generated from R, G, and B.

  The signal read from the image sensor 106 is supplied to the image processing system via the A / D converter 130. Image data is generated by image processing in this image processing system.

  The A / D converter 130 is a signal conversion circuit that converts, for example, an output signal of the image sensor 106 into a 10-bit digital signal according to the amplitude of the signal read from each pixel of the image sensor 106 and outputs the signal. . Therefore, the subsequent image processing via the A / D converter 130 is executed by digital processing.

  The image processing system is a signal processing circuit that obtains an image signal in a desired format from R, G, and B digital signals. The R, G, and B color signals are converted into a luminance signal Y and a color difference signal (R−Y), ( B-Y) and the like are converted into a YC signal.

The RGB image processing circuit 131 is a signal processing circuit that processes the output signal of the A / D converter 130, such as a white balance circuit, a gamma correction circuit, and an interpolation calculation circuit that performs high resolution by interpolation calculation (all not shown). ).

The YC processing circuit 132 is a signal processing circuit that generates a luminance signal Y and color difference signals RY and BY. The YC processing circuit 132 includes a high-frequency luminance signal generation circuit that generates a high-frequency luminance signal YH, a low-frequency luminance signal generation circuit that generates a low-frequency luminance signal YL, and a color difference signal that generates color difference signals RY and BY. A generation circuit (none of which is shown) is included. The luminance signal Y is formed by combining the high frequency luminance signal YH and the low frequency luminance signal YL.

  The recording / reproducing system is a processing system that outputs an image signal to a memory (not shown) and outputs an image signal to the display unit 107. The recording processing circuit 133 performs writing processing and reading processing of the image signal to the memory, and the reproduction processing circuit 134 reproduces the image signal read from the memory and outputs it to the display unit 107. The image signal read from the memory can display not only the captured image but also a menu screen prepared in advance for the user to make various settings of the imaging apparatus 100.

  The recording processing circuit 133 includes a compression / expansion circuit (not shown) that compresses the YC signal representing still image data and moving image data in a predetermined compression format and expands the compressed data. The compression / decompression circuit has a frame memory or the like for signal processing. The frame memory stores the YC signal from the image processing system for each frame, and the signals accumulated from each block among a plurality of blocks. Read and compression encode.

  The reproduction processing circuit 134 is a circuit that converts the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY into a matrix signal, for example, an RGB signal. The signal converted by the reproduction processing circuit 134 is output to the display unit 107 and displayed (reproduced) on the display unit 107 as a visible image.

  On the other hand, the operation detection circuit 136 in the control system detects operations of the main switch 119, the release button 120, the finder mode changeover switch 123, the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124, and the like (other switches are not shown). The operation detection circuit 136 outputs this detection result to the central control circuit 135.

  The central control circuit 135 centrally controls the operation of each part of the imaging apparatus 100. Specifically, the central control circuit 135 reads out the program data stored in the ROM, develops it in the RAM (none of which are shown), and controls the operation of each unit in cooperation with the program data. For example, the central control circuit 135 receives the detection signal from the operation detection circuit 136 and performs an operation according to the detection result. In addition, the central control circuit 135 generates a timing signal for performing the imaging operation and outputs the timing signal to the imaging element driving circuit 137.

  The image sensor drive circuit 137 receives the control signal from the central control circuit 135 and generates a drive signal for driving the image sensor 106. The information display circuit 139 receives the control signal from the central control circuit 135 and controls the driving of the information display unit 180.

  The control system controls driving in the imaging system, the image processing system, and the recording / reproducing system in accordance with operations of various switches provided in the main body 101 under the control of the central control circuit 135. For example, when the second switch is turned ON by operating the release button 120, the control system processes the detection signal in the focus detection area obtained by driving the half mirror 111 and the focal plane shutter 113 and the focus detection unit 121. The AF control circuit 140 is controlled. The control system also controls driving of the image sensor 106, operation of the RGB image processing circuit 131, compression processing of the recording processing circuit 133, and the like. Further, the control system changes the display (the state of the display segment) in the optical viewfinder by controlling the driving of the information display unit 180 via the information display circuit 139. Further, the control system controls the program diagram stored in advance in a memory or the like under the control of the central control circuit 135, the luminance value of the image data captured by the image sensor 106, and the aperture detected by the aperture position detection circuit 104a. Exposure control in the imaging system is performed according to the position and the like. Further, the control system controls the imaging sensitivity of the imaging element 106 by changing the amplification factor in the amplification unit (not shown) of the A / D converter 130 under the control of the central control circuit 135.

  Next, the configuration in the replaceable lens device 102 will be described. The lens system control circuit 141 controls driving for moving the photographing optical system 103 to the in-focus position via the lens driving circuit 142. In addition, the lens system control circuit 141 performs drive control of the diaphragm 104 according to the subject brightness during the photographing operation via the diaphragm drive circuit 143. The aperture position detection circuit 104 a detects the aperture position of the aperture 104 and outputs the detection result to the lens system control circuit 141. The diaphragm position of the diaphragm 104 is calculated by the diaphragm position detection circuit 104a from the output of a sensor (not shown) such as a potentiometer that works in conjunction with the driving of the diaphragm 104. The lens system control circuit 141 can communicate with the central control circuit 135 in the main body 101 via the communication contact 102a on the lens device 102 side and the communication contact 101a on the main body 101 side. The lens system control circuit 141 notifies the central control circuit 135 of information such as the type of the lens device 102, the focal length, and the aperture position.

  When the imaging apparatus 100 is in a non-photographing state (for example, the state shown in FIG. 1), the aperture 104 of the lens apparatus 102 is opened, and the front curtain of the focal plane shutter 113 is in an opened state after traveling is completed. . In this non-photographing state, the light beam from the subject incident from the photographing optical system 103 is reflected by the half mirror 111 and guided to the finder optical system. The light beam that has passed through the half mirror 111 is reflected by the sub mirror 122 and guided to the focus detection unit 121. Therefore, the non-photographing state is a standby state in which the subject image formed by the light beam can be observed through the finder lens 109 and the focus detection unit 121 can perform focus detection. This state is a subject observation mode in a so-called OVF mode. This state is usually when the main switch 119 is turned off and immediately after the main switch 119 is turned on.

  In the EVF mode state shown in FIG. 3, the half mirror 111 and the sub mirror 122 are retracted from the photographing optical path, and the light beam from the photographing optical system 103 is directly guided to the image sensor 106. In the EVF mode state, the image pickup device 106 is sequentially driven to continuously pick up the subject image, and the read out image data is thinned out for display and displayed on the display unit 107 in real time. Accordingly, the user can determine the composition of the captured image while confirming the subject image displayed on the display unit 107. The EVF mode state is a standby state in which focus detection by the contrast detection method using the output of the image sensor 106 can be performed without using the focus detection unit 121. This state is a subject observation mode in a so-called EVF mode. In the EVF mode state, it is also possible to record the image signal continuously captured by sequentially driving the image sensor 106 as a moving image.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 performed under the control of the central control circuit 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, a description will be given of the process until the finder mode is determined after the main switch is activated.

  In S1, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the main switch 119 has been turned ON. When it is detected in S1 that the main switch 119 has been turned ON, the central control circuit 135 activates the electric circuit of each part of the imaging device 100 in S2.

  In S3, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the finder mode changeover switch 123 has been pressed. The central control circuit 135 determines that the mode is the OVF mode as long as the finder mode changeover switch 123 is not pressed, proceeds to S4, and performs the OVF mode process. If the central control circuit 135 detects that the finder mode switch 123 has been pressed and detects a finder switching instruction, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to S5 and performs a finder switching operation (switching from OVF to EVF).

  In S <b> 6, the central control circuit 135 controls the driving of the information display circuit 139 so that the display in the finder field by the information display unit 180 is not displayed. By stopping the driving of the information display unit 180 in accordance with the selection of the EVF mode, the user can suppress unnecessary power consumption in the imaging apparatus 100 and suppress battery consumption.

  In S7, the central control circuit 135 drives a motor (not shown), rotationally drives the half mirror 111 and the sub mirror 122 to move to the upper part of the mirror box, and retracts the half mirror 111 and the sub mirror 122 from the photographing optical path. .

  In S8, the central control circuit 135 causes only the front curtain of the focal plane shutter 113 to travel so as to expose the valve. By being in the bulb exposure state, the imaging apparatus 100 continuously captures the subject light that has passed through the imaging optical system 103 to the imaging element 106 and is capable of imaging for displaying an image on the display unit 107. Become.

  In S8, the central control circuit 135 transmits information regarding the aperture value related to moving image shooting to the lens system control circuit 141, and adjusts the aperture 104 to an aperture position suitable for moving image shooting. For example, as an aperture value for moving image shooting, a value that is reduced as much as possible is preferable so that the depth of field becomes deeper during moving image shooting. Next, in S9, the central control circuit 135 turns on the display unit 107.

  In S <b> 10, the central control circuit 135 sequentially drives the image sensor 106 to capture a moving image, and displays the image data read from the image sensor 106 and subjected to image processing on the display unit 107 in real time.

  In S <b> 11, the central control circuit 135 is in standby for shooting operation as the EVF mode, and performs EVF mode processing. In S12 after S4 or S11, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not there is an end instruction such as turning off the main switch 119. If not, the process returns to S3.

  Next, EVF mode processing will be described with reference to FIG. In the standby state of the photographing operation in which the EVF mode processing is performed, the half mirror 111 and the sub mirror 122 are in the state illustrated in FIG. In the standby state, the imaging device 106 continuously performs imaging of a subject image, and the display unit 107 displays the captured image in real time. Therefore, the user can determine the composition while confirming the subject image displayed on the display unit 107.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the central control circuit 135 always monitors pressing of the finder mode changeover switch 123 as in the OVF mode even after the shooting operation is set to standby in the EVF mode (S31). The central control circuit 135 monitors the depression of the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 in parallel with the monitoring of the finder mode changeover switch 123 (S32). Furthermore, the central control circuit 135 monitors whether or not the first switch of the release button 120, which is a still image shooting start switch, is ON (S33). When the pressing of the finder mode changeover switch 123 is detected in S31, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to S42 and performs a finder changeover operation (switching from EVF to OVF) (the subsequent operation will be described later).

  When the pressing of the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 is detected in S32, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to S35 and starts recording moving image data displayed in real time on the display unit 107. In recording moving image data, a charge signal accumulated in the image sensor 106 that is sequentially driven at a predetermined rate is read. Next, the read signal is processed by the A / D converter 130, the RGB image processing circuit 131, the YC processing circuit 132, and the recording processing circuit 133, and continuous photographed image data ( (Moving image data) is written in a predetermined area of the memory. In addition, the image data written in the memory is sequentially subjected to compression processing of moving images in the recording processing circuit 133 and the like, and a recording medium such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card via an interface or a connector (sometimes (Not shown).

  Thereafter, the central control circuit 135 monitors the depression of the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 in S36 and also monitors the ON of the first switch of the release button 120, which is a still image shooting start switch, in S37 during moving image recording. . The central control circuit 135 continues the moving image recording unless the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 is pressed again. When the central control circuit 135 detects the pressing of the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to S39 and ends the moving image recording.

  On the other hand, the case where neither the finder mode changeover switch 123 nor the moving image shooting start / stop switch 124 is pressed will be described. In this case, when the pressing of the first switch of the release button 120, which is the start switch for still image shooting in S33, is detected, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to shooting operation processing in the EVF mode (S34). If the pressing of the first switch of the release button 120, which is a still image shooting start switch, is detected in S37 during moving image recording, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to shooting operation processing in the EVF mode (S38).

  On the other hand, after the finder switching operation in S41 (switching from EVF to OVF), the central control circuit 135 causes the rear curtain of the focal plane shutter 113 to travel in S42 and closes the shutter. Next, the central control circuit 135 obliquely installs the half mirror 111 and the sub mirror 122 in the photographing optical path in S43. Next, the central control circuit 135 performs charge driving of the focal plane shutter 113 in S44 to prepare for a standby state for a photographing operation or a switching operation to the EVF mode as the next operation. Here, the imaging apparatus 100 is in an initial standby state as the OVF mode illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the OVF mode process when performing a shooting operation from the OVF mode will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in S51, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the first switch is turned on, and proceeds to S52 if the first switch is turned on. When the first switch is off, the central control circuit 135 ends the process and returns to standby, and continues to monitor the state of the finder mode changeover switch.

  In S52, the central control circuit 135 starts a photometric operation, and determines an exposure value (aperture value and exposure time) for still image shooting based on the photometric result. The central control circuit 135 performs a focus adjustment operation by driving the focus lens to the in-focus position based on the detection result of the focus detection unit 121.

  In S53, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the second switch is on. If the second switch is off, the process returns to S51 to determine whether or not the first switch is on. To do. If the second switch is on in S53, the central control circuit 135 proceeds to S54.

  In S <b> 54, the central control circuit 135 drives a motor (not shown) to drive the half mirror 111 and the sub mirror 122 to rotate in conjunction with each other and retract from the photographing optical path.

  In S55, the central control circuit 135 transmits information regarding the aperture value based on the photometric result to the lens system control circuit 141. The lens system control circuit 141 that has received the information regarding the aperture value controls the driving of the aperture 104 provided in the lens device 102 so that the aperture diameter corresponds to the aperture value.

  In S <b> 56, the central control circuit 135 clears the charge of the image sensor 106, and then starts charge accumulation in the image sensor 106. In S <b> 57, the central control circuit 135 drives the focal plane shutter 113 to the open state and starts an exposure operation for the image sensor 106.

  In S58, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the flash light emitting unit 108 is caused to emit light based on the exposure value determined by the photometric operation. If it is determined that the flash light emitting unit 108 needs to emit light, the process proceeds to S59. If it is determined that it is not necessary to emit light, the process proceeds to S60.

  In S59, the central control circuit 135 controls the drive of the flash light emitting unit 108 to irradiate the subject with illumination light. In S60, the central control circuit 135 ends the exposure of the image sensor 106 by driving and controlling the focal plane shutter 113 in the closed state when the predetermined exposure time determined previously has elapsed.

  In S61, the central control circuit 135 instructs the lens system control circuit 141 to drive the diaphragm to the full aperture value. As a result, the lens system control circuit 141 controls the driving of the diaphragm so as to obtain the full aperture value.

  In S62, the central control circuit 135 drives a motor (none of which is shown) by controlling the mirror drive control circuit. By driving the motor, the half mirror 111 returns from the position retracted from the photographing optical path to the position before photographing that enters the photographing optical path and guides light to the viewfinder. At the same time, the sub mirror 122 interlocked with the driving of the motor also moves to a position where it enters the original photographing optical path and guides light to the focus detection unit 121.

  In S <b> 63, the central control circuit 135 confirms that the set charge accumulation time has elapsed, and ends the charge accumulation process in the image sensor 106.

  In S <b> 64, the central control circuit 135 reads the charge signal accumulated from the image sensor 106. The central control circuit 135 performs processing in the A / D converter 130, the RGB image processing circuit 131, the YC processing circuit 132, and the recording processing circuit 133 on the read signal. Then, the captured image data (still image data) generated by the above process is written in a predetermined area of the memory.

  In S65, the central control circuit 135 reads out the photographed image data written in the predetermined area of the memory and performs development / compression processing using the recording / reproducing system and, if necessary, the image processing system. Specifically, the central control circuit 135 performs various development processes including an auto white balance process, a gamma conversion process, and a color conversion process on the captured image data using the calculation result stored in the internal memory. Further, image compression processing corresponding to the set mode is performed by a compression / decompression circuit (not shown), and the compressed image data is written in the empty image portion of the image storage buffer area of the memory.

  In S <b> 66, the central control circuit 135 reads the image data stored in the image storage buffer area of the memory along with the execution of a series of shooting operations. Next, the central control circuit 135 performs a recording process and writes the read image data to a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card via an interface or a connector. The recording process is executed on the image data every time new data is written in the empty image portion of the image storage buffer area of the memory.

  In S67, the central control circuit 135 drives a motor (not shown) to perform shutter charging, and charges the front curtain and rear curtain of the focal plane shutter 113 to the exposure preparation position. After the recording is completed, the process returns to S51 for monitoring the state of the first switch again to prepare for the next photographing operation.

  Next, a shooting operation process in the EVF mode, which is a process in a case where a still image shooting operation is performed during moving image shooting in the EVF mode, will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in S81, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the first switch is on. If the first switch is on, the process proceeds to S82, and if the first switch is off, the central control circuit 135 takes an image. Exits the action process and returns to the previous process. The return destination is the process after S34 or S38.

  In S82, the central control circuit 135 starts a photometric operation based on the image data captured by the image sensor 106, and determines an exposure value (aperture value and exposure time) suitable for still image shooting based on the photometric result. Further, the focus adjustment operation of the focus lens is performed based on the focus detection by the contrast detection method using the output of the image sensor 106.

  In S83, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the second switch is on. If the second switch is off, the process returns to S81 to determine whether or not the first switch is on. To do. In other words, the subject image is continuously displayed on the display unit 107 in real time until the second switch is turned on. On the other hand, if the second switch is on in S83, the process proceeds to S84.

  In S84, the central control circuit 135 transmits information related to the aperture value based on the photometric result to the lens system control circuit 141. The lens system control circuit 141 that has received the information regarding the aperture value controls the driving of the aperture 104 provided in the lens device 102 so that the aperture diameter for still image shooting according to the aperture value is obtained.

  In the state where real-time display is performed on the display unit 107 before starting the still image shooting, the aperture is reduced as much as possible to increase the depth of field and the focusing movement of the lens is suppressed. Different. Therefore, in S84, it is necessary to perform aperture control for still image shooting again.

  In S85, the central control circuit 135 detects that the aperture has been driven to the aperture position set to an aperture value suitable for still image shooting based on the output of the aperture position detection circuit 104a, and in S86 the real time of the display unit 107 is detected. Stop display. In addition, the central control circuit 135 interrupts the moving image recording. That is, in the imaging apparatus 100, after the first and second switches of the release button 120, which is a still image start switch, are pressed, until the driving operation for setting the aperture 104 to the aperture value for still image shooting is completed. Movie shooting continues. Then, the moving image recording is interrupted after the driving for setting the aperture 104 to the aperture value for still image shooting is completed.

  However, the exposure amount of the moving image in which the aperture 104 is in operation varies depending on the aperture value of the aperture 104. Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 100, the imaging sensitivity of the imaging element 106 is changed stepwise in accordance with the change of the aperture 104 during the period until the driving operation for setting the aperture 104 for the still image shooting is completed. The luminance change is suppressed (S87).

  Specifically, in S87, the central control circuit 135 as sensitivity control means detects the aperture position of the aperture 104 based on the output of the aperture position detection circuit 104a, and performs imaging when sequentially driving the image sensor 106 during moving image shooting. The sensitivity is controlled according to the aperture position of the aperture 104. For example, the central control circuit 135 changes the aperture position of the aperture 104 based on the aperture position of the aperture 104 and the program diagram so as to maintain the luminance level of the moving image at the time when the still image capturing instruction is given for the above-described period. The imaging sensitivity according to is sequentially calculated. The central control circuit 135 controls the amplification factor in the amplifying unit of the A / D converter 130 so as to perform imaging with the imaging element 106 with the sequentially calculated imaging sensitivity, thereby suppressing the luminance change in the above-described period. Thus, it is possible to shoot a moving image with a constant luminance level.

  Next, in S88, under the control of the central control circuit 135, the image sensor driving circuit 137 sequentially performs charge reset from the uppermost line of the image sensor 106 downward, and starts charge accumulation as a new exposure operation.

That is, the operation of performing sequential charge reset downward from the uppermost line of the image pickup element 106 is a role equivalent fruit other and to front curtain of the focal-plane shutter 113. Further, the state in which the image sensor 106 is slit-exposed is caused by running the rear curtain formed by the light shielding blades of the focal plane shutter 113 following the operation of sequentially resetting the charge from the uppermost line of the image sensor 106 downward. Producing. Hereinafter, the sequential reset operation of the image sensor functioning as the front curtain of the shutter is referred to as an electronic front curtain shutter, and the front curtain and rear curtain of the focal plane shutter 113 are referred to as “mechanical front curtain shutter” and “mechanical rear curtain shutter”.

  In S89, the central control circuit 135 determines whether or not the flash light emitting unit 108 is caused to emit light based on the exposure value determined by the operation. If it is determined that the flash light emitting unit 108 needs to emit light, the process proceeds to S90. If it is determined that it is not necessary to emit light, the process proceeds to S91.

  In S90, the central control circuit 135 controls the drive of the flash light emitting unit 108 to irradiate the subject with illumination light. In S91, the central control circuit 135 controls the exposure of the image sensor 106 by driving and controlling the mechanical rear curtain shutter of the focal plane shutter 113 to be closed when the predetermined exposure time previously determined has elapsed. Terminate.

  In S <b> 92, the central control circuit 135 confirms that the set charge accumulation time has elapsed and ends the charge accumulation process in the image sensor 106. After the end of charge accumulation (S92), the central control circuit 135 processes the image signal processing sequence (S93 to S95) and the mechanical operation sequence (S96 to S98) in parallel.

  In S <b> 93, the central control circuit 135 reads the charge signal accumulated from the image sensor 106. The central control circuit 135 performs processing in the A / D converter 130, the RGB image processing circuit 131, the YC processing circuit 132, and the recording processing circuit 133 on the read signal. Then, the captured image data (still image data) generated by the above process is written in a predetermined area of the memory.

  In S94, the central control circuit 135 reads captured image data written in a predetermined area of the memory and performs development / compression processing. Specifically, the central control circuit 135 performs various development processes including an auto white balance process, a gamma conversion process, and a color conversion process on the captured image data using the calculation result stored in the internal memory. Further, image compression processing corresponding to the set mode is performed by a compression / decompression circuit (not shown), and the compressed image data is written in the empty image portion of the image storage buffer area of the memory.

  In S95, the central control circuit 135 reads the image data stored in the image storage buffer area of the memory along with the execution of a series of photographing operations. Next, the central control circuit 135 performs a recording process and writes the read image data to a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card via an interface or a connector.

  In one S96 of the parallel processing, the central control circuit 135 instructs the lens system control circuit 141 to drive the aperture 104 to an aperture value suitable for moving images. Thereby, the lens system control circuit 141 performs drive control of the diaphragm 104.

  In S97, the central control circuit 135 drives a motor (not shown) to start shutter charging. With the charging mechanism in S97, in the imaging apparatus 100, the front and rear curtains of the focal plane shutter 113 are once charged to the exposure preparation position. Thereafter, in S98, the central control circuit 135 causes only the mechanical front curtain shutter to travel so that the valve is exposed, and guides the field light to the image sensor 106.

  The central control circuit 135 resumes moving image shooting immediately after the mechanical front curtain shutter has traveled, and simultaneously starts real-time display on the display unit 107 and resumes moving image recording (S99). The driving of the mechanical front curtain shutter ends earlier than driving the aperture 104 to an aperture value suitable for moving images. Therefore, the resumption of the moving image shooting in the imaging apparatus 100 is after the end of the still image shooting in S92 and before the aperture driving in S96 is completed.

  Immediately after the mechanical front curtain shutter finishes moving, the moving image shooting resumes, but the aperture 104 is in the middle of operation. Therefore, the central control circuit 135 determines the presence or absence of a designated aperture position corresponding to the aperture value suitable for moving image shooting based on the output of the aperture position detection circuit 104a in S100. The central control circuit 135 suppresses a change in luminance of the moving image by changing the imaging sensitivity of the image sensor 106 stepwise in accordance with the change of the aperture 104 during the period before the detection of the aperture position according to the determination in S100 (S101). . That is, the central control circuit 135 suppresses a change in luminance of a moving image that is captured during a period until a driving operation in which the diaphragm 104 is set to an aperture value related to the moving image is completed.

  Specifically, in S101, the central control circuit 135 as sensitivity control means detects the aperture position of the aperture 104 based on the output of the aperture position detection circuit 104a, and performs imaging when sequentially driving the image sensor 106 during moving image shooting. The sensitivity is controlled according to the aperture position of the aperture 104. For example, the central control circuit 135 changes the aperture position of the aperture 104 based on the aperture position of the aperture 104 and the program diagram so as to maintain the luminance level of the moving image at the time when the still image capturing instruction is given for the above-described period. The imaging sensitivity according to is sequentially calculated. The central control circuit 135 controls the amplification factor in the amplification unit of the A / D converter 130 so as to perform imaging with the imaging element 106 with sequentially calculated imaging sensitivity. Accordingly, the imaging apparatus 100 can suppress a change in luminance during the above-described period and can capture a moving image that is constant at the luminance level before still image shooting.

  In S100, when it is detected that the aperture 104 has reached the position driven to the aperture value suitable for moving images, the central control circuit 135 returns to S81 for monitoring the state of the first switch again, and moving image shooting is continued. In preparation for the next still image shooting operation.

  When the still image shooting operation is performed immediately from the EVF mode, the other processes are the same except that there is no operation related to the moving image recording in S86 (moving image recording interruption) and S98 (resuming moving image recording) in FIG. . For example, even when a still image shooting operation is performed immediately after the EVF mode, the operation for stopping or restarting the real-time display on the display unit 107 is the same.

  With the processing described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the imaging apparatus 100 switches the aperture value related to moving image shooting to the aperture value related to still image shooting when the moving image shooting is interrupted and still image shooting is performed. Even during shooting, moving image shooting can be continued. In addition, in the case of restarting moving image shooting after still image shooting, the imaging apparatus 100 can restart moving image shooting before the aperture operation for switching from the aperture value related to still image shooting to the aperture value related to moving image shooting is completed. . Therefore, the imaging apparatus 100 can reduce the missing time of a moving image when performing still image shooting while shooting a moving image.

  For example, even when the user specifies an aperture value that is significantly different from the aperture value at the time of moving image shooting as the aperture value at the time of still image shooting and the aperture operation period becomes longer, it is possible to reduce the missing time of the moving image. It becomes possible. In addition, there is no restriction on the aperture value when shooting still images in order to shorten the missing time of movies, and even when still images are shot with the aperture value specified by the user, Time can be shortened.

Furthermore, the imaging apparatus 100 sets the imaging sensitivity of the image sensor 106 according to the aperture position of the aperture 104 during the operation of the aperture 104 even if the moving image shooting is continued during the aperture operation period of the aperture 104 as a preparation for still image shooting. Change step by step. Specifically, the imaging sensitivity of the image sensor 106 is changed according to the aperture position of the aperture 104 so as to maintain the luminance level of the moving image at the time when the still image capturing instruction is given. In addition, the imaging apparatus 100 sets the imaging sensitivity of the image sensor 106 according to the aperture position of the aperture 104 during the operation of the aperture 104 even if the imaging of the aperture 104 is resumed during the aperture operation period of the aperture 104 as a preparation for video imaging. Change in stages. Specifically, the imaging sensitivity of the image sensor 106 is changed according to the aperture position of the aperture 104 so as to maintain the luminance level of the moving image at the time when the still image capturing instruction is given. Therefore, the imaging apparatus 100 can reduce the moving image missing time and obtain a moving image having a natural connection.
[Modification]
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the operating position of the diaphragm is detected based on the output of the diaphragm position detection circuit 104a. Hereinafter, as a modification using an alternative method, a method of specifying the position of the diaphragm by measuring the driving time of the diaphragm 104 will be described.

  In the modification, the time table of the required time in the aperture direction when the aperture 104 is reduced from the full aperture to each aperture value and the required time table in the opening direction from each aperture value to the full aperture are stored in the storage unit built in the central control circuit 135. doing. That is, this time table is operation time information in which a required time until driving from each aperture position to each of the other aperture positions is completed is set in advance. The central control circuit 135 operates the aperture 104 from the aperture value applied during moving image shooting to the aperture value applied during still image shooting and the aperture 104 from the aperture value applied during still image shooting to the aperture value applied during moving image shooting. From the time table.

  As a result, the stop position of the stop 104 can be detected by measuring the drive time from the start of the operation of the stop 104 according to the time measuring process such as counting the operation clock by the central control circuit 135. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize the completion of the diaphragm operation even in the modification example in which the driving time of the diaphragm 104 is measured.

  Note that the description in the above-described embodiment shows an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration and operation in the embodiment described above can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, in the time chart of FIG. 8 shown in the above-described embodiment, the operation of the aperture is shown to operate to a predetermined aperture value after operating once to the full open, but is not limited to this, and is open. It may operate directly up to a predetermined aperture value without performing any operation.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment can also be realized in software by a computer of a system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.). Therefore, the computer program itself supplied to the computer in order to implement the above-described embodiment by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is also one aspect of the present invention.

  The computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be in any form as long as it can be read by a computer. For example, it can be composed of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, but is not limited thereto. A computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is supplied to a computer via a storage medium or wired / wireless communication. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium such as an MO, CD, and DVD, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a computer program supply method using wired / wireless communication, there is a method of using a server on a computer network. In this case, a data file (program file) that can be a computer program forming the present invention is stored in the server. The program file may be an executable format or a source code. Then, the program file is supplied by downloading to a client computer that has accessed the server. In this case, the program file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be distributed and arranged on different servers. That is, a server apparatus that provides a client computer with a program file for realizing the above-described embodiment is also one aspect of the present invention.

  In addition, a storage medium in which the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is encrypted and distributed is distributed, and key information for decrypting is supplied to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition, and the user's computer Installation may be allowed. The key information can be supplied by being downloaded from a homepage via the Internet, for example. Further, the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may use an OS function already running on the computer. Further, a part of the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be configured by firmware such as an expansion board attached to the computer, or may be executed by a CPU provided in the expansion board. Good.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram showing typically the electric composition of the imaging device concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the EVF mode process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the OVF mode process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the imaging device which concerns on this embodiment which image | photographed the still image during video recording in EVF mode. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the conventional imaging device which image | photographed the still image during video recording in EVF mode.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image pick-up apparatus 101 Main body 102 Lens apparatus 103 Image pick-up optical system 104 Diaphragm 104a Aperture position detection circuit 106 Image pick-up element 107 Display unit 120 Release button 121 Focus detection unit 123 Viewfinder mode changeover switch 124 Movie shooting start / stop switch 130 A / D converter 135 Central control circuit 140 AF control circuit 141 Lens system control circuit 142 Lens drive circuit 143 Aperture drive circuit

Claims (9)

An imaging device that performs video recording and still image recording ,
Aperture driving means for adjusting the aperture amount by driving the aperture;
If there is a still image recording shooting instruction during movie recording , the aperture drive means adjusts the aperture to the aperture for still image recording, and then stops movie recording. imaging device for a row Align Ru control means still image recording captured by, wherein <br/> to Ru with a. The control means performs photometry operation when there is an instruction to prepare for still image recording during the recording for moving image recording, and when there is an instruction for shooting for still image recording based on the result of the photometry operation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is adjusted by the diaphragm driving unit. In the case where the moving image recording shooting is interrupted and the still image recording shooting is performed, the control means does not cause the diaphragm driving unit to adjust the aperture while the moving image recording shooting is interrupted. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized. Wherein, after the end of the movie recording photographed suspended allowed to were made still image recording for photography, that to initiate adjustments to the aperture amount of the diaphragm for moving picture recording photographic said diaphragm driving means The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized. The control means restarts the moving image recording after the recording of the still image obtained by the still image recording shooting performed by interrupting the moving image recording shooting is completed. 5. The imaging device according to any one of 4. The control means, that it is adjusted to the aperture amount of the diaphragm amount or RaShizu Tomega recording photographing according to the aperture of the aperture amount Gado image recording shooting, the adjustment time by the diaphragm drive means, preset any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determining by now the time required for adjustment to the aperture amount of the diaphragm amount or RaShizu Tomega recording photographing according to have been vie recording shooting 1 The imaging device according to item . Further comprising a sensitivity control means for controlling the sensitivity of an imaging element,
It said sensitivity control means, while the aperture of the diaphragm the by the throttle driving means during moving the recording photography is adjusted, controlled and still image recording photographing instruction the sensitivity according to the change of the throttle amount imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to keep the luminance level of the moving image had been point. Performs motion picture recording for shooting and still image recording for photography, a control method of an image pickup apparatus having a diaphragm driving means for adjusting the aperture amount by driving the diaphragm,
After the control unit of the image pickup apparatus instructs the aperture driving unit to adjust the aperture amount for still image recording when there is a shooting instruction for still image recording during shooting for moving image recording a control method of an imaging apparatus according to claim <br/> to have a control step, Ru row Align the still image recording photographed by interrupting the movie recording photographed. The program for functioning a computer as an imaging device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7 .

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