JP2003189164A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device that automatically terminates shake correction when the image pickup device is fitted to a tripod and less shake exists so as to relieve the processing of a CPU thereby attaining a pleasant camera operation and so as to reduce wasteful power consumption thereby attaining more proper photographing. <P>SOLUTION: The image pickup device includes: angular velocity detection means 4, 5 that are incorporated in an image pickup device main body to detect an angular velocity around two axes 2, 3 orthogonal to an optical axis 1; an arithmetic means 8 that calculates a shake correction amount on the basis of the angular velocity around the two axes detected by the angular velocity detection means; and at least two shake correction means 6, 7 performing shake correction in a prescribed direction on the basis of the shake correction amount calculated by the arithmetic means; and also a tripod mount detection switch 19 that discriminates whether or not the tripod is fitted to the image pickup device main body. The image pickup device is characterized in that when the tripod detections witch detects the presence of the tripod, the shake correction at least in one direction is terminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a video camera or a digital still camera having a shake correcting function for correcting shake of a picked-up image due to camera shake.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image pickup apparatus which forms an image of a subject on a light receiving surface of an image pickup device by a photographing optical system and converts the electric image into an electric signal is known as a video camera or a digital still camera. A digital still camera is difficult to realize a short shutter time like silver halide photography due to the limit of sensitivity of the image sensor, and blurring such as “image flow” is likely to occur in a captured image due to shake such as camera shake. . The shake correction is usually included in a photographing optical system so as to detect an angular velocity around two axes fixed to the camera, obtain a “tilt angle due to shake” of the camera around the two axes, and correct the tilt angle. The correction lens is displaced, the direction of the optical axis is adjusted, and the image pickup element is moved. The elements of the driven system such as the correction lens become a mechanism that moves on two axes. ing.

One of the factors that influence the performance of shake correction is the resolution of the angular velocity sensor for detecting shake, but if the magnitude of shake is smaller than this resolution, the vibration component is not detected. Therefore, when the camera is fixed by attaching it to a tripod, etc., the shake amount is generally small, and an image without blur can be obtained even if the camera is not in the shake correction mode. Since it cannot be picked up by, the CPU, which is a calculation means, executes an extra process to increase the load and also wastes electric power.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and automatically corrects the shake when the image pickup apparatus is attached to a tripod and the shake is small. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device capable of performing more appropriate shooting by reducing the processing of the CPU, enabling a comfortable camera operation, and suppressing unnecessary power consumption.

[0005]

As a means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 forms an image of a subject on a light receiving surface of an image pickup device by an image pickup optical system and converts it into an electric signal. In the image pickup device, the angular velocity detecting means, which is built in the image pickup device main body and detects the angular velocity around two axes orthogonal to the optical axis, and the angular velocity around the two axes detected by the angular velocity detecting means. The imaging device main body has a tripod on the imaging device main body, and the imaging device main body has a calculation unit for calculating a shake correction amount based on the shake correction amount and at least two shake correction units for performing a shake correction operation in a predetermined direction based on the shake correction amount calculated by the calculation unit. It has a tripod mounting detection switch for judging whether or not it is mounted, and when the tripod mounting detection switch detects a tripod, based on this information, a shake correction operation in at least one direction Terminate (i.e., the shake correction operation prohibition state) are characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, the image pickup apparatus has a shake correction prohibition mode canceling function, and even when a tripod attachment is detected, the shake correction operation prohibition state is canceled by the user's selection. It is characterized by being able to do.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the image pickup device described in (1), it has a function of selecting a shake correction direction, and at the time of detecting attachment of a tripod, the shake correction operation prohibited state can be canceled by the user's selection, and the shake correction direction can be set. It can be arbitrarily selected, and even in the shake correction function operating state, it is characterized in that the responsiveness of the correction means is improved by reducing the processing amount in the calculation means, and more appropriate shake correction is performed.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the configuration, operation and operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, and is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a camera with a shake correction function. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of control operations in the control system of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. In the image pickup apparatus (camera) having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, an image pickup element 10 is arranged on the optical axis 1 of the image pickup optical system 9 composed of the image pickup lenses 9A and 9B, and the image of the subject is picked up by the image pickup optical system 9. Is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 10, converted into an electric signal, and captured.

In this image pickup apparatus (camera), an angular velocity detecting means (for example, the angular velocity sensors 4, 5 and the angular velocity sensor) built in the camera body for detecting the angular velocity about two axes 2 and 3 orthogonal to the optical axis 1 is provided. Detection circuits 11 and 12), and calculation means for calculating a shake correction amount based on the angular velocities around the two axes 2 and 3 detected by the angular velocity detection means (for example, a central processing unit including a microcomputer and a memory). A device (CPU) 8 and at least two shake correction means (for example, a shake correction means for performing shake correction operation in a predetermined direction based on the shake correction amount calculated by the calculation means (CPU) 8).
The shake correction actuators 6 and 7 and the shake correction drive circuits 13 and 14 for driving the actuators 6 and 7 are provided.

Further, in the camera having the structure shown in FIG. 1, when a tripod (not shown) is attached to the tripod mount 20 of the camera body, the switch 12 of the tripod attachment detection switch 19 is pushed to sandwich the insulator 24. Two terminals 22 and 2 facing each other
By pushing up one terminal 22 of the three, it is short-circuited with the other terminal 23, and the attachment of the tripod can be detected.

In the camera having the structure shown in FIG. 1, whether or not a tripod is attached to the tripod seat 20 is detected by the tripod attachment detection switch 19, and when the tripod is not attached, it is shown in FIG. Step S in the control operation
Normal shake correction operations 1 to S4 are executed.

More specifically, the deflection angles around the two axes 2 and 3 orthogonal to the optical axis 1 of the image pickup device 10 are angular velocity sensors 4 and 5 and angular velocity detection circuit 11, which are angular velocity detection means.
12, the shake amount and the shake correction amount corresponding to the shake amount and the shake correction amount are calculated based on the data from the angular velocity detection circuits 11 and 12, and a command is given to the shake correction drive circuits 13 and 14 of the shake correction unit. The shake correction drive circuits 13 and 14 send the shake correction actuators 6 and 6.
7 is driven, the image pickup device 10 or the image pickup optical system 9 is moved in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis 1, and a shake correction operation in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is performed. Also, during this period, C
The PU 8 also sequentially performs other processing such as focus drive and zoom drive of the imaging lenses 9A and 9B of the imaging optical system 9 via the focus control unit 15 and the zoom control unit 16.

Next, when the tripod attachment detection switch 19 detects the attachment of the tripod to the tripod seat 20,
The information is sent to the CPU 8, and at this time, the above-described shake correction operation is in a prohibited state (shake correction prohibited mode) (FIG. 2).
Operation of steps S5 and S6) (claim 1).

Here, in the shake detection device and the shake correction camera described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-284337, a method is proposed in which the correction accuracy is changed when the vibration is small such as when a tripod is attached. Generally, when performing shake correction, one of the factors that influences the correction performance is the resolution of the angular velocity sensor, and when attached to a tripod, the shake is minute and clear without blur even without correction. When an image can be obtained and the amount of shake is minute or less than the resolution of the angular velocity sensor, the effect of setting the shake correction mode cannot be obtained. In addition, in such a situation, setting the shake correction mode unnecessarily consumes power and unnecessarily increases the amount of processing in the CPU, which obviously hinders smooth camera operation. is there.

Therefore, in the present invention, as described above, the tripod is detected by attaching the tripod to the tripod seat 20.
When it is detected in 9, the information is sent to the CPU 8,
At this point, the shake correction operation is prohibited, so that the shake correction operation prohibition state (shake correction prohibition mode) can be automatically set, and the above problems can be easily avoided.

Even when the camera is attached to a tripod, it may be necessary to correct the shake depending on the situation. For example, when an image is taken while riding on a vehicle, it is necessary to perform a shake correction in a case where the image is captured while suppressing the shake caused by the shake of the vehicle. In such a situation, the shake correction operation prohibition state (shake correction prohibition mode) is selected by the user by using the operation switch (shake correction operation prohibition release switch) for canceling the shake correction operation prohibition shown by reference numeral 17 in FIG. The normal shake correction operation can be performed by canceling (step S in FIG. 2).
5, S7, S8 operation) (claim 2).

Further, in the camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the camera is attached to a tripod, it may be desired to perform the correction by limiting the shake direction depending on the situation. In such a case, the shake correction operation is performed. The prohibition release switch 17 is used to cancel the shake correction operation prohibition state (the shake correction prohibition mode) by the user's selection, and the shake correction direction selection switch indicated by reference numeral 18 in FIG. By selecting, appropriate shake correction can be performed. In this case, since the shake correction direction is selected by the shake correction direction selection switch 18 to perform the shake correction operation, the amount of processing in the CPU 8 can be minimized, and smooth and comfortable shooting can be performed. The responsiveness of the correction means can be improved, and more appropriate shake correction can be performed (step S in FIG. 2).
5, S7, S9, S4 or S10 operation) (claim 3).

[0018]

As described above, in the image pickup device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the angular velocity detection means which is built in the image pickup device main body and detects the angular velocity about two axes orthogonal to the optical axis, and the angular velocity. Calculation means for calculating a shake correction amount based on the angular velocities around the two axes detected by the detection means;
A tripod detection switch which has at least two shake correction means for performing shake correction operation in a predetermined direction based on the shake correction amount calculated by the calculation means, and which determines whether or not a tripod is attached to the image pickup apparatus main body. When the tripod detection switch detects a tripod, it is characterized by terminating the shake correction operation in at least one direction based on this information. Since the shake correction is automatically set to the prohibited state, it is possible to reduce the amount of processing in the calculation means (CPU) and eliminate unnecessary power consumption.

In the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, there is a shake correction prohibition mode releasing function, and even when the tripod attachment is detected, the shake correction operation prohibition state is selected by the user. The feature is that it can be canceled.It detects that a tripod is attached to the camera body, and even if the shake correction operation is disabled, the shake correction operation disabled status can be set by the user's arbitrary selection. Since it can be canceled and normal correction can be performed, you can shoot appropriately according to the situation.

In the image pickup device according to claim 3, in addition to the structure of claim 1 or 2, there is a function of selecting a shake correction direction, and when the tripod attachment is detected, the shake correction operation is prohibited by the user's selection. It is possible to cancel the state, and it is possible to arbitrarily select the direction to perform shake correction, and even in the shake correction function operating state, by reducing the processing amount in the calculation means, the responsiveness of the correction means It is characterized by improving the image stabilization and performing more appropriate shake correction, detecting that a tripod is attached to the imaging device body, and even if the shake correction operation is disabled, the shake correction can be performed by the user's arbitrary selection. Since the operation prohibition state can be released and the shake correction direction can be selected, it is possible to perform appropriate shooting depending on the situation, and to minimize the processing in the calculation means (CPU). It can be, and it is possible to eliminate wasteful power consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention and is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a camera with a shake correction function.

2 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of control operations in a control system of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Optical axis 2,3: 2 axes orthogonal to the optical axis 4, 5: Angular velocity sensor 6,7: Shake correction actuator 8: CPU (calculation means) 9: Imaging optical system 9A, 9B: Imaging lens 10: Image sensor 11, 12: Angular velocity detection circuit 13, 14: Drive circuit for shake correction 15: Focus control unit 16: Zoom control unit 17: Operation switch for releasing the shake correction operation prohibition 18: Shake correction direction selection switch 19: Tripod mounting detection switch 20: Tripod 21: Switch 22, 23: Terminal 25: Insulator

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus in which an image of an object is formed on a light receiving surface of an image pickup element by an image pickup optical system, converted into an electric signal, and taken in. Two axes built in the image pickup apparatus main body and orthogonal to an optical axis. Angular velocity detecting means for detecting an angular velocity around the axis, a calculating means for calculating a shake correction amount based on the angular velocities around the two axes detected by the angular velocity detecting means, and a shake correction amount calculated by the calculating means. At least two shake correction means for performing shake correction operation in a predetermined direction based on the above, and a tripod mount detection switch for determining whether or not a tripod is mounted on the image pickup apparatus main body. Detects a tripod and based on this information,
An image pickup apparatus characterized by terminating a shake correction operation in at least one direction. 2. The image pickup device according to claim 1, which has a shake correction prohibition mode canceling function, and is capable of canceling the shake correction operation prohibition state by a user's selection even when a tripod attachment is detected. An imaging device characterized by the above. 3. The image pickup device according to claim 1 or 2, having a function of selecting a shake correction direction, and capable of canceling a shake correction operation prohibition state by a user's selection when a tripod attachment is detected. In addition, it is possible to arbitrarily select the direction in which the shake correction is performed, and even in the shake correction function operating state, the responsiveness of the correction means is improved by reducing the processing amount in the calculation means, and a more appropriate An image pickup apparatus characterized by performing shake correction.