JP2008048008A - Electronic camera and image display method for use therein - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the relative rotation angle of a lens and the body be recognized. <P>SOLUTION: A lens unit 12 incorporating the function of television camera is provided rotatably for a camera body 11 which is provided with an LCD 37 for displaying a through-image obtained from a television camera. The lens unit 12 and the camera body 11 are provided with angle sensors 52 and 71 for detecting the absolute rotation angle. Rotation angle information obtained from each angle sensor 52, 71 is sent to a body side CPU 65. The body side CPU 65 operates the relative rotation angle of the lens unit 12 and the camera body 11 at an operating section 80, based on each rotation angle information and displays the value of relative angle thus obtained on the LCD 37. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera including a body that rotatably supports a lens unit provided with a photographing lens and an imaging sensor about the photographing optical axis, and an image display method used therefor.

  An electronic camera that captures a subject image with an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor, converts the image into digital image data, and records the digital image data on a storage medium such as a built-in memory or a memory card is widely used. An imaging sensor used in an electronic camera often has a rectangular light receiving surface. For this reason, so-called lateral position photography that acquires a horizontally long image data in a posture where the long side of the light receiving surface is parallel to the absolute horizontal, and a vertically long image in which the short side of the light receiving surface is parallel to the absolute horizontal Shooting is performed by changing the posture of the camera in one of so-called vertical position shooting for acquiring image data.

However, in vertical position shooting, it is difficult to hold, and camera shake is likely to occur compared to horizontal position shooting. For this reason, there is known an electronic camera including a body that rotatably supports a lens unit provided with a photographing lens and an image sensor around the photographing optical axis (Patent Document 1). This electronic camera is provided with a lock mechanism that locks the lens unit with respect to the body at two positions of a rotation position (horizontal position) of 0 degrees and a rotation position (vertical position) of 90 degrees around the photographing optical axis.
JP 2004-350047 A

  By the way, in the case of shooting, for example, the shooting may be fixed in a train or a car. In this case, it may not be possible to fix the posture in which the bottom surface of the body is held absolutely horizontal. In such a shooting posture, the electronic camera described in the above-mentioned patent document can only rotate the lens unit with respect to the body at either the 0-degree position or the 90-degree position. There has been a drawback that it is not possible to shoot with the horizontal level set to the absolute level or with the desired composition.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even in a shooting posture in which the bottom of the body cannot be fixed to be absolutely horizontal, it is possible to perform shooting with the image level set to be absolutely horizontal or shooting with a desired composition. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera and an image display method that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the electronic camera of the present invention, a lens side angle sensor, which is provided in each of the lens unit and the body, and detects a rotation angle with respect to the absolute horizontal with respect to the lens unit and the body, and a body side angle. A display control means for displaying a value of each rotation angle on a display unit provided on the body based on information on the rotation angle obtained from each angle sensor.

  Further, a calculation means for calculating a relative rotation angle between the lens unit and the body based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor is provided, and the value of the relative rotation angle calculated by the calculation means is displayed on the display unit. You may make it display.

  In addition, an absolute display mode that displays the tilt value of the lens unit and the body relative to the absolute horizontal, or a relative display mode that displays the relative tilt between the lens unit and the body, can be selected alternatively. When the absolute display mode is selected, each absolute rotation angle value is displayed on the display unit based on the rotation angle information obtained from each angle sensor. When the display mode is selected, the relative rotation angle value calculated by the calculation means may be displayed on the display unit.

  Instead of providing a sensor for detecting an absolute rotation angle (absolute angle) in each of the lens unit and the body, an absolute angle sensor provided in either the lens unit or the body, the lens unit, and the body Relative angle detection means for detecting a relative rotation angle (relative angle) with respect to the absolute angle, and display of the absolute angle or relative angle based on the angle information obtained therefrom.

  The lens unit and the body are coupled to a body mount provided on the lens unit and a lens mount that is rotatably provided on the body and to which the body mount is detachably attached. In this case, since the lens mount rotates with respect to the body together with the lens unit, the lens mount may not be rotated and attached when the body mount is attached to the lens mount. Therefore, when the body mount is rotated with respect to the lens mount from the mounting position to the trouble of the lock position, relative rotation between the body mount and the lens mount is allowed, and the relative between the lens mount and the body is allowed. When the body mount is rotated to the locked position with respect to the lens mount, relative rotation between the lens mount and the body is allowed, and relative rotation between the body mount and the lens mount is not allowed. It is preferable to provide a locking mechanism for blocking.

  In this case, as a means for detecting the relative rotation angle between the lens unit and the body, it is desirable to detect the relative rotation position between the lens mount and the body.

  In addition, the electrical connection between the lens mount and the body is provided on one of the mutually opposing surfaces, and is provided with a plurality of pitches provided at a predetermined pitch on a concentric circle centering on the rotation axis of the lens unit. It is preferable to use a sliding pin and an annular contact plate provided on the other side, on which each of the plurality of sliding pins slides.

  As the through image displayed on the display unit, it is preferable to perform image processing on the subject image based on the angle information obtained from each angle sensor so that the entire screen is displayed on the display unit. By the way, when the body is tilted and fixed, the display unit is also tilted, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the through image.

  Normally, the display mode is a normal display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top and bottom of the imaging sensor matches the top and bottom of the display unit regardless of the tilt of the body. However, in this mode, for example, when the body is tilted and fixed, the display unit is also tilted together with the body, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the through image. Therefore, instead of the normal display mode, for example, a first display mode in which an image of a subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the subject matches the top of the display unit regardless of the rotational position of the imaging sensor; The second display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the imaging sensor is always upward regardless of the tilt, and the subject image is displayed so that the top of the subject is always upward regardless of the tilt of the body. You may comprise so that an image may be displayed in any mode among the 3rd display modes displayed on a display part. In addition, a display mode selection operation section for selectively selecting one of these display modes is provided, and the subject image is corrected to correspond to the display mode selected by the display mode selection operation section. Image processing / display control means for displaying the processed and corrected image on the display unit may be provided. In this case, the angle display displayed on the display unit described above may be omitted, and the tilt of the lens unit or the body or the relative tilt thereof may be recognized based on the orientation of the image of the subject image displayed on the display unit.

  In the shooting standby state, the normal display mode for displaying the subject image on the display unit is selected so that the subject's sky is always upward, and the shutter button provided on the body is half-pressed or all In response to the pressing operation, automatic display switching means for selecting a display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit may be provided so that the top of the photographing sensor matches the top of the display unit.

  In addition, the recording unit provided in the body may associate the angle information obtained from each angle sensor with the image data and record it on the recording medium. Further, an image processing method having a configuration in which steps described above are performed by each unit and each unit may be used.

  According to the present invention, since the absolute angle or relative angle of the lens unit and the body can be displayed on the display unit, the bottom surface of the body can be obtained by rotating the lens unit with reference to the angle display. Even in a shooting posture that cannot be fixed to be absolutely horizontal, it is possible to perform shooting in which the horizontal level of the through image projected on the display unit is set to be absolutely horizontal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 10 is an interchangeable lens type camera, and is used by detachably attaching a lens unit 12 to a camera body 11. The lens unit 12 incorporates functions of a television camera including a zoom lens and an image sensor. A large number of lens units 12 are prepared for different types of focal lengths.

  On the upper surface of the camera body 11, a shutter button 13, a mode selection dial 14, a power switch 15, and the like are provided. The mode selection dial 14 selects one of a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a playback mode.

  A body mount 16 is provided at the rear end of the lens unit 12. The body mount 16 is detachably coupled to a lens mount 17 provided on the front surface of the camera body 11.

  The lens mount 17 is provided with an opening 18 and a plurality of engaging claws 19 and 20. The opening 18 receives a plurality of claws 22 and 23 provided on the body mount 16 at a predetermined mounting position in the circumferential direction centering on the photographing optical axis 21. The engaging claws 19 and 20 prevent the claws 22 and 23 from falling off when the body mount 16 rotates to a locked position in the circumferential direction from the mounting position.

  When the lens unit 12 is inserted into the lens mount 17 from the direction parallel to the photographing optical axis 21 at the rotation position of the attachment position, the claws 22 and 23 enter the opening 18. Thereafter, the lens unit 12 is rotated to the lock position around the photographing optical axis 21. When rotated to this lock position, the lock pin 24 provided on the lens mount 17 enters the lock hole 25 provided on the lens unit 12. Thereby, the rotation of the body mount 16 is locked with respect to the lens mount 17, and the lens unit 12 is positioned and fixed to the camera body 11. In this locked position, the lens side contact group 26 provided on the body mount 16 is connected to a body side contact group 27 provided inside the opening 18. In addition, as a coupling | bonding of the mounts mentioned above, although the bayonet mount system which has a some nail | claw is employ | adopted, not only this but a well-known screw-type screw mount etc. can be employ | adopted.

  The camera body 11 is composed of a lens mount 17 and a body 29, and the lens mount 17 is attached to the body 29 so as to be rotatable about the photographing optical axis 21. The lens unit 12 rotates with respect to the body 29 together with the lens mount 17.

  The lens mount 17 and the lens unit 12 are provided with a lock mechanism. This locking mechanism allows relative rotation of the body mount 16 and the lens mount 17 when the body mount 16 is rotated with respect to the lens mount 17 from the mounting position to the trouble of the locking position, and the lens mount. 17 prevents relative rotation between the lens mount 17 and the body 29, and allows the lens mount 17 and the body 29 to rotate relative to each other when the body mount 16 is rotated to the lock position with respect to the lens mount 17. The relative rotation between the body mount 16 and the lens mount 17 is prevented.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lock mechanism includes a lock release button 30, a lock pin 24, a spring 31, a lock hole 25, a body side lock hole row 32, and the like. The lock release button 30 and the lock pin 24 are integrally attached, and are attached to the lens mount 17 so as to move in parallel with the photographing optical axis. This movement is performed between a protruding position where the tip 24 a of the lock pin 24 protrudes forward with respect to the lens mount 17 and a retracted position where the tip end 24 a retracts inside. The lock release button 30 is exposed on the outer periphery of the lens mount 17. The spring 31 biases the lock pin 24 toward the lock position.

  The body side lock hole row 32 has a configuration in which a plurality of holes are arranged at a constant pitch along the outer periphery of the lens mount 17. A protrusion 30 a is provided on the rear surface of the lock release button 30. When the lock pin 24 moves to the retracted position, the protrusion 30a prevents the protrusion 30a from rotating on one of the walls that enter one of the holes and oppose the rotation direction of the lens mount 17, and When the pin 24 moves to the lock position, the lens mount 17 is allowed to rotate with respect to the body 29 by retracting from the body side lock hole row 32. The lens mount 17 is rotatable with respect to the body 29. Therefore, a large number of holes 32a are provided along the outer periphery of the lens mount 17 so that the protrusions 30a can enter at any rotational position.

  When the lens unit 12 is set in the camera body 11, as shown by an arrow (1) in FIG. 3, the lens unit 12 is inserted in parallel with the photographing optical axis 21 at the rotation position of the attachment position. At this time, the lock pin 24 moves to the retracted position against the bias of the spring 31 by being pushed by the rear surface 12a of the lens unit 12 facing in the insertion direction. By this movement, the protrusion 30 a enters one of the holes 32 a in the body side lock hole row 32 to lock the relative rotation between the lens mount 17 and the body 29. Thereafter, the lens unit 12 is rotated with respect to the lens mount 17 in the direction indicated by the arrow (2) in FIG. This rotation causes the lens unit 12 to rotate to the locked position. When rotated to the lock position, as shown in FIG. 4, the lock hole 25 coincides with the position facing the tip 24 a of the lock pin 24, and the tip 24 a enters the lock hole 25 by the bias of the spring 31, and the protrusion 30 a Retreat from the body side lock hole row 32. Accordingly, the relative rotation between the lens mount 17 and the lens unit 12 is locked, and the relative rotation between the lens mount 17 and the body 29 is allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lens mount 17 is rotatably supported by a receiving portion 35 provided on the front surface of the body 29. The electrical connection between the lens mount 17 and the body 29 is performed by contacting a plurality of sliding pins 36 and contact plates 37 provided in the same number as the sliding pins 36. The sliding pin 36 protrudes from the back surface of the lens mount 17. These slide pins 36 are arranged at a predetermined pitch on a concentric circle centered on the rotation axis of the lens unit 12, and are connected to each of the body side contact groups 27 inside the lens mount 17.

  The plurality of contact plates 37 are provided behind the receiving portion 35. Each contact plate 37 has an annular shape along a concentric circle with the rotation axis as the center, and a slide pin 36 slides on each of the contact plates 37. When the lens unit 12 is rotated, the lens mount 17 rotates together, and each sliding pin 36 provided on the lens mount 17 slides along each contact plate 37. Thereby, even if the lens unit 12 rotates infinitely, the electrical connection between the lens unit 12 and the camera body 11 is continued. The sliding pin 36 may be provided on the receiving portion 35 side, and a plurality of contact plates 37 may be provided on the lens mount 17 side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a display unit and an angle display switching operation unit 38 are provided on the back surface of the camera body 11. The display unit is an LCD 37 having a horizontally long rectangular screen having the same aspect ratio as the light receiving surface of the image sensor provided in the lens unit 12. The LCD 37 is fixed to the camera body 11 so that the long side is parallel to the bottom surface 11 a of the camera body 11. The display unit is not limited to the LCD 37, and a display unit using organic EL (Electro Luminescence) may be employed.

  The angle display switching operation unit 38 includes an absolute angle display button 38a and a relative angle display button 38b. The absolute angle display button 38a selects an absolute angle display mode for displaying the inclination values of the lens unit 12 and the body 29 with respect to the absolute horizontal. The relative angle display button 38b selects a relative angle display mode in which a relative inclination value between the lens unit 12 and the body 29 is displayed. Although not shown, a tripod screw is provided on the bottom surface 11a of the camera body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lens unit 12 incorporates the functions of a television camera including a photographing lens 40 and a CCD (imaging sensor) 41. The camera body 11 incorporates an image recorder that records image data captured by the CCD 41 on a recording medium, an image display that displays an image recorded on the recording medium on the LCD 37, and the like.

  The lens unit 12 includes a photographic lens 40, a diaphragm mechanism 42, a mechanical shutter 43, a diaphragm motor 44, a shutter motor 45, a focusing motor 46, a zooming motor 47, and drivers 48, 49, 50, 51, lens side angle sensor 52, CCD 41, analog signal processing 53, A / D 54, digital signal processing 55, integration circuit 56, compression circuit 57, ROM 58, RAM 59, interface (I / F) driver 60, and lens side CPU 61 Is built-in.

  The lens side CPU 61, ROM 58, RAM 59, compression circuit 57, I / F driver 60, integration circuit 56, lens side angle sensor 52, and digital signal processing 55 are connected by a transmission path (bus) 62. Further, the analog signal processing 53, A / D 54, digital signal processing 55, and compression circuit 57 convert the image signal obtained from the CCD 41 into a digital image signal and process it until it is compressed into a predetermined compression format. I do. The image data compressed by the compression circuit 57 is sent to the camera body 11 side as high-speed communication via the I / F driver 60 as recording image data. Of course, the lens side contact group 26 and the body side contact group 27, and the plurality of sliding pins 36 and the plurality of contact plates 37 are passed between them. Further, the image data for the through image obtained from the digital signal processing 55 is sent to the camera body 11 via the bus 62 and the I / F driver 60.

  The lens side angle sensor 52 detects the rotation angle of the lens unit 12 with respect to absolute horizontal, and sends the detected angle information. As the angle sensor 52, a liquid-filled capacitance type tilt angle sensor that captures a change in electrostatic capacitance accompanying the tilt of the sealed liquid as an angle change can detect an absolute angle, and thus is preferable.

  The CCD 41 has a horizontally long rectangular light receiving surface, and is fixed so that the light receiving surface coincides with the imaging surface of the photographing lens 40 and the center of the light receiving surface coincides with the photographing optical axis 21. The lens side angle sensor 52 is positioned so that the rotational position of the CCD 41 in which the long side direction of the rectangular light receiving surface is parallel to the absolute horizontal is recognized as 0 degrees. There are two rotational positions. One is a rotational position where the top of the CCD 41 matches the top of the subject, and the other is a rotational position where the top of the CCD 41 matches the ground of the subject. One of the rotation positions, that is, the rotation position of the CCD 41 in which the top coincides with the top of the subject is a rotation position at which the inclination value is 0 degree. Information obtained from the lens side angle sensor 52 is sent to the camera body 11 via the bus 62 and the I / F driver 60.

  The integrating circuit 56 takes in a digital image signal obtained from the A / D 54 and performs contrast AF control and AE control. The distance measurement information obtained by the integration circuit 56 is sent as an AF signal to the lens side CPU 61, and the lens side CPU 61 controls the driving of the focusing motor 46 via the driver 50 based on the AF signal. The photometric information obtained by the integrating circuit 56 is sent to the lens CPU 61 as an AE signal, and the lens CPU 61 controls the driving of the diaphragm motor 44 via the driver 48 based on the AE signal.

  The camera body 11 is provided with a body side CPU 65, an I / F driver 66, a ROM 67, a RAM 68, an expansion circuit 69, a card I / F 70, a body side angle sensor 71, a frame memory 72, and the like. It is connected to a transmission path (bus) 73 for exchanging data between circuits. The image data for recording sent from the lens unit 12 side at high speed is sent from the I / F driver 66 to the card I / F 70 through the bus 73 and recorded on the memory card 74 connected to the card I / F 70. The The memory card 74 is detachably attached to the slot. Further, the image data for the through image sent from the lens unit 12 side is stored in the frame memory 72 and then sent to the LCD 37 via the LCD driver 75. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 37. In addition to the shutter button 13 and the angle display switching operation unit 38, the camera body 11 is also provided with the mode selection dial and the power switch described with reference to FIG.

  The body side angle sensor 71 detects the tilt angle of the body 29 with respect to the absolute horizontal, and sends the detected angle information. This angle sensor is also preferable because the liquid-filled capacity type tilt angle sensor can detect the absolute angle in the same manner as the lens side angle sensor 52.

  The LCD 37 has a horizontally long rectangular screen, and is fixed so that the center of the screen coincides with the photographing optical axis 21. The body side angle sensor 71 is positioned so that the rotational position of the body 29 in which the long side direction of the screen of the LCD 37 is parallel to the absolute horizontal is recognized as 0 degrees. There are also two rotation positions. Of these, the rotation position at which the top of the LCD coincides with the top of the subject is the rotation position at which the tilt value is 0 degree. Information obtained from the body side angle sensor 71 is sent to the body side CPU 65 via the bus 73.

  The mode information designated by the mode selection dial 14 is sent to the lens side CPU 61. When the still image shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode are designated, the lens side CPU 61 performs overall control, executes a shooting program stored in the ROM 58 provided on the lens unit 12 side, displays a through image, and Each unit is controlled to perform processing related to photographing. Shooting is performed according to the release operation of the shutter button 13. The release signal obtained from the shutter button 13 is sent to the lens side CPU 61 and the body side CPU 65, respectively.

  When the reproduction mode is designated, control is transferred from the lens side CPU 61 to the body side CPU 65. The body side CPU 65 executes a reproduction program stored in advance in the ROM 67 on the camera body 11 side, reads out the image data stored in the memory card 74, decompresses it in the decompression circuit 69, stores it in the frame memory 72, and uses the driver 75. Each unit is controlled to read from the frame memory 72 and display on the LCD 37.

  A battery 77 is detachably attached to the camera body 11. The power from the battery 77 is supplied to the DC / DC circuit 79 via the power control unit 78, and the power is supplied from here to the camera body 11 and the lens unit 12. The operation of the power control unit 78 is performed in response to ON / OFF of the power switch 15.

  The body side CPU 65 is provided with a calculation unit 80. When the relative display mode is selected by the angle display switching operation unit 38, the calculation unit 80 determines whether the lens unit 12 and the body 29 are based on the angle information obtained from the lens side and body side angle sensors 52 and 71, respectively. Calculate the relative slope value.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the absolute angle display mode is selected, the body side CPU 65 displays the respective tilt values on the LCD 37 on the through image based on the angle information obtained from the angle sensors 52 and 71. Further, when the relative angle display mode is selected, the frame memory 72, the driver 75, and the LCD 37 are controlled so that the relative inclination value calculated by the calculation unit 80 is displayed on the LCD 37 so as to be superimposed on the through image.

  The electronic camera 10 is powered on by turning on the power switch 15 after the lens unit 12 is attached. Then, according to the designation of the mode selection dial 14 at this time, any one program of still image shooting, moving image shooting, and reproduction is executed.

  When the still image shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode are designated, the lens side CPU 61 adjusts the focus and the aperture based on the image data captured by the CCD 41, and the image data continuously obtained from the CCD 41 is displayed on the LCD 37 as a through image. Control to display.

  FIG. 9 shows the outline of the lens unit 12 and the outline of the light receiving surface 41a of the CCD 41 as viewed from the camera body 11 side. In this state, the rotation position at which the subject's top coincides with the CCD's top, that is, the rotation position at which the absolute angle value detected by the lens side angle sensor 52 is 0 degrees. 9 indicates the top direction of the CCD 41.

  FIG. 10 shows the back of the camera body 11 when the lens unit 12 is at the rotational position shown in FIG. In this state, the body 29 is held so that the bottom surface 11a is in a posture parallel to the absolute horizontal.

  The angle display switching operation unit 38 selects the absolute angle display mode at the beginning when the power is turned on. As a result, the body side CPU 65 fetches the angle information from the lens side angle sensor 52 and the body side angle sensor 71, temporarily stores the angle information in the RAM 68, and stores it on the LCD 37, for example, “lens: 0 degree”. And “camera: 0 degree” is controlled to be displayed. The RAM 68 stores the latest value of each angle information. The body side CPU 65 reads the latest angle information stored in the RAM 68 and displays the absolute angle between the lens unit 12 and the body 29 based on the read angle information. At this time, since the through image is displayed on the LCD 37, the display of the absolute angle between the lens unit 12 and the body 29 is superimposed on the through image. In addition, the timing at which the angle information is acquired from the lens side angle sensor 52 and the body side angle sensor 71 is acquired at regular intervals. Thereby, the display of the angle displayed on the LCD 37 is also switched to the latest angle display at regular intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the lens unit 12 is rotated counterclockwise by X degrees, for example, 20 degrees, and the camera body 11 is rotated clockwise by Y degrees, for example, −10 degrees, as shown in FIG. When rotated by the amount, for example, “lens: 20 degrees” and “camera: 350 degrees” are displayed on the LCD 37. The display of the angle is determined to be a display in which the value of the angle increases by rotating counterclockwise from the reference rotation position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The reverse is also possible. The angle to be displayed may be displayed in gradient, radians, surveying units, or units of degrees / minutes / seconds. The characters displayed on the LCD 37 may be displayed in accordance with the rotational position of the LCD 37, or correction processing may be performed so that the characters are always displayed along the absolute horizontal so that they can be easily read. When the characters are displayed along the absolute horizontal, the relative inclination values of the lens unit 12 and the body 29 are calculated based on the angle information obtained from the lens side and body side angle sensors 52 and 71 by the calculation unit 80, respectively. The character image may be displayed with the rotation corrected based on the calculated relative inclination value.

  When the relative angle display mode is selected by the angle display switching operation unit 38, the angle information is acquired from the lens side and body side angle sensors 52 and 71, the angle information is temporarily stored in the RAM 68, and the latest information read from the RAM 68 is read. Based on the angle information, the calculation unit 80 calculates the relative inclination value between the lens unit 12 and the body 29, and displays the relative angle value obtained from the calculation on the LCD 37 as shown in FIG. To do. In this display, when the lens unit 12 is tilted by 20 degrees and the body 29 is tilted by 350 degrees with respect to the absolute horizontal, the calculated relative tilt value is “330 degrees (−30 degrees)”. Since it is difficult to understand even if an angle value of 180 degrees or more is displayed, it is preferable to display “30 degrees”. At this time, since the sign is a display indicating the rotation direction, it is desirable to omit it and display it as an absolute value.

  Thus, by displaying the relative angle, for example, even when the body 29 is tilted and fixed, by rotating the lens unit 12 to one of the display angles, the top of the subject and the top of the CCD 41 are displayed. It is possible to shoot with matching. Further, even when the lens unit 12 is rotated so as to have a desired composition for shooting, and then the lens unit 12 is returned to the reference rotation position, it can be quickly and accurately if the relative angle display is used as a guide.

  The image data is stored in the memory card 74 in response to the full pressing operation of the shutter button 13. At this time, information on the absolute angle and relative angle between the lens unit 12 and the body 29 together with the image data may be read from the RAM 68, and the angle information may be filed and recorded together with the image data. As the file format, for example, an Exif format image file having an area for writing tag information separately from image data is known. When a file of this format is used, the absolute angle and relative angle information described above may be written as tag information in addition to the shooting date and thumbnail image.

  By the way, the orientation of the through image normally projected on the LCD 37 does not change even when the CCD 41 is rotated. This is because, for example, when each light receiving element arranged in the light receiving surface 41a of the CCD 41 and the liquid crystal segment of the LCD 41 have a one-to-one correspondence, even if the rotational position of the CCD 41 changes, these light receiving elements are received. The correspondence between the element and the liquid crystal segment is not changed. Therefore, even if the CCD 41 is rotated while maintaining the correspondence as described above, the orientation of the through image with respect to the LCD 37 does not change.

  This display mode will be described as a normal display mode. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, in the normal display mode, the top of the CCD 41 (in the direction of the arrow indicated by reference numeral 84 in FIG. 14) is set to the top of the LCD 37 (reference numeral 81 in FIGS. 15 and 16) regardless of the inclination of the body 29. The through image is displayed on the LCD 37 so as to coincide with the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. In this display mode, each light receiving element on the light receiving surface 41 a and the liquid crystal segment of the LCD 41 correspond one-to-one, so that the entire through image is displayed on the LCD 37. Note that a subject image that is vertically and horizontally reversed with respect to the subject is formed on the light receiving surface 41 a of the CCD 41 by the photographing lens 40. The image data picked up by the CCD 41 is subjected to up / down / left / right reversal processing by the digital signal processing 55 to be corrected in the correct direction. Therefore, in FIG. 14, the picture of the subject is shown in the direction corrected by the digital signal processing for easy understanding.

  By the way, when shooting is performed with the lens unit 12 rotated to have a desired composition, the orientation of the through image displayed on the LCD 37 may be rotated and displayed in an easy-to-view direction. In this case, an image processing circuit may be provided in the camera body 11 connected to the bus 73, and image data may be corrected by rotation, enlargement / reduction, etc., and sent to the frame memory 72.

  As this display mode, for example, any of the first to third display modes described below may be used.

  As the first display mode, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the top of the subject (in the direction of the arrow indicated by reference numeral 82 in FIG. 14) regardless of the rotational position of the CCD 41, the top of the LCD 37 (FIGS. 17 and 18). In this mode, the through image is displayed on the LCD 37 in the same direction as the arrow indicated by reference numeral 83. At this time, if the lens unit 12 is rotating, the individual light receiving elements on the light receiving surface 41a and the liquid crystal segment of the LCD 41 do not correspond one-to-one, so that a part of the through image is kicked in the screen range of the LCD 37. The entire through image is not shown. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce and display the through image so that the entire through image is displayed on the screen of the LCD 37 by the image processing unit.

  In the second display mode, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the through image is displayed on the LCD 37 so that the top of the CCD 41 (in the direction indicated by the arrow 84 in FIG. 14) always faces directly upward regardless of the inclination of the body 29. Is the mode to be displayed. In this case, when the body 29 is rotated from the upright posture (at an angle of 0 degree), the individual light receiving elements on the light receiving surface 41a and the liquid crystal segment of the LCD 41 do not correspond one-to-one. It is desirable to perform reduction processing so that the entire image is displayed on the LCD 37.

  In the third display mode, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the through image is displayed on the LCD 37 so that the top of the subject (in the direction of the arrow indicated by reference numeral 82 in FIG. 14) always faces directly upward regardless of the inclination of the body 29. Is the mode to be displayed. Even in this mode, when the CCD 41 and the body 29 are at rotational positions other than the upright posture (attitude of 0 degree), the individual light receiving elements on the light receiving surface 41a and the liquid crystal segments of the LCD 41 do not correspond one-to-one. It is desirable that the through image is reduced and displayed so that the entire through image is displayed on the screen of the LCD 37 by the image processing unit.

  Moreover, you may make it the structure which selectively selects either among the normal and 1st-3rd display modes mentioned above. In this case, the through image is corrected so as to correspond to the display mode selection operation unit for selecting one of the four display modes and the display mode of the mode selected by the display mode selection operation unit. An image processing unit that displays the corrected image on the LCD 37 and display control means may be provided. The image processing unit may be provided connected to the bus 73 on the camera body 11 side described in FIG. The display control means may be configured by the body side CPU 65, the frame memory 72, the driver 75, and the LCD 37 described in FIG.

  In this way, the through image is displayed on the LCD 37 in a form corresponding to any one of the four display modes described above in response to an operation on the display mode selection operation unit. At this time, the body-side CPU 65 calculates the absolute angle and the relative angle based on the angle information obtained from the lens-side and body-side angle sensors 52, 71, so the rotation angle of the through image based on these angles, Then, the reduction ratio is determined, and the image processing unit performs image processing based on the determined angle and reduction ratio. At this time, each absolute angle or relative angle is displayed on the LCD 37 together with the through image. It is also possible to omit the configuration for displaying the angle and change only the display mode.

  Further, instead of manually selecting the display mode manually, an automatic display switching mode for automatically changing the display mode may be provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, there is provided an operation unit for selectively selecting the display automatic switching mode and the normal display mode, and when the display automatic switching mode is selected by this operation unit, the above-mentioned in the photographing preparation state. The display according to the third display mode is performed, and the display according to the above-described normal display mode is performed in response to the half-pressing operation of the shutter button. This normal display mode is performed after a lapse of a certain time after the photographing process performed in response to the full pressing operation of the shutter button is completed.

  When the automatic display switching mode is selected, a through image is displayed on the LCD 37 in a direction corresponding to the above-described third display mode in a shooting preparation state in which the shutter button is not operated. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the third display mode is a mode in which a through image is displayed on the LCD 37 with the top of the subject always facing upward regardless of the inclination of the body. According to this, when the body 29 is rotated in the normal display mode, the orientation of the through image is changed together with the LCD 37. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the composition by rotating the lens unit 12 while viewing the through image. In the 3 display mode, even if the body 29 is rotated, the orientation of the through image does not change. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the composition by rotating the lens unit 12 while viewing the through image.

  When the shutter button 13 is half-pressed or fully pressed, a through image is displayed on the LCD 37 in a direction corresponding to the normal display mode described above. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the normal display mode is a mode in which a through image is displayed on the LCD 37 so that the top of the CCD 41 matches the top of the LCD 37 regardless of the inclination of the body 29. According to this, since the entire subject image is displayed on the entire screen of the LCD 37, it is easy to confirm the subject image on the screen of the LCD 37, and the subject image is projected in the same direction as the printed photograph with respect to the screen of the LCD 37. Therefore, it is easy to check the print state. When the automatic display switching mode is not selected, the display is performed in the normal display mode.

  In each of the above embodiments, the angle sensors 52 and 71 are provided in the lens unit 12 and the body 29, respectively, and based on the angle information obtained from the angle sensors 52 and 71, the respective absolute angles and the angle information are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the relative angle between the lens unit 12 and the body 29 and the angle sensor provided in one of the lens unit 12 and the body 29 is not limited to this. A relative angle detecting means for detecting an angle, and calculating the other absolute angle from angle information obtained from the angle sensor provided on the one side and relative angle information obtained from the relative angle detecting means. Each absolute angle may be displayed. In this case, it is not necessary to calculate the relative angle because the value of the angle information obtained from the relative angle detection unit may be displayed as it is.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the relative angle detection means includes a plurality of contact rows obtained by dividing the innermost contact plate 90 of the body side contact plates 37 described in FIG. 5 at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction. The relative angle between the lens mount 17 and the body 29 is detected based on whether or not the innermost sliding pin 36a on the lens mount 17 side is electrically connected to any one of the divided contact rows. You may comprise. According to this, since the relative angle can be detected while performing signal transmission between the lens mount 17 and the body 29, one of the angle sensors can be omitted, thereby reducing the cost. Can do. The sliding pin 36a may be provided on the receiving portion 35 side, and a plurality of contact plates 90 may be provided on the lens mount 17 side.

  In each of the above embodiments, a CCD is used as an image sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a CMOS image sensor may be used. In each of the above embodiments, the recording unit is built in the body 11, but the recording unit may be omitted. In this case, a recording unit may be provided separately, and the body and the recording unit may be connected to perform recording with the recording unit.

  In addition to an electronic camera, the present invention can also be employed in a video camera, a mobile phone with a camera, and a personal information device (Personal Digital Assistant) called “PDA”.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the external appearance of the electronic camera which employ | adopted this invention, and has separated and described the lens unit and the camera body. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the lens mount provided in the camera body. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state which has attached the body mount of the lens unit to the lens mount. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state which completed the attachment of a body mount and a lens mount. It is a principal part exploded perspective view which shows the contact part which performs signal transfer in the rotation site | part between a lens mount and the receiving part provided in the body. It is a rear view which shows an electronic camera. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical outline of an electronic camera. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure of the angle display with an electronic camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rotation position of the light-receiving surface of CCD when the absolute angle of a lens unit is 0 degree | times, and is the figure seen from the back side of the camera body. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the electronic camera showing an example of characters of an absolute angle displayed on the LCD at the rotational position of the CCD described in FIG. 9. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rotation position of the light-receiving surface of CCD when the absolute angle of a lens unit inclines by X degree to the plus direction, and is the figure seen from the back side of the camera body. FIG. 12 is a rear view of the electronic camera showing an example of characters of an absolute angle displayed on the LCD at the rotational position of the CCD described in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a rear view of the electronic camera showing an example of characters of a relative angle displayed on the LCD when the CCD is in the rotational position described in FIG. 11. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the picture of the to-be-photographed image obtained when CCD inclines in the plus direction. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a direction in which a subject image obtained when the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the normal display mode is selected, and shows a state when the tilt of the camera body is 0 degree. Show. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a direction in which a subject image obtained at the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the normal display mode is selected, and shows a state in which the camera body is tilted in the Maunus direction. Show. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a direction in which a subject image obtained when the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the first display mode is selected, and a state when the tilt of the camera body is 0 degree. Is shown. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a direction in which a subject image obtained when the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the first display mode is selected, and the camera body is tilted in a negative direction. Is shown. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a direction in which a subject image obtained when the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the second display mode is selected, and a state when the tilt of the camera body is 0 degree. Is shown. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a direction in which a subject image obtained when the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the second display mode is selected, with the camera body tilted in a negative direction. Is shown. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a direction in which a subject image obtained when the CCD is rotated as illustrated in FIG. 14 when the third display mode is selected, and a state when the tilt of the camera body is 0 degree. Is shown. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a direction in which a subject image obtained at the CCD rotation position described in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD when the third display mode is selected, with the camera body tilted in a negative direction. Is shown. It is a flowchart figure which shows other embodiment which switches a display mode automatically. It is a principal part perspective view which shows an example of a relative angle detection means.

Explanation of symbols

10 Electronic Camera 11 Camera Body 12 Lens Unit 16 Body Mount 17 Lens Mount 37 LCD
52, 71 Angle sensor 80 Calculation unit

Claims (16)

A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an imaging sensor for imaging a subject image formed by the photographic lens, and an image of the subject image captured by the imaging sensor with the lens unit supported rotatably about the photographic optical axis. In an electronic camera provided with a body provided with a display unit for displaying,
A lens side angle sensor provided on each of the lens unit and the body, each detecting a rotation angle with respect to the absolute horizontal of the lens unit and the body, and a body side angle sensor;
Display control means for displaying the value of each rotation angle on the display unit based on information on the rotation angle obtained from each angle sensor;
An electronic camera characterized by comprising: A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an imaging sensor for imaging a subject image formed by the photographic lens, and an image of the subject image captured by the imaging sensor with the lens unit supported rotatably about the photographic optical axis. In an electronic camera provided with a body provided with a display unit for displaying,
A lens side angle sensor that is provided in each of the lens unit and the body, detects a rotation angle with respect to the absolute horizontal of the lens unit and the body, and a body side angle sensor;
An arithmetic means for calculating a relative rotation angle between the lens unit and the body based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor;
Display control means for displaying a value of a relative rotation angle calculated by the calculation means on the display unit;
An electronic camera characterized by comprising: A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an imaging sensor that images a subject image formed by the photographic lens; and a display unit that displays an image of the subject image captured by the imaging sensor. In an electronic camera having a body that is rotatably supported around the center of the photographing optical axis,
A pair of angle sensors provided on the lens unit and the body, respectively, for detecting a rotation angle with respect to the absolute horizontal of the lens unit and the body;
An arithmetic means for calculating a relative inclination between the lens unit and the body based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor;
Alternatively, one of an absolute display mode for displaying an inclination value of each of the lens unit and the body with respect to an absolute horizontal and a relative display mode for displaying a relative inclination between the lens unit and the body. An angle display switching operation section to be selected;
When the absolute display mode is selected, each absolute rotation angle value is displayed on the display unit based on the rotation angle information obtained from each angle sensor, and the relative display mode is selected. Display control means for displaying a value of the relative rotation angle calculated by the calculation means on the display unit,
An electronic camera characterized by comprising: A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an imaging sensor for imaging a subject image formed by the photographic lens, and an image of the subject image captured by the imaging sensor with the lens unit supported rotatably about the photographic optical axis. In an electronic camera provided with a body provided with a display unit for displaying,
An absolute angle sensor that is provided on any one of the lens unit and the body and detects a rotation angle of the lens unit or the body with respect to the absolute horizontal;
A relative angle detection means for detecting a relative rotation angle between the lens unit and the body;
A computing means for computing a rotation angle with respect to the other absolute horizontal based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor;
Alternatively, one of an absolute display mode for displaying an inclination value of each of the lens unit and the body with respect to an absolute horizontal and a relative display mode for displaying a relative inclination between the lens unit and the body. An angle display switching operation section to be selected;
When the absolute display mode is selected, the absolute rotation of the lens unit and the body based on the angle information obtained from the angle sensor provided on the one side and the other angle information calculated by the calculation means A display control unit for displaying an angle value on the display unit, and a relative rotation angle value obtained from the relative angle detection unit when the relative display mode is selected;
An electronic camera characterized by comprising:   5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a body mount provided on the lens unit; and a lens mount rotatably provided on the body to which the body mount is detachably attached. . A body mount provided on the lens unit, and a lens mount that is rotatably provided on the body and to which the body mount is detachably attached,
The electronic camera according to claim 4, wherein the relative angle detection unit detects a relative rotational position between the lens mount and the body.   A plurality of sliding pins provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the lens mount and the body, provided at a predetermined pitch on a concentric circle centered on the rotation axis of the lens unit, and provided on the other; 7. The electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising an annular contact plate on which each of the plurality of sliding pins slides.   2. An image processing unit that performs image processing on an image of the subject image based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor so that the entire screen is displayed on the display unit. The electronic camera according to any one of 7 to 7. A normal display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit so that the full screen is displayed with the top and bottom of the imaging sensor aligned with the top and bottom of the display unit regardless of the tilt of the body;
A first display mode for displaying an image of the subject image on the display unit so that the top of the subject matches the top of the display unit regardless of the rotational position of the imaging sensor;
A second display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit so that the top of the imaging sensor is always upward regardless of the tilt of the body;
Regardless of the inclination of the body, either one of the third display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the subject always faces upward is selected. A display mode selection operation section;
Image processing / display control means for correcting the image of the subject image so as to correspond to the display form of the mode selected by the display mode selection operation unit, and displaying the corrected image on the display unit;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera is provided.   In the shooting standby state, the normal display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit is selected so that the top of the subject is always upward, and the shutter button provided on the body is half-pressed or all In response to a push operation, automatic display switching means is provided for selecting a display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit so that the top of the imaging sensor matches the top of the display unit. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein The lens mount has an opening for receiving a claw provided on the body mount at a predetermined mounting position in a circumferential direction around the photographing optical axis, and is directed from the mounting position to one direction in the circumferential direction. An engaging claw that prevents the claw from falling off by rotating the body mount at the locked position,
When the body mount is rotated with respect to the lens mount from the attachment position to the trouble of the lock position, relative rotation between the body mount and the lens mount is allowed, and the lens mount Preventing relative rotation with the body, and allowing the lens mount and the body to rotate relative to each other when the body mount is rotated to the locked position with respect to the lens mount; and 8. The electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising a lock mechanism that prevents relative rotation between the body mount and the lens mount.   12. A recording unit that is provided on the body and records on a recording medium in a file format in which angle information obtained from each angle sensor is added to an image of the subject image. Any one of the electronic cameras. A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an image sensor that captures an image of a subject formed by the photographic lens is provided on a body provided with a display unit that displays an image of the subject image captured by the image sensor as a through image. In the method of displaying an image of an electronic camera that is rotatably provided,
Detecting a tilt angle with respect to the absolute horizontal of the lens unit and the body by a pair of angle sensors respectively provided on the lens unit and the body;
A step in which the display control means displays each inclination value on the display unit so as to overlap the through image based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor;
An image display method for an electronic camera comprising: A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an image sensor that captures an image of a subject formed by the photographic lens is provided on a body provided with a display unit that displays an image of the subject image captured by the image sensor as a through image. In the method of displaying an image of an electronic camera that is rotatably provided,
Detecting a tilt angle with respect to the absolute horizontal of the lens unit and the body by a pair of angle sensors respectively provided on the lens unit and the body;
A step of calculating a relative inclination between the lens unit and the body by a calculation unit based on angle information obtained from each angle sensor;
A step of displaying a relative inclination value calculated by the calculating means on the display unit so that the display control means overlaps the through image;
An image display method for an electronic camera comprising: A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an imaging sensor for imaging a subject image formed by the photographic lens, and an image of the subject image captured by the imaging sensor with the lens unit supported rotatably about the photographic optical axis. In an electronic camera provided with a body provided with a display unit for displaying,
A lens side angle sensor provided on each of the lens unit and the body, each detecting a rotation angle of the lens unit and the body with respect to the absolute horizontal, and a body side angle sensor;
Regardless of the tilt of the body, it relates to the normal display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the imaging sensor matches the top of the display unit, and the rotation position of the imaging sensor. In addition, the first display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the subject's top coincides with the top of the display unit, and the top of the image sensor always faces upward regardless of the tilt of the body. The second display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit so that the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the subject always faces upward regardless of the tilt of the body. A third display mode to be displayed; a display mode selection operation unit that selectively selects one of the modes;
Image processing means for correcting the image of the subject image based on the tilt information so as to correspond to the display mode of the mode selected by the display mode selection operation unit;
Display control means for displaying the corrected image on the display unit;
An electronic camera characterized by comprising: A lens unit provided with a photographic lens and an image sensor that captures an image of a subject formed by the photographic lens is provided on a body provided with a display unit that displays an image of the subject image captured by the image sensor as a through image. In the method of displaying an image of an electronic camera that is rotatably provided,
Detecting a tilt angle with respect to the absolute horizontal of the lens unit and the body by a pair of angle sensors respectively provided on the lens unit and the body, and sending tilt information;
Regardless of the tilt of the body, it relates to the normal display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the imaging sensor matches the top of the display unit, and the rotation position of the imaging sensor. In addition, the first display mode in which the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the subject's top coincides with the top of the display unit, and the top of the image sensor always faces upward regardless of the tilt of the body. The second display mode for displaying the image of the subject image on the display unit so that the image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit so that the top of the subject always faces upward regardless of the tilt of the body. A step of alternatively selecting one of the third display modes to be displayed by the display mode selection operation unit;
Correcting the image of the subject image by image processing means based on the tilt information so as to correspond to the display mode of the mode selected by the display mode selection operation unit;
Displaying the corrected image on the display unit by display control means;
An image display method for an electronic camera, comprising:

Images