JP2003084353A - Camera and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of informing a subject (a photographer when using a self-timer) of a situation before photographing even when normal photographing can not be performed because the camera is vibrated in a self- timer photographing. SOLUTION: This camera 1 is equipped with an image blur correcting device 26, and has an angular velocity sensor 22 to detect the vibration of the camera 1. A set value on the magnitude of output from the sensor 22 is previously set. In the case of exceeding the set value, the photographer is informed of the situation through a picture display part 8, so that an unsatisfactory photograph can be prevented from being taken in advance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera such as a digital still camera and, more particularly, to a self-timer photographing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital still camera capable of immediately confirming a photographed image has rapidly spread. As one of the functions of this digital still camera, a large number of cameras having a so-called self-timer photographing mode in which a self-timer is used and a photographer waits for a predetermined time after a release before photographing is released.

[0003]

However, in the camera having the self-timer photographing mode as described above, a strong wind blows or a person bumps into the camera during the self-timer operation in which the camera is fixed to a tripod for use. For example, when strong vibration is applied to the camera, if you shoot in that state, you will not be able to take the picture you want.

That is, even when the self-timer is started, even if the camera is stationary, control cannot be performed if an external shock is applied to the camera body before the shutter is released after the self-timer is started, and the control is impossible. It was in a blurred state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera which does not take a failure photograph when the camera is vibrated for some reason during the operation of the self-timer.

[0006]

In order to solve this problem, the camera of the present invention has a self-timer photographing mode setting means, a vibration detecting means for detecting the vibration of the camera, and an output magnitude of the vibration detecting means. The present invention is characterized by including setting means for setting and warning means for giving a warning to the photographer when the output of the vibration detecting means exceeds the set value when the self-timer photographing mode is set.

With this configuration, since it is possible to inform the photographer of an abnormality caused by the vibration of the camera in the self-timer photographing mode, it is possible to prevent photographing of a failed photograph.

Further, in the camera system of the present invention, when the output of the vibration detecting means exceeds the set value, the transmitting means for transmitting the data notifying the photographer of the warning, the receiving section for receiving the transmitting data and the receiving data. Accordingly, a remote controller having a vibrating unit that notifies the photographer by vibration is provided. With this configuration, vibrate the remote control,
The abnormality of the camera can be notified more easily.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration when the camera according to the first embodiment is used, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the camera, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a vibration detection unit of the camera, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an output of a vibration detection unit of the camera.

In the self-timer shooting mode, the camera 1
Is fixed to the tripod 2 for use. The camera 1 is equipped with a lens barrel 3, a shutter button 4, a magnification changing lever 5, a flash 6, a remote control transmission / reception unit 7, and the like. The image display unit 8 has a function of displaying a photographed image and also serves as a finder at the time of normal photographing, and is composed of a liquid crystal monitor or the like. Also, in the self-timer shooting mode, it is a reversible structure so that it can be viewed and confirmed from the subject side. In that case, the displayed image is inverted upside down,
It can be confirmed in a normal state from the subject side (direction of arrow A). Further, the photographer 10 as a subject has a remote controller 11 so that the camera 1 can be operated remotely.

Next, the hardware of the camera 1 will be described. In FIG. 2, the CCD 12 is an image pickup optical system (L
1, L2, L3) is an image pickup device that converts an image that enters via an electric signal. The operation is controlled by the CCD drive control means 13. An analog signal processing means 14 is connected to the CCD 12, and the analog signal processing means 14 is connected to the CCD 12.
Performs analog signal processing such as gamma processing on the video signal obtained by the CCD 13. A / D conversion means 15 is connected to the analog signal processing means 14,
The D conversion means 15 converts the analog video signal output from the analog signal processing means 14 into a digital signal.
A digital signal processing means 16 is connected to the A / D conversion means 15, and the digital signal processing means 16 performs noise removal, contour enhancement, etc. on the video signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion means 15. Perform digital signal processing. The buffer memory 17 is a digital signal processing means 16.
The image signal that has passed through is temporarily stored. The image once recorded in the buffer memory 17 is written in the internal memory or the image recording unit 19 such as a portable recording medium according to a command from the microcomputer 20 and the image recording control unit 18.

The image display unit 8 is a display device such as the liquid crystal monitor described above, and based on a command from the microcomputer 20 and the image display control means 21, a photographed image recorded in the image recording unit 19 or a lens mirror. The captured image obtained through the tube 3 is displayed instead of the viewfinder.

The camera 1 has a built-in angular velocity sensor 22 for detecting the movement of the camera 1 itself including the lens barrel 3. The angular velocity sensor 22 outputs both positive and negative angular velocity signals depending on the direction of movement of the camera 1 with reference to the output when the camera 1 is stationary. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the angular velocity sensor 22 is composed of two sensors that detect movements in two directions of pitching (22p) and yawing (22y). Note that FIG. 2 shows only one direction. As described above, the angular velocity sensor 22 has a function of a motion detection unit that detects the motion of the camera 1 due to camera shake and other vibrations. The amplifier 23 is a circuit for adjusting the output signal level of the angular velocity sensor 22. The A / D conversion means 24 is a conversion means for converting the output signal of the amplifier 23 into a digital signal, and its output is given to the microcomputer 20. The microcomputer 20 performs filtering, integration processing, phase compensation, gain adjustment, clipping processing, and the like on the output signal of the angular velocity sensor 22 captured via the A / D conversion means 24 to correct the image blur necessary for motion compensation. The drive control amount of the lens group L2 is calculated and output to the image blur correction device drive control means 25. The image blur correction device drive control unit 25 is a control unit that drives and controls the image blur correction device 26 including the image blur correction lens group L2, and includes an imaging optical system (lens group L
1, L2, and the focus adjustment lens unit L3) are moved in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the image blur correction lens unit L2 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

As for the output signal of the angular velocity sensor 22, as shown in FIG. 4, its magnitude has a fixed set value. Therefore, if the vibration applied to the camera 1 is large and the magnitude of the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 exceeds this set value,
On the basis of a command from the microcomputer 20, the fact is displayed on the image display unit 8.

The microcomputer 20 controls the drive motor 29 via the motor drive control means 28 based on the signals from the power button 27 and the zoom lever 5 provided on the camera 1. The drive motor 29 rotates a predetermined amount according to a command from the motor drive control unit 28, and the driving force of the drive motor 29 drives the lens barrel 3 to a predetermined zoom position. The microcomputer 20 determines which zoom position the lens barrel 3 is currently at by counting, for example, the number of pulses output from the motor drive control means 28. In addition, by pressing the shutter button 4, opening and closing the shutter blades (not shown)
By controlling the exposure time of D12, an image can be taken at an arbitrary zoom magnification.

The operation unit 30 sets the self-timer shooting mode and the like, and sets the time (waiting time) from the pressing of the shutter button 4 to the first shooting, the number of shots, and the shooting interval. The set information is detected by the microcomputer 20, and the camera 1 is controlled according to these setting conditions.

The operation of the camera 1 thus constructed will be described below.

The photographer 10 fixes the main body of the camera 1 to the tripod 2. In order to set the self-timer, the time (waiting time) until the first shooting is performed by the operation unit 30 is set. After that, the photographer 10 points the camera 1 at the subject and presses the shutter button 4 halfway down to perform an autofocus operation and photometry of the luminance of the subject. Here, the focus and the photometric value are locked, and the shutter button 4 is fully pressed. Then, the photographer 10 moves to the subject and stands by. Then, when the waiting time ends, the shutter is released and the photographing is completed.

During the waiting time until the photographing, the image blur compensating device 26 is operated in order to prevent the camera 1 from swaying due to the influence of the strong wind to photograph a blurred image. In order to operate the image blur correction device 26, the output obtained by the angular velocity sensor 22 is converted into the blur angle of the camera 1 and converted into target position information of the correction lens group L2 by the microcomputer 20. In order to move the correction lens unit L2 according to this target position information,
The image blur of the camera 1 can be corrected by calculating the difference between the target position information and the current position information of the correction lens group L2 and driving the correction lens group L2 by an electromagnetic actuator (not shown).

However, when a person hits the camera 1, a strong wind blows, and the camera 1 shakes greatly, as shown in FIG. 4, when the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 exceeds the set value, vibration occurs. This is outside the allowable range that can be corrected by the image blur correction device 26. Therefore, if the shutter is released in this state, normal photographing cannot be performed due to the vibration applied to the camera 1. Whether or not there is blurring in the captured image cannot be known until the photographer 10 actually confirms the captured image on the image display unit 8.
Also, if it is not confirmed that the image is normally captured, the chance of taking an image is missed, which is very inconvenient for the photographer 10.

Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, the camera 1 of the present embodiment has a function of notifying the photographer 10 when the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 exceeds the set value. That is, the microcomputer 20
In response to this command, a message such as "Vibration is too large to shoot!" Or "I cannot focus!" Is displayed on the image display unit 8. By displaying in this way, the photographer 10 notices that he / she cannot take a picture as it is, and thus it is possible to prevent the failure photograph from being taken. Further, it is possible to easily set the self-timer again by using the remote controller 11.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the camera 1 is provided with the angular velocity sensor 22 for detecting the magnitude of vibration, and when the magnitude of vibration exceeds the set value, the photographer is notified. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a failure photo from being taken at the time of shooting using the self-timer. Further, at the time of shooting, an image blur correction device that corresponds to the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 and corrects the blur generated in the camera 1 is provided, so that it is possible to easily take a photograph without blur.

Note that the method of notifying the photographer when the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 exceeds the set value is not limited to displaying a message on the image display section 8 described in the present embodiment. The same effect can be obtained by using a method such as giving a voice notification through a speaker mounted in No. 1 or blinking a lamp.

Regarding the set value of the magnitude of vibration,
The default value corresponding to the focal length of the lens is defined,
In addition to being automatically determined, when the photographer wants to obtain a sharper image, the set value can be changed manually.

When vibration is applied to the camera body and the vibration exceeds the set value, the shutter operation may be automatically stopped, or the photographer is notified that the vibration exceeds the set value. It is also possible to decide whether or not to stop the shooting only by the subsequent operation of the photographer.

(Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 5
FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of a remote controller that transmits and receives data to and from the camera in the second mode. The same components as those described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The remote controller 11 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the camera 1 is equipped with a remote control microcomputer 31 for controlling signals. Remote control transmission / reception means 3
2 transmits / receives data to / from the remote controller transmitting / receiving means 7 of the camera 1 and a command of the microcomputer 31.
The vibrating portion 34 is composed of a vibrating body such as a motor that is eccentrically attached to the rotating shaft and has a weight attached thereto, and the vibrating portion drive control means 33 causes vibration. The vibrating unit 34 automatically vibrates via the transmission / reception unit 32 of the remote controller 11 when the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 mounted on the camera 1 exceeds a set value, and notifies the photographer 10 who has the remote controller 11 of it. It is like this.

The operation of the camera 1 thus constructed will be described below.

Similar to the first embodiment, when the photographer 10 sets the self-timer and then the vibration of the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 exceeds the threshold value, the allowable range that can be corrected by the image blur correction device 26. Outside. Therefore, the fact that the output of the angular velocity sensor 22 exceeds the set value and the image cannot be captured normally is transmitted to the remote controller 11 via the remote controller transmitter / receiver 7 of the camera 1 and the transmitter / receiver 32 of the remote controller 11. Therefore, the remote-control microcomputer 31 vibrates the vibrating section 34 in order to notify the photographer 10 holding the remote control 11 of that fact. By vibrating the vibrating section 34 in this manner, the photographer 10
I notice that I can not shoot in this state, so
You can prevent taking photos of failures.

At this time, it is possible to freely set whether to automatically stop shooting in response to the occurrence of vibration exceeding the threshold value or to notify the photographer of the occurrence of such vibration. It is possible.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the camera 1 is provided with the angular velocity sensor 22 for detecting the magnitude of vibration, and when the magnitude of vibration exceeds the set value, the vibrating section 34 of the remote controller 11 is used. By vibrating the, it is possible to prevent taking a failure photo when the self-timer is used.

Regarding the method of transmitting and receiving data between the camera 1 and the remote controller 11, infrared or Bluetooth is used.
Is not limited to one method.
Further, the remote controller 11 may be provided with a display unit so that the captured image can be instantaneously transferred so that the captured image can be confirmed on the remote controller 11. Further, the remote controller 11 may also be used as a mobile phone, for example. For example, it can be easily realized by downloading the operation command of the camera body to the mobile phone and associating the buttons of the mobile phone with the buttons of the remote controller.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the camera is provided with the angular velocity sensor for detecting the magnitude of vibration, and when the magnitude of vibration exceeds the set value, the photographer is notified. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a remarkable effect that it is possible to prevent a failure photograph from being taken at the time of photographing using the self-timer. Further, since the image blur correction device is provided, it is possible to take a high-quality photograph without blur.

Further, when the magnitude of the vibration of the camera exceeds the set value, by vibrating the vibrating portion of the remote controller, it is possible to more surely inform the photographer who is away from the camera. Can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration when using a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a vibration detection unit of the camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an output of a vibration detection unit of the camera.

FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of a remote controller that transmits and receives data to and from a camera according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera 2 tripod 3 lens barrel 4 Shutter button 7 Camera remote control transmission / reception means 8 Image display section 10 Photographer (subject) 11 remote control 20 camera microcomputer 22p, 22y Angular velocity sensor 26 Image blur correction device 30 CCD 31 Remote control microcomputer 32 Transmitter / receiver of remote control 34 Vibration part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 A // H04N 101: 00 101: 00 F term (reference) 2H020 FB01 2H102 AB08 AB15 BB01 BB31 BB33 5C022 AA13 AB55 AC18 AC69 AC74

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A photographing mode setting means for setting a self-timer photographing mode and a vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a camera, and when the self-timer photographing mode is set, an output of the vibration detecting means has a predetermined value. A camera characterized by being equipped with a warning means for issuing a warning when the value exceeds. 2. A transmission means for transmitting warning data when the output of the vibration detection means exceeds a predetermined value.
A camera system having the camera described above and a remote controller having a receiving unit for receiving the warning data, wherein the remote controller has a vibrating unit that vibrates when the warning data is received.