JP2004128954A - Electronic camera having cleaning mode - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a camera cleanable when the battery is used while surely preventing the occurrence of an unexpected situation due to power supply shortage and to allow a user to always clean the camera without anxiety in a camera cleaning mode. <P>SOLUTION: In an electronic camera capable of setting the cleaning mode for holding a photographing moving member in a state with the photographing moving member retracted from a photographic optical path by power in order to make it possible to clean an image pickup element or an optical member in the photographic optical path, the acceptance/rejection of the cleaning mode is determined on the basis of a battery check result when the power is supplied from the battery. For example, when the cleaning mode is determined to be acceptable, the cleaning mode is set, and when it is determined to be unacceptable, the setting of the cleaning mode is inhibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a cleaning mode for removing dust attached to an image sensor, an optical low-pass filter, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art An electronic camera receives a photographing light beam with an image sensor such as a CCD or a C-MOS, converts the photoelectric conversion output into image data, and records the image data on a recording medium. In many cases, an optical low-pass filter is arranged on the front side of the image sensor. In such an electronic camera, when dust adheres to the surface of the image sensor or the optical low-pass filter, the adhering portion becomes a black dot and appears in the captured image, and the appearance of the image deteriorates. Particularly in electronic cameras with interchangeable lenses, mechanical operating parts such as a shutter and an aperture control mechanism are arranged near the image sensor, and dust generated from these operating parts may adhere to the image sensor and the low-pass filter. is there. Also, at the time of lens replacement, external dust may enter the camera body from the opening of the lens mount and adhere thereto.
[0003]
Therefore, a lens detachable electronic camera having a mode for removing adhering dust has been proposed. This mode is called, for example, a cleaning mode, in which the shutter is opened according to the mode setting, the mirror is raised, and the state is maintained. In this state, the image pickup device or the optical low-pass filter can be seen through the shutter opening from the lens attachment / detachment opening, so that the user can perform a cleaning operation such as blowing off dust adhering to these with a blower (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0004]
However, as described above, power is required to keep the shutter open and the mirror up, so if sufficient power is not supplied due to power consumption during cleaning, the shutter may be undesirably closed. In this state, the mirrors may return to the down state, respectively, and these may be damaged by the nozzle of the blower or the like. To prevent this, camera manufacturers recommend that the cleaning mode be set only when using an AC power supply (external power supply) or when using a sufficiently charged battery. Further, in the case of Patent Document 1, the setting of the cleaning mode is permitted only when the external power supply is used, and is not permitted when the battery is used.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-159777 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-125152 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0007]
However, aside from using the AC power supply, when using the battery, it is not known when the battery will run out. Therefore, even if the battery is sufficiently charged, hesitate to clean or work with anxiety even if the cleaning is performed. It becomes. On the other hand, if the cleaning mode is not permitted unless the AC power supply is used, the cleaning cannot be performed in a place where the AC power supply cannot be used (the photographing site is almost the same), so that the photographing must be continued with the dust attached. No.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cleaning mode for a camera in a cleaning mode in which a battery can be cleaned while using a battery while reliably preventing occurrence of an unexpected situation due to a power failure, and a user can always perform cleaning with a sense of security. An electronic camera having the following.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applied to an electronic camera capable of setting a cleaning mode for holding an imaging operation member in a state of being retracted from an imaging optical path by electric power so that an imaging element or an optical member in an imaging optical path can be cleaned.
The invention according to claims 1 to 5 includes a battery check device for checking the remaining battery power, and a determination device for determining whether or not the cleaning mode can be performed based on the output of the battery check device when power is supplied from the battery. Solve the point.
In particular, the invention according to claim 2 activates the determination device when a cleaning mode setting operation is performed at the time of power supply by a battery, sets the cleaning mode when it is determined that the cleaning mode is possible, and cleans when the cleaning mode is determined to be impossible. The apparatus further includes a control device for prohibiting the setting of the mode.
The invention according to claim 3 further includes a warning device, and a control device that activates the determination device when a cleaning mode setting operation is performed during power supply by a battery, and activates the warning device when it is determined that the cleaning mode is not possible. Things.
The invention according to claims 4 and 5 is a control in which a warning device and a determination device are sequentially activated while the cleaning mode is set at the time of power supply by a battery, and the warning device is activated when it is determined that the cleaning mode is disabled. And a device.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the warning device is continuously operated until the cleaning mode is canceled.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery check device for checking the remaining battery level, and a remaining time in which the cleaning mode can be maintained based on the output of the battery check device while the cleaning mode is set at the time of power supply by the battery. An arithmetic device for performing the calculation and a warning device for notifying the calculation result of the arithmetic device are provided.
According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, when the cleaning mode is set, the power is kept on even if the operation for turning off the camera is performed, and the camera is turned off when the cleaning mode is released thereafter. It has a control device.
In particular, the invention according to claim 8 further comprises a warning device, wherein the warning device is activated when an operation for turning off the power of the camera is performed when the cleaning mode is set, and the warning device is stopped when the cleaning mode is released. It was made.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the remaining battery level detected by the battery check device is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and if the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the cleaning mode is possible. If it is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the cleaning mode is not possible.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment. The electronic camera 1 is a single-lens reflex type with an interchangeable lens, and an interchangeable lens 5 is mounted on a camera body via a lens mount 3. The photographing light flux transmitted through the photographing lens 5 is guided into the camera body 1 a through the opening 3 a of the lens mount 3, reflected by the mirror 7 and imaged on the finder screen 9, and then transmitted through the pentaprism 11. It is observed by the eyepiece 13.
[0011]
The shutter 23 has a front curtain and a rear curtain composed of a plurality of shutter blades 23a. In the figure, the front curtain covers the shutter opening. When the release operation is performed, the mirror 7 is flipped up, the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter are driven, and the photographic light flux forms an image on the light receiving surface 21a of the solid-state imaging device 21 through the shutter opening. The imaging device 21 is composed of, for example, a CCD or CMOS, and its photoelectric conversion output is sent as an image signal to an imaging circuit 102 (not shown) (FIG. 3).
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera 1 as viewed from the back. On the top surface of the camera, a main switch SW1 for turning on / off the power of the camera and a release switch SW2 for instructing the start of the photographing operation are provided. On the back of the camera, a liquid crystal monitor 51 for reproducing an image after photographing or displaying a menu screen, a mode selection switch SW3, four-direction selection switches SW4 to SW7, an execution switch SW8, and a cancel switch SW9 are arranged. Have been. The modes that can be selected by the mode selection switch SW3 include a shooting mode, an image playback mode, a menu mode, and the like.
[0013]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the camera 1. The microcomputer 101 for controlling the entire camera includes a driver DR1 for driving the focus motor 19, an imaging circuit 102 for processing a signal from the imaging element 21, a driver DR2 for driving the shutter 23, and a diaphragm of the photographing lens. A driver DR3 of the diaphragm mechanism 109 for driving, a driver DR4 of the mirror mechanism 111 for driving the mirror 7, a driver DR5 for driving the liquid crystal monitor 51, a card connector 112 for inserting and removing the memory card MC, and temporarily storing image data. Memory 114 for temporarily storing image data, a compression / expansion circuit 116 for compressing / expanding image data in a predetermined format (for example, JPEG format), a memory 118 for storing various data necessary for control, and a timer 113 And the driver DR of the piezoelectric buzzer 115 that issues a warning by sound When the connector CN of the external power supply (AC power supply), the battery check circuit 105 for checking the status of the power module 103, various switches SW1~SW9 are connected as described above.
[0014]
The camera is preferentially supplied with power from the AC power supply when the AC power supply is connected, and is supplied with power from the battery 103 otherwise. The result of the determination by the battery check circuit 105 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 51 as a well-known remaining battery level display. In the present embodiment, the output of the battery check circuit 105 is also used to determine whether or not the cleaning mode can be performed, which will be described later.
[0015]
Next, the cleaning mode of the camera 1 will be described.
The cleaning mode is a mode in which cleaning for removing dust attached to the surface of the image sensor 21 (the surface of the cover glass covering the light receiving surface 21a) is permitted. When an optical low-pass filter and other optical members are disposed in front of the optical path of the image sensor 21, dust adhering to the surfaces thereof is removed.
[0016]
In order to set the cleaning mode, first, the menu mode is set by operating the mode switch SW3, and “cleaning mode” is selected from a plurality of options on the menu mode screen on the liquid crystal monitor 51 using the switches SW3 to SW7. . Next, when the execution switch SW8 is operated, "execution / cancellation" is displayed. If "execution" is selected and the switch SW8 is further operated, the cleaning mode is set. Depending on conditions, the cleaning mode may not be set even if the above operation is performed, but the details will be described later.
[0017]
When the cleaning mode is set, the mirror 7 is driven to the up position, and only the front curtain of the shutter 23 is driven to open the shutter opening, and this state is maintained. In this state, the photographing operation member (mirror 7, shutter curtain) located in the photographing optical path from the mount opening 3a to the image pickup device 21 is retracted out of the photographing optical path. Surface can be cleaned. The user inserts a cleaning tool such as a blower from the mount opening 3a through the shutter opening to a position short of the image sensor 21, and performs cleaning work such as blowing off dust attached to the surface. After the cleaning is completed, when the above-mentioned "execution / release" is displayed and "release" is selected, the cleaning mode is released, the mirror 7 returns to the down position, and the shutter returns to the closed state.
The method of setting and canceling the cleaning mode is not limited to the above.
[0018]
By the way, in the cleaning mode, electric power is required to hold the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 in an up state and an open state (hereinafter, referred to as a cleanable state), respectively. The camera can selectively supply power from either a battery or an AC power supply, but there is a concern that the battery runs out during the cleaning mode when using the battery. When the battery runs out, the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 undesirably return to their original positions, and may be damaged by the cleaning tool.
[0019]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the cleaning mode is instructed when the battery is used, the charge level (remaining battery level) of the battery is first determined from the detection output of the battery check circuit 105. If the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the cleaning mode is set. If the remaining amount is less than the predetermined value, the cleaning mode is prohibited and a warning that the battery is insufficient is issued. That is, if there is a battery remaining enough to hold the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 in the cleanable state only for the time necessary for cleaning, the state is shifted to the cleanable state, but otherwise the state is not shifted to the cleanable state. According to this, an unexpected situation due to battery exhaustion can be reliably avoided, and when the remaining battery power is sufficient, cleaning can be performed safely even in an environment where AC power cannot be used.
[0020]
When the setting of the cleaning mode is prohibited, a warning message indicating that the remaining battery power is insufficient is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 51, so that the user can use an AC power supply or charge the battery and then perform cleaning. Can be taken. As the warning, in addition to the display of the warning message, a sound warning by the piezoelectric buzzer 115 is also performed. The user who has heard the buzzer sound can grasp the situation by looking at the message on the liquid crystal monitor 51.
[0021]
However, even if the cleaning mode is set when the remaining battery level is determined to be sufficient, the remaining battery level falls below a predetermined value during the cleaning mode because the cleaning time is prolonged, and the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 return undesirably. There is a possibility that. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, the battery check is sequentially performed even during the setting of the cleaning mode, and a warning is issued when the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value. The warning in this case is based on the display of a message urging the cancellation of the cleaning mode and a buzzer sound, and these warnings are continued until the user cancels the cleaning mode. When the user releases the cleaning mode according to the warning, the warning is released.
[0022]
Here, the threshold value (the above-mentioned predetermined value) for determining whether or not the cleaning mode can be set is basically a threshold value for determining whether or not the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 can be maintained in a cleaning-enabled state for a time required for cleaning. This is set separately from the value in the battery remaining amount display related to the original camera general operation. The time required for cleaning varies depending on what kind of cleaning is performed, and cannot be said unconditionally. For example, if only dust is blown off with a blower, the cleaning can be performed in less than 5 minutes. It may be set to a value that can be maintained for about a minute or more. If a cleaning method that requires more time is assumed, a value that can be maintained, for example, about 20 minutes to 30 minutes or more, or longer than that may be used.
[0023]
Next, a case where the main switch SW1 is turned off during the setting of the cleaning mode will be described. The camera is normally turned off when the main switch SW1 is turned off, but if the power is turned off during the setting of the cleaning mode, the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 return, and the same problem as described above may occur. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the main switch SW1 is turned off during the cleaning mode, a warning is issued, the power-on state is maintained, and the cleaning mode is also maintained at the set state. The warning is a message and a sound that prompts the user to end the cleaning mode when the camera is turned off. When the user releases the cleaning mode according to the warning, the power is turned off after the mirror 7 and the shutter 23 return.
[0024]
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show flowcharts for realizing the above-mentioned operation in software.
The microcomputer 101 starts this program when a cleaning mode setting operation is performed, and first determines the type of power supply (step S101). If an AC power supply (external power supply) is used, a message indicating that cleaning is being performed is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 51 (step S103), and the shutter 23 and the mirror 7 are brought into the above-mentioned cleaning-enabled state (steps S105 and S107). That is, if the AC power supply is used, the cleaning mode is set unconditionally.
[0025]
Thereafter, in step S115, a cleaning mode release instruction is waited. If the main switch SW1 is turned off before the release instruction, the process proceeds from step S109 to step S111 → S113, and a warning message for urging the end of cleaning is displayed. And at the same time a warning sound is issued. At this time, the power of the camera remains on, and the cleaning mode is not released. The warning continues until an instruction to release the cleaning mode is issued or the main switch SW1 is turned on. When the cancellation of the cleaning mode is instructed, the process proceeds from step S115 to steps S117 → S119 → S121, and the shutter 23 closing operation, the mirror down operation, and the warning display are canceled. Thereafter, if it is determined in step S123 that the main switch SW1 is off, the power is turned off in step S125 and the process returns. If the main switch SW1 is off, the process returns.
[0026]
The above is the operation when the AC power supply is used. However, when step S101 is denied, that is, when the battery is used, first, the battery level (remaining battery level) is determined based on the signal from the battery check circuit 105 (step S131). ). If the battery level is less than the predetermined value, a warning message indicating that the battery capacity is insufficient is displayed (step S133), and a warning is given by a buzzer sound and the process returns (step S135). In this case, the shutter 23 and the mirror 7 are not shifted to the cleaning enabled state, and the cleaning mode is not set.
[0027]
On the other hand, if the battery level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, a message indicating that cleaning is being performed is displayed (step S141), and the shutter 23 and the mirror 7 are set in a cleaning-enabled state (steps S143 and S145). That is, the cleaning mode is set. Thereafter, the battery level is sequentially determined until an instruction to cancel the cleaning mode is issued in step S159 (step S147). If the remaining battery level is less than the predetermined value, a message indicating that cleaning is to be terminated is displayed (step S149). At the same time, a warning is given by a buzzer sound (step S151). If it is determined in step S153 that the main switch SW1 has been turned off during the cleaning mode, a warning message urging the end of cleaning is displayed as in steps S111 and S113, and a warning by a buzzer sound is issued. Emitted (steps S155 and S157). If cancellation of the cleaning mode has been instructed in step S159, the process proceeds to step S117 described above.
[0028]
In addition, instead of the message prompting the end of the cleaning mode in step S149, a message indicating whether or not to end the cleaning is displayed, and "Yes" or "No" can be selected, and "Yes" is selected. In this case, the cleaning mode may be released. Alternatively, if step S147 is affirmed, it is determined whether a cleaning tool or the like is inserted into the camera body using, for example, an optical sensor or the like, and if it is determined that the cleaning tool is inserted, the cleaning mode is released. You may do so.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment. Steps S201 to S205 in FIG. 6 replace steps S147 to S151 in FIG. 5, and the other parts are the same as in the previous embodiment.
After the cleaning mode is set, the remaining time until the battery level decreases so that the cleaning-capable state cannot be maintained is estimated based on the output of the battery check circuit 105 (step S201). The calculated remaining time is determined (step S202). If it is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, a message indicating that there is sufficient time is displayed (step S203). (Step S204), and a warning is given by a buzzer sound (step S205). By performing this process sequentially until the cleaning mode is canceled, the user can perform the cleaning work with confidence while checking the remaining time on the liquid crystal monitor 51, and can terminate the cleaning mode before the battery runs out. it can.
The buzzer sound may be increased as the remaining time decreases, or the type or cycle of the sound may be changed.
[0030]
In addition, as a method of calculating the remaining time, for example, the remaining battery level is read at predetermined time intervals, and each time, the remaining battery time is obtained by comparing with a previous value, and the remaining time is estimated and calculated based on the consumed level. It may be. According to this, an accurate remaining time can be obtained without being influenced by external factors such as the ambient temperature. If the battery is quickly consumed, a warning may be given to stop cleaning as soon as possible.
In each embodiment, a warning may be issued by voice instead of the buzzer sound.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of the battery is checked, and the possibility of the cleaning mode is determined based on the battery check result at the time of power supply by the battery. , And damage to the photographing operation member can be prevented. In addition, cleaning can be performed with confidence even when using batteries.
According to the present invention, while the cleaning mode is set at the time of power supply by the battery, the remaining time in which the cleaning mode can be maintained is sequentially calculated based on the battery check result, and the calculation result is reported. In addition, cleaning can be performed with confidence even when the battery is used, and an unexpected situation due to battery exhaustion can be avoided.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning mode is set, the power is kept on even if an operation for turning off the camera is performed, and the camera is turned off when the cleaning mode is released thereafter. Thus, the disadvantage that the power is turned off during the cleaning mode and the photographing operation member returns undesirably is eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera as viewed from the back.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the camera.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a cleaning mode is instructed by the camera.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart following FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electronic camera 5 shooting lens 5 main mirror 21 image sensor 21 a light receiving surface 23 shutter 51 liquid crystal monitor 101 microcomputer 105 battery check circuit SW1 main switch

Claims (9)

In an electronic camera capable of setting a cleaning mode in which an image pickup device or an optical member in a photographing optical path can be cleaned, the photographing operation member is held in a state of being retracted from the photographing optical path by electric power,
A battery check device for checking the remaining battery power,
An electronic camera having a cleaning mode, comprising: a determination device for determining whether or not to perform the cleaning mode based on an output of the battery check device when power is supplied by a battery. When the setting operation of the cleaning mode is performed at the time of power supply by the battery, the determination device is operated, the cleaning mode is set when it is determined that the cleaning mode is possible, and the setting of the cleaning mode is prohibited when it is determined that the cleaning mode is not possible. The electronic camera having a cleaning mode according to claim 1, further comprising a control device. A warning device,
2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control device that activates the determination device when the setting operation of the cleaning mode is performed during power supply by a battery, and activates the warning device when it is determined that the cleaning mode is not possible. An electronic camera having the cleaning mode described in 1. A warning device,
A control device for sequentially operating the determination device while the cleaning mode is set at the time of power supply by a battery and activating the warning device when it is determined that the cleaning mode is not possible, further comprising a control device. Item 2. An electronic camera having the cleaning mode according to Item 1. The electronic camera having a cleaning mode according to claim 4, wherein the control device continuously operates the warning device until the cleaning mode is canceled. In an electronic camera capable of setting a cleaning mode in which an image pickup device or an optical member in a photographing optical path can be cleaned, the photographing operation member is held in a state of being retracted from the photographing optical path by electric power,
A battery check device for checking the remaining battery power,
While the cleaning mode is set at the time of power supply by a battery, a computing device that sequentially calculates a remaining time in which the cleaning mode can be maintained based on an output of the battery check device,
An electronic camera having a cleaning mode, comprising: a warning device that notifies a calculation result of the calculation device. In an electronic camera capable of setting a cleaning mode in which an image pickup device or an optical member in a photographing optical path can be cleaned, the photographing operation member is held in a state of being retracted from the photographing optical path by electric power,
When the cleaning mode is set, a control device is provided that keeps the power on even when an operation for turning off the camera is performed, and then turns off the camera when the cleaning mode is released. An electronic camera having a cleaning mode. Further comprising a warning device,
The control device activates the warning device when an operation for turning off the power of the camera is performed when the cleaning mode is set, and stops the warning device when the cleaning mode is released. Item 8. An electronic camera having the cleaning mode according to Item 7. The determination device compares the remaining battery level detected by the battery check device with a predetermined threshold, determines that the cleaning mode is possible if the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the threshold, and determines that the cleaning mode is disabled if the remaining battery level is less than the threshold. An electronic camera having a cleaning mode according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made.

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