JP2003319218A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera capable of removing dust on the surface of an image pickup element without removing a photographic lens and preventing the removed dust from reattaching to the surface of the image pickup element. <P>SOLUTION: A feeding duct 24 and a discharge duct 26 are arranged on the upper side and the lower side of a CCD 22 facing each other, the feeding duct 24 communicates with a feeding opening 32 of a camera rear part 30, and the discharge duct 26 communicates with a discharge opening 38. A hermetically sealing member 44 is disposed between a CCD mounting substrate 40 and a shutter unit 20 so as to surround a CCD peripheral space 42 in an almost hermetically sealed state with the shutter closed. A blower, etc., sends air from the feeding opening 32 to blast the air toward the surface of the CCD 22, removing the dust on the surface of the CCD 22. The removed dust is caused to flow into the discharge duct 26 together with the air and discharged outside the camera 10 from the discharge opening 38. There are a type in which the feeding duct 24 is movable and a type that uses a suction device to attract the dust. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera,
In particular, the present invention relates to a structure for removing dust adhering to the surface of an image sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a digital camera, mainly a lens-interchangeable single-lens reflex type digital camera, dust or dirt is often attached to the image pickup element surface inside the camera when the lens is exchanged. In this case, it is common to remove the lens and blow gas such as air to the surface of the image pickup device by using a blower or a spray injection type gas cylinder to remove dust. In that case, the lens is removed, the mirror is raised, and the dust is removed with the shutter open, so there is a high possibility that new dust other than the dust adhering to the image sensor surface will be mixed. In addition, since the dust removed from the image sensor surface by air or the like stays inside the camera in most cases, there is a problem that the existing dust adheres to the image sensor surface again during use of the camera.

In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-298640 discloses a digital camera configured to automatically clean dust adhering to the surface of the image pickup device with a motor-driven wiper.

[0004]

According to the technique disclosed in the above publication, it is possible to remove the dust on the surface of the image pickup device without removing the lens, but since the removed dust remains inside the camera, the dust is removed again. It may adhere to the surface of the image sensor.
Further, since the wiper blade rubs the surface of the image sensor, hard dust such as metal powder may scratch the surface of the image sensor.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to remove dust on the surface of the image pickup device without removing the lens, prevent re-adhesion of the removed dust, and scratch the surface of the image pickup device. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera equipped with a dust removing mechanism that is not attached.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an electronic camera equipped with an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, and supplies gas onto the image pickup surface of the image pickup device. A gas supply part having an opening, a gas inflow part into which the gas supplied from the gas supply part to the imaging surface flows, and a gas supplied from the gas supply part to the gas inflow part. Further, it is characterized by comprising a sealing means for enclosing a peripheral space of the image pickup device in a substantially sealed state, and an exhaust port for discharging the gas flowing into the gas inflow portion to the outside of the camera.

According to the electronic camera of the present invention, the gas is blown from the opening of the gas supply portion onto the image pickup surface of the image pickup device to remove dust adhering to the image pickup surface. The removed dust flows into the gas inflow part together with the gas, and is discharged to the outside of the camera through the discharge port. As a result, the dust on the surface of the image pickup device can be easily removed without removing the taking lens, and the removed dust does not adhere again.

The present invention is particularly useful in an interchangeable lens type electronic camera, and since dust on the image pickup surface can be removed with the lens attached, the user accidentally damages internal members such as a mirror and a shutter unit. It is possible to prevent the mixing of new dust.

The flow of gas from the gas supply section to the gas inflow section may be generated by sending gas from the gas supply section side, or a similar gas flow may be obtained by sucking gas from the gas inflow section side. It may be generated. As a means for supplying gas to the gas supply unit, a mode in which a gas supply port is formed in the exterior part of the camera body and gas is sent from the outside of the camera through a gas supply unit such as a blower through the gas supply port, or a gas cylinder is provided inside the camera. There are modes such as mounting. The type of gas is not particularly limited, and an appropriate gas such as air (air), nitrogen, or CFC substitute can be used.

The blowing opening of the gas supply section is preferably longer than one side of the image pickup area of the image pickup device.

The "sealing means" does not require to completely seal the peripheral space of the image pickup element, but the gas flow space (flow space) so that the gas supplied from the gas supply part generally flows into the gas inflow part. It is only necessary to form a road). A preferred mode is one in which the shutter unit and the CCD mounting substrate are used to form a sealed state.

An electronic camera according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a movable mechanism for moving the gas supply unit or the gas inflow unit along the image pickup surface of the image pickup device is provided.

By moving the gas supply unit along the surface of the image pickup device during the gas injection, it is possible to inject gas substantially uniformly onto the surface of the image pickup device. Further, by moving the gas inflow portion along the image pickup element surface during the gas suction, it is possible to suck the image pickup element surface substantially uniformly.

There is a mode in which position detection means for detecting the position of the movable gas supply portion or gas inflow portion is provided, and control is performed to stop the driving at the start point position and the end point position of the movable range based on the position information. There is also a mode in which the position information of the gas supply unit or the gas inflow unit is displayed on the display means attached to the camera.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera equipped with an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, wherein the exterior of the camera is sucked inside the camera by a suction device outside the camera. And a suction port for sucking air into the camera in accordance with the suction operation of the suction device. Inside the camera, the suction port communicates with the suction port and the imaging surface of the image sensor. A gas suction part having an opening for supplying gas formed thereon and the suction port,
A gas suction unit that sucks the gas supplied from the gas suction unit onto the imaging surface, and a space around the image sensor that substantially sucks the gas sucked from the gas suction unit into the gas suction unit. It is characterized in that a sealing means that surrounds the state and a movable mechanism that moves the gas suction unit along the image pickup surface of the image pickup device are provided.

According to the present invention, the suction port and the suction port are formed in the exterior portion of the camera body, and suction is performed from the suction port by the suction device. By the suction operation, air is taken in from the suction port, air is supplied from the gas suction unit onto the surface of the image pickup device, and the air is sucked into the suction device outside the camera from the suction port through the gas suction unit. The dust on the surface of the image sensor is removed by the gas flow by suction, and the dust is discharged to the outside of the camera. In this way, by sucking from the outside of the camera, dust inside the camera can be reliably discharged to the outside of the camera.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The camera 10 is a single-lens reflex digital camera in which the lens can be exchanged, and a lens mount portion 14 is formed on the front (front) portion of the camera body 12, and an interchangeable lens 16 is provided via the lens mount portion 14.
Is installed. A quick return mirror 18, a shutter unit 20, and a CCD solid-state image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 22 are provided inside the camera body 12, and a feeding duct 24 is provided above and below the CCD 22.
And the discharge duct 26 are arranged to face each other (see FIG. 2). A CMOS image sensor or other image pickup device may be used instead of the CCD 22.

The feeding duct 24 communicates with the feeding port 32 of the camera rear face portion 30 via the feeding side tube 28, and the discharge duct 26 communicates with the discharging port 38 via the discharge side tube 34. . Also, the substrate (CCD mounting substrate) 40 to which the CCD 22 is attached and the shutter unit 20
A sealing member 44 is provided between and to surround the CCD 22 and the space around the feed duct 24 and the discharge duct 26 (hereinafter referred to as CCD peripheral space 42). When the shutter unit 20 is in the “closed state”, the CCD peripheral space 42 is substantially sealed by the shutter unit 20, the CCD mounting substrate 40 and the sealing member 44.

During the dust removing work (during the cleaning operation), air is supplied from the feeding port 32 and blown from the feeding duct 24 toward the CCD 22 surface. The dust on the surface of the CCD 22 is removed by the pressure of the air, and the dust flows into the discharge duct 26 together with the air and is discharged from the discharge port 38 to the outside of the camera 10.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the CCD 22, the feed duct 24 and the discharge duct 26, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view. As shown in these drawings, the feeding duct 24
In order to allow air to flow over the entire surface of the CCD 22, the opening 24A serving as an outlet has a length substantially equal to the upper side of the CCD 22. Similarly, the discharge duct 26 is also C
It has a length substantially equal to the lower side of the CD 22.

2 and 3, the feed duct 24 and the discharge duct 26 which are longer than the long sides of the package 46 of the CCD 22 are shown, but the feed duct 24 and the discharge duct 26 are at least the glass surface of the CCD 22 (optical low pass). A structure longer than the long side of (including a filter) 48 is preferable.

As shown in FIG. 3, the feeding duct 24 is attached to the CCD mounting substrate 40 through the supporting portion 50, and the feeding side tube 28 is connected to the opening 24B formed in the rear surface of the duct. ing. On the other hand, the discharge duct 26 has a claw 52 for attaching to the CCD mounting board 40, and the discharge duct 26 is fixed to the CCD mounting board 40 by fitting the claw 52 into a hole on the CCD mounting board 40 side. It has become. A discharge side tube 34 is connected to the opening 26B formed on the back surface of the discharge duct 26.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the camera 10. As shown in the figure, a feed port 32 and a discharge port 38 are formed on the back surface of the camera 10. Further, a finder 60, a display panel 62, a liquid crystal monitor 64, a cross button 66, a menu / execute button 67, and a cancel button 68 are provided on the rear surface of the camera. The display panel 62 is a display unit that displays various information such as mode information and date / time information by characters, simple figures, or a combination thereof.
For example, it is composed of a dot matrix liquid crystal.
On the display panel 62, the battery remaining amount, the number of recordable images,
Information such as the flash emission mode, the recording quality (quality), the set value of the number of pixels, and the frame number of the reproduced image are displayed.

A reproduced image of a recorded image can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 64, and information on the currently set mode, image compression rate information, date and time information,
Frame numbers are also displayed. Further, the liquid crystal monitor 64 is
It is also used as a display screen for a user interface when the user performs various setting operations and the like, and menu information such as setting items is also displayed if necessary.

The cross button 66 is a multi-function operation button capable of inputting up / down / left / right instructions, and performs menu item selection operation (cursor movement operation) and playback image frame advance (forward direction) / frame return (reverse direction). It is a means for inputting an instruction etc. The menu / execution button 67 is an operation unit having both a function as a menu button for instructing display of a menu screen and a function as an execution button for instructing confirmation (registration) of a selected item or execution of an operation. .
The cancel button 68 is an operation means for erasing a desired object such as a selection item, canceling (cancelling) the instruction content, or issuing an instruction to return to the previous operation screen.

In the camera 10 constructed as described above, at the time of cleaning work, as shown in FIG. 4, air is sent from the feed port 32 by the blower 70 or an air feeding means such as a spray injection type gas cylinder (not shown). As a result, air is blown from the opening 24A of the feeding duct 24 and flows on the CCD surface to remove dust. The removed dust flows into the discharge duct 26 together with the air, and is discharged from the discharge port 38 to the outside of the camera 10 via the discharge side tube 34.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sealing member 44 covers the periphery of the CCD 22. However, both ends of the feeding duct 24 and the discharging duct 26 are vertically connected and integrated. As a result, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the duct portion serves as a sealing member and the sealing member 44 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. Also, the shutter unit 2
In order to avoid pressurization of air to 0, an openable / closable blocking member (not shown) is installed between the shutter unit 20 and the CCD mounting substrate 40 (behind the shutter unit 20), and the CCD peripheral space 42 A mode in which the sealed state is ensured is also possible. In this case, in the normal use state such as photographing, the shielding member is set to the “open state” and used in the “closed state” at the time of cleaning to enhance the sealing strength at the time of cleaning.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a backflow prevention valve is provided at the feed port 32 and the discharge port 38. Figure 5
As shown in (a), the stopper 7 is provided for the feeding port.
A rotatable valve 73 is provided on the inner side of 2 (when viewed from the opening of the feeding port 32). The valve 73 is biased by a biasing means (not shown) in the direction of contacting the stopper 72 (direction of closing the flow path). When air is supplied from the feed port 32, the pressure opens the valve 73. Air is Figure 5
(A) Flows from left to right and is sent to the feeding duct via the feeding tube. When the air supply from the supply port 32 is stopped, the valve 73 is closed as shown by the dotted line in the figure.

As for the discharge port, as shown in FIG. 5B, a rotatable valve 75 is provided outside the stopper 74 (in front of the opening of the discharge port 38). Valve 7
5 is biased by a biasing means (not shown) in the direction of contacting the stopper 74 (direction of closing the flow path), and when air is sent through the discharge side tube 34, the pressure thereof causes the valve 75 to move. open. The air flows from the right side to the left side in FIG. 5B, and is discharged from the discharge port 38 to the outside together with dust. When the air supply is stopped, the valve 75 is closed as shown by the dotted line in the figure.

By providing such a valve mechanism, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the discharged dust flows backward even if the user mistakes the feeding port 32 and the discharging port 38. It is also preferable that caps 76 and 77 are provided to close the feed port 32 and the discharge port 38, and the caps 76 and 77 are attached except during cleaning to prevent dust and the like from entering from the outside. Cap 7
6, 77 may have a structure that fits into the openings of the feed port 32 and the discharge port 38, or may have a structure that does not easily come off, such as a screw-type structure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 16. Interchangeable lens 16
An iris motor 83 as a means for driving the diaphragm mechanism 80 and a driving circuit (motor driver) 84 for driving the diaphragm mechanism 80, an AF motor 86 as a means for driving the focusing lens 82, and a driving circuit for driving the focusing lens 82 (driving circuit) are provided. A motor driver) 87 and a central processing unit for control (hereinafter referred to as a lens CPU) 88 are built in.

When the interchangeable lens 16 is mounted on the lens mount portion 14 of the camera body 12, the interchangeable lens 16 and the camera body 12 are electrically connected to each other through an electric contact portion (not shown) provided on the lens mount portion 14. 10
Signals can be transferred between the CPU 90 (hereinafter, referred to as camera CPU) and the lens CPU 88.

The camera CPU 90 functions as a control means for integrally controlling the camera system according to a predetermined program and also as a calculation means for performing various calculations such as AE / AF calculations. The ROM 91 connected to the camera CPU 90 stores programs executed by the camera CPU 90 and various data necessary for control, and the RAM 92 is used as a work area of the camera CPU 90. ROM 91 which is a non-volatile storage means
May be non-rewritable or EEPROM
It may be a rewritable one such as.

The camera CPU 90 controls the operation of each circuit in the camera 10 based on an instruction signal from the mode selection switch 94, the release detection switch 95 provided on the camera body 12, and other operation section 96. The operation unit 96 is a block including various operation means such as the cross button 66, the menu / execute button 67, and the cancel button 68 described in FIG.

The mode selection switch 94 is a means for setting the operation mode of the camera 10. By operating this mode changeover switch, the "shooting mode" (shooting mode) and the "playback mode" (recorded image are displayed). You can set each mode such as (playback mode). The release detection switch 95 is a detection switch arranged inside a shutter button (not shown), and is an S1 switch that is turned on when the shutter button is half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when the shutter button is fully pressed.
Composed of switches.

When the "shooting mode" is selected by the mode selection switch 94, the camera 10 is ready for shooting. When the camera CPU 90 detects that the shutter button is half-pressed (S1 = ON), AE and AF processing is performed, and then the shutter button is fully pressed (S2 = ON).
When the detection is made, CCD exposure and reading control for capturing the image for recording are started.

The AE function installed in the camera 10 of this example is a TTL type AE. Inside the camera 10, an AE sensor (light receiving element) 98 as a detection system and a transmitted light of a photographing lens are branched. An optical system (not shown) that forms a detection optical path leading to the AE sensor 98 is provided. The AF function of the camera 10 is a TTL phase-difference AF, and an AF module 99, which is a detection system of the phase-difference AF, and an optical system (not shown) necessary for forming a detection optical path inside the camera 10.
And are provided. The arrangement structure of the AE sensor 98 and the AF module 99, the configuration of the optical system, and the like are not particularly limited in the practice of the present invention, and various modes known in the field of single-lens reflex cameras can be applied.
Further, the means for realizing the AE / AF function is not limited to the above example, and another AE / AF method may be used.

When the shutter button is "half pressed" (S1 = ON), the camera CPU 90 determines the focus state based on the detection signal from the AF module 99, and generates the movement control signal of the focusing lens 82. This movement control signal is sent to the lens CPU 88. The lens CPU 88 controls the motor driver 87 based on the signal from the camera CPU 90 to operate the AF motor 86 and move the focusing lens 82 to the in-focus position.

Further, the camera CPU 90 uses the AE sensor 9
AE calculation is performed based on the detection signal from 8 to calculate the aperture value and shutter speed. The aperture control signal generated by the camera CPU 90 is sent to the lens CPU 88.
The lens CPU 88 controls the motor driver 84 based on the signal from the camera CPU 90 to control the iris motor 83.
Is operated to bring the aperture mechanism 80 to the required opening.

When the shutter button is "fully pressed" (S2 = ON), the camera CPU 90 controls the drive unit 100 of the shutter unit 20 based on the result of the AE calculation to open / close the shutter unit 20, and The charge storage time of the CCD 22 is controlled.

The optical image of the subject formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 22 through the interchangeable lens 16 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 22. A large number of photodiodes are arranged in a plane on the light receiving surface of the CCD 22, and a predetermined color filter arrangement structure such as a honeycomb arrangement, a Bayer arrangement or the like is provided.

The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode of the CCD 22 is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (imaging signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on the pulse given from the timing generator 102. The signal output from the CCD 22 is sent to the analog processing unit 104, and required processing such as correlated double sampling (CDS) processing, color separation, and gain adjustment is performed. The image signal generated by the analog processing unit 104 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 106, and then the image input controller 108.
Stored in the memory 110 via the. The timing generator 102 gives a timing signal to the CCD 22, the analog processing unit 104 and the A / D converter 106 according to a command from the camera CPU 90, and each circuit is synchronized by this timing signal.

The data stored in the memory 110 is sent to the image signal processing circuit 114 via the bus 112. The image signal processing circuit 114 is an image processing means including a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a sharpness correction circuit, a white balance correction circuit, and the like, and is a camera CPU.
The image signal is processed according to the command from 90.

The image data input to the image signal processing circuit 114 includes luminance signals (Y signals) and color difference signals (Cr, Cb).
Signal) and subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction. The image data generated by the image signal processing circuit 114 is sent to the compression / expansion circuit 116 and compressed according to a predetermined format such as JPEG. The compressed image data is recorded on the recording medium 120 via the media controller 118.

The compression format is not limited to JPEG, but MPE
G or another method may be adopted. The means for storing the image data is not limited to the semiconductor memory represented by the memory card, and various media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk and a magneto-optical disk can be used. Also,
The recording medium is not limited to the removable medium, and may be a recording medium (internal memory or the like) built in the camera 10.

When the "playback mode" is selected by the mode selection switch 94, the image file is read from the recording medium 120. The read image data is expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 116, and the VRAM 12
Sent to 2. The data stored in the VRAM 122 is
After being converted into a signal of a predetermined system for display (for example, a color composite video signal of NTSC system) by the video encoder 124, the signal is supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 64. Thus, the image stored in the recording medium 120 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 6.
4 is displayed.

According to the camera 10 of this embodiment, C
Since the feeding duct 24 that blows out air around the CD and the discharge duct 26 that discharges the air out of the camera 10 are provided, dust on the surface of the CCD 22 can be removed without removing the interchangeable lens 16. As a result, the user mistakenly selects the quick return mirror or the shutter unit 2
It is possible to prevent the internal member such as 0 from being damaged, and at the same time, to prevent the entry of new dust.

Further, since the removed dust is discharged to the outside of the camera 10 together with the air, the removed dust is again exposed to CC.
It can be prevented from adhering to the D22 surface. Furthermore, according to the camera 10 of this example, the CCD 22 can be cooled by blowing air from the feeding duct 24. By lowering the temperature of the CCD 22 itself by blowing air, it is effective in reducing dark current noise.

In the above embodiment, the feed duct 24 and the discharge duct 26 are arranged above and below the CCD 22, but the duct arrangement structure is not limited to this when the present invention is implemented. A plurality of pairs of feed ducts and discharge ducts may be provided,
Plural discharge ducts may be provided for one feeding duct, and conversely, one discharge duct may be provided for plural feeding ducts. The duct arrangement is designed so that a flow of air is formed on the surface of the image sensor and the dust removed from the surface of the image sensor can be discharged to the outside of the camera together with the air.

Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the main structure of the second embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, the same or similar members as those of the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the feeding duct 24 is fixed to the CCD mounting substrate 40, but in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,
The feeding duct 24 is structured so that air pressure can be uniformly applied to the entire surface of the CCD 22.

In the movable feeding duct mechanism shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the motor 130 is mounted on the CCD mounting substrate 40, and the screw bar 132 is connected to the motor 130. The screw bar 132 is arranged parallel to the short side (longitudinal side) of the CCD 22 on the side surface portion (left side surface portion in FIG. 7) of the CCD 22, and the guide bar 134 is arranged parallel to the screw bar 132 on the other side surface portion of the CCD 22. ing.

A screw hole 24C to be screwed into the screw bar 132 is formed at one end of the feeding duct 24, and a guide hole 24 into which a guide bar 134 is inserted is provided at the other end.
D is formed. The feeding duct 24 has a screw hole 24C.
It is movably supported by a screw bar 132 that is screwed and connected via a guide bar 134 that penetrates the guide hole 24D, and when the screw bar 132 is rotated by the power of the motor 130, the feeding duct 24 is indicated by an arrow A.
The structure is movable in the directions (vertical direction in FIG. 7, horizontal direction in FIG. 8). When the motor 130 rotates in the normal direction (clockwise when viewed from the front of the motor), the feed duct 24 moves to the discharge duct 26 side, and when the motor 130 is reversed, it moves in the opposite direction. The screw bar 132 and the guide bar 13
The axial direction of 4 is parallel to the CCD 22 surface, and the feeding duct 2
Even if 4 is moved, the vertical distance from the feeding duct 24 to the surface of the CCD 22 remains unchanged.

The CCD mounting substrate 40 has a photo sensor 14 as means for detecting the position of the feeding duct 24.
1, 142 are mounted. First photo sensor 14
1 is arranged at the start position of the feeding duct 24, and the second photo sensor 142 is arranged at the end position. A light blocking plate 144 is provided below the feeding duct 24, and the position of the feeding duct 24 is detected by blocking the light path of the photo sensor 141 by the light blocking plate 144. The outputs of the photo sensors 141 and 142 are input to the camera CPU 90 (a microcomputer in the camera 10), and the camera CPU 90 controls the driving of the motor 130 based on the input. In addition,
In order to prevent the feeding duct 24 from being located in front of the CCD 22 at the time of photographing, the feeding duct 24 is always controlled to be at the starting point position except in the cleaning mode.

The switching to the cleaning mode can be performed by the user selecting the "cleaning mode" command menu on the setup screen, or automatically when the camera power is turned on or when a predetermined time has elapsed. May transition to.

FIG. 9 shows a control block diagram of the motor 130. As shown in the figure, a motor driver 148 is connected to the motor 130, and the motor driver 148 is connected to the motor driver 148.
A control signal for CTL1 and CTL2 is input from the camera CPU 90. When both CTL1 and CTL2 are "L" (low level signal), no current is supplied to the motor 130 and the motor 130 is stopped.

CTL1 = H (high level signal), CTL2 = L
In the case of, the motor 130 rotates forward, CTL1 = L, CTL2 = H
In the case of, the motor 130 is reversed. Each photo sensor 14
“1” and “142” output “H” when the sensor is shielded by the light shielding plate 144, and output “L” when the sensor is not shielded. The output signal of each sensor is input to the camera CPU 90. The signal from the cross button 66 is also sent to the camera CPU 90.
Has been entered in.

FIG. 10 shows a control flowchart. After the camera power is turned on (step S310), the camera CPU 90
Detects whether it is in the "cleaning mode" (step S312). If not in the cleaning mode, it is confirmed whether or not the output signal (FS1) of the photo sensor 141 is "H" in order to confirm whether or not the feeding duct 24 is at the starting point position (step S314). When FS1 = L, the camera CPU 90 reverses the motor 130 to feed the duct 2
4 is returned to the starting point position. That is, the control signals of CTL1 = L and CTL2 = H are output to the motor driver 148 (S316). Then, it returns to step S314.

In step S314, the feeding duct 2
4 is confirmed to be at the starting point position, the motor 130
Is stopped (CTL1 = L, CTL2 = L is output) (step S
318), and shifts to a normal sequence other than the cleaning mode (step S324).

When the cleaning mode is detected in step S312, the camera CPU 90 executes a key scan (step S330) to detect whether or not each key of the operation system is pressed. Cross button 66
When the up key is pressed (step S332), the output signal (FS2) of the photo sensor 142 is detected to confirm whether the feeding duct 24 is at the end position (step S332).
334).

When FS2 = H, it is judged that the feeding duct 24 is at the end position, and both CTL1 and CTL2 are set to "L".
To maintain the stopped state of the motor 130 (step S
380). After step S380, the process returns to step S312.

On the other hand, in step S334, FS
When 2 = L, that is, when the feeding duct 24 has not reached the end point position, CTL1 = H and CTL2 = L are set (step S350), and the motor 130 is normally rotated. At the same time, the timer is started (step S35
2) Step S3 until the predetermined timer time expires
Returning to step 34, detection of the output of the photo sensor 142 is continued. The time setting of the timer is appropriately set according to the rotation speed of the motor 130.

When the timer ends (step S37)
0), the motor 130 is stopped (step S38).
0), and returns to the detection of the cleaning mode (step S3)
12).

As a result of the key scan in step S330,
When the down key of the cross button 66 is pressed (step S336), the output signal (FS1) of the photo sensor 141 is detected and it is confirmed whether the feeding duct 24 is at the starting point position (step S338). If FS1 = H, it is determined that the feeding duct 24 is at the starting point position, both CTL1 and CTL2 are set to "L", and the stopped state of the motor 130 is maintained (step S380). After step S380, the process returns to step S312.

On the other hand, in step S338, FS
When 1 = L, that is, when the feeding duct 24 has not reached the starting point position, CTL1 = L and CTL2 = H are set (step S360), and the motor 130 is reversed. At the same time, the timer is started (step S36
2) Step S3 until the predetermined timer time expires
Returning to 38, detection of the output of the photo sensor 141 is continued. When the timer ends (step S370), the motor 130 is stopped (step S380), and the process returns to the detection of the cleaning mode (step S312).

As a result of the key scan in step S330,
If any key other than the up / down keys is pressed, or if no key is pressed (step S340), the motor 130 is stopped (step S380), and the process returns to step S312.

The movement of the feeding duct 24 is controlled according to the control procedure described above. In FIG. 10, the feeding duct 24 is moved toward the end point position by pressing the up key, and is moved toward the starting point position by pressing the down key. However, the correspondence relationship between the operation keys and the movement of the feeding duct 24 is this example. Not limited to. The down key may be moved to the end point position direction, the up key may be pressed to move the start point position direction, or an operation key other than the up and down keys may be used. Further, it is also possible to automatically reciprocate the feeding duct 24 from the starting point position to the ending point position and from the ending point position to the starting point position (one or more reciprocations) by a predetermined key operation or automatic control.

As another control example of the cleaning operation, there are the following modes, for example. When it is detected that the lens has been replaced, the cleaning operation is controlled to be executed. When it is detected that the lens has been replaced, control is performed to automatically set the timer time of the cleaning operation to a relatively long time (a time longer than the normal set time). When it is detected that the lens has been replaced, control is performed to increase the number of reciprocations of the movable duct. Since there is a high possibility that dust will be mixed into the camera when the lens is exchanged, it is preferable to perform the above-described controls.

Further, based on the outputs of the photosensors 141 and 142, the fact that the feeding duct 24 has reached the starting point position or the ending point position is displayed by the user through the liquid crystal monitor 64, the display panel 62, or the display means such as the LED of the camera body 12. It is also preferable to inform the.

By using a stepping motor as a power source of the feeding duct 24 and counting the number of feeding pulses, the current position of the feeding duct 24 can be grasped. There is also a mode in which the position information of the feeding duct 24 thus grasped is presented to the user in a display form such as a bar display on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 64.

A gas cylinder (not shown) for supplying gas to the feeding duct 24 is built in or externally attached to the camera body 12, and the gas supply from the gas cylinder is controlled in association with the operation in the cleaning mode to perform cleaning. It becomes possible to supply gas with a stable gas pressure. When the gas cylinder is built in the camera body 12, the camera body 12
The feeding port 32 is unnecessary, but it is necessary to provide a mechanism capable of replacing the gas cylinder. In addition, an aspect in which antistatic air (ionized air) is used as the gas for injection is also preferable.

As a further modification of the above embodiment, CC
There is also a mode in which the image pickup function of D22 is used to detect the adhesion state of dust on the surface of the CCD 22 (presence or absence of dust, the adhesion position, etc.).

In the cleaning mode, since the shutter unit 20 is in the "closed state", the surface of the CCD 22 is in a light-shielded state, and the dust cannot be confirmed by the CCD 22 as it is. Therefore, a light emitting means for irradiating the surface of the CCD 22 with light is provided in the CCD peripheral space 42. For example, an LED, which is a light emitting means, is arranged on the side of the discharge duct 26, and this LED is turned on to open the opening 2 of the feeding duct 24.
Illuminate the 4A side. At this time, the CCD 22 is operated in the movie mode. That is, the CCD 22 is continuously read at a constant cycle, and a continuous moving image state of 60 fields / second or the like (movie mode operation is performed. The image thus obtained is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 64. Thereby, C
The dust on the surface of the CD 22 is picked up and visible on the liquid crystal monitor 64.

Further, the LED is provided with the opening 2 of the feeding duct 24.
It is also possible to provide it on the 4A side. In this case, since the LED light moves together with the movement of the feeding duct 24,
It is also possible to know the position of the feeding duct 24 on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 64.

FIG. 11 shows LE for irradiating the CCD 22 surface with light.
It is a control block diagram with D150 added. 11, those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 9 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, the camera CPU 90
Gives a light emission control signal (LE) to the LED 150,
The light emission state of 150 is controlled.

FIG. 12 shows a control flowchart thereof.
In FIG. 12, steps that are the same as those in FIG. 10 are given the same step numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

According to FIG. 12, a process of turning off the LED 150 (step S320) and a process of turning off the movie mode of the CCD 22 (step S322) are added between step S318 and step S324, and step S3 is added.
Between step 12 and step S330, a process of lighting the LED 150 (step S326) and a process of turning on the movie mode of the CCD 22 (step S328) are added.

That is, when the cleaning mode is detected in step S312, the camera CP
The U90 turns on the LED 150 (step S326) and turns on the movie mode (step S326).
328). As a result, the CCD 22 is continuously driven, and C
The state on the CD 22 surface is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 64. The user can check the dust on the surface of the CCD 22 and the position of the feeding duct 24 by looking at the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 64. Step S3
After 28, the process proceeds to step S330.

When the cleaning mode ends and the motor 130 stops in step S318, LE
The D150 is turned off (step S320), the movie mode is turned off (step S322), and the process proceeds to step S324.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the method of sending air from the outside of the camera has been described as an example, but it is also possible to suck the dust inside from the outside of the camera with the same configuration.
13 and 14 show the embodiment (third embodiment). In these drawings, the same or similar parts as those of the first embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals,
The description is omitted.

The camera 200 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
Is a suction port 202 and a suction port 2 on the back surface of the camera body 12.
04 is formed and has a structure for sucking and removing dust on the surface of the CCD 22 by sucking air from the outside of the camera using a suction device 210 such as a handy cleaner through the suction port 202. Reference numeral 211 in FIG. 13 is a tube that connects the suction port 202 and the suction device 210.

As shown in FIG. 14, inside the camera 10, a suction duct 224 and a suction duct 226 are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the CCD 22 so as to face each other. The suction duct 224 is connected to the suction port 20 via the suction side tube 228.
2, the suction duct 226 is connected to the suction side tube 23.
It communicates with the suction port 204 through 0. Suction duct 2
Similar to the movable feeding duct mechanism described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, 24 is configured to be movable, and can uniformly suck the surface of the CCD 22.

The camera 2 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is used.
In 00, the locations of the suction port 202 and the suction port 204 are not limited to this example. For example, a mode in which the vertical relationship between the suction port 202 and the suction port 204 is interchanged is possible.

FIG. 15 shows the suction port 202 and the suction port 204.
An example of the structure of the part is shown. The suction port portion shown in FIG. 15A is provided with a valve mechanism including a stopper 252 and a valve 254, and the suction port portion shown in FIG. 15B is provided with a valve mechanism including a stopper 256 and a valve 258. Is provided. Further, since the suction port 204 sucks the outside air, the filter 2 is provided so as to prevent the entry of dust from the outside.
It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which 60 is attached.

In the above description, the lens interchangeable single-lens reflex type digital camera was illustrated, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various electronic image pickup devices such as video cameras and DVD cameras. .

[0087]

As described above, according to the electronic camera of the present invention, the gas is blown onto the surface of the image pickup device from the opening of the gas supply portion arranged in the vicinity of the image pickup device, and the dust adhered to the image pickup surface. In addition to removing the dust, the removed dust flows into the gas inflow part together with the gas and is discharged from the outlet to the outside of the camera, so dust on the image sensor surface can be easily removed without removing the taking lens. ,
Reattachment of removed dust can be prevented.

Further, since the gas supply portion or the gas inflow portion is structured to be movable along the image pickup surface of the image pickup element, the gas is jetted substantially uniformly onto the image pickup element surface, or the image pickup element surface is The top can be sucked substantially uniformly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, since the suction port and the suction port are formed in the camera body and the suction device connected to the suction port sucks and removes the dust on the image pickup element surface, The dust of the can be reliably discharged to the outside of the camera.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a positional relationship between a CCD, a feeding duct, and a discharging duct.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement structure of a feed duct and a discharge duct.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the camera of this example.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an internal structure of a feeding port and a discharging port.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing internal configurations of a camera and an interchangeable lens.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a movable feeding duct mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of a motor that drives a feeding duct.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the camera of this example.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system in which an LED for irradiating the CCD surface with light is added.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another control procedure of the camera.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the camera showing the third embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an internal structure of a suction port and a suction port.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 200 ... Camera, 12 ... Camera body, 14 ... Lens mount section, 16 ... Interchangeable lens, 20 ... Shutter unit, 22 ... CCD, 24 ... Feed duct, 24A ... Opening section, 26 ... Ejection duct, 28 ... Feed Sending tube, 32
... Feed port, 34 ... Discharge side tube, 38 ... Discharge port, 40
... CCD mounting substrate, 44 ... Sealing member, 62 ... Display panel, 64 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 70 ... Blower, 90 ... Camera C
PU, 130 ... Motor, 132 ... Screw bar, 13
4 ... Guide bar, 141, 142 ... Photo sensor, 20
2 ... Suction port, 204 ... Suction port, 210 ... Suction device, 22
4 ... Suction duct, 226 ... Suction duct

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera equipped with an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, comprising: a gas supply unit having an opening for supplying gas formed on an image pickup surface of the image pickup device; A gas inflow part into which the gas supplied onto the imaging surface flows, and a seal that surrounds a peripheral space of the imaging device in a substantially hermetically sealed state so that the gas supplied from the gas supply part flows into the gas inflow part. An electronic camera comprising: a means; and an outlet for discharging the gas flowing into the gas inlet to the outside of the camera. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a movable mechanism that moves the gas supply unit or the gas inflow unit along an image pickup surface of the image pickup device. 3. An electronic camera equipped with an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, the exterior part of the camera having a suction port for performing suction inside the camera by a suction device outside the camera, A suction port for sucking air into the camera according to the suction operation of the suction device is formed, and an opening that communicates with the suction port and supplies gas onto the image pickup surface of the image pickup device is formed inside the camera. A gas suction part formed with a gas suction part, which communicates with the suction port and sucks the gas supplied onto the imaging surface from the gas suction part, and the gas sucked from the gas suction part. A sealing unit that surrounds the peripheral space of the image pickup device in a substantially sealed state so as to flow into the suction unit, and a movable mechanism that moves the gas suction unit along the image pickup surface of the image pickup device are provided. Features Electronic camera to be.