JP2005250399A - Imaging apparatus and method for controlling light emission - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conveniently and effectively emit strobe light. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: a body strobe light emitting part built in a body; a monitor stroboscope part 7 provided with a display part 17 for displaying an imaged image and a monitor strobe light emitting part 6b; and a hinge part 7a provided with a first shaft 7b and a second shaft 7c orthogonal to the first shaft 7b. The hinge part 7a connects the monitor stroboscope part 7 to the body by the first shaft 7b so that the monitor strobe part 7 can be turned around the body and makes the monitor stroboscope part 7 turnable by the second shaft 7c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus provided with a light emitting unit such as a strobe and a light emission control method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been considered a camera in which space is effectively used to reduce the size (for example, Patent Document 1). In the camera described in Patent Document 1, an upper part of the camera body, a display unit that is rotated between a standing position and a folded position is attached. The display unit is provided with a liquid crystal display on which a finder image is displayed, and a protector (strobe) is provided on the back side of the surface on which the liquid crystal display is provided. When the display unit is in the upright position, the display surface of the liquid crystal display faces to the rear of the camera body, and the strobe light from the protector is irradiated to the front. When the display unit is in the folded position, many imaging lenses are hidden on the surface where the protector of the display unit is provided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-258657

  Thus, in the conventional camera described in Patent Document 1, a liquid crystal display is provided on one surface of the display unit, and a protector (strobe) is provided on the opposite surface so that the display unit can be rotated. The size is reduced by attaching to the camera body.

  However, when taking a picture with a conventional camera, the display unit must be used in an upright position, which is inconvenient. That is, since the photographic lens is not opened unless the display unit is set to the upright position, the display unit always stands up during photographing. Further, the display surface of the liquid crystal display at the time of use always faces backward, so that, for example, a photographed image cannot be monitored when photographing oneself. Furthermore, the use form of the strobe is limited to the normal use in which the display unit is erected, and the light emission direction is always constant.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and a light emission control method capable of causing effective and effective strobe light emission.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first light emitting means for irradiating the light provided in the main body, the imaging means for imaging the image, the display means for displaying the image captured by the imaging means, and the light irradiation Display light-emitting means provided with a second light-emitting means, and a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The display light-emitting means is rotated with respect to the main body by the first axis. A hinge mechanism that is movably coupled and that allows the display light-emitting means to be rotated by the second shaft is provided.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the amount of light emitted by the second light emitting means is larger than the amount of light emitted by the first light emitting means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a control unit that irradiates light from at least one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit during imaging by the imaging unit. It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the control unit includes a setting unit that sets whether to irradiate light to each of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. Is characterized in that light is emitted from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means in accordance with the setting by the setting means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the first detection means for detecting the rotational position of the first shaft and the second detection means for detecting the rotational position of the second shaft are provided. The control means irradiates light from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means in response to detection by the first detecting means and the second detecting means.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 3, further comprising distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the subject imaged by the imaging means, wherein the control means is measured by the distance measuring means. According to the distance, light is emitted from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first light emitting means for irradiating the light provided in the main body, the imaging means for imaging the image, the display means for displaying the image captured by the imaging means, and the light irradiation Display light-emitting means provided with a second light-emitting means, and a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The display light-emitting means is rotated with respect to the main body by the first axis. A light emission control method for an image pickup apparatus that includes a hinge mechanism that is movably coupled and that allows the display light-emitting means to be rotated by the second shaft, each of the first light-emitting means and the second light-emitting means. Whether or not to emit light is set, and light is emitted from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means according to this setting.

  The invention according to claim 8 irradiates the first light emitting means for irradiating the light provided in the main body, the imaging means for taking an image, the display means for displaying the image taken by the imaging means, and the light. Display light-emitting means provided with a second light-emitting means, and a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The display light-emitting means is rotated with respect to the main body by the first axis. A light emission control method for an imaging apparatus, which is movably coupled and has a hinge mechanism that allows the display light-emitting means to be rotated by the second axis, wherein the rotation position of the first axis and the second axis Detecting a rotational position, and irradiating light from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means in accordance with the detected rotational position of the first axis and second rotational position of the second axis. It is characterized by.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the first light emitting means for irradiating the light provided in the main body, the imaging means for imaging the image, the display means for displaying the image captured by the imaging means, and the light irradiation Display light-emitting means provided with a second light-emitting means, and a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The display light-emitting means is rotated with respect to the main body by the first axis. A light emission control method for an image pickup apparatus having a hinge mechanism that is movably coupled and that allows the display light emission means to be rotated by the second axis, and measuring a distance to a subject imaged by the image pickup means And according to this measured distance, light is irradiated from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, in addition to the first light emitting means provided on the main body, the display light emitting means is provided with the second light emitting means, and the display light emitting means is provided by a hinge mechanism having a first axis and a second axis. Since the second light emitting means can be directed in an arbitrary direction by being rotatably coupled to the main body, when only the first light emitting means is used, when only the second light emitting means is used, both are used, etc. Selective use is possible, and effective and effective flash emission can be achieved.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the second light emitting means is provided not on the main body but on the display light emitting means coupled to the main body via the hinge mechanism. The amount of light emitted by the light emitting means can be made larger than the amount of light emitted by the first light emitting means, whereby two light emitting means having different light emission amounts can be used properly according to the situation.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, since light can be emitted from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means during imaging by the imaging means, Effective light emission according to the situation becomes possible.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 3, it is possible to set whether or not to irradiate light for each of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means. Two light emitting means can be arbitrarily used according to the above.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the third aspect of the invention, the rotational position of the first shaft and the rotational position of the second shaft are detected, and the first light emitting means is detected in response to the detection. Since light is emitted from at least one of the second light emitting means, it is possible to automatically emit light according to the state of the hinge mechanism without any special setting.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the third aspect of the invention, the distance to the subject imaged by the imaging unit is measured, and the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit are measured according to the measured distance. Since light is emitted from at least one of the light emitting means, the two light emitting means can be effectively used so that the light emission amount increases as the distance to the subject increases.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by setting whether or not to irradiate light for each of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means, two light emitting means can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose. Can be used.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the rotational position of the first shaft and the rotational position of the second shaft are detected, and light is emitted from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means in response to the detection. Therefore, it is possible to automatically emit light according to the situation of the hinge mechanism without any special setting.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the distance to the subject imaged by the imaging means is measured, and light is emitted from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means according to the measured distance. The two light emitting means can be effectively used so that the light emission amount increases as the distance to the subject increases.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 are diagrams showing an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a digital camera.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view mainly showing the configuration of the rear surface, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view mainly showing the configuration of the front surface. 1A and 2A show a state in which a monitor strobe unit 7 (display light emitting means) described later is raised by a hinge portion 7a (hereinafter referred to as an upright state), FIG. 1B and FIG. (B) shows a state in which the monitor strobe unit 7 is integrated with the main body and stored (hereinafter referred to as a stored state).

  The digital camera 1 has a photographic lens 2, a self-timer lamp 3, an optical finder window 4, a microphone unit 5, and a main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a on the front surface of a thin plate-like body that is generally rectangular (when the monitor strobe unit 7 is stored). The power key 8 and the shutter key 9 are disposed on the right end side (for the user) of the upper surface.

  The power key 8 is a key operated every time the power is turned on / off, and the shutter key 9 functions as an execution key for instructing setting / execution in menu selection or the like while instructing shooting in the shooting mode. It shall be.

  On the back of the digital camera 1, a monitor strobe unit 7, a mode switch 10, a speaker unit 11, a menu key 12, a cross key 13, an optical viewfinder 15, and a strobe charge lamp 16 are arranged.

  The monitor strobe part 7 is attached to the main body so as to be rotatable by a hinge part 7a. The hinge portion 7a is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the main body, and is provided with a first shaft 7b in the horizontal direction and a second shaft 7c orthogonal to the first shaft 7b at the center in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 7b. ing. The monitor strobe unit 7 is coupled to the main body so as to be rotatable by the first shaft 7b, and the monitor strobe unit 7 is further rotatable by the second shaft 7c.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of the monitor strobe part 7 and the hinge part 7a when the monitor strobe part 7 is stored.

  The monitor strobe unit 7 is attached to the hinge unit 7a by the second shaft 7c, and can be rotated by, for example, a range of 0 to 180 degrees by the second shaft 7c, as shown in FIG. . Further, the monitor strobe unit 7 can be rotated by the first shaft 7b in the range from the stowed state shown in FIG. 1B to the standing state shown in FIG. 1B, that is, in the range of 0 to 180 degrees. Yes.

  The monitor strobe unit 7 has a substantially rectangular thin plate body, a display unit 17 is provided on one surface (front surface), and a monitor is provided on a surface (back surface) opposite to the surface on which the display unit 17 is provided. A strobe light emitting unit 6b is provided.

  Therefore, when the monitor strobe unit 7 is housed by the hinge unit 7a, the image displayed on the display unit 17 can be confirmed by exposing the display unit 17 to the outside as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, the monitor strobe part 7 can be made to stand by rotating the monitor strobe part 7 by the first shaft 7b of the hinge part 7a from the state shown in FIG. In this case, since the display unit 17 is directed in the shooting direction by the shooting lens 2, for example, an image displayed on the display unit 17 can be confirmed when shooting oneself.

  Further, from the state shown in FIG. 1B, the monitor strobe unit 7 is raised by the first shaft 7b, and as shown in FIG. 1A, the monitor strobe unit 7 is horizontally rotated by the second shaft 7c. By rotating this degree, the monitor strobe light emitting part 6b provided in the monitor strobe part 7 can be set in the same direction as the photographing direction by the photographing lens 2, as shown in FIG. In this case, the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b emits strobe light in the same direction as the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a provided in the main body.

  Further, by changing the rotation angle of the monitor strobe unit 7 by the first shaft 7b from the state shown in FIG. 2A, the irradiation direction of the strobe light by the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b can be changed in the vertical direction. Further, by changing the rotation angle of the monitor strobe unit 7 by the second shaft 7c from the state shown in FIG. 2A, the irradiation direction of the strobe light by the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b can be changed in the left-right direction. That is, the strobe light can be emitted from the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b in a direction different from that of the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a provided in the main body.

  In FIG. 1B, the monitor strobe unit 7 is stored so that the display unit 17 is exposed to the outside. However, when the digital camera 1 is not used, the display unit 17 is set to the body side. The monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b can be stored so as to be exposed. Thereby, the surface of the display unit 17 can be protected so as not to be scratched even when carried around.

  The mode switch 10 is constituted by, for example, a slide key switch, and switches between a photographing mode “R” and a reproduction mode “P” which are basic modes.

  The menu key 12 is operated when selecting various menu items.

  The cross key 13 is formed integrally with keys for moving the cursor in the up, down, left, and right directions.

  The optical viewfinder 15 is used when viewing a subject image without using the display unit 17.

The strobe charge lamp 16 displays the light emission operation state of the strobe by its color and blinking / lighting pattern. In FIG.
The display unit 17 is composed of a color liquid crystal panel with a backlight, and displays a through image on the monitor as an electronic viewfinder in the photographing mode, while reproducing and displaying the selected image in the reproducing mode. When displaying the monitor as an electronic viewfinder, the display unit 17 displays the image upside down when the monitor strobe unit 7 is brought up from the stored state by the hinge unit 7a.

  Although not shown, the digital camera 1 has a bottom surface of the digital camera 1 as a memory card slot for attaching / detaching a memory card used as a recording medium, a serial interface connector for connecting to an external personal computer, etc. Serial Bus) connector etc. shall be provided.

  Next, the electronic circuit configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the same figure, in the photographing mode which is the basic mode, the aperture position and the lens position corresponding to the normal photographing are moved by driving the motor (M) 21 every predetermined video rate, 1/30 [second]. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 23, which is an image pickup device disposed behind the photographing optical axis of the lens optical system 22 constituting the lens 2, is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) 24 and a vertical driver 25, and is fixed at regular intervals. A photoelectric conversion output corresponding to the light image formed on the screen is output for one screen.

  The photoelectric conversion output is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, then sampled and held by a sample and hold (S / H) circuit 26, and digital data by an A / D converter 27. The color process circuit 28 further performs color process processing including pixel interpolation processing and γ correction processing to generate a digital luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb, Cr, and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller. 29 is output.

  The DMA controller 29 once uses the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr output from the color process circuit 28 by using the composite synchronization signal, memory write enable signal, and clock signal from the color process circuit 28 once. And the DMA transfer to the DRAM 31 used as a buffer memory via the DRAM interface (I / F) 30.

  The control unit 32 includes a CPU and processing of strobe control in accordance with the state of the hinge unit 7a in the photographing mode described later (detected state of the first axis detection switch 42 and the second axis detection switch 44 described later). Is composed of a ROM that stores fixedly the operation program executed in step 1 and data for a strobe selection menu for setting the strobe mode, a RAM that is used as a work memory, and the like, and controls the entire digital camera 1. .

Therefore, the control unit 32 finishes the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals to the DRAM 31. The luminance and color difference signals are read from the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30 and written to the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33. ,
The digital video encoder 35 periodically reads out luminance and color difference signals from the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the display unit 17.

  The display unit 17 is provided on the monitor strobe unit 7 that can be rotated by the hinge unit 7a as described above, and functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) in the photographing mode, based on the video signal from the digital video encoder 35. By performing the display, an image based on the image information fetched from the VRAM controller 33 at that time is displayed in real time.

  In this way, when the shutter key 9 is operated at a timing at which it is desired to take a still image in a so-called through image monitor display state in which the current image is displayed on the display unit 17 in real time as a monitor image, a trigger signal is generated. Occur.

  The control unit 32 stops driving according to the video rate of the CCD 23 at that time in accordance with the trigger signal, and then executes an automatic exposure process to obtain an appropriate exposure value. Based on the obtained contents, the lens optical system Imaging is performed again by controlling the aperture of 22 and the exposure time of the CCD 23.

  After the newly obtained image data for one frame is DMA-transferred and written to the DRAM 31 in this way, the control unit 32 transmits the luminance and color difference signals for one frame written in the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30. The Y, Cb, and Cr components are read in a unit called a basic block of vertical 8 pixels × horizontal 8 pixels and written to a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) circuit 36. The JPEG circuit 36 uses ADCT (Adaptive Discrete). Cosine Transform (adaptive discrete cosine transform) and data compression by processing such as Huffman coding which is an entropy coding method.

  The obtained code data is read out from the JPEG circuit 36 as a data file of one image, and when the memory card 37 is detachably attached as a recording medium of the digital camera 1 or when the memory card 37 is not attached. The data is written in the built-in memory 38 fixedly built in the digital camera 1.

  Then, along with the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of writing all the compressed data into the memory card 37 or the built-in memory 38, the control unit 32 passes from the CCD 23 based on the video rate via the DRAM 31. The driving for displaying the through image on the display unit 17 on the monitor is resumed.

  The digital camera 1 is provided with an autofocus function and can measure the distance to the subject. For example, it is possible to use an active method or the like that detects a reflection from a subject by emitting infrared rays or the like and measures a distance from the subject (other methods such as a passive method may be used).

  The control unit 32 is connected to a key input unit 39, a sound processing unit 40, a main body strobe drive unit 41a, a monitor strobe drive unit 41b, a first axis detection switch 42, and a second axis detection switch 44.

  The key input unit 39 includes the power key 8, shutter key 9, mode switch 10, menu key 12, cross key 13, and the like described above, and signals associated with these key operations are sent directly to the control unit 32. The

  The audio processing unit 40 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, digitizes the audio signal input from the microphone unit (MIC) 5 when recording audio, and performs a predetermined data file format such as MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-). 3) Create a sound data file by compressing data according to the standard and send it to the memory card 37 or the built-in memory 38, while compressing the sound data file sent from the memory card 37 or the built-in memory 38 when playing back sound. It is solved and converted to analog, and the speaker unit (SP) 11 is driven to emit loud sounds.

  Furthermore, the sound processing unit 40 generates various operation sounds based on the control from the control unit 32, for example, a pseudo shutter sound associated with the operation of the shutter key 9, a beep sound associated with the operation of other keys, and the like. 11 is made to emit loud sounds.

  The main body strobe driving unit 41a charges a large-capacity strobe capacitor (not shown) during still image shooting, and then flashes the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a based on the control from the control unit 32.

  The monitor strobe drive unit 41b charges a large-capacity strobe capacitor (not shown) at the time of still image shooting, and flash-drives the monitor strobe light emission unit 6b based on the control from the control unit 32.

  The first axis detection switch 42 detects the rotation angle of the first axis 7b provided in the hinge part 7a, that is, the position in the range from the housed state to the standing state of the monitor strobe part 7. For example, the first axis detection switch 42 is such that the monitor strobe unit 7 is in the retracted position, is in the standing position, and is within a predetermined range (for example, up to 45 degrees) from the standing position. Can be detected. When the monitor strobe unit 7 is within a predetermined range from the standing state, the control unit 32 determines that the display unit 17 or the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b facing the photographing lens 2 can be used.

  The second axis detection switch 44 detects the rotation angle of the second axis 7c provided in the hinge part 7a, that is, the direction in which the monitor strobe part 7 faces. For example, it is assumed that the second axis detection switch 44 can detect whether or not the monitor strobe unit 7 is at a position rotated by 90 degrees or more about the second axis 7c. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the control unit 32 is configured so that the display unit 17 is directed in the photographing direction by the photographing lens 2 when the rotation of the monitor strobe unit 7 by the second axis 7 c is less than 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. 2A, it is determined that the monitor strobe light emitting portion 6b is oriented in the photographing direction when the angle is 90 degrees or more.

  Based on the detection results of the first axis detection switch 42 and the second axis detection switch 44, the control unit 32 determines the state of the monitor strobe unit 7, that is, in which direction the display unit 17 and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b are directed. Is determined. The control unit 32 controls the strobe light emission of the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b by the monitor strobe driving unit 41b and the monitor of the display unit 17 by the VRAM controller 33 based on the state of the monitor strobe unit 7 in the photographing mode. Control the display.

  However, at the time of shooting a moving image instead of a still image, a still image data file memory card 37 or a built-in memory 38 in which the above-described still image data is compressed by the JPEG circuit 36 while the shutter key 9 continues to be operated. When the operation of the shutter key 9 ends or when a predetermined time limit, for example, 30 seconds elapses, the series of still image data files are collectively recorded as motion JPEG. Re-set as a data file (AVI file).

  At this time, when shooting of a moving image with sound is designated, the sound data file obtained by the input from the microphone unit 5 is also recorded in association with it as described above.

  In the playback mode, which is the basic mode, the control unit 32 selectively reads out the image data recorded in the memory card 37 or the built-in memory 38, and the procedure is completely opposite to the procedure in which the data is compressed in the shooting mode by the JPEG circuit 36. The decompressed image data is decompressed, and the decompressed image data is held in the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30, and the content held in the DRAM 31 is stored in the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33. The image data is periodically read out to generate a video signal, which is reproduced and output by the display unit 17.

  If the selected image data is not a still image but a moving image, playback of the individual still image data constituting the selected moving image file is executed continuously in time, and playback of all the still image data is finished. At that time, the image is reproduced and displayed using only the still image data located at the head until the next reproduction instruction is given.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 in this embodiment will be described. Each process shown below is basically executed based on a program fixedly stored in advance by the control unit 32.

  First, the strobe mode setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The strobe mode setting process is executed, for example, when the strobe mode setting is selected from the menu displayed on the display unit 17 by operating the cross key 13.

  When the key operation for strobe mode setting is performed, the control unit 32 causes the display unit 17 to display a strobe selection menu.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of a strobe selection menu displayed on the display unit 17. The strobe selection menu includes either an “automatic” mode in which one or both of the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is automatically selected and used, and a “manual” mode arbitrarily selected and used by the user. Items ("automatic" and "manual") for arbitrarily designating are provided.

  Here, when there is a key operation on the cross key 13 (step A3, Yes), the control unit 32 selects an item to be selected in the strobe selection menu that is different from the current selection target, for example, “automatic”. If so, the item to be selected is switched to the “manual” side (step A4). The control unit 32 switches the item to be selected between “automatic” and “manual” every time a key operation is performed on the cross key 13 (steps A3 and A4).

  Here, for example, when setting / execution is instructed by operating the shutter key 9 (step A5, Yes), the control unit 32 ends the strobe mode setting process when the “automatic” mode is set ( Step A6, No).

  On the other hand, when the “manual” mode is set, the control unit 32 selects ON / OFF to select which one of the main body flash unit 6a and the monitor flash unit 6b is used. A menu is displayed on the display unit 17.

  FIG. 6B shows an example of the ON / OFF selection menu. In the ON / OFF selection menu, there is an item that can arbitrarily designate whether or not to use (ON / OFF) for each of the main body flash unit 6a and the monitor flash unit 6b.

  Here, when there is a key operation on the cross key 13 (step A8, Yes), the control unit 32 switches between “main unit strobe” / “monitor strobe” or on / off in the ON / OFF selection menu ( Step A9). For example, when the up / down direction key operation is performed on the cross key 13, the item to be selected is switched between “main unit strobe” and “monitor strobe”. When the cross key 13 is operated in the left-right direction, the item currently selected is switched between “ON” and “OFF”.

  The control unit 32 switches the item to be selected between “main unit strobe” and “monitor strobe”, or switches between “ON” and “OFF” each time a key operation is performed on the cross key 13 (Step S32). A8, A9).

  Here, for example, when setting / execution is instructed by operating the shutter key 9 (step A10, Yes), the control unit 32 ends the strobe mode setting process (step A10, Yes).

  The control unit 32 stores data representing the content set by the strobe mode setting process, for example, in a non-volatile memory (not shown).

  Thus, in the strobe mode setting process, how to use the two strobes of the main strobe light emitting unit 6a provided in the main unit and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b provided in the monitor strobe unit 7 according to designation by the user. Can be set arbitrarily.

  Next, the operation in the shooting mode when the “manual” mode is selected in the strobe mode setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The description will be made on the assumption that the strobe light emission at the time of shooting is set to the automatic light emission mode or the forced light emission mode that always emits light depending on the brightness of the subject at the time of shooting.

  In manual mode, the main unit flash unit 6a and the monitor strobe unit 6b can be turned on and off arbitrarily. For example, when the subject is far away, the large monitor strobe unit 6b is used instead of the main unit flash unit 6a. Or using both the main flash unit 6a and the monitor flash unit 6b can be selected.

  In addition, by selectively using the main unit flash light emitting unit 6a and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b, it is possible to perform photographing using a bounce effect. The bounce effect is for obtaining natural light in indoor shooting. For example, flash light is irradiated in the ceiling direction so that shooting can be performed with reflected light from the ceiling. For example, in a room, when a person is photographed with a flash, the subject may be raised due to the strong light from the light emitting unit, the background (shadow) may be dark, and the person's face may become whitish. In such a case, by flashing upward (flashing bounce) on the ceiling with the flash facing upward, a person can be photographed by irradiating soft natural light from above (ceiling).

  In the present embodiment, the monitor strobe light emitting portion 6b can be directed upward at an arbitrary angle by the first shaft 7b of the hinge portion 7a. The angle when the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b faces upward is adjusted according to the distance from the subject and the height of the ceiling, or the intensity of the reflected light from the ceiling, the degree of diffusion, etc., as the user intended. can do.

  In the shooting mode when the “manual” mode is set, according to the data representing the setting contents set by the strobe mode setting process and the state of the hinge portion 7a (first axis 7b, second axis 7c), Controls the light emission to the main unit flash unit 6a and the monitor flash unit 6b.

  First, the control unit 32 determines the rotation states of the first shaft 7b and the second shaft 7c based on the states of the first shaft detection switch 42 and the second shaft detection switch 44 (steps B1 and B3).

  When the rotation of the first shaft 7b is not detected by the first shaft detection switch 42, the control unit 32 assumes that the monitor strobe unit 7 is in the retracted state as shown in FIG. (Step B2).

  On the other hand, when the rotation of the first shaft 7 b is detected by the first axis detection switch 42 and the rotation of the second shaft 7 c is not detected by the second axis detection switch 44, the control unit 32 monitors the monitor strobe unit 7. Is standing, and it is determined that the display surface of the display unit 17 faces in the same direction as the photographing lens 2. For example, the monitor strobe unit 7 is in a standing state when photographing itself. In this case, the control unit 32 controls the display unit 17 to display the monitor and also causes the VRAM controller 33 to display the mirror image obtained by vertically inverting the image displayed on the display unit 17 (step B4). ) (Upside down display mode).

  In addition, when the rotation of the first shaft 7b is detected by the first axis detection switch 42 and the rotation of the second shaft 7c is also detected by the second axis detection switch 44, the control unit 32 performs FIG. ), It is determined that the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b provided in the monitor strobe unit 7 faces the subject and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is in a usable state. The display unit 17 displays a vertically inverted image on the monitor. Therefore, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is set to ON in the strobe mode setting process (step B5).

  As shown in FIG. 2 (A), not only when the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is directed in the same direction as the photographing lens 2 for use in photographing, but also in the upward direction (subject to obtain a bounce effect). In some cases, it is directed diagonally upward.

  Here, if the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is set to ON (step B5, Yes), the control unit 32 sets the monitor strobe driving unit 41b to a driveable state and starts charging a capacitor (not shown). (Step B6).

  In addition, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the main flash unit 6a is set to ON in the flash mode setting process (step B7). Here, if the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a is set to ON (step B7, Yes), the control unit 32 sets the main unit strobe driving unit 41a to a driveable state and starts charging a capacitor (not shown). (Step B8).

  When it is determined that the shutter key 9 has been operated (step B9, Yes), the control unit 32 immediately performs imaging. At this time, as described above, depending on the state of the first shaft 7b and the second shaft 7c of the hinge portion 7a and the setting in the strobe mode setting process, the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a or the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b (one or the other) Both) emit light.

  The control unit 32 compresses the image data for one frame obtained through the image pickup system (CCD 23, S / H circuit 26, A / D converter 27, etc.) by the JPEG circuit 36 to form a file. Later, it is recorded in the memory card 37 or the built-in memory 38 (step B10).

  In this way, in shooting in the “manual” mode, the two strobes of the main unit flash unit 6a and the monitor strobe unit 6b can be selectively used according to the user's designation, so that it matches the shooting situation. Effective flash emission. For example, one or both of them can be used according to the distance to the subject, or shooting using a bounce effect can be realized. Further, if only the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is set to be used, the strobe light emitting unit and the photographing lens 2 can be sufficiently separated, so that the red-eye phenomenon can be reduced.

  Next, the operation in the shooting mode when the “automatic” mode is selected in the strobe mode setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The description will be made on the assumption that the strobe light emission at the time of shooting is set to the automatic light emission mode or the forced light emission mode that always emits light depending on the brightness of the subject at the time of shooting.

  In the shooting mode when the “automatic” mode is set, the main body flash unit 6a and the monitor flash unit according to the state of the hinge unit 7a (first axis 7b, second axis 7c) and the distance to the subject. The light emission for 6b is controlled.

  First, the control unit 32 determines the rotation states of the first shaft 7b and the second shaft 7c based on the states of the first shaft detection switch 42 and the second shaft detection switch 44 (steps C1 and C3).

  When the rotation of the first shaft 7b is not detected by the first shaft detection switch 42, the control unit 32 assumes that the monitor strobe unit 7 is in the retracted state as shown in FIG. (Step C2).

  Further, since the monitor strobe unit 7 is in the housed state, the control unit 32 sets only the main body strobe drive unit 41a to be drivable and starts charging a capacitor (not shown) (step C7).

  On the other hand, when the rotation of the first shaft 7 b is detected by the first axis detection switch 42 and the rotation of the second shaft 7 c is not detected by the second axis detection switch 44, the control unit 32 monitors the monitor strobe unit 7. Is standing, and it is determined that the display surface of the display unit 17 faces in the same direction as the photographing lens 2. For example, the monitor strobe unit 7 is in a standing state when photographing itself. In this case, the control unit 32 controls the display unit 17 to display the monitor and also causes the VRAM controller 33 to display the mirror image obtained by vertically inverting the image displayed on the display unit 17 (step C4). ) (Upside down display mode).

  Further, the control unit 32 can drive only the main unit strobe driving unit 41a because the monitor strobe unit 7 is in the standing state but the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is directed to the opposite side to the photographing lens 2. And charging of a capacitor (not shown) is started (step C7).

  In addition, when the rotation of the first shaft 7b is detected by the first axis detection switch 42 and the rotation of the second shaft 7c is also detected by the second axis detection switch 44, the control unit 32 performs FIG. ), It is determined that the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b provided in the monitor strobe unit 7 faces the subject and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is in a usable state. The display unit 17 displays a vertically inverted image on the monitor. Therefore, the control unit 32 acquires data on the distance to the subject measured by the autofocus function (step C5).

  Here, when the distance to the subject is within a range of, for example, 1 to 2 m, the control unit 32 sets the main body strobe driving unit 41a to be in a drivable state and starts charging a capacitor (not shown). (Step C7). That is, since the distance to the subject is short, shooting is performed using only the main body flash unit 6a.

  If the distance to the subject is in the range of 2 to 6 m, for example, the control unit 32 sets the monitor strobe driving unit 41b to a driveable state and starts charging a capacitor (not shown) ( Step C8). In other words, since the distance to the subject becomes long and the strobe light may not be sufficient with only the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a, photographing is executed using only the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b having a larger amount of light than the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a. So that

  Further, when the distance to the subject is in a range exceeding 6 m, for example, the control unit 32 sets both the main body strobe driving unit 41a and the monitor strobe driving unit 41b to be in a driveable state, and a capacitor (not shown) The charging is started (step C9). That is, since the distance to the subject becomes long and the strobe light may not be sufficient with only the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b, shooting is performed using both the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b. To.

  When determining that the shutter key 9 has been operated (step C10, Yes), the control unit 32 immediately performs imaging. At this time, as described above, depending on the state of the first shaft 7b and the second shaft 7c of the hinge portion 7a and the distance to the subject, the main body light emitting unit 6a or the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b (one or both) Emits light.

  The control unit 32 compresses the image data for one frame obtained through the image pickup system (CCD 23, S / H circuit 26, A / D converter 27, etc.) by the JPEG circuit 36 to form a file. Later, it is recorded in the memory card 37 or the built-in memory 38 (step C11).

  In this way, in the shooting in the “automatic” mode, the two strobes of the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b are connected to the state of the hinge unit 7a (first axis 7b, second axis 7c) and the subject. Since it can be selectively used according to the distance, it is possible to perform effective strobe light emission according to the shooting situation without any special operation by the user. For example, as the distance to the subject increases, only the main body flash light emission unit 6a and only the monitor flash light emission unit 6b can be used properly.

  In the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b is provided on the surface opposite to the surface on which the display unit 17 of the monitor strobe unit 7 is provided, so that the photographing lens 2 (lens barrel), the grip position, etc. Regardless of the other configuration, the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b can be provided. In addition, since the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b can be mounted on the monitor strobe unit 7 using the entire one surface, it is possible to mount a large amount of light in accordance with the size of the monitor strobe unit 7.

  In the above description, the case where shooting is performed with the bounce effect using two strobes (the main unit strobe light emitting unit 6a and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b) is described, but the present invention can also be applied to other usage forms. it can. For example, by providing a mode in which two strobes can be used alternately, continuous shooting using the strobes continuously becomes possible. Further, in order to obtain a bounce effect, not only the monitor strobe light emitting portion 6b is directed upward by the first shaft 7b of the hinge portion 7a, but also the left and right directions are changed by the second shaft 7c. You can slightly change the way the flash is applied. In addition, when both the main unit flash unit 6a and the monitor strobe unit 6b are used, the strobe light irradiation timing can be shifted.

  In addition, although the rotation angle by the 1st axis | shaft 7b and the 2nd axis | shaft 7c of the hinge part 7a is made into the range of 0 to 180 degree | times, it is not limited to this range, Even if it can be rotated to the range exceeding 180 degree | times. good.

  In the above description, the monitor strobe unit 7 is provided with the display unit 17 on the front surface and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b on the back side. However, the display unit 17 and the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b are provided on the same surface. It is good also as a structure to provide.

  Further, the first shaft 7b of the hinge portion 7a is a horizontal rotating shaft and is configured to be able to rotate the monitor strobe portion 7 in the vertical direction, but may be provided as a vertical rotating shaft. In this case, the first shaft 7b of the hinge portion 7a is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the left end of the main body in FIG. Since the monitor strobe unit 7 can be rotated in the horizontal direction by the first shaft 7b, the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b or the display unit 17 is placed on the side of the main body by the first shaft 7b in the same direction as the photographing lens 2. Can be directed. Further, since the second shaft 7c is a rotation axis perpendicular to the first shaft 7b, the monitor strobe light emitting unit 6b or the display unit 17 can be rotated in the vertical direction, as shown in FIGS. The same effect as in the case of the configuration shown can be obtained.

  Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, at least one of the problems described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention can be solved, and described in the column of the effect of the invention. In a case where at least one of the obtained effects can be obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The figure shown about embodiment (mainly the structure of a back surface) at the time of applying this invention to a digital camera. The figure shown about embodiment (mainly front structure) at the time of applying this invention to a digital camera. The figure which shows the cross-section of the monitor strobe part 7 and the hinge part 7a in the accommodation state in the monitor strobe part 7 in this embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration of a digital camera 1 in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining strobe mode setting processing in the present embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the strobe selection menu displayed on the display part 17 in this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in a shooting mode (manual) in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in a shooting mode (automatic) in the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 2 ... Shooting lens, 3 ... Self-timer lamp, 4 ... Optical finder window, 5 ... Microphone part (MIC), 6a ... Main-body flash emission part, 6b ... Monitor flash emission part, 7 ... Monitor flash part, 7a ... Hinge part, 7b ... 1st axis, 7c ... 2nd axis, 8 ... Power key, 9 ... Shutter key, 10 ... Mode switch (SW), 11 ... Speaker part (SP), 12 ... Menu key, 13 ... Cross key, 15 ... optical viewfinder, 16 ... strobe charge lamp, 17 ... display unit, 21 ... motor (M), 22 ... lens optical system, 23 ... CCD, 24 ... timing generator (TG), 25 ... vertical driver, 26 ... Sample hold circuit (S / H), 27 ... A / D converter, 28 ... Color process circuit, 29 ... DMA controller, 30 ... DRAM interface I / F), 31 ... DRAM, 32 ... control unit, 33 ... VRAM controller, 34 ... VRAM, 35 ... digital video encoder, 36 ... JPEG circuit, 37 ... memory card, 38 ... built-in memory, 41a ... main unit strobe drive unit 41b, monitor strobe drive unit, 42, first axis detection switch, 44, second axis detection switch.

Claims (9)

First light emitting means for irradiating light provided on the main body;
An imaging means for capturing an image;
Display light emitting means provided with a display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means and a second light emitting means for emitting light;
A first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the display light emitting means being pivotally coupled to the main body by the first axis, and the display light emission by the second axis; An image pickup apparatus comprising: a hinge mechanism that enables the means to rotate.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of light emitted by the second light emitting unit is larger than an amount of light emitted by the first light emitting unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that irradiates light from at least one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit during imaging by the imaging unit. For each of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means, there is a setting means for setting whether to irradiate light,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit irradiates light from at least one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit according to the setting by the setting unit. First detection means for detecting the rotational position of the first shaft;
Second detecting means for detecting the rotational position of the second shaft,
The said control means irradiates light from at least one of the said 1st light emission means and the said 2nd light emission means according to the detection by the said 1st detection means and the said 2nd detection means. Imaging device. A distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject imaged by the imaging means;
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit irradiates light from at least one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit according to the distance measured by the distance measuring unit. First light emitting means for irradiating light provided on the main body;
An imaging means for capturing an image;
Display light emitting means provided with a display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means and a second light emitting means for emitting light;
A first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the display light emitting means being pivotally coupled to the main body by the first axis, and the display light emission by the second axis; A light emission control method for an imaging apparatus having a hinge mechanism that allows the means to rotate,
For each of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means, set whether to irradiate light,
A light emission control method characterized by irradiating light from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means in accordance with this setting. First light emitting means for irradiating light provided on the main body;
An imaging means for capturing an image;
Display light emitting means provided with a display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means and a second light emitting means for emitting light;

A first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the display light emitting means being pivotally coupled to the main body by the first axis, and the display light emission by the second axis; A light emission control method for an imaging apparatus having a hinge mechanism that allows the means to rotate,
Detecting the rotational position of the first axis and the rotational position of the second axis;
A light emission control method comprising irradiating light from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means according to the detected rotational position of the first axis and the detected rotational position of the second axis. . First light emitting means for irradiating light provided on the main body;
An imaging means for capturing an image;
Display light emitting means provided with a display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means and a second light emitting means for emitting light;
A first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the display light emitting means being pivotally coupled to the main body by the first axis, and the display light emission by the second axis; A light emission control method for an imaging apparatus having a hinge mechanism that allows the means to rotate,
Measure the distance to the subject imaged by the imaging means,
A light emission control method characterized by irradiating light from at least one of the first light emitting means and the second light emitting means according to the measured distance.

Images