JP2003274270A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device which is equipped with such constitution that it can take a photograph immediately when shot action is started, by enabling it to acquire each kind of parameters and evaluation values to serve as the criteria during shifting of a group of lenses to their initial positions. <P>SOLUTION: This image pickup device, which possesses an image pickup means 103 for outputting a subject image inputted via an optical system 101 as an image signal, an evaluation value generating means 1081 for generating the evaluation values of parameters required for shot including the focusing information within the range set from the above image signal, a signal processing means 108 for applying signal processing to the above image signal, and a barrier 101c for lens protection provided in the above optical system 101, is equipped with a barrier state means which detects the aperture state of the above barrier 101c, and a means 21 which changes the setting contents of the evaluation values of the parameters with the above evaluation value generating means, based on the aperture state of the above barrier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device,
More specifically, it relates to a configuration for eliminating a release time lag at the time of shooting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image pickup devices such as digital cameras, the lens barrel is retracted and housed in the camera body to improve portability in accordance with the demand for downsizing, and the convenience and dust of the user are reduced. There is a configuration in which a lens protection barrier is built in the camera body in order to protect the taking lens from the like. In the image pickup device, before the start of photographing, the lens barrel is preliminarily extended from the storage position, so-called extended and positioned at a predetermined reference position, and at the same time, the lens protection barrier on the front surface of the photographing lens is opened to expose the photographing lens to the outside. Is done.

[0003]

Generally, the extension operation of the lens barrel and the opening operation of the lens protection barrier are mechanical operations, unlike initialization performed by electrical operations such as an image sensor and signal processing. In addition, operating time is required. Therefore, there is a time lag between when the user turns on the release switch and starts the shooting operation such as shooting mode input and before the actual shooting is possible. There is a risk of being lost.

As a structure for shortening the time until the actual photographing is started, for example, there are structures proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2000-209485 and 2001-208952.

In the former publication, it is possible to take a picture when the start of the mechanical operation unit and the initialization of the electric signal processing unit are completed, and the completion of initialization of the file system, which requires a processing time longer than these initializations, is waited for. There is disclosed a configuration for reducing the time lag until the start of shooting by being able to perform the shooting operation without doing so. In the latter publication, the movement of the photographing lens group to the initial setting position is started, the means essential for photographing excluding the lens group is initialized, and the initialization of means essential for photographing excluding the lens group is completed. A configuration for starting shooting before the movement of the initializing position of the shooting lens group is completed is disclosed.

[0006]

In the configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned publications, any of the improvements can only be performed by setting the initial value for the signal processing means, and various improvements are possible during the initial movement of the lens group. No consideration is given to the method of deciding parameters and the method of obtaining the evaluation value which is the reference for them. For this reason, even if shooting is possible, the shooting parameters may not be appropriate values and the image quality may be adversely affected. Therefore, if you try to get the correct parameters to avoid such a problem,
Another configuration, such as using a dedicated sensor, is required, which may increase the cost of the imaging device.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus having a structure capable of reducing or eliminating a problem in the conventional image pickup apparatus, in particular, a time lag from the start of the photographing operation to the actual execution of the photographing operation. To provide. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus having a configuration in which various parameters and evaluation values serving as a reference thereof can be acquired during movement of an initial position of a lens group, and an image can be taken immediately when a shooting operation is started.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Image pickup means for outputting a subject image input via an optical system as an image signal, and evaluation value generation means for generating an evaluation value of a parameter required for image pickup including focus information in a range set from the image signal. In an image pickup apparatus including a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the image signal and a barrier for lens protection in the optical system, a barrier state unit that detects an open state of the barrier, and an open state of the barrier. Based on the above, there is provided means for changing the evaluation value setting content of the parameter in the evaluation value generating means.

The second aspect of the present invention is required for image pickup means for outputting a subject image input through the optical system as an image signal, and for image pickup including at least focus information, exposure amount and white balance from the image signal. In an image pickup apparatus including an evaluation value generation unit that generates evaluation values of various parameters, a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the image signal, and a barrier for lens protection in the optical system, the open state of the barrier is set. It is characterized by comprising barrier state means for detecting and means for correcting at least one of the parameters to be signal-processed based on the open state of the barrier.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In addition to the invention described above, the signal processing means operates for exposure (gain) adjustment, and aperture control is executed by means for changing the evaluation value setting content of the parameter according to the exposure adjustment. There is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided focus means for driving the optical system to perform focus adjustment, and the means for changing the evaluation value setting content includes: It is characterized in that the focus means is controlled based on the evaluation value.

The invention according to claim 5 is the same as claims 1 to 4.
In addition to the invention described in one of the above, the detection of the open state of the barrier is characterized in that it is based on a luminance distribution of the image signal or a control state of a drive unit of the barrier.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an image pickup means for outputting a subject image input through the optical system as an image signal, and an evaluation value generation means for generating an evaluation value of a parameter necessary for image pickup from the image signal. A processing means for performing signal processing on the image signal; an image pickup device in which the optical system is a retractable optical system; a means for detecting a retracted state of the retractable optical system; and a retracted state of the retractable optical system. On the basis of the above, a means for correcting the parameter of the signal processing is provided.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 100 corresponding to the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 includes a lens system 1
01, mechanical mechanism 102 including a diaphragm / filter unit, C
CD 103, CDS circuit 104, variable gain amplifier (AG
C amplifier) 105, A / D converter 106, IPP10
7, DCT108, coder 109, MCC110, D
RAM111, PC card interface 112, CP
U 121, display unit 122, operation unit 123, SG (control signal generation) unit 126, strobe device 127, battery 12
8, DC-DC converter 129, EEPROM 13
0, focus driver 131, pulse motor 132,
The zoom driver 133, the pulse motor 134, and the motor driver 135 are provided. Further, a detachable PC card 150 is connected via the PC card interface 112.

The lens unit comprises a lens system 101, a mechanical mechanism 102 including a diaphragm / filter unit, and a mechanical shutter of the mechanical mechanism 102 performs simultaneous exposure of two fields. The lens system 101 is, for example, a varifocal lens, and includes a focus lens system 101a, a zoom lens system 101b, and a lens barrier 101c.

The focus driver 131 is the CPU 12
The focus pulse motor 132 is driven according to the control signal supplied from the focus lens system 101a.
Is moved in the optical axis direction. The zoom driver 133 is C
According to the control signal supplied from the PU 121, the zoom pulse motor 134 is driven to drive the zoom lens system 101b.
Is moved in the optical axis direction.

The lens system 101 is so constructed that it is retractably stored in the camera body when in a non-imaging state, and is extended to a predetermined position when shifting to an imaging state.
The operation of feeding and storing is performed by driving the zoom pulse motor 134 described above.

The motor driver 135 drives the mechanical mechanism 102 according to the control signal supplied from the CPU 121 to set the aperture value of the aperture. Similarly, the barrier driver 101d drives the lens barrier 101c according to a control signal supplied from the CPU 121 to perform an opening / closing operation.

A CCD (charge coupled device) 103 converts an image input via the lens unit into an electric signal (analog image data). A CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 104 is a circuit for reducing noise in a CCD image pickup device. Further, the AGC amplifier 105 has a C
The level of the signal subjected to the correlated double sampling in the DS circuit 104 is corrected. The gain of the AGC amplifier 105 is set by the CPU 121 to the D /
Setting data (control voltage) is A via A converter
It is set by setting the GC amplifier 105.
Furthermore, the A / D converter 106 converts the analog image data from the CCD 103 input via the AGC amplifier 105 into digital image data. That is, the CCD 10
The output signal 3 is converted into a digital signal through the CDS circuit 104 and the AGC amplifier 105, and by the A / D converter 106 at an optimum sampling frequency (for example, an integral multiple of the subcarrier frequency of the NTSC signal). .

IPP (Ima) which is a digital signal processing unit
ge Pre-Processor) 107, DCT
(Discrete Cosine Transform)
m) 108, and a coder (Huffman Enc)
oder / Decoder) 109 is an A / D converter 1
The digital image data input from 06 is subjected to data processing for various processing, correction, and image compression / decompression for each color difference (Cb, Cr) and luminance (Y).

MCC (Memory Card Con)
The controller 110 temporarily stores the compressed image and records it on the PC card 150 or reads it from the PC card 150 via the PC card interface 112.

The CPU 121 uses the RAM as a work area in accordance with a program stored in the ROM, and controls all operations inside the digital camera according to an instruction from the operation unit 123 or an external operation instruction such as a remote controller (not shown). . Specifically, the CPU 121 causes the image capturing operation, the automatic exposure (AE) operation, and the automatic white balance (AWB).
It performs control such as adjustment operation and AF operation. The CPU 121 also includes a timer for counting time.

The camera power source is a battery 128, eg, N
DC-D from iCd, NiMH, lithium batteries, etc.
It is input to the C converter 129 and supplied to the inside of the digital camera.

The display unit 122 is realized by an LCD, an LED, an EL, etc., and displays photographed digital image data, decompressed recorded image data, and the like. Operation part 1
A button 23 is provided with buttons for external selection of functions, shooting instructions, and other various settings.

Adjustment data and the like used by the CPU 121 when controlling the operation of the digital camera are written in the EEPROM 130. Specifically, as adjustment data relating to AE control, an AE table as shown in FIG. 3 is written in numerical form. As shown in FIG. 3, the AE table is a table showing the relationship between the AE evaluation value (for example, 16-bit data) and the proper luminance level (dEv), and the CPU 121 refers to the AE table to refer to I
A proper brightness level corresponding to the AE evaluation value output from PP 107 (AE evaluation value circuit 1082 described later) is calculated, and automatic exposure control is performed so that the brightness level of the captured image data becomes the calculated proper brightness level.

Further, an AWB adjustment table is provided as adjustment data relating to AWB control. Values such as α = 0.01 and β = 0.01 are stored as the adjustment table values, which are used in AWB control described later.

The above digital camera 100 (CPU1
21) is for displaying image data obtained by capturing an image of a subject on a PC.
The recording mode for recording on the card 150 and the PC card 15
A display mode for displaying the image data recorded in 0, a monitoring mode for directly displaying the captured image data on the display unit 122, and the like are provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the IPP 107. As shown in FIG. 2, the IPP 107 is a color separation unit 1071 that separates the digital image data input from the A / D converter 106 into R, G, and B color components.
A signal interpolating unit 1072 for interpolating the separated R, G, B image data, a pedestal adjusting unit 1073 for adjusting the black level of each R, G, B image data, and each R, B image A white balance adjustment unit 1074 that adjusts the white level of data, a digital gain adjustment unit 1075 that corrects each R, G, and B image data with a gain set by the CPU 121, and a R, G, and B image data A gamma conversion unit 1076 that performs γ conversion, a matrix unit 1077 that separates RGB image data into a color difference signal (Cb, Cr) and a luminance signal (Y), a color difference signal (Cb, Cr), and a luminance signal (Y). And a video signal processing unit 1078 which creates a video signal based on the above and outputs it to the display unit 122.

Further, the IPP 107 detects the luminance data (Y) of the image data after the pedestal adjustment by the pedestal adjustment unit 1073, and a predetermined frequency component of the luminance data (Y) detected by the Y calculation unit 1079. BPF 1080 that allows only the light to pass through, an AF evaluation value circuit 1081 that outputs the integrated value of the luminance data (Y) that has passed through the BPF 1080 to the CPU 121 as an AF evaluation value, and Y
An AE evaluation value circuit 1082 that outputs a digital count value corresponding to the luminance data (Y) detected by the calculation unit 1079 to the CPU 121 as an AE evaluation value, and R, G, and B after gain adjustment by the digital gain adjustment unit 1075. Y calculation unit 1083 that detects the brightness data (Y) of the image data
And an AWB evaluation value circuit 1084 which counts the brightness data (Y) of each color detected by the Y calculation unit 1083 and outputs it as the AWB evaluation value of each color to the CPU 121.
And CPUI that is an interface with the CPU 121
/ F1085, DCTI / F1086 which is an interface with the DCT 108, and DRAM I / F1087 which is an interface with the DRAM.

The white balance adjusting section 1074 described above.
Is provided with multipliers 1074r and 1074b for each of R and B, and R to be input to each of the multipliers 1074r and 1074b.
-R and B set in the CPU 121 for B image data
Each gain data of is multiplied respectively, and the white balance of the image data is adjusted. The brightness range (color temperature range: white detection area) of the AWB evaluation value / white extraction setting circuit 1084 is set by the CPU 121.

Digital gain adjusting section 1075 described above
Are multipliers 1075r, 1075g, 10
75b, and each multiplier 1075r, 1075
g to R, G, B image data input to 1075b,
The RGB gain data set by the CPU 121 are respectively multiplied to adjust the signal levels of the R, G, and B image data.

FIG. 4 shows the area division of the evaluation values on the entire screen. The number of captured pixels is 640.times.480 pixels, which is divided into 6 in the vertical direction and 8 in the horizontal direction so that each area has 80.times.80 pixels.
For each area, the AE evaluation value, AF evaluation value,
The detection range is set individually for each AWB evaluation value,
You can get the value.

Next, the operation relating to the automatic exposure (AE) control in the digital camera 100 will be described.
The CPU 121 calculates an appropriate luminance level corresponding to the AE evaluation value fetched from the IPP 107 by referring to the AE table (see FIG. 3) stored in the EEPROM 130, and based on the appropriate luminance level, the AGC amplifier 10
The gain data set to 5 and the multipliers 1075r, 1075g, 1075 of the digital gain adjusting unit 1075.
RGB gain data for multiplying b is calculated. Subsequently, the CPU 121 supplies the calculated gain data to the AGC amplifier 105 with respect to the image data captured and captured.
And set the calculated RGB gain data to
Multipliers 1075r, 1 of the digital gain adjusting unit 1075
075g and 1075c are respectively multiplied to adjust the signal level of the image pickup signal to perform automatic exposure control.

The objects of automatic exposure control are, as described above, not necessarily the AGC amplifier 105 and the digital gain adjusting section 1.
The AGC amplifier 1 is not limited to both
05 or the digital gain adjusting unit 1075, or the automatic exposure control may be performed by setting the aperture amount and the shutter speed based on the AE evaluation value. That is, the target for automatic exposure control may be any one or more of the AGC amplifier 105, the digital gain adjusting unit 1075, the aperture, and the shutter speed.

Next, the operation related to the auto focus (AF) control in the digital camera 100 will be described. In the AF control, the CPU 121 sets the shutter speed and the gain of the AGC amplifier 105, and then the pulse motor 132 via the focus driver 131.
Is driven for a specified pulse in the 1Vd period to move the focus lens system 101a, the AF evaluation value is sampled, and the peak position of the sampled AF evaluation value is set as the focus position, and the focus lens system 101a is set at the focus position. To drive.

Next, the operation relating to the automatic white balance (AWB) control in the digital camera 100 will be described. The CPU 121 is the EEPROM 130.
From the above-mentioned AWB adjustment table in
0.01, β = 0.01) is read, image data for AWB adjustment is taken in, and the AWB evaluation value is taken in from the IPP 107 and stored in the RAM. Then, a gain value used for AWB adjustment is calculated. Specifically, the read operation constants (α = 0.01, β = 0.0
1) is used to calculate the gain value that satisfies Expression 1 and Expression 2.

1-α ≦ ΣR / ΣG ≦ 1 + α (Equation 1) 1-β ≦ ΣB / ΣG ≦ 1 + β (Equation 2) where ΣR: integrated value ΣG of AWB evaluation values of R signal: Integrated value ΣB of AWB evaluation value of G signal: Integrated value α, β of AWB evaluation value of B signal: constants indicating an allowable range, for example, α = β =
0.01 In this AWB adjustment mode, the gain for making the R component, G component, and B component of the image signal approximately 1: 1: 1 is calculated. Subsequently, the CPU 121 uses the calculated gain value as the R and B multiplier 204 of the white balance adjustment unit 204.
r and 204b are respectively multiplied to set the gain value.

Next, the operation of the digital camera of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the invention described in claim 1. In FIG. 6, when the start of imaging is set by turning on the power of the apparatus or a user operation (ST
1-1), the CPU 121 drives the barrier driver 101d to start the opening operation of the lens barrier (ST1-
2). Further, the CPU 121 initializes the IPP 107, the IPP 107 outputs a drive pulse to the SG 126, and starts driving the CCD (ST1-3).

The CPU 121 reads the setting state of the IPP 107, and if a valid evaluation value area is set (ST1-4), executes the AE, AF and AWB processes, and sets the IPP 107 based on the result. (ST1-
5). This operation corresponds to the embodiment of the invention described in claims 1 and 2.

If necessary, the motor driver 13
5 is also driven to switch the aperture. This operation corresponds to the embodiment of the invention described in claim 4. Next, CP
U121 detects the open state of the barrier by means described later (ST1-6), and sets the evaluation value area on the IPP 107 based on the detection result (ST1-7).

Here, a method of setting the evaluation value area for the open state of the barrier will be described. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the relationship between the opening state of the barrier and the effective evaluation value area. In the figure, the upper side shows the opening state of the lens barrier, and the lower side shows the setting contents (hatched) of the corresponding valid evaluation value area. As shown in the figure, by expanding the evaluation value area in accordance with the opening operation, it is possible to perform the AE, AF, and AWB processing even during the opening operation.

The above operation is repeated until the lens barrier is fully opened (ST1-8), and when the lens barrier is fully opened, the operation is switched to the normal operation (ST1-9).

Next, the operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The operation up to the start of driving the CCD is the same as that of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the invention described in claim 1 shown in FIG. 6 (ST2-1 to ST2-1). The CPU 121 detects the open state of the barrier by means described later (ST2-4), corrects the AE evaluation value based on the detection result, and executes the AE process (S).
T2-5). If necessary, the motor driver 13
5 is also driven to switch the aperture.

Now, a method of correcting the AE evaluation value for the open state of the barrier will be described. The AE evaluation value is corrected according to Equation 3 with respect to the obtained evaluation value.

Dc ′ = dc × 100 / op (Equation 3) Here, dc ′: corrected evaluation value op: open state (%) dc: evaluation value obtained from IPP. In this case, the entire evaluation area is valid.

The above operation is repeated until the lens barrier is fully opened (ST2-6), and when the lens barrier is fully opened, the operation is switched to the normal operation (ST2-7).

Here, a method of detecting the open state of the barrier will be described. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method of detecting the open state based on the time from the start of opening activation (clock time) as one of the methods for detecting the open state of the barrier. In FIG. 8, as shown in step ST1-2 in FIG.
Initialize the timer in 21. The CPU 121 reads the timer value (ST3-1), and as shown in Table 1,
The open state of the barrier is determined based on the reference table stored in the EEPROM 130 in advance (ST3-
2).

[0048]

[Table 1]

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method of detecting the open state based on the luminance distribution of the image signal as another example of the method of detecting the open state of the barrier.

In FIG. 9, the CPU 121 is a DRAM
Of the image data stored in 111, the brightness data at the address corresponding to the read point shown in FIG. 5B is read (ST4-1), and it is determined whether the read brightness data is a predetermined value or less. Determine open state (ST
4-2).

In FIG. 5B, the upper side shows the open state of the lens barrier, and the lower side shows the image data reading points. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the read data up to 5 is the brightness data of the predetermined value or more, while the data 6 outside thereof is the value of the predetermined value or less. As shown in Table 2, EEP
The open state of the barrier is determined by the reference table stored in the ROM 130. At this time, the gain value added by the digital gain adjustment unit 1075 by the AE process is added to the read data in advance,
Correction may be added to the boundary value (the above-mentioned predetermined value).

[0052]

[Table 2]

Next, the operation of the digital camera according to the sixth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 1
At 0, when the start of imaging is set by the power-on of the device or the operation of the user (ST5-1), the CPU
Reference numeral 121 drives the zoom driver 133 to drive the lens system 1
The feeding operation of 02 is started (ST5-2). Further, the CPU 121 initializes the IPP 107 to
P107 outputs a drive pulse to SG126 and starts driving the CCD (ST5-3).

The CPU 121 detects the extended state of the lens system by means described later (ST5-4), corrects the AE evaluation value based on the detection result, and executes the AE process (S).
T5-5). If necessary, the motor driver 13
5 is also driven to switch the aperture.

Here, A for the extended state of the lens
A method of correcting the E evaluation value will be described. The AE evaluation value is corrected according to Equation 4 with respect to the obtained evaluation value. dc '= dcx100 / co ... (Formula 4) Here, dc': Corrected evaluation value co: Correction rate (%) obtained from Table 3 dc: Evaluation value obtained from IPP. Table 3 is a reference table stored in the EEPROM 130 in advance.
When performing the above calculation, the calculation is performed by referring to the table.

[0056]

[Table 3]

The above operation is repeated until the lens extension is completed (ST5-6), and when the extension is completed, the operation is switched to the normal operation (ST5-7).

Here, a method of detecting the lens extended state will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the lens extension state is determined based on the timekeeping information. As shown in step ST5-2 in FIG. 11, the timer in the CPU 121 is initialized at the same time when the zoom driver is started.

The CPU 121 reads the timer value (ST6-1) and pre-sets the EEP as shown in Table 4.
The lens extension state is determined based on the reference table stored in the ROM 130 (ST6-2).

[0060]

[Table 4]

In the above embodiment, as described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 6, an example is shown in which the effective area is set while the evaluation area division state remains the same. However, in the present invention, the area division is performed. It is also possible to use a configuration that changes the number or division form. In addition, in a configuration in which the evaluation value is obtained for each small area, all areas are set as effective areas, and the value obtained for each small area is calculated by the CPU.
The determination in 121 may be valid / invalid.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention according to claim 5, an example of determining the open state of the barrier based on the brightness data stored in the DRAM 111 from the CPU 121 using the brightness distribution of the image signal I showed you
In the configuration where the AE evaluation value is obtained for each small area,
The determination may be made using the AE evaluation value.

In the embodiments of the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, the open state of the barrier or the extended state of the lens is used to determine the open state of the lens barrier or the extended state of the lens from the time information using the operating state of the motor driver. Although an example of the determination is shown, the determination may be made based on the number of drive pulses by the stepping motor.

[0064]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the evaluation value generation range is changed according to the open state of the lens barrier. It is possible to obtain an evaluation value, which enables appropriate signal processing, and after the lens barrier is fully opened,
It becomes possible to immediately obtain a good image without feeling a waiting time (time lag).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the signal processing parameter can be corrected according to the opening state of the lens barrier, even during the opening operation of the lens barrier.
By being able to perform appropriate signal processing, it is possible to obtain a state in which a good image can be obtained immediately after the lens barrier is fully opened. In particular, since the evaluation value generation range of the exposure amount can be changed, the exposure adjustment parameter can be corrected, and the white balance control can be performed according to the opening state of the lens barrier, it is possible to perform an appropriate adjustment even during the opening operation of the lens barrier. Since exposure control can be performed, it becomes possible to set a state in which a good image can be obtained immediately after the lens barrier is fully opened.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the aperture control means is also controlled, it is possible to control the exposure amount in a wider range in addition to the invention of the second aspect. it can.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the evaluation value generation range for autofocus can be changed according to the open state of the lens barrier. Since focus control can be performed, it becomes possible to immediately obtain a good image after the lens barrier is fully opened.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the open state of the lens barrier is detected by the brightness distribution of the image signal or the control state of the barrier drive unit. Therefore, it depends on the barrier shape and the open operation speed. It is possible to detect the open state without using the existing configuration without preparing a sensor that detects the open state of the barrier shape or detection determination software. Becomes

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the signal processing parameter can be corrected according to the extension state of the retractable optical system, appropriate signal processing can be performed even during the extension operation of the optical system. By being able to perform it, it becomes possible to obtain a state in which a good image can be obtained immediately after the completion of feeding of the optical system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera corresponding to an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one specific configuration of the IPP shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows A stored in the flash memory shown in FIG.
It is a diagram showing an example of the position of the E table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining area division of evaluation values for the entire screen in the present embodiment.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting the opened state of the barrier on the entire screen shown in FIG. 4, in which FIG. 5A shows the relationship between the opened state of the barrier and the effective evaluation value area; 8] is a diagram for explaining image data reading points for determining the opening state of the barrier.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method of detecting the open state based on the time (timed time) from the start of opening activation as one of the methods for detecting the open state of the barrier.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method of detecting the open state based on the luminance distribution of the image signal, as another example of the method of detecting the open state of the barrier.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for detecting a lens extension state.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Digital camera that is an imaging device 101 lens system 101d barrier driver 103 CCD as an image pickup means 107 signal processing means 121 CPU forming evaluation value changing means 131 focus driver 133 zoom driver 1081 auto focus (AF) evaluation value circuit 1082 Automatic exposure amount (AE) evaluation value circuit 1084 White balance (AWB) evaluation value circuit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 13/36 H04N 5/238 Z 5C022 17/04 9/04 B 5C065 H04N 5/238 G02B 7/11 N 9/04 G03B 3/00 AF Term (Reference) 2H002 DB00 DB17 DB25 EB00 2H011 AA03 BA31 BB04 DA00 DA01 2H051 AA00 BA47 EA07 EA20 EA28 EB04 EB20 2H083 CC21 CC41 CC47 2C101 AC47 CA54 AC74 AC74 A74 AB34 AB02 AB34 AB02 AB34 AB02 AB34 BB02 BB11 BB35 BB36 CC01 CC08 DD02 EE20 GG15 GG32

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for outputting a subject image input through an optical system as an image signal, and an evaluation value of a parameter required for image pickup including focus information of a range set from the image signal. In an image pickup apparatus including an evaluation value generation unit, a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the image signal, and a barrier for lens protection in the optical system, a barrier state unit that detects an open state of the barrier, An image pickup apparatus comprising means for changing the evaluation value setting content of the parameter in the evaluation value generating means based on the opened state of the barrier. 2. An image pickup means for outputting a subject image input via an optical system as an image signal, and an evaluation value of parameters necessary for image pickup including at least focus information, exposure amount and white balance from the image signal. An evaluation value generating unit for generating, a signal processing unit for performing signal processing on the image signal, and an image pickup apparatus including a barrier for lens protection in the optical system, a barrier state unit for detecting an open state of the barrier. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a unit that corrects at least one of the parameters that is the signal processing target based on an open state of the barrier. 3. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit operates for exposure (gain) adjustment, and the aperture is adjusted by a unit that changes the evaluation value setting content of the parameter according to the exposure adjustment. An imaging apparatus, wherein control is executed. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a focus unit that drives the optical system to perform focus adjustment, and a unit that changes the evaluation value setting content, based on the evaluation value, An image pickup apparatus which controls the focusing means. 5. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the open state of the barrier is based on a brightness distribution of the image signal or a control state of a drive unit of the barrier. A characteristic imaging device. 6. An image pickup means for outputting a subject image input through an optical system as an image signal, an evaluation value generation means for generating an evaluation value of a parameter necessary for image pickup from the image signal, and the image signal. In the imaging device, the processing means for performing signal processing, and the optical system is a retractable optical system, means for detecting the extended state of the retractable optical system, and the signal processing based on the extended state of the retractable optical system. An image pickup apparatus comprising means for correcting the parameters of.