JP2001290187A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera in which a lens frame is sufficiently protected because a photographing lens is automatically withdrawn at an appropriate time, and also a problem that a shutter chance is missed due to unnecessary collapse is avoided. SOLUTION: In the camera having a zoom lens, the vibrating state of a camera main body 1 is detected by an acceleration sensor 19 incorporated in the camera main body 1 while continuing the non-operation continuation time of an operation switch such as a release switch when a lens barrel 2 is extended from a photographing preparation position P2B to photographing positions P2C and P2D, and whether the camera is set in a posture to perform photographing or not is detected by the vibrating state, and in the case of discriminating that the camera is not in the posture to perform the photographing, the lens barrel 2 is immediately withdrawn to a collapsing position P2A, so that the lens barrel 2 is protected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a photographing lens which can be driven to a position where a photographing lens is in a housed state and a photographing ready state or a photographable state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a camera having a zoom lens barrel capable of changing a focal length, and the lens barrel being able to be positioned between a storage position and a photographable position, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 1 (1999) -1999 discloses a camera.
The collapsible camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-24118 automatically sets a mirror when a photographing operation of the camera is not performed for a predetermined time, that is, when a non-operation state continues for a predetermined time in a photographable state. The tube is stored at the retracted position (storage position). By storing the lens barrel, the lens barrel is protected from inadvertent external force.

[0003]

However, in the collapsible camera disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-24118, the zoom lens barrel in the photographable state is in the telephoto state and also in the wide state. , The lens barrel is always retracted when a certain non-operation time continues.

If the lens barrel is retracted to the retracted position when a certain non-operation time continues as described above, for example, the photographer can compare the shutter chances while the photographer can photograph the camera. There is a possibility that the lens barrel will be collapsed against the intention of the photographer when waiting for a long time. At that time, when a photo opportunity is obtained, the lens must be restarted and the lens barrel must be extended, and the photo opportunity may be missed. In addition, since the lens barrel is collapsed when not needed, electric power is wasted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is directed to a camera having a zoom lens that can be driven between a retracted position and a photographing ready state (capturable state). Automatically retracts the lens at the appropriate time to provide sufficient lens frame protection,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera having a zoom lens capable of avoiding a situation where a shutter chance is missed by being unnecessarily collapsed.

[0006]

According to the camera of the first aspect of the present invention, the vibration of the camera is detected, and based on the detected vibration information, the position of the photographing lens in the collapsed state,
Alternatively, it is driven to the photographing preparation state position.

A camera having a zoom lens according to a second aspect of the present invention detects a vibration of the camera, and based on the detected vibration information, positions the zoom lens in a collapsed state or a shooting preparation state. Drive up to.

A camera having a zoom lens according to a third aspect of the present invention detects acceleration continuously applied to the camera, and based on the detected acceleration information, positions the zoom lens in a collapsed position or Drive to the position in the shooting preparation state.

A camera having a zoom lens according to a fourth aspect of the present invention detects a continuous moving speed of the camera, and based on the detected moving speed information, positions the zoom lens in a collapsed state or Drive to the position in the shooting preparation state.

A camera having a zoom lens according to claim 5 of the present invention detects continuous displacement of the camera, and based on the detected displacement information, positions the zoom lens in a collapsed state or prepares for photographing. Drive to the state position.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a retracted / extended state of a taking lens barrel (hereinafter, referred to as a lens barrel), and FIG. 1B shows a zoom wide state, FIG. 1C shows a zoom standard state, and FIG. 1D shows a zoom telephoto state. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the camera, as viewed from an arrow A of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of an electric control circuit unit in the camera. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a posture detection switch built in the camera.

The camera according to the present embodiment is a camera having a zoom lens, that is, a camera having a retractable lens barrel (zoom lens barrel) 2. The lens barrel 2 is mainly composed of a plurality of relative lenses. It comprises a first frame 3 having a moving zoom lens, a second frame 4, and a third frame 5.
However, depending on the configuration of the zoom lens, each frame may or may not hold a lens.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrel 2 is moved from a retracted position, which is a stored non-photographing state, to a zoom wide end which is a shortest focal length position which is set up in a photographing ready state, and further to a photographing state. It is possible to move back and forth to the zoom standard position in the state, and further to the zoom telephoto end which is the longest focal length position in the shooting state.

That is, when the lens barrel 2 is in the collapsed state, all the lens frames (the first, second, and third frames 3, 4, and 5) are retracted to the collapsed position P2A, which is the storage position in the camera body 1. (See FIG. 1A).

In the zoom wide end state in which the photographing is ready, the front portion of the third frame 5 is slightly exposed from the camera body 1 with the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 being held. To the wide end position P2B (see FIG. 1).
(B)).

In the zoom standard state,
The first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are extended to the intermediate zoom position P2C (see FIG. 1C).

Further, in the zoom telephoto end state, the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are further extended to the telephoto end position P2D (see FIG. 1D).

When the lens barrel 2 is at the wide end position P
When at 2B, the focal length is set to the shortest focal length at the wide end, and when at the intermediate zoom position P2C,
The focal length is set to a standard focal length (for example, a focal length approximately halfway between the wide end and the tele end), and the tele end position P2D
, The focal length is set to the focal length at the tele end where the focal length is the longest.

Further, in the camera of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a grip switch 15 for detecting that the photographer is gripping the grip 1a on the outer periphery of the grip 1a of the camera body 1. Operation button 15a is arranged. A release button 16a for operating the release switch 16 is disposed above the grip 1a.
On the back of the camera, there is a zoom button 1 for operating the zoom switch 17.
7a is provided.

In the camera body 1 of the camera according to the present embodiment, an acceleration sensor 19 serving as acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration applied to the camera body 1 above the lens barrel 2, and a camera body A posture detection switch 2 which is a posture detection means for detecting the posture at the time of photographing 1;
2 are arranged.

The acceleration sensor 19 applies acceleration applied to the camera body 1 in the left-right direction (X-axis), the up-down direction (Y-axis), the front-rear direction (Z-axis), or any of the above three directions. Or a sensor that detects the above three-axis combined acceleration. FIG. 5 shows a detected acceleration waveform of any one of the above three directions or a combined acceleration detection sensor when the camera is in a photographable state (including a photographing preparation state).

In the case of a camera incorporating a camera shake detection sensor for detecting camera shake during photographing, the camera shake detection sensor can be used also as the acceleration sensor. However, in this case, as will be described later, a rotational angular acceleration is detected instead of the above-described acceleration, and the later-described collapse control of the lens barrel is performed based on the angular acceleration information.

The posture detecting switch 22 is a switch for detecting the inclination θ (posture) of the camera body 1 with respect to the Z axis, and as shown in a vertical section of FIG.
A mercury 22e sealed in the switch body 22d, a common contact piece 22c inserted into the switch body 22d,
A right vertical position detection contact piece 22a is provided on the right side in the X direction of the common contact piece 22c, and a left vertical position detection contact piece 22b is provided on the left side.

When the camera body 1 is set in a posture in which the right side or the left side of the camera body 1 is turned down during photographing, the common contact piece 22c is conducted through the mercury 22e to detect the right vertical position of the posture detection switch 22. An ON signal is output from the contact piece 22a or the left vertical position detection contact piece 22b. Based on the output signal, a photometric area is set in an AE (automatic exposure control) process by a photometric unit (not shown).

The electric control circuit of the camera according to the present embodiment comprises:
As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 12 of the control unit (control means) mainly controlling the entire camera and the setup driving of each lens frame of the lens barrel 2 from the collapsed position P2A to the wide end position P2B. A zoom motor 14 which is a driving unit for performing zoom driving from the wide end position P2B to the tele end position P2D via the intermediate zoom position P2C, a motor driver 13 for the zoom motor, a main switch 11,
A release switch 16 composed of a two-stage switch (1st switch, 2nd switch), and a two contact 17 for instructing a zoom operation switching in a wide end direction or a tele end direction.
a and a zoom switch 17 having a lens 17b and a lens barrel 2
A zoom state detecting switch 18 of a focal length detecting means for detecting a zooming state of the camera;
A / D conversion of the acceleration sensor 19 and the data of the acceleration a output from the acceleration sensor 19
A / D converter 20, an EEPROM 21 for storing setting data of photographing conditions and predetermined setting data to be applied at the time of determining a vibration check process described later, and a grip detection for detecting a grip state of the grip unit 1a. It has a grip switch 15 as a means, and further includes a shutter drive unit, a film feed drive unit, and the like, which are electric control elements for camera control (not shown).

The EEPROM 21 stores, as described above, a reference time T1 as predetermined time information and a predetermined acceleration a0 as predetermined acceleration information in addition to the setting data of the photographing conditions.
And data such as a reference count value n1 which is a predetermined count number.

The reference time T1 will be described later while the lens barrel 2 is in the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position) and the operation switches such as the release switch 16 and the zoom switch 17 are not operated. The period for counting the number of acceleration determination counts na is given.

The predetermined acceleration a0 is determined by the acceleration sensor 19
Is a predetermined acceleration that gives a threshold level in the + and-directions (see FIG. 5).

The reference count value n1 is a value used as a criterion for comparison with the acceleration determination count number na described later.

The acceleration determination count number na is a value obtained by counting an acceleration determination signal (described later) output when the detected acceleration a of the acceleration sensor 19 exceeds a predetermined acceleration a0, and is a detected acceleration waveform of the camera body. Figure 5 showing
The counting can be performed during the period (t1, t2, t3,...) In which the acceleration a is determined to have exceeded the threshold level +, -a0.

The CPU 12 includes, in addition to the control unit of the camera, a no-operation continuation time counting unit 12a as a time counting unit, an acceleration determining unit 12b as an acceleration determining unit, a counter unit 12c as a counting unit, It incorporates a count number discriminating section 12d as discriminating means and a motor control section 12e as controlling means.

When the lens barrel 2 is in the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position), the non-operation duration timer 12a is used to operate the operation switches (such as the release switch 16 and the zoom switch 17) without operation. Time T.

The acceleration discriminating section 12b compares the detected acceleration a of the acceleration sensor 19 with the predetermined acceleration a0, and outputs an acceleration discrimination signal when the acceleration exceeds the predetermined acceleration a0. In the detected acceleration waveform of FIG.
The acceleration determination signal can be output at t2, t3, etc.

The counter 12c counts the acceleration discrimination signal as the acceleration discrimination count number na while the non-operation continuation time T is being counted.

The count number discrimination section 12d counts when the acceleration discrimination count number na, which is the count value of the counter section 12c, reaches the reference count value n1 during the elapse of the reference time T1 of the no-operation continuation time T. An arrival determination signal is output.

The motor control unit 12e controls the zoom motor driver 13 and the zoom motor 1 so that the lens barrel 2 is retracted by the output of the count number discrimination unit 12d.
4 is driven and controlled.

A zoom encoder may be applied to the zoom state detection switch 18.

In the camera of this embodiment, when the main switch 11 is turned on, the lens frame of the lens barrel 2 moves from the collapsed state to the photographing preparation position (wide end position P2B), and enters a photographable state. After that, in accordance with the operation of the zoom switch 17, the zoom lens 17 is brought out to a photographable position (a photographable state) at the intermediate zoom position P2C or the telephoto end position P2D.
Under the photographing enabled state, the non-operation continuation time T in which the operation switch is not operated is measured. During the reference time T1 of the non-operation continuation time T, the change state (vibration state) of the acceleration of the camera body 1 is checked. If it is determined that the acceleration is higher than the predetermined value and the camera is not in a state of taking an image, the lens barrel 2 is automatically retracted to the retracted position.

That is, during the elapse of the reference time T1 of the no-operation continuation time T, the acceleration discrimination signal output when the detected acceleration a exceeds the predetermined acceleration a0 is counted as the acceleration discrimination count number na. At this time, even if the no-operation state continues, in a state where the camera is held with the intention to take a picture, the acceleration determination count number na is small and does not exceed the reference count value n1. This is because there is no acceleration output when the camera is held.

However, when the camera body 1 is not ready to take a picture and is in the state of a mobile phone or the like in which the camera body 1 rattles or wobble, the number of times of acceleration determination count na exceeds the reference count value n1. If this state is detected, the lens barrel 2 is automatically retracted to the retracted position P2A, and the first, second, and third frames 3, 4, and 5 of the respective lens frames are set to the protection state.

A photographing sequence of the camera including the above-described automatic rerun operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a shooting sequence as a main routine, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a vibration check of a subroutine called in the main routine.

When the main switch 11 is turned on, the CPU 1
The photographing sequence starts under the control of 2. First, initialization is performed in step S1, the zoom motor 14 is driven in step S2, the lens barrel 2 is set up, and the lens barrel 2 is extended from the retracted position P2A to the wide end position P2B. This state is a photographing preparation state (photographing initial state), and the photographing lens is at the photographing preparation position. In step S3, it is confirmed that the main switch 11 is on, and the process proceeds to step S4. If the main switch 11 is off, the process proceeds to step S22, in which the zoom motor 14 is driven to retract the lens barrel 2.

In step S4, the non-operation continuation time counting section 12a of the CPU 12 starts counting (timing means). Then, the process proceeds to a step S5, wherein the release switch 16
Check the st release on / off. If on,
Proceed to step S17, but if it is off, step S6
And the subroutine vibration check processing (see FIG. 7)
Is called.

In the vibration checking process, as shown in FIG. 7, in step S31, the acceleration discriminating unit 12b checks whether the acceleration a detected by the acceleration sensor 19 exceeds a predetermined acceleration a0 (acceleration discriminating means). .
This step S31 corresponds to t1, t2, t3, t4 in FIG.
, T5, t6,..., And if the detected acceleration exceeds the predetermined acceleration a0, an acceleration discrimination signal indicating that the acceleration a exceeds the predetermined acceleration a0 is generated. Then, the process proceeds to step S32, and if not exceeded, the process jumps to step S34 described later. Therefore, not all of the accelerations exceeding a0 in FIG. 5 are detected in step S31.

In step S32, the counter unit 12
In c, the acceleration determination signal is the acceleration determination count number n.
is counted as a (counting means).

The above-described acceleration discrimination state will be described with reference to the acceleration waveform of FIG. 5. The state in which the acceleration a exceeds the predetermined acceleration a0 is periods t1, t2, t3,... If it is output, the number na is counted.

Subsequently, in step S33, the count number discriminating unit 12d checks whether the count number na reaches the reference count value n1 (count number discriminating means). If not, the process proceeds to step S34.
If it has arrived, it is determined that the camera body 1 is not in a holding state for taking a picture because the camera body 1 is receiving a frequently changing acceleration, and the process returns to step S22 of the main routine of FIG. The cylinder 2 is driven to the collapsed position P2A (control means, drive means), and the camera operation is stopped.

When the operation proceeds to step S34, it is checked whether or not the time T (no operation continuation time) T of the non-operation continuation time measuring unit 12a has exceeded the reference time T1. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S35, and the no-operation duration time counting unit 1
The timer time 2a and the count na of the counter section 12c are reset, and the timer section 12a restarts the time measurement (timing means), and returns to the main routine. By the process of step S34, the value of the number of times of acceleration determination count na of the acceleration determination signal becomes equal to the reference time T.
It will be detected each time.

After performing the above-described subroutine vibration check processing in step S6, the flow advances to step S7, in which the wide end direction switch of the zoom switch 17 (zoom W
Button) 17a is operated or not. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S11.
Proceed to 8.

When the process proceeds to step S11, the same timer counting time T and the number of counts na as in step S35 of the subroutine are reset, and the counting by the no-operation continuous time counting unit 12a is restarted ( Timing means).

Subsequently, in step S12, it is checked whether the focal length of the lens barrel 2 is at the wide limit (wide end, shortest focal length). If the focal length has reached the wide limit, the zoom motor 14 is not driven. Then, the process returns to step S5. If the wide limit has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S13, in which the zoom motor 14 is driven to perform a predetermined zoom-down operation, and the lens barrel 2 is further moved to the wide side of the focal length. Thereafter, the process returns to step S7.

When the process proceeds to step S8, the above-described vibration check processing of the subroutine (see FIG. 7) is repeated.

Subsequently, in step S9, the tele end direction instruction switch 17b of the zoom switch 17 (zoom T button)
Is checked, and if it is on, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S14, the same timer count time T as in step S35 of the subroutine is used.
Then, the count number na is reset, and the counting by the timer unit 12a is restarted (timing means).

Subsequently, in step S15, it is checked whether the focal length of the lens barrel 2 is at the tele limit (tele end, longest focal length). If the focal length has reached the tele limit, the zoom motor 14 is not driven. Then, the process returns to step S5. If the telephoto limit has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S16, in which the zoom motor 14 is driven to execute a predetermined zoom-up operation, and the lens barrel 2 is further moved to the telephoto side of the focal length. Thereafter, the process returns to step S7.

When the process proceeds to step S10, the above-described vibration check processing of the subroutine (see FIG. 7) is repeated.

In step S5 described above, it is confirmed that the first switch of the release switch 16 is on, and in step S1
When jumping to 7, clocking time (no operation continuation time)
T and the number of times of acceleration determination count na are reset, and the time counting by the time counting unit 12a is restarted (time counting means).

Thereafter, in step S18, the on / off state of the second release of the release switch 16 is checked. If it is off, the flow returns to step S5. If it is on, the flow advances to step S19 to open the shutter and execute exposure.
Then, in step S20, the film is wound up,
In step S21, the clocking time T and the count number na are reset again, and the clocking by the clocking unit 12a is restarted (clocking means). And
The process returns to step S5.

According to the camera of the first embodiment described above, when the lens barrel 2 is extended to the photographable position (including the photographing preparation position), the change in acceleration is more drastic, and the change within the reference time When it is detected that the number of acceleration determination counts, which is the number of times an acceleration equal to or greater than the predetermined value is detected, is larger than the reference number, the camera body 1 rattles,
It is considered that the mobile phone is in a state of being wobble or the like, and it is determined that the camera main body 1 is not held in a state of taking an image. At that time, the lens barrel 2 is automatically retracted to the retracted position P2A, and each lens frame is set in a protected state. In this way, it is more reliably detected that the camera is not in a shooting state, and the lens barrel 2 is retracted into a protection state.
It is also possible to avoid unnecessarily collapsing and miss a photo opportunity. That is, the photographing lens is driven to a retracted state or a photographing ready state by detecting acceleration which is a form of vibration.

As a modification of the camera of the first embodiment, the grip switch 15 for detecting the grip state of the grip portion 1a is one of the control detection elements in the automatic retraction processing of the lens barrel 2. Suggest a camera to apply.

The configuration itself of the camera of this modification is the same as that of the first embodiment.
This is the same as the camera according to the first embodiment, except for the content of the vibration check processing of the subroutine which is a part of the automatic retraction processing of the lens barrel 2 by the CPU 12. Therefore,
The same reference numerals are given to the respective constituent members, and different processes will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine (FIG. 6) which is a photographing sequence in the camera of this modification. When this subroutine is called, first, on / off of the grip switch 15 is checked in step S30. When the photographer is ready to take a picture, the user holds the grip 1a of the camera body 1 and
Are kept on. On the other hand, grip switch 1
When 5 is in the off state, the camera is hanging or the like, and there is a high possibility that the camera is not taking a picture.

Therefore, when the grip switch 15 is on, it is determined in step S that the photographer is ready to take a picture.
Then, the process proceeds to step 35, where the acceleration measurement is not performed, and the time count (no operation continuation time) T and the acceleration determination count number na
Are reset, the timer by the no-operation duration timer 12a of the CPU 12 is restarted (clocking means), and the process returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6) to wait for the release operation. That is, it can be said that the detection of the acceleration is prohibited by the grip switch 15 being on. In this modification, a release switch 1 is used as a switch for resetting the time measurement of the no-operation continuation time.
6. In addition to the zoom switch 17, the grip switch 15 is added.

On the other hand, when the grip switch 15 is off, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the user is not ready to take a picture, and the processing from step S31 to step S35 is performed. This process is the same as the process in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

That is, the reference time T for the no-operation continuation time T
1 While the acceleration a detected by the acceleration sensor 19 is a predetermined value a
Acceleration discrimination count number na, which is the number of times that became 0 or more
Check that the reference count value n1 has been reached. If it is detected that the camera body 1 has arrived, it is determined that the camera body 1 is not ready to take a picture with a mobile phone or the like in which the camera body 1 is rattling or wobbling. Then, the process returns to step S22 of the main routine, and the lens barrel 2 is automatically moved to the retracted position P2A.
To make each lens frame a protection state.

If the no-operation continuation time T does not exceed the reference time T1, and the acceleration determination count number na has not yet reached the reference count value n1, the flow returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6). Is repeated.

According to the camera of the present modified example of the first embodiment, in addition to the effect of the camera of the first embodiment, the lens barrel 2 is located at the photographable position, and the grip portion 1
In the state where the grip switch 15 is turned on while gripping a, for example, the camera body 1 is frequently moved to set a shooting composition, and even if acceleration is applied, the lens barrel 2 is moved to the collapsed position P2A. There is no such thing as
Usability does not deteriorate.

Next, a camera having a zoom lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The camera according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the configuration of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 3 of the camera according to the first embodiment. It is configured to take the components into the CPU. Therefore, the same reference numerals are applied to the same components, and only different components and control processing will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the electric control circuit of the camera of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the electric control circuit unit of the camera includes a CPU 34 of a control unit that controls the entire camera, an integrator 31 that integrates an acceleration a output from the acceleration sensor 19, and an output of the integrator 31. A / D conversion of the moving speed v of the camera body 1
An A / D converter 32 for outputting to an A / D converter 34;
And the other components such as the main switch 11 and the zoom motor 14 which are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The EEPROM 33 stores data such as a reference time T2, which is predetermined time information, a predetermined speed v0, which is predetermined speed information, and a reference count value n2, which is a predetermined number of counts, in addition to the setting data of the photographing conditions. It is remembered.

The reference time T2 is a speed discrimination which will be described later while the lens barrel 2 is in the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position) and the operation switches such as the release switch 16 and the zoom switch 17 are not operated. This value gives a period for counting the count number nv.

The predetermined speed v0 is a predetermined speed that gives a threshold level in the + and-directions of the moving speed v of the camera body 1 (see FIG. 10).

The reference count value n2 is a value serving as a criterion for comparison with a speed determination count number nv described later.

FIG. 10 shows the detected velocity waveform of the camera body 1 in any one of the X, Y, and Z directions when the lens barrel 2 is at the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position). Is shown. The speed determination count nv is a value obtained by counting a speed determination signal output when the speed v exceeds the predetermined speed v0. In the detected speed waveform of FIG. , -X0 can be counted in the period (t1, t2, t3,...).

The CPU 34 includes, in addition to the control unit of the camera, a non-operation continuation time counting unit 34a as a time counting unit, a speed determining unit 34b as a speed determining unit, a counter unit 34c as a counting unit, It incorporates a count number discrimination unit 34d as discrimination means and a motor control unit 34e as control means.

When the lens barrel 2 is at the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position), the non-operation duration measuring section 34a is used to operate the operation switches (such as the release switch 16 and the zoom switch 17) without operation. Time T.

The speed discriminator 34b is provided with the integrator 31.
Is compared with the predetermined speed v0, and when the speed exceeds the predetermined speed v0, a speed discrimination signal is output.
On the detected speed waveform of FIG. 10, the periods t1, t2, t3,.
The speed discrimination signal is output at the same time.

The counter section 34c counts the output speed discrimination signal as the speed discrimination count number nv during the measurement of the non-operation continuation time T.

The count number discrimination section 34d counts when the speed discrimination count number nv, which is the count value of the counter section 34c, reaches the reference count value n2 during the elapse of the reference time T2 of the no-operation continuation time T. Outputs a determination signal.

The motor control unit 34e operates the zoom motor driver 13 and the zoom motor 1 so that the lens barrel 2 is retracted by the output of the count number discrimination unit 34d.
4 is driven and controlled.

The camera photographing sequence including the automatic rerun operation in the camera according to the second embodiment having the above configuration is the same as the processing in the camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The vibration check processing of a subroutine called in the main routine of the imaging sequence is different. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the vibration check in the above subroutine.

In the above-described vibration check processing, as shown in FIG.
The speed discriminator 34b checks whether the speed v, which is a value obtained by integrating the outputs of the above, exceeds a predetermined speed v0 (speed discriminating means). If so, a speed discrimination signal indicating that the speed v exceeds the predetermined speed v0 is output, and step S42 is performed.
If not, the process jumps to step S44 described later.

In step S42, the counter section 34
At c, the speed discrimination signal is counted as the speed discrimination count number nv (counting means).

The above-described speed determination state will be described with reference to the detected speed waveform in FIG. 10. If the state in which the speed v exceeds the predetermined speed v0 is defined as periods t1, t2, t3,..., The above-described step S41 is performed in each period. If executed at the right timing, the speed discrimination signal is output, and the speed discrimination count nv is counted up. Therefore, the counting is not necessarily performed in each of the periods t1, t2, t3,....

Subsequently, in step S43, the count number n
It is checked whether or not v has reached the reference count value n2 (count number discrimination means). If it has not arrived, the process proceeds to step S44. If it has arrived, it is determined that the camera body 1 is not ready to take a picture because the speed is frequently changing, and the main routine of FIG. Returning to step S22, the lens barrel 2 is driven to the retracted position P2A (control means, drive means), and the camera operation is stopped.

When the operation proceeds to step S44, it is checked whether or not the time (no-operation continuation time) T of the non-operation continuation time measuring section 34a has exceeded the reference time T2. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S45, and the no-operation duration time counting unit 3
The clock time T of 4a and the speed determination count nv of the counter unit 34c are reset. Then, the clocking by the clocking unit 34a is restarted (clocking means), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. This step S4
By the process of 4, the value of the speed discrimination count number nv is detected for each of the reference times T2.

According to the camera of the second embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the camera of the first embodiment can be obtained. However, as shown in FIG. Higher-frequency vibration components can be excluded because the movement becomes smoother as compared with the above, and a stable movement state of the camera body can be detected. Then, it is more accurately determined whether the camera body 1 is held ready to take a picture or not ready to take a picture, so that a situation in which the camera body 1 is unnecessarily collapsed and a photo opportunity is missed is reduced. be able to. That is, the speed, which is a form of vibration, is detected, and the lens barrel is driven to a position in a retracted state or a shooting preparation state.

As a modification of the camera of the second embodiment, the grip switch 15 for detecting the grip state of the grip portion 1a is one of the control detection elements in the automatic retraction processing of the lens barrel 2. Suggest a camera to apply.

The configuration itself of the camera of this modification is the same as that of the second embodiment.
It is the same as the camera of the embodiment, and differs only in the content of the vibration check processing of the subroutine which is a part of the automatic retraction processing of the lens barrel 2 by the CPU 34. Therefore,
The same reference numerals are given to the respective constituent members, and different processes will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine (FIG. 6) which is a photographing sequence in the camera of this modification. When this subroutine is called, first, on / off of the grip switch 15 is checked in step S40. When the grip switch 15 is on,
The grip portion 1a of the camera body 1 is held,
The process proceeds to step S45 assuming that the camera is ready to perform shooting. In step S45, the time measurement (no operation continuation time) T and the speed determination count number nv are performed without detecting the speed.
Are reset, and the time counting by the no-operation continuation time counting unit 34a of the CPU 34 is restarted (time counting means), and the process returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6). Then, the camera enters a state of waiting for a release operation. That is, it can be said that the detection of the speed is prohibited by the grip switch 15 being on.

In this modification, the grip switch 15 is added in addition to the release switch 16, the zoom switch 17, and the like as operation switches for resetting the measurement of the no-operation continuation time.

On the other hand, when the grip switch 15 is off, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the user is not ready to take a picture while hanging the camera or holding the hand, and the processing from step S41 to step S45 is performed. This process is the same as the process in the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.

That is, the reference time T for the no-operation continuation time T
If it is detected that the number nv of speed discrimination counts, which is the number of times the speed v has exceeded the predetermined speed v0, is greater than the reference count value n2 during the lapse of 2 seconds, the camera body 1 will rattle or fluctuate. In such a state, it is determined that the camera is not ready for photographing, and the process returns to step S22 of the main routine, where the lens barrel 2 is retracted to the retracted position P2A, and each lens frame is set in the protection state. The speed determination count number nv based on the speed v is still smaller than the reference count value n2,
If the no-operation continuation time T does not exceed the reference time T2, the process returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6) and repeats the above processing.

According to the camera of this modification of the second embodiment described above, in addition to the effect of the camera of the second embodiment, the lens barrel 2 is located at the photographable position, and the grip 1a is gripped. For example, even if the camera body 1 is frequently moved to set the shooting composition while the grip switch 15 is on, the lens barrel 2 may be retracted to the retracted position P2A. There is no inconvenience.

Next, a camera having a zoom lens according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The camera according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the configuration of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 9 of the camera according to the second embodiment, except that the detected acceleration is twice. It is configured to integrate and take it into the CPU as a displacement component of the camera body. Therefore, the same reference numerals are applied to the same components, and only different components and control processing will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electric control circuit of the camera according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the electric control circuit unit of the camera includes a CPU 47 of a control unit that controls the entire camera, an integrator 41 that integrates the output (acceleration a) of the acceleration sensor 19, and an integrator 41.
, An A / D converter 42 that A / D converts the output (speed v) of the integrator 41 and outputs the result to the CPU 47, and an output (speed V) of the integrator 43. It has an A / D converter 44 for A / D converting the displacement x) and outputting it to the CPU 47, a reset unit 45 for resetting the outputs of the integrators 41 and 43, and an EEPROM 46. , Zoom motor 14, etc., FIG.
Has the same components as those of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

In the EEPROM 46, data such as a reference time T3, which is predetermined time information, a predetermined displacement x0, which is predetermined displacement information, and a reference count value n3, which is a predetermined number of counts, in addition to the data for setting photographing conditions. It is remembered.

When the lens barrel 2 is in the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position), the reference time T3 is the displacement change during the non-operation continuation time when the operation switches such as the release switch 16 and the zoom switch 17 are not operated. This value gives a count period for counting the number of detections (displacement determination count number nx).

The predetermined displacement x0 is a predetermined displacement giving a threshold level in the + and-directions of the movement displacement x of the camera body 1 (see FIG. 14).

The reference count value n3 is a value used as a criterion for comparison with the displacement determination count number nx described later.

FIG. 14 shows the detected displacement waveform of the camera body 1 in any one of the X, Y, and Z directions when the lens barrel 2 is at the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position). Is shown. The displacement determination count number nx is a value obtained by counting the displacement determination signal output when the detected displacement x exceeds the predetermined displacement x0. In the detected displacement waveform of FIG. 14, the displacement x is a threshold level. +,-
x0 (t1, t2, t)
3,…) can be counted.

The CPU 47 includes, in addition to the control unit of the camera, a non-operation continuation time counting unit 47a as a time counting unit, a displacement determining unit 47b as a displacement determining unit, a counter unit 47c as a counting unit, A count number discriminating section 47d as discriminating means and a motor control section 47e as controlling means are incorporated.

When the lens barrel 2 is in the shooting position (including the shooting preparation position), the operation switch (release switch 16 and zoom switch 1)
7)), the non-operation continuation time T in which no operation is performed is measured.

The displacement discriminating section 47b includes the integrator 43
Is compared with the predetermined displacement x0, and when it exceeds the predetermined displacement x0, a displacement determination signal is output.
On the detected displacement waveform in FIG. 14, the periods t1, t2, t3,.
Can output the above-described displacement determination signal.

The counter 47c counts the output of the displacement discrimination signal as the displacement discrimination count nx each time the reference time T3 of the non-operation continuation time T elapses.

The count number discriminating section 47d determines that the displacement discriminating count number nx which is the count value of the counter section 47c is equal to the reference count value n within the reference time T3.
Outputs the count reaching judgment signal when reaching 3.

The motor control unit 47e controls the driving of the zoom motor driver 13 and the zoom motor 14 so as to drive the lens barrel 2 to the retracted position P2A based on the output of the counting number discrimination unit 47d.

As shown in the block diagram of the electric circuit in FIG. 13, the speed v data of the output of the integrator 41 is always C.
The speed v
Is checked to be a value of 0. In the state where the velocity v becomes 0, the differential value of the displacement x becomes 0. At this time, the output of the integrator 43 is reset via the reset unit 45, and the displacement x is once set to 0. . The output of the integrator 41 is also reset at the same time. Further, when the detected displacement x exceeds the measurement range, the displacement x is similarly reset to zero. The reason for resetting the displacement x to the value 0 as described above is that the data of the detected displacement x is the threshold level +, -x0
Is exceeded, the camera body 1 does not return to the threshold levels + and -x0 unless the camera body 1 is moved to the original position in the reverse direction, and the moving state of the camera body 1 cannot be reliably detected. So to prevent it.

The camera shooting sequence itself including the automatic rerun operation in the camera of the third embodiment having the above configuration is the same as the processing in the camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The vibration check processing of a subroutine called in the main routine of the shooting sequence is different. FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the vibration check in the above subroutine.

In the vibration check processing, as shown in FIG. 15, first, it is checked whether the displacement x detected in step S51 has reached the output limit (measurement range). Subsequently, it is checked whether or not the speed v detected in step S52 has become a value 0. Displacement x is output limit (measurement range)
Or the speed v has reached the value 0, the process proceeds to step S53, and the displacement x is reset to the value 0.

Subsequently, at step S54, the displacement discriminating section 47b checks whether the detected displacement x exceeds the predetermined displacement x0 (displacement discriminating means). If so, a displacement discrimination signal indicating that the displacement x exceeds the predetermined displacement x0 is output, and the process proceeds to step S55. If not, the process jumps to step S57 described later.

In the step S55, the counter 47
At c, the displacement determination signal is counted as the displacement determination count number nx. This displacement detection state will be described with reference to the detected displacement waveform in FIG. 14. If the periods in which the displacement x exceeds the predetermined displacement x0 are defined as periods t1, t2, t3,..., The above-described step S54 is executed with good timing in each period. Then, the displacement determination signal is output and counted as the displacement determination count number nx. Therefore, the counting is not necessarily performed in each of the periods t1, t2, t3,....

Further, in step S56, it is checked by the count number discriminating section 47d whether or not the displacement discrimination count number nx has reached the reference count value n3 (count number discriminating means). If the number nx has not reached the count value n3, the process proceeds to step S57. If you have reached
Since the camera body 1 is moving frequently, it is determined that the camera body 1 is not in a shooting state, and the process returns to step S22 of the main routine in FIG. 6 to drive the lens barrel 2 to the collapsed position P2A. (Control means, drive means), and the camera operation is stopped.

When the operation proceeds to step S57, it is checked whether or not the time (no-operation continuation time) T of the non-operation continuation time timer 47a has exceeded the reference time T3. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S58, and the no-operation continuation time counting unit 4
The clocking time T of 7a and the displacement determination count nx of the counter unit 47c are reset, and the clocking by the clocking unit 47a is restarted (clocking means), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. By the processing of step S57, the value of the number nx of displacement determination counts is detected for each reference time T3.

According to the camera of the third embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the cameras of the first and second embodiments can be obtained, but particularly, displacement vibration is exhibited as shown in FIG. Since the detected displacement waveform is smoother than the acceleration waveform, high-frequency vibration components can be excluded, the actual movement state of the camera body can be detected, and the camera body 1 is ready to take a picture. In addition, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the user is not ready to take a picture, thereby preventing a situation in which the user unnecessarily collapses and misses a photo opportunity.

As a modified example of the camera of the third embodiment, the grip switch 15 for detecting the grip state of the grip portion 1a is one of the control detection elements in the automatic retraction processing of the lens barrel 2. Suggest a camera to apply.

The configuration itself of the camera of this modification is the same as that of the third embodiment.
This is the same as the camera of the embodiment, and differs only in the content of the vibration check processing of the subroutine which is a part of the automatic retraction processing of the lens barrel 2 by the CPU 47. Therefore,
The same reference numerals are given to the respective constituent members, and different processes will be described below.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine (FIG. 6) which is a photographing sequence in the camera of the present modified example. When this subroutine is called, first, on / off of the grip switch 15 is checked in step S50. When the grip switch 15 is on,
The grip portion 1a of the camera body 1 is held,
It is determined that the camera is ready to take an image, and the process proceeds to step S58.
Further, the displacement determination count number nv is reset, and the time count by the no-operation continuation time counting unit 47a of the CPU 47 is restarted (time counting means), and the process returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6) to wait for the release operation. That is, it can be said that the detection of displacement is prohibited by the grip switch 15 being on.

In this modification, in addition to the release switch 16, the zoom switch 17, and the like, the grip switch 15 is added as an operation switch for resetting the measurement of the no-operation continuation time.

On the other hand, when the grip switch 15 is off, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the user is not ready to take a picture while hanging the camera or holding the hand, and the processing from step S51 to step S58 is performed. This process is the same as the process in the third embodiment described with reference to FIG.

That is, the reference time T for the no-operation continuation time T
If it is detected that the number of displacement determination counts nx, which is the number of times the displacement x becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined displacement x0 during the lapse of time, is greater than the reference count value n3, the camera body 1 will rattle or wobble. In such a state, it is determined that the camera is not ready for photographing, and the process returns to step S22 of the main routine, where the lens barrel 2 is retracted to the retracted position P2A, and each lens frame is set in the protection state. In a state where the number of displacement determination counts nx by the displacement x is smaller than the reference count value n3 and the clock time T has not passed the reference time T3, the process returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6) and the above-described processing is repeated.

According to the camera of the present modification of the third embodiment, in addition to the effect of the camera of the third embodiment, the lens barrel 2 is located at the photographable position, and the grip 1
For example, even if the camera body 1 is frequently moved in order to set a shooting composition while the grip switch 15 is turned on while holding the lens a, the lens barrel 2 is moved to the collapsed position P2A.
Is not performed. Only when it is determined that the camera body 1 is not in a state where the camera body 1 is not gripped and the camera body 1 is frequently displaced and the camera body 1 is not shooting, the lens barrel 2 is collapsed to protect the lens barrel 2. Can be

Next, a camera having a zoom lens according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The camera according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the configuration of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 13 of the camera according to the third embodiment, except for an acceleration sensor, an integrator, and an A / D converter. D converter,
This eliminates the need for a reset device and the like, and also serves as a switch for detecting whether or not the posture detection switch for detecting the state of the camera body is ready for shooting. Therefore, the same reference numerals are applied to the same components, and only different components and control processing will be described below.

The electric control circuit of the camera according to the present embodiment comprises:
The acceleration sensor 19, the integrators 41 and 42, the A / D converters 42 and 44, and the reset unit 45 are not required for the block diagram of FIG. Other main switch 11, zoom motor 14, grip switch 15, posture detection switch 2
2, the same components as those of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13 such as a CPU 47, an EEPROM 46, and the like.

The attitude detecting switch 22 has the structure shown in FIG. As described above, the ON / OFF signal indicating the left / right inclination of the camera body is obtained from the right / left vertical position detection contact pieces 22a and 22b of the posture detection switch 22 according to the left / right inclination posture when the camera body 1 is held during normal photographing. Is output. Based on the ON signal, a photometric area is set in an AE (automatic exposure control) process by a photometric unit (not shown).

In particular, in the camera of the present embodiment, when the lens barrel 21 is in the extended position to the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position) and the operation switch is not operated. The attitude detection switch 22 is used as a displacement detection means (displacement determination means) of the camera body 1, and an on / off switching signal of the switch 22 is used as a displacement detection signal of the camera body 1.

That is, when the lens barrel 21 is in the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position) and the grip switch 15 is in the off state, the posture detection is performed at every reference time when the operation switch is not operated. A change from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON of the displacement detection signal indicating the left-right inclination of the switch 22 is counted. When the count value exceeds the reference count value within the reference time, it is determined that the amount of exercise of the camera body 1 is large and the camera body 1 is not ready to take a picture. Then, the lens barrel 2 is retracted to the retracted position P2A to protect the lens barrel 2.

In the EEPROM 46 constituting the electric circuit of the camera of this embodiment, data of a reference time T4, which is predetermined time information, and a reference count value n4, which is a predetermined number of counts, are stored in addition to the setting data of the photographing conditions. Have been.

When the lens barrel 2 is at the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position), the reference time T4 is set at the position detecting switch during the non-operation continuation time when the operation switches such as the release switch 16 and the zoom switch 17 are not operated. 22 is the number of on / off of the posture detection signal (posture determination count number n
θ) is a value giving a period for counting.

The reference count value n4 is a value serving as a criterion for comparison with the attitude determination count number nθ described later.

The attitude determination count number nθ is a value obtained by counting ON / OFF of the attitude detection signal of the attitude detection switch 22.

In addition to the control unit of the camera, the CPU 47 includes a non-operation continuation time counting unit 47a as a time counting unit, a counter unit 47c as a counting unit, a count number determination unit 47d as a counting number determination unit, and a control unit. A motor control unit 47e as a means is built in. Note that the displacement determination unit 47b is unnecessary.

When the lens barrel 2 is in the photographing position (including the photographing preparation position), the operation switches (release switch 16 and zoom switch 1) are operated.
7 and the grip switch 15) are timed.

Each time the reference time T3 of the no-operation continuation time T elapses, the counter 47c sets the position detection switch 2
The on / off output of the attitude detection signal of No. 2 is counted as the attitude determination count number nθ.

The counting number discriminating section 47d determines that the attitude discriminating count number nθ which is the count value of the counter section 47c is equal to the reference counting value n within the reference time T4.
Outputs the count reaching signal when it reaches 4.

The motor control unit 47e controls the drive of the zoom motor driver 13 and the zoom motor 14 so as to drive the lens barrel 2 to the retracted position P2A based on the output of the count number discrimination unit 47d.

The camera photographing sequence including the automatic rerun operation in the camera of the fourth embodiment having the above configuration is the same as that of the main routine shown in FIG. FIG. 15 or FIG.
This is different from FIG. FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the vibration check of the subroutine.

In the above-described vibration check processing, as shown in FIG. 17, first, the on / off of the grip switch 15 is checked in step S60. When the camera is in the ON state, it is determined that the grip 1a of the camera body 1 is held and the camera is ready to take a picture, and the process proceeds to step S65. Reset the attitude determination count number nθ, respectively,
The non-operation continuation time counting unit 47a of the CPU 47 restarts time counting (time counting means), returns to the main routine (see FIG. 6), and waits for a release operation. That is, it can be said that displacement detection is prohibited by the grip switch 15 being on.

On the other hand, if the grip switch 15 is off, it means that the camera is not in the camera photographing hold state, such as hanging the camera, and there is a high possibility that the photographer is not ready to perform photographing.

In the step S61, the posture detecting switch 2
2 is checked for a change in the on / off state, and if there is no change, the process jumps to step S64. This step S6
1 is a step of comparing the state of the posture detection switch in the previous step S61 with the state of the posture detection switch in the current step S61. More specifically, the state of the previous posture detection switch, that is, the contact piece 22c And contact piece 22
a, on and off, contact 22c and contact 22b on,
The state is stored in each of the two OFF flags, and in step S61, these flags are compared with the state of the current attitude detection switch. If a state change is detected, the process proceeds to step S62, where the counter 47c counts up the attitude determination count number nθ, and proceeds to step S63.

In step S63, it is checked by the count number discriminating unit 47d whether or not the attitude discrimination count number nθ has reached the reference count value n4 (count number discrimination means). If not, the process proceeds to step S64.
If it has arrived, it is determined that the camera body 1 is not in a state of taking a picture because the posture of the camera body 1 is frequently changed,
Returning to step S22 of the main routine in FIG. 6, the lens barrel 2 is driven to the retracted position P2A (control means,
Driving means) and the camera operation is stopped.

When the operation proceeds to step S64, it is checked whether or not the counted time (no-operation continuation time) T of the no-operation continuation time counting unit 47a has exceeded the reference time T4. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S65, and the no-operation duration time counting unit 4
The clocking time T of 7a and the attitude determination count number nθ of the counter unit 47c are reset, the clocking by the clocking unit 47a is restarted (clocking means), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. By the process of step S64, the value of the attitude determination count number nθ is detected for each of the reference times T4.

According to the camera of the fourth embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the camera of the third embodiment can be obtained, but in particular, the output which changes with time, such as acceleration, speed, displacement, etc. The actual movement state of the camera body 1 is detected by detecting and counting the switching of the on / off signal of the attitude detection switch 22 without handling the waveform. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the camera body 1 is ready to take a picture or not ready to take a picture, and it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation in which the camera body 1 is unnecessarily collapsed to miss a photo opportunity. Can be prevented. Moreover, since a sensor or an integrator for detecting acceleration, velocity, and displacement is not required, and the posture detection switch 22 for setting the photometric area is used for detecting the photographing state, an electric circuit having a simple configuration can be applied. This is advantageous both in cost and space.

In each of the above embodiments and modifications, when the camera is not ready to take a picture, the lens barrel 2 is retracted to the retractable position P2A where photographing is not possible in step S22 in FIG. It is not necessary to retreat to the retracted position P2A, and it may be relocated to a photographable wide position (shooting preparation position) where photographing can be performed as it is.

Further, a zoom lens barrel is applied as a lens barrel built in a camera applied to each of the above-described embodiments and modifications. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a lens barrel.

Further, in each of the above embodiments and modifications, when it is detected that the camera body is not ready to take a picture, only the lens barrel 2 is in the collapsed position P where it is impossible to take a picture.
Although the control is performed so as to be retracted to 2A, the present invention is not limited to the lens barrel 2, and a modified example in which the strobe light emitting unit is controlled to be lowered from the pop-up position to the storage position in conjunction with the retraction of the lens barrel 2 can also be proposed. .

FIG. 18 is a side view of a modification of the camera in which the lens barrel and the strobe light-emitting unit are linked.
3A shows a state in which the lens barrel 2 is stored in the retracted position P2A and the strobe light emitting unit 51 is stored in the down position when the camera is not ready for photographing. FIG. 18B shows a state in which the lens barrel 2 has been moved to the intermediate zoom position P2C, which is the photographing position, and to the pop-up position in which the strobe light-emitting unit 51 can emit light, when the photographing posture is set.

Further, as another modified example, it can be proposed that when the camera body is detected to be in a state of not taking a picture, only the strobe light emitting unit is controlled to be lowered from the pop-up position to the storage position.

(1) In a camera having a zoom lens, an acceleration detecting means for detecting the acceleration of the camera and an acceleration output from the acceleration detecting means exceeding a predetermined magnitude Acceleration determining means for determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed, a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time, a counting means for counting the output of the acceleration determining means, and a count for determining that the count has reached a predetermined count from the counting means. Number-of-times discriminating means, driving means for driving the zoom lens, and when receiving an output from the counting number-of-times discriminating means within a predetermined time of the clocking means, drive the driving means
Control means for driving the zoom lens and retracting the zoom lens. A camera having a zoom lens can be proposed.

(2) The camera having the zoom lens according to (1), wherein the acceleration detecting means is an acceleration sensor.

(3) In a camera having a zoom lens, speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the camera, speed determining means for determining that the speed output from the speed detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, Time counting means for counting a predetermined time; counting means for counting the output of the speed determining means; count number determining means for determining that the count has reached a predetermined count number from the counting means; and the zoom lens When the output from the counting number determination means is received within a predetermined time of the clocking means, the driving means drives the driving means,
Control means for driving the zoom lens and retracting the zoom lens. A camera having a zoom lens can be proposed.

(4) A camera having a zoom lens as described in (3) above, wherein the speed detecting means comprises an acceleration sensor and an integrator.

(5) In a camera having a zoom lens, displacement detection means for detecting the displacement of the camera, displacement determination means for determining that the displacement output from the displacement detection means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, Time counting means for counting a predetermined time; counting means for counting the output of the displacement determining means; count number determining means for determining that the count has reached a predetermined number of times from the counting means; and the zoom lens When the output from the counting number determination means is received within a predetermined time of the clocking means, the driving means drives the driving means,
Control means for driving the zoom lens and retracting the zoom lens. A camera having a zoom lens can be proposed.

(6) A camera having a zoom lens as described in (5) above, characterized in that the displacement determining means comprises an acceleration sensor and an integrating means.

(7) It is possible to propose a camera having a zoom lens as described in (5), wherein the displacement determining means is a posture detecting means.

(8) In a camera having a zoom lens, acceleration detecting means for detecting the acceleration of the camera, acceleration determining means for determining that the acceleration output from the acceleration detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, Time counting means for counting a predetermined time; counting means for counting the output of the acceleration determining means; count number determining means for determining that the count has reached a predetermined count number from the counting means; and the zoom lens A driving means for driving the camera, a grip detecting means for detecting that the camera is gripped, and a signal from the counting number discriminating means within a predetermined time of the timer when no detection signal is received from the grip detecting means. When an output is received, the driving unit is driven to drive the zoom lens to retract the zoom lens. And a camera having a zoom lens.

(9) In a camera having a zoom lens, speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the camera, speed determining means for determining that the speed output from the speed detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, Time counting means for counting a predetermined time; counting means for counting the output of the speed determining means; count number determining means for determining that the count has reached a predetermined count number from the counting means; and the zoom lens A driving means for driving the camera, a grip detecting means for detecting that the camera is gripped, and a signal from the counting number discriminating means within a predetermined time of the timer when no detection signal is received from the grip detecting means. When receiving the output, drive the driving means,
Control means for driving the zoom lens and retracting the zoom lens. A camera having a zoom lens can be proposed.

(10) In a camera having a zoom lens, displacement detecting means for detecting displacement of the camera,
Displacement determining means for determining that the displacement output from the displacement detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, timing means for counting a predetermined time, counting means for counting the output of the displacement determining means, and counting A number-of-counts determining means for determining that the count number has reached a predetermined number of times from the means, a driving means for driving the zoom lens,
Grip detection means for detecting that the camera has been gripped,
When the output from the counting number discriminating means is received within a predetermined time of the clocking means when the detection signal from the grip detecting means is not received, the driving means is driven, and the zoom lens is driven. And a control means for retracting the zoom lens. A camera having a zoom lens can be proposed.

(11) In a camera having a zoom lens, acceleration detecting means for detecting the acceleration of the camera, acceleration determining means for determining that the acceleration output from the acceleration detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, Time counting means for counting a predetermined time; counting means for counting the output of the acceleration determining means; count number determining means for determining that the count has reached a predetermined count number from the counting means; and the zoom lens A driving means for driving the camera, a grip detecting means for detecting that the camera is gripped, and a signal from the counting number discriminating means within a predetermined time of the timer when no detection signal is received from the grip detecting means. When receiving the output, drive the driving means, drive the zoom lens to retract the zoom lens, It is possible to propose a camera having a zoom lens, comprising: control means for prohibiting acceleration detection by the acceleration detection means when receiving a detection signal from the grip detection means.

(12) In a camera having a zoom lens, speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the camera,
Speed discriminating means for discriminating that the speed output from the speed detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude; timing means for measuring a predetermined time; counting means for counting the output of the speed discriminating means; A number-of-counts determining means for determining that the count number has reached a predetermined number of times from the means, a driving means for driving the zoom lens,
Grip detection means for detecting that the camera has been gripped,
If the output from the counting number discriminating means is received within a predetermined time of the clocking means when the detection signal is not received from the grip detecting means, the driving means is driven, and the zoom lens is driven. And a control unit for prohibiting the speed detection by the speed detection unit when the detection signal is received from the grip detection unit. be able to.

(13) In a camera having a zoom lens, displacement detecting means for detecting displacement of the camera,
Displacement determining means for determining that the displacement output from the displacement detecting means has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, timing means for counting a predetermined time, counting means for counting the output of the displacement determining means, and counting A number-of-counts determining means for determining that the count number has reached a predetermined number of times from the means, a driving means for driving the zoom lens,
Grip detection means for detecting that the camera has been gripped,
When the output from the counting number discriminating means is received within a predetermined time of the clocking means when the detection signal from the grip detecting means is not received, the driving means is driven, and the zoom lens is driven. And a control means for prohibiting displacement detection by the displacement detection means when receiving a detection signal from the grip detection means. can do.

[0162]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention,
When no operation is continued under the camera shooting state, the vibration state of the camera body is detected, it is determined whether the camera is ready for shooting or not, and the shooting lens is ready for shooting. By holding the camera as it is, or by controlling the taking lens to retract to the retracted position,
When it is not necessary to retract the lens, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a problem that the photographing lens is retracted and a shutter chance is missed, and the lens frame can be protected more effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a retracted and extended state of a lens barrel of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
1A shows a collapsed state of the lens barrel, FIG. 1B shows a state in which the lens barrel is extended at a wide end, and FIG. 1C shows a state in which the lens barrel is extended to an intermediate position. D)
Shows the tele-end extension state of the lens barrel.

FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a main block configuration diagram of an electric control circuit unit of the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a posture detection switch applied to the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an acceleration detection waveform of an acceleration sensor in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a shooting sequence as a main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in a camera according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a main block configuration diagram of an electric control circuit unit of the camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detection waveform of a moving speed of a camera body in the camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in the camera of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in a camera according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a main block configuration diagram of an electric control circuit unit of the camera according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a displacement detection waveform of a camera body in the camera according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in the camera of the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in a camera according to a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a vibration check process of a subroutine called in a main routine in the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a modified example of the camera of each of the above-described embodiments, in which a strobe light-emitting unit interlocked with a lens barrel is incorporated. FIG. 18 (A) shows a lens barrel and a strobe light-emitting unit. Are stored together, and FIG.
FIG. 8B shows a state in which both the lens barrel and the strobe light emitting unit are photographed or are extended to a position where light can be emitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... lens barrel (photographing lens, zoom lens) a ... camera acceleration v ... camera speed x ... camera displacement θ ... camera tilt (camera displacement) P2A ... collapsed position (collapsed state) Position) P2B …… Wide end position (position ready for shooting)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera which detects a vibration of a camera and drives a photographing lens to a retracted position or a photographing ready state based on the detected vibration information. 2. In a camera having a zoom lens, vibration of the camera is detected, and based on the detected vibration information, the zoom lens is moved to a collapsed position or
A camera having a zoom lens, which is driven to a shooting preparation state position. 3. In a camera having a zoom lens, an acceleration continuously applied to the camera is detected, and based on the detected acceleration information, the zoom lens is moved to a retracted position or a photographing ready position. A camera having a zoom lens to be driven. 4. In a camera having a zoom lens, a continuous moving speed of the camera is detected, and based on the detected moving speed information, the zoom lens is moved to a retracted position or a photographing ready position. A camera having a zoom lens to be driven. 5. In a camera having a zoom lens, continuous displacement of the camera is detected, and based on the detected displacement information, the zoom lens is driven to a retracted position or a photographing ready position. A camera having a zoom lens.