JP2006047748A - Optical apparatus having camera shake correction function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical apparatus having a camera shake correction function capable of saving energy by altering a switch for changing a correction angle limit mode or detecting a drop of a battery voltage due to battery consumption and setting a camera shake correction range to a value not greater than a predetermined value. <P>SOLUTION: The optical apparatus has the camera shake correction function including: a correction optical means for optically correcting the camera shake; a camera shake control means for detecting a camera shake and positionally controlling the correction optical means on the basis of the detection signal; and a camera shake correction amount limiting means for limiting a camera shake correction amount to a predetermined amount. In the optical apparatus, the camera shake correction range is limited so as to inhibit the camera shake correction exceeding a predetermined amount at the correction angle of the correction optical means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera shake correction function that optically corrects camera shake that occurs when an optical apparatus (such as binoculars) is used.

  Conventionally, as binoculars for optically correcting camera shake, as proposed in Japanese Patent No. 3197995, camera shake correction is performed by detecting the amount of camera shake from a gyro signal and driving a variable apex angle prism (hereinafter referred to as VAP). Yes. This configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The VAP 701 is composed of a glass plate facing each other (not shown) and a liquid having a uniform refractive index loaded inside a film formed on the outer periphery of the glass plate. The driving of the VAP in the pitch direction is driven by the magnetic circuit 705 by the VAP driving circuit 703 controlled by the control circuit 702, and the magnetic plate 706 fixed to the support plate 711 coupled to the transparent plate 709a of the VAP is moved to be transparent. The plate 709a is tilted. Here, the magnetic plate 706 is supported by a rotating shaft 710a protruding from the transparent plate 709a. The tilting amount of the transparent plate 709a is detected by a detection unit that detects the position of the spot light of the light emitting element 707 on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 708, and the output signal is transmitted to the control circuit via the position detection circuit 704. 702 is input. The control circuit 702 drives the VAP by controlling the VAP drive circuit 703 so that the difference between a control signal from a microcomputer (not shown) and the VAP position detection signal becomes zero.

  As for the axis in the yaw direction, the transparent plate 709b can be tilted in a direction perpendicular to the tilt direction of the transparent plate 709a in the same manner as described above. Reference numeral 710b denotes a rotating shaft provided on the transparent plate 709b.

Here, as a method for driving VAP, VAP driving circuit 703 applies magnetic circuit 705 to A = B = Vref (where Vref is a reference voltage).
When the voltage is applied so as to become VAP, the optical axis center position is held as VAP,
A> Vref, B <Vref
When a voltage is applied so that VAP becomes VAP in the + direction from the center of the optical axis,
A <Vref, B> Vref
When a voltage is applied so that VAP becomes VAP, it tends to a negative direction from the center of the optical axis as VAP.

By applying a voltage in this way and changing the apex angle of the VAP two-dimensionally, it is possible to correct the camera shake by deflecting the optical axis in a direction to suppress the camera shake.
Japanese Patent No. 3197995

  However, in the above operation method, a voltage is applied from the VAP driving circuit 703 to the magnetic circuit 705 in order to drive the VAP. However, as the angle increases in each ± direction with respect to the optical center, the voltage from the VAP driving circuit increases. The applied voltage increases. That is, as the correction angle is increased, the applied voltage increases and the total power consumption increases.

  In the present invention, a correction optical unit that optically corrects camera shake, a camera shake control unit that detects a camera shake state and controls the position of the correction optical unit based on the detection signal, and a camera shake that limits a camera shake correction amount to a predetermined amount. In an optical apparatus having a camera shake correction function including a correction amount limiting unit, a shake correction range is limited so that a shake exceeding a predetermined amount cannot be corrected by a correction angle of the correction optical unit.

  And it has the switching means which switches to the mode which restricts the amount of camera shake correction, and when the correction angle restriction mode is selected by the switching means, the shake correction range is limited to a predetermined amount.

  The power supply voltage check means for monitoring the power supply voltage is provided, and the shake correction range is limited to a predetermined amount when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value.

  According to the binoculars having the above-described camera shake correction function, the correction range of the camera shake correction is set to a predetermined value or less by detecting a change in the correction angle limit mode switching switch or a battery voltage drop due to battery consumption. As a result, energy saving can be realized.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes an entire binocular, which has camera shake detection means and correction means inside to reduce camera shake during observation. 102a is a gyro that detects the yaw direction of binoculars and 102b is the pitch direction of the binoculars. The gyro outputs an angular velocity signal with respect to the shake.

  Reference numerals 103a and 103b denote filters, which cut out only the frequency band (about 0.5 to 30 Hz) generated by camera shake from the frequency components of the output signal from the gyro 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a microcomputer that calculates the amount of camera shake correction. The camera shake detection signal output through the filter 103 is captured by an A / D converter (not shown) inside the microcomputer. Here, processing in the microcomputer 104 is shown below.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes an integral calculation unit, which converts each input speed signal into an integral displacement signal to convert it into displacement signals. Reference numeral 106 denotes a panning processing unit. The panning state is determined from the angular velocity signal and the angular displacement signal from the integration calculation unit. When the panning state is determined, the filter characteristic of the integration processing unit 105 is shifted to the high frequency side. The frequency band of the signal in the panning state is a low frequency, and if the normal filter characteristics are maintained, the swinging back of the panning becomes large and the feeling of strangeness is felt. Therefore, by cutting the frequency band of panning itself, the uncomfortable feeling of panning is reduced. A control signal generation unit 107 detects a camera shake signal (angular displacement signal) that has passed through a filter, and determines camera shake correction amounts in the pitch direction and the yaw direction according to the state at that time.

  A correction angle limiting unit 108 applies a limiter to the generated control signal with a predetermined amount of threshold. The finally generated camera shake correction control signal is output via a D / A converter (not shown) inside the microcomputer. 109a is a VAP that performs shake correction for the left eye and 109b. The VAP is composed of a glass plate facing each other (not shown) and a light refractive index transparent liquid loaded inside a film formed like a bellows on the outer periphery thereof. The VAP is sandwiched between holding frames having a pitch axis and a yaw axis, and can rotate around either axis. When the VAP is tilted in any direction, the apex angle is changed. With respect to this VAP, the apex angle changes depending on the driving torque from the actuator. Further, since the left-eye VAP 109a and the right-eye VAP 109b are interlocked, they operate in conjunction with the binocular VAP pitch direction with the driving torque in the pitch direction and with the yaw direction of the binocular VAP with the driving torque in the yaw direction. 110a is a position detecting means for detecting the movement in the pitch direction, and 110b is a position detecting means for detecting the movement in the yaw direction. 111a compares the position signal from the pitch direction position detection means 110a with the pitch direction correction signal from the microcomputer 104, and 111b compares the position signal from the yaw direction position detection means 110b with the yaw direction correction signal from the microcomputer 104. It is a correction comparator and is composed of an operational amplifier.

  112a is a driving means for driving the VAP 109 in response to a signal from the pitch direction correction comparator 111a, and 112b is a driving circuit and an electromagnetic coil which is an actuator. Reference numeral 113 denotes a camera shake correction switch which starts a camera shake correction operation when turned on. Reference numeral 114 denotes a correction angle limit mode switch, which detects the presence or absence of an eyepiece protection cap (not shown). A battery 115 supplies power as a power source for the binoculars. Reference numeral 116 denotes a power supply circuit that boosts and stabilizes the voltage of the battery 115 to a working voltage and supplies power to the gyro 102, the microcomputer 104, and the image stabilization control system 117.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 2, a state of shifting to the correction angle limit mode by the mode change switch will be described.

First, the state of the correction angle limit mode switch 114 is determined. (S202)
If it is determined that the correction angle restriction mode is set, the output angle control signal is limited by the correction angle restriction unit 108 in the microcomputer 104. Here, the limit value is a limit of 50% with respect to the maximum correction angle. (S203)
Next, the panning processing unit 106 sets the panning determination coefficient to the correction angle limit mode setting value. Here, the panning determination coefficient is a panning determination threshold value and a change filter coefficient at the time of panning. (S204)
If the normal camera shake correction mode is determined, the correction angle limiter 108 in the microcomputer 104 outputs the output control signal as it is without limiting the output control signal. That is, the output is performed at 100% with respect to the maximum correction angle. (S205)
Next, the panning processing unit 106 sets the panning determination coefficient to the normal camera shake correction mode setting value. (S206)
When each setting is completed, the image stabilization operation is started. (S207)
Next, the operation state of the correction angle limiting mode will be described using the signal waveform of FIG.

A is a camera shake signal (angular velocity signal) obtained by integrating a signal from the gyro 102 with a microcomputer. On the other hand, B is a position signal from the position detecting means when the VAP is driven. Normally, the camera shake signal is driven so as to cancel out, so that the position signal is inverted in phase and the camera shake correction operation is performed. (301)
Here, when the correction angle restriction mode is selected, a drive signal is generated and a correction operation is performed by providing a limit at a position 303 that is 50% of the maximum correction angle in the position signal for the camera shake signal. (302) At this time, the portion where the amount of camera shake is large is insufficiently corrected, but the power for driving the VAP can be reduced by driving up to 50% at the maximum, and the total consumption The current can be reduced.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes an entire binocular, which has camera shake detection means and correction means inside to reduce camera shake during observation.

  402a is a gyro that detects the fluctuation of the binoculars in the yaw direction, and 402b is a gyro that detects the fluctuation of the binoculars in the pitch direction. The gyro outputs an angular velocity signal with respect to the shake.

  Reference numerals 403a and 403b denote filters, which cut out only the frequency band (about 0.5 to 30 Hz) generated by camera shake from the frequency components of the output signal from the gyro 402.

  Reference numeral 404 denotes a microcomputer that calculates the amount of camera shake correction. The camera shake detection signal output through the filter 403 is captured by an A / D converter (not shown) inside the microcomputer.

  Here, the processing inside the microcomputer 404 is shown below.

  Reference numeral 405 denotes an integral calculation unit, which converts each input speed signal into an integral displacement signal to convert it into displacement signals.

  Reference numeral 406 denotes a panning processing unit. The panning state is determined from the angular velocity signal and the angular displacement signal from the integration calculation unit, and when the panning state is determined, the filter characteristic of the integration processing unit 405 is shifted to the high frequency side. The frequency band of the signal in the panning state is a low frequency, and if the normal filter characteristics are maintained, the swinging back of the panning becomes large and the feeling of strangeness is felt. Therefore, by cutting the frequency band of panning itself, the uncomfortable feeling of panning is reduced.

  Reference numeral 407 denotes a control signal generation unit that detects a camera shake signal (angular displacement signal) that has passed through a filter and determines camera shake correction amounts in the pitch direction and the yaw direction according to the state at that time.

  Reference numeral 408 denotes a correction angle limiting unit that applies a limiter to the generated control signal with a predetermined amount of threshold. The finally generated camera shake correction control signal is output via a D / A converter (not shown) inside the microcomputer.

  Reference numeral 409a denotes a left eye, and reference numeral 409b denotes a right eye that corrects shake of the right eye. The VAP is composed of a glass plate facing each other (not shown) and a light refractive index transparent liquid loaded inside a film formed like a bellows on the outer periphery thereof. The VAP is sandwiched between holding frames having a pitch axis and a yaw axis, and can rotate around either axis. When the VAP is tilted in any direction, the apex angle is changed. With respect to this VAP, the apex angle changes depending on the driving torque from the actuator. Also, since the left-eye VAP 409a and the right-eye VAP 409b are interlocked, they operate in conjunction with the binocular VAP pitch direction with the driving torque in the pitch direction and with the yaw direction of the binocular VAP with the driving torque in the yaw direction.

  410a is a position detecting means for detecting the movement in the pitch direction, and 410b is a position detecting means for detecting the movement in the yaw direction.

  411a compares the position signal from the pitch direction position detection means 410a with the pitch direction correction signal from the microcomputer 404, and 411b compares the position signal from the yaw direction position detection means 410b with the yaw direction correction signal from the microcomputer 404. It is a correction comparator and is composed of an operational amplifier.

  Reference numeral 412a denotes a pitch direction correction comparator 411a, and reference numeral 412b denotes a drive means for driving the VAP 409 in response to a signal from the yaw direction correction comparator 411b, and includes a drive circuit and an electromagnetic coil as an actuator.

  Reference numeral 413 denotes a camera shake correction switch, which is turned on to start a camera shake correction operation.

  A battery 414 supplies power as a power source for the binoculars.

  A power supply circuit 415 boosts and stabilizes the voltage of the battery 415 to a working voltage, and supplies power to the gyro 402, the microcomputer 404, and the image stabilization control system 417.

  Reference numeral 416 denotes voltage check means, which takes in the battery voltage by an A / D converter (not shown) inside the microcomputer 404 and monitors the voltage.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the battery characteristic diagram of FIG.

First, the battery voltage check means 416 determines the voltage value of the battery used. (S502)
Here, the discharge characteristic of the battery (for example, an alkaline battery) shows a characteristic of 601. From 601, the voltage drops gradually with the passage of time from the initial voltage of 1.5 V, and suddenly drops around 1.0 V. Therefore, in consideration of the minimum operation guarantee voltage of the control unit, the point A is set as the threshold value for battery operation, and the operation is turned on before that, and the operation is forcibly turned off when it becomes lower than that.

  If it is determined that the battery voltage is 1.0 V or less, the microcomputer 404 stops the operation by forcibly turning off the power. (S503) When the battery is determined to be 1.0 V or higher, that is, a sufficient operating voltage can be secured, the process proceeds to the next routine.

Further, the battery voltage is determined. (S504)
Based on the characteristics of 601, the voltage is determined using the point B as a threshold value, and if it is higher than that, a normal camera shake correction operation is performed, and if it is less than that, a camera shake correction operation with a limited correction angle is performed.

If it is determined that the battery voltage is 1.2 V or less, the correction angle limiter 408 in the microcomputer 404 limits the output control signal. Here, the limit value is a limit of 50% with respect to the maximum correction angle. (S505)
Next, the panning processing unit 406 sets the panning determination coefficient to the correction angle limit mode setting value. Here, the panning determination coefficient is a panning determination threshold value and a change filter coefficient at the time of panning. (S506)
If it is determined that the battery voltage is 1.2 V or higher, the correction angle limiter 408 in the microcomputer 404 outputs the output control signal as it is without limiting the output control signal. That is, the output is performed at 100% with respect to the maximum correction angle. (S507)
Next, the panning processing unit 406 sets the panning determination coefficient to the normal camera shake correction mode setting value. (S508)
When each setting is completed, the image stabilization operation is started. (S509)
The determination was made at point B in FIG. 6, and after that, by shifting to the correction angle limit mode, the continuous operation time was up to point A (battery discharge characteristics 601: solid line characteristics) in normal operation. However, it is possible to extend to point C (battery discharge characteristics 602: broken line characteristics) by performing the above operation.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure of operation | movement of a 1st Example. It is a figure of the signal waveform of each part of the 1st example. It is a figure which shows the structure of a 2nd Example. It is a flowchart figure of a 2nd Example. It is a figure for demonstrating FIG. It is a figure which shows a prior art example.

Claims (3)

Correction optical means for optically correcting camera shake, camera shake control means for detecting the state of camera shake and controlling the position of the correction optical means based on the detection signal, and camera shake correction amount restriction for limiting the camera shake correction amount to a predetermined amount In an optical instrument having means,
An optical apparatus having a shake correction function, wherein a shake correction range is limited so that a shake exceeding a predetermined amount cannot be corrected by a correction angle of the correction optical means. Switching means for switching to a mode for limiting the amount of camera shake correction;
2. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shake correction function that restricts a shake correction range to a predetermined amount when the correction angle restriction mode is selected by the switching unit. Power supply voltage check means for monitoring the power supply voltage,
2. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shake correction function that limits a shake correction range to a predetermined amount when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less.

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