JP2007178453A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus designed to set a zoom magnification suitable for each photographing scene. <P>SOLUTION: In S3, a zoom control section 20b checks a photographic mode set by a mode setting section 20a. Then, the a zoom position corresponding to the checked photographic mode is read from an EEPROM 146. In S4, the zoom control section 20b drives a zoom motor 110 via a motor driver 62 so that a zoom lens 101a is moved to the zoom position read from the EEPROM 146. As a result, if an icon 123-2 (animation mode) 123-3 (night view mode), 123-5 (scenery mode) or 123-6 (person mode) has been on an aligning mark 97 for example, the zoom lens 101a is moved to the W end. If an icon 123-4 (sport mode) is on the aligning mark 97, the zoom lens 101a is moved to the T end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a zoom function.

  Conventionally, various techniques for moving the zoom lens to a convenient position when the power is turned on have been developed. For example, according to Patent Document 1, a startup zoom position setting screen is displayed on a monitor. For example, the W end is selected from a plurality of focal lengths, and is stored as the zoom position when starting the zoom lens. When the main switch is turned on, the W end is read as the startup zoom position, and the zoom lens is driven to the W end which is the startup zoom position. Further, for example, according to Patent Document 2, control is performed so that the absolute position of the zoom lens stored before power-off is the absolute position after power-on.

Conventionally, there is an imaging apparatus that can shoot by selecting a shooting mode according to a shooting situation of a subject. For example, according to Patent Document 3, this shooting mode is for setting, for example, a shutter speed, an aperture value, presence / absence of strobe light emission suitable for a shooting scene, and a landscape mode suitable for shooting a landscape. There are various shooting modes according to the shooting scene, such as a sports mode suitable for shooting a sports scene.
JP 2001-208953 A JP 2005-292650 A JP 2004-120225 A

  Assuming that the technique of Patent Document 1 or 2 is applied to the imaging apparatus of Patent Document 3, the zoom lens is uniformly driven to the zoom position at the start-up even when various shooting modes are selected. However, the startup zoom position set in advance is not necessarily suitable for the shooting scene assumed in the shooting mode actually set.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to set a zoom magnification suitable for a shooting scene.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that records a subject image formed by a photographing lens including a focus lens and a zoom lens, and a mode setting unit that sets a photographing mode when photographing the subject. An image pickup apparatus including a zoom driving unit that drives a zoom lens to move between a wide-angle side and a telephoto side, and a zoom control unit that controls driving of the zoom driving unit, and can be set in a mode setting unit A zoom position storage unit that stores a mode zoom position previously associated with the zoom control unit, and the zoom control unit reads a mode zoom position previously associated with a desired shooting mode set in the mode setting unit from the zoom position storage unit. The zoom driving unit is controlled so that the zoom lens moves to the read mode zoom position.

  According to the present invention, the zoom lens immediately moves to a zoom position suitable for an arbitrarily set shooting mode, and shooting can be started immediately at a zoom magnification suitable for the shooting scene.

  The zoom position storage unit stores an initial zoom position of the zoom lens unrelated to the shooting mode, and further includes a zoom position selection unit that accepts selection operation of either the initial zoom position or the mode zoom position. The zoom control unit When the position selection unit selects the initial zoom position, the initial zoom position is read from the zoom position storage unit, and when the zoom position selection unit selects the mode zoom position, the desired shooting mode set in the mode setting unit is supported in advance. The attached mode zoom position may be read from the zoom position storage unit, and the zoom drive unit may be controlled so that the zoom lens moves to the read initial zoom position or mode zoom position.

  That is, if the initial zoom position is selected, this is prioritized and the mode zoom position is not used.

  As an example, the zoom position storage unit has a telephoto end point position for sport mode, and a wide-angle end position for portrait mode, landscape mode, night view mode, movie mode, sunset mode, cooking mode or birthday mode. Store it in association.

  Further, as an example, the zoom drive unit is configured by various drive means such as a motor or an actuator.

  An imaging method according to the present invention drives a recording unit that records a subject image formed by a photographing lens including a focus lens and a zoom lens, a mode setting unit that sets a photographing mode when photographing a subject, and a zoom lens. An imaging method used in an imaging apparatus including a zoom drive unit that moves between a wide-angle side and a telephoto side, and a zoom control unit that controls the drive of the zoom drive unit, and corresponds in advance to the shooting modes that can be set in the mode setting unit Storing the assigned mode zoom position in the storage medium, and reading out the mode zoom position previously associated with the desired shooting mode set in the mode setting unit from the storage medium, and zooming to the read mode zoom position Controlling the zoom drive so that the lens moves.

  According to the present invention, the zoom lens immediately moves to a zoom position suitable for an arbitrarily set shooting mode, and shooting can be started immediately at a zoom magnification suitable for the shooting scene.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera (hereinafter abbreviated as a camera) 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  A lens barrel 60 provided in front of the camera 100 includes a photographic lens 101 including a zoom lens 101a and a focus lens 101b, and the focal length is adjusted by moving the zoom lens 101a in the optical axis direction. In addition, focus adjustment is performed by moving the focus lens 101b in the optical axis direction.

  The lens barrel 60 is advanced from the camera body 180 by moving forward and backward between the wide end, which is the shortest focal length position, and the tele end, which is the longest focal length position, from the state where the lens barrel 60 is retracted. Also stored. In this figure, a state in which the lens barrel 60 is retracted into the camera body 180 is shown.

  Further, the camera 100 creates a state in which the photographing lens 101 is protected by covering the front surface of the photographing lens 101 and blocking the photographing lens 101 and the outside when not photographing, and a lens cover 61 that exposes the photographing lens to the outside when photographing. Is provided.

  The lens cover 61 is configured by a mechanism that can be freely opened and closed. The lens cover 61 covers the front surface of the photographing lens 101 in an open state, and exposes the front surface of the photographing lens 101 to the outside in a closed state. The lens cover 61 is opened / closed in conjunction with the power switch 121 being turned on / off. In this figure, the lens cover 61 is open.

  On the upper surface of the camera 100, a mode dial 123 and a power switch 121 provided with a release switch 104 at the center are provided, and a strobe 105a, an AF auxiliary light lamp 105b, a self-timer lamp 105c, and the like are provided on the front. Has been deployed.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera 100. A zoom switch 127 is provided on the back of the camera 100. When the wide (W) side of the zoom switch 127 is pressed, the lens barrel 60 is extended to the wide end (telephoto) side while being pressed, and when the other side of the tele (T) side is pressed, the lens barrel 60 is being pressed. The lens barrel 60 moves to the tele end (wide angle) side.

  On the back of the camera 100, an image display LCD 102, a switching lever 122, a cross key 124, an information position designation key 126, and the like are also provided. The cross key 124 is an operation system for setting display brightness adjustment / self-timer / macro shooting / strobe shooting on the top, bottom, left, and right, respectively. As will be described later, by pressing the lower key of the cross key 124, the main CPU 20 can set the self-photographing mode in which the CCD 132 performs the shutter operation after the time measurement of the self-timer circuit 83 is completed.

  The switch lever 122 is a switch that freely switches between image shooting and playback. The switch lever 122 is switched to the “shoot” side when shooting, and the switch lever 122 is set to the “play” side when playing back. Can be switched.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the mode dial 123 as seen from above. The mode dial 123 is configured by a rotatable dial switch. On the mode dial 123, an icon, which is a mark that can intuitively recognize a shooting scene, is printed. The mode dial 123 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the photographer rotates the mode dial 123 so that the icon close to the shooting scene to be shot is positioned at the position of the alignment mark 97, thereby Can be selected. However, an arbitrary shooting mode may be selected from the shooting mode setting menu generated by the OSD signal generation circuit 148a.

  The types of shooting modes include, for example, a still image shooting mode for shooting a still image and a moving image shooting mode for shooting a moving image. Further, the still image shooting mode includes shooting such as shutter speed and aperture value. Auto mode for automatically setting conditions, manual mode for manually setting the shooting conditions, portrait shooting, landscape shooting, sports shooting, night view shooting, sunset shooting, cooking shooting, etc. There are various shooting modes (portrait mode, landscape mode, sports mode, night view mode, sunset mode, cooking mode) that are automatically set as shooting conditions.

  In this figure, the icon 123-1 corresponds to a manual mode in which the shutter speed and aperture value can be freely set. The icon 123-2 corresponds to a moving image mode for shooting a moving image. The icon 123-3 corresponds to a night view mode suitable for photographing a night view. The icon 123-4 corresponds to a sports mode suitable for shooting a fast-moving subject such as a sports scene. The icon 123-5 corresponds to a landscape mode suitable for photographing a landscape. The icon 123-6 corresponds to a person mode suitable for photographing a person. The icon 123-7 corresponds to an auto mode capable of shooting suitable for various shooting scenes. The icon 123-8 corresponds to a program auto mode in which various settings other than the shutter speed / aperture can be set. The icon 123-9 corresponds to an aperture priority auto mode in which an aperture value can be set. The icon 123-10 corresponds to a shutter priority auto mode in which the shutter speed can be set.

  The night view mode is used when shooting is performed in a dark place such as a night view and the strobe 105a is not emitted. In the night view mode, the shutter speed of the CCD 132 is in an exposure state longer than 1/60 seconds, for example (long shutter mode). Although details are omitted, shooting conditions suitable for each shooting scene are set also in other shooting modes.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the camera 100. The camera 100 is provided with an operation unit 120 for performing various operations when the user uses the camera 100. The operation unit 120 includes a power switch 121 for turning on the power for operating the camera 100, a switching lever 122 for freely switching between shooting and playback, a mode dial 123 for selecting auto shooting, manual shooting, and the like. A cross key 124 for setting, selecting or zooming the menu, a flash emission switch 125, and an information position specifying key 126 for executing or canceling the menu selected by the cross key 124 are provided. .

  In addition, the camera 100 is provided with an image display LCD 102 for displaying captured images, reproduced images, and the like, and an operation LCD display 103 for assisting operations.

  The camera 100 is provided with a release switch 104. The release switch 104 transmits a shooting start instruction to the main CPU 20. In this camera 100, the switching lever 122 can be switched between shooting and playback. When shooting, the switching lever 122 is switched to the shooting side, and when playback is performed, the switching lever 122 is switched to the playback side. . The camera 100 is provided with a flash light emitting device having a flash light emitting tube 105a that emits flash light.

  In addition, the camera 100 includes a photographing lens 101, a diaphragm 131, and a CCD sensor 132 (hereinafter referred to as an image sensor) that converts a subject image formed through the photographing lens 101 and the diaphragm 131 into an analog image signal. Abbreviated as CCD 132). The CCD 132 generates an image signal by accumulating charges generated by subject light irradiated on the CCD 132 for a variable charge accumulation time (exposure period) in response to the switching lever 122 being switched to the photographing side. It is. The CCD 132 sequentially outputs image signals for each frame at a timing synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal VD output from the CG unit 136.

  When the CCD 132 is used as the image sensor, an optical low-pass filter 132a that removes unnecessary high-frequency components in the incident light is disposed in order to prevent the generation of color false signals and moire fringes. In addition, an infrared cut filter 132b that absorbs or reflects infrared light in incident light and corrects a sensitivity characteristic unique to the CCD sensor 132 having high sensitivity in a long wavelength region is provided. The specific arrangement of the optical low-pass filter 132a and the infrared cut filter 132b is not particularly limited.

  The camera 100 also adjusts the white balance of the subject image represented by the analog image signal from the CCD sensor 132, adjusts the slope (γ) of the straight line in the gradation characteristics of the subject image, and further amplifies the analog image signal. A white balance / γ processing unit 133 including an amplifier with a variable gain is provided.

  Further, the camera 100 includes an A / D unit 134 for A / D converting an analog signal from the white balance / γ processing unit 133 into digital R, G, B image data, and an R / R from the A / D unit 134. , G, B image data is stored.

  The R, G, B image data obtained by the A / D unit 134 is also input to the AF detection unit 150. The AF detection unit 150 averages the R, G, B image data for each predetermined divided area of the screen and for each same color component, and further integrates the R, G, B image data of all areas for each frame. Average values Ir, Ig, and Ib are calculated. The integrated average values Ir, Ig, and Ib are used as the amounts of R, G, and B visible light received.

  However, the R, G, and B visible light receiving amounts Ir, Ig, and Ib can be detected by a light receiving sensor (not shown) other than the CCD 132 that has sensitivity to the R, G, and B visible lights, respectively. is there.

  Further, the camera 100 includes a CG (clock generator) unit 136, a photometry / ranging CPU 137, a charge / light emission control unit 138, a communication control unit 139, a YC processing unit 140, and a power supply battery 68. It has been.

  The CG unit 136 includes a vertical synchronization signal VD for driving the CCD sensor 132, a drive signal including a high-speed sweep pulse P, a control signal for controlling the white balance / γ processing unit 133, the A / D unit 134, and a communication control unit. A control signal for controlling 139 is output. Further, a control signal from the photometry / ranging CPU 137 is input to the CG unit 136.

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 measures the distance by controlling the zoom motor 110, the focus motor 111, and the aperture motor 112 for adjusting the aperture to drive the zoom lens 101a, the focus lens 101b, and the aperture 131, respectively. The CG unit 136 and the charge / light emission control unit 138 are controlled. Driving of the zoom motor 110, the focus motor 111, and the aperture motor 112 is controlled by the motor driver 62, and a control command for the motor driver 62 is sent from the photometry / ranging CPU 137 or the main CPU 20.

  The driving source of the zoom lens 101a, the focus lens 101b, and the diaphragm 131 is not necessarily limited to various motors such as the zoom motor 110, the focus motor 111, and the diaphragm motor 112, and may be an actuator or the like. .

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 determines the brightness of the subject based on the image data periodically (every 1/30 seconds to 1/60 seconds) obtained by the CCD 132 when the release switch 104 is half-pressed (S1 is turned on). Photometry (calculation of EV value).

  That is, the AE calculation unit 151 integrates the R, G, and B image signals output from the A / D conversion unit 134 and provides the integrated values to the photometry / ranging CPU 137. The photometry / ranging CPU 137 detects the average brightness (subject brightness) of the subject based on the integrated value input from the AE calculation unit 151, and calculates an exposure value (EV value) suitable for photographing.

  Then, the photometry / ranging CPU 137 determines the exposure value including the aperture value (F value) of the aperture 131 and the electronic shutter (shutter speed) of the CCD 132 based on the obtained EV value according to a predetermined program diagram. (AE operation).

  When the release switch 104 is fully pressed (S2 is turned on), the photometry / ranging CPU 137 drives the aperture 131 based on the determined aperture value, controls the aperture diameter of the aperture 131, and determines the determined shutter speed. Based on the above, the charge accumulation time in the CCD 132 is controlled via the CG 136.

  The AE operation includes an aperture priority AE, a shutter speed priority AE, a program AE, etc. In any case, the subject brightness is measured, and an exposure value determined based on the photometric value of the subject brightness, that is, an aperture value and a shutter. By taking a picture in combination with the speed, control is performed so that an image is taken with an appropriate exposure amount, and it is possible to save troublesome determination of exposure.

  The AF detection unit 150 extracts image data corresponding to the detection range selected by the photometry / ranging CPU 137 from the A / D conversion unit 134. The method of detecting the focal position is performed using the feature that the high frequency component of the image data has the maximum amplitude at the in-focus position. The AF detection unit 150 calculates an amplitude value by integrating the high-frequency component of the extracted image data for one field period. The AF detector 150 is configured such that the photometry / ranging CPU 137 drives and controls the focus motor 111 to move the focus lens 101a within the movable range, that is, between the end point (INF point) on the infinity side and the end point (NEAR point) on the near side. When the maximum amplitude is detected, the detection value is transmitted to the photometry / ranging CPU 137 when the maximum amplitude is detected.

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 obtains this detection value and issues a command to the focus motor 111 to move the focus lens 101b to the corresponding in-focus position. The focus motor 111 moves the focus lens 101b to the in-focus position in accordance with a command from the photometry / ranging CPU 137 (AF operation).

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 is connected to the release switch 104 through inter-CPU communication with the main CPU 20, and the in-focus position is detected when the release switch 104 is half-pressed by the user. Further, a zoom motor 111 is connected to the photometry / ranging CPU 137, and when the main CPU 20 obtains a zoom command in the TELE direction or WIDE direction from the user by the zoom switch 127, the zoom motor 111 is used. By driving the motor 110, the zoom lens 101a is moved between the WIDE end and the TELE end.

  The charge / light emission control unit 138 is supplied with power from the power supply battery 68 to emit light from the flash light emission tube 105a, charges a flash light emission capacitor (not shown), and controls light emission from the flash light emission tube 105a. .

  The charging / light emission control unit 138 sends various signals such as charging start of the power supply battery 68, a half-press / full-press operation signal of the release switch 104, and signals indicating the light emission amount and the light emission timing to the main CPU 20 and the photometry / ranging CPU 137. Is supplied to the self-timer lamp 105c and the AF auxiliary light lamp 105b, and control is performed so that a desired light emission amount is obtained at a desired timing.

  Note that the self-timer lamp 105c may be constituted by an LED, or may be made common with the LED constituting the AF auxiliary light lamp 105b.

  A self-timer circuit 83 is connected to the main CPU 20. When the self-photographing mode is set, the main CPU 20 measures time based on the full-press signal of the release switch 104. During this timing, the main CPU 20 causes the self-timer lamp 105c to blink while gradually increasing the blinking speed in accordance with the remaining time via the photometry / ranging CPU 137. The self-timer circuit 83 inputs a timing completion signal to the main CPU 20 after timing is completed. The main CPU 20 causes the CCD 132 to perform a shutter operation based on the timing completion signal.

  The communication control unit 139 includes a communication port 107. The communication control unit 139 outputs an image signal of a subject photographed by the camera 100 to an external device such as a personal computer equipped with a USB terminal. In addition, by inputting an image signal from such an external device to the camera 100, data communication with the external device is performed. The camera 100 has a function that simulates a function of switching to ISO sensitivity 100, 200, 400, 1600, etc. of a normal camera that takes a photograph in a roll-shaped photographic film, and can be switched to ISO sensitivity 400 or more. In this case, a high sensitivity mode is set in which the amplification factor of the amplifier of the white balance / γ processing unit 133 is set to a high amplification factor exceeding a predetermined amplification factor. The communication control unit 139 stops communication with the external device during shooting in the high sensitivity mode.

  The camera 100 also includes a compression / decompression & ID extraction unit 143 and an I / F unit 144. The compression / decompression & ID extraction unit 143 reads and compresses the image data stored in the buffer memory 135 via the bus line 142 and stores the image data in the memory card 200 via the I / F unit 144. In addition, the compression / decompression & ID extraction unit 143 extracts an identification number (ID) unique to the memory card 200 and reads the image data stored in the memory card 200 when reading the image data stored in the memory card 200. Are decompressed and stored in the buffer memory 135.

  The camera 100 also includes a main CPU 20, an EEPROM 146, a YC / RGB conversion unit 147, and a display driver 148. The main CPU 20 controls the entire camera 100. The EEPROM 146 stores solid data and programs unique to the camera 100. The YC / RGB conversion unit 147 converts the color video signal YC generated by the YC processing unit 140 into RGB signals of three colors, and outputs them to the image display LCD 102 via the display driver 148.

  In addition, the camera 100 has a configuration in which an AC adapter 48 for obtaining power from an AC power supply and a power supply battery 68 are detachable. The power supply battery 68 is composed of a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or a lithium ion battery. The power supply battery 68 may be a single-use primary battery such as a lithium battery or an alkaline battery. The power supply battery 68 is electrically connected to each circuit of the camera 100 by being loaded into a battery storage chamber (not shown).

  When the AC adapter 48 is loaded in the camera 100 and power is supplied from the AC power source to the camera 100 via the AC adapter 48, the power supply battery 68 is preferential even if it is loaded in the battery storage chamber. The power output from the AC adapter 48 is supplied to each part of the camera 100 as driving power. If the AC adapter 48 is not loaded and the power battery 68 is loaded in the battery storage chamber, the power output from the power battery 68 is supplied to each part of the camera 100 as driving power. Is done.

  Although not shown, the camera 100 is provided with a backup battery separately from the power supply battery 68 housed in the battery housing chamber. For example, a dedicated secondary battery is used as the built-in backup battery and is charged by the power supply battery 68. The backup battery supplies power to the basic functions of the camera 100 when the power battery 68 is not loaded in the battery storage chamber, such as when the power battery 68 is replaced or removed.

  That is, when the power supply from the power supply battery 68 or the AC adapter 48 is stopped, the backup battery is connected to the RTC 15 or the like by a switching circuit (not shown) and supplies power to these circuits. As a result, as long as the backup battery 29 does not reach the end of its life, power supply continues to the basic functions such as the RTC 15 without interruption.

  An RTC (Real Time Clock) 15 is a chip dedicated to timekeeping, and continuously operates by receiving power supply from the backup battery even when power supply from the power supply battery 68 or the AC adapter 48 is turned off.

  The image display LCD 102 is provided with a backlight 70 that illuminates the transmissive or transflective liquid crystal panel 71 from the back side. In the power saving mode, the main CPU 20 determines the brightness of the backlight 70 ( Brightness) is controlled through the backlight driver 72, and the power consumption of the backlight 70 is reduced. In the power saving mode, the information position designation key 126 of the operation unit 120 is pressed to display a menu screen on the image display LCD 102, and a predetermined operation can be performed on the menu screen so that on / off can be set. It has become.

  The camera 100 is provided with a remote control light receiving circuit 63. The remote control light receiving circuit 63 converts the infrared signal incident from the remote control 60 into a digital control signal and outputs it to the main CPU 20. The main CPU 20 controls various operations in accordance with the digital control signal input from the remote control light receiving circuit 63.

  When the “playback” side is selected by the switching lever 122, the compressed data of the last image file (last recorded file) recorded on the memory card 200 is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the read image compressed data is decompressed into an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression & ID extraction unit 143 and stored in the buffer memory 135. The YC signal stored in the buffer memory 135 is added to the YC / RGB conversion unit 147. The YC / RGB converter 147 creates an NTSC color composite video signal from the input YC signal and outputs it to the image display LCD 102 via the display driver 148. As a result, the last frame image recorded on the memory card 200 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 71.

  Thereafter, when the right key (forward frame advance switch) of the cross key 124 is pressed, the frame is advanced in the forward direction, and when the left key (reverse frame advance switch) is pressed, the frame is advanced in the reverse direction. Then, the frame-positioned image file at the frame position is read from the memory card 200, and the frame image is reproduced on the liquid crystal panel 71 in the same manner as described above. If the last frame image is displayed and the frame is advanced in the forward direction, the first frame image file recorded on the memory card 200 is read, and the first frame image is displayed on the LCD. Played on the panel 71.

  FIG. 5 conceptually shows main programs executed by the main CPU 20 in blocks. The main CPU 20 executes a mode setting unit 20a and a zoom control unit 20b, which are programs. These programs are stored in the EEPROM 146, and are appropriately read by the CPU 20 into the RAM 149 and executed.

  The mode setting unit 20a sets a shooting condition (shooting mode) suitable for the shooting scene corresponding to the icon of the mode dial 123 at the position of the alignment mark 97.

  The zoom control unit 20b reads the zoom position corresponding to the shooting mode set by the mode setting unit 20a from the EEPROM 146, and drives the zoom motor 110 via the motor driver 62 so that the zoom lens 101a moves to the zoom position. .

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a zoom position setting table stored in the EEPROM 146 and showing the correspondence between the shooting mode and the zoom position. The zoom position setting table shows the telephoto end point position (T end) for the sport mode, and the wide angle end position (W for the portrait mode, landscape mode, night view mode, sunset mode, cooking mode, birthday mode or movie mode). End) are stored in association with each other.

  However, the illustrated zoom position is merely an example, and other values can be arbitrarily set and stored by the user. For example, “a zoom position corresponding to a shooting magnification of about 50 mm in 35 mm equivalent” may be stored in association with the person mode. Alternatively, the default home position may be stored in association with the auto mode.

  Hereinafter, according to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the flow of the imaging process according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention will be described. This flowchart shows a processing procedure executed by the camera 100 or a processing step of a program executed by the main CPU 20 of the camera 100.

  First, in S1, the photographer arbitrarily turns on the power switch 121.

  Next, in S2, it is determined whether the switching lever 122 is set to the “shooting” side or the “reproduction” side. If the switching lever 122 is set to the “photographing” side, the process proceeds to S3. If it is set to the “reproduction” side, the process proceeds to the image reproduction mode of S6.

  In S3, the zoom control unit 20b confirms the shooting mode set by the mode setting unit 20a. Then, the zoom position corresponding to the confirmed shooting mode is read from the EEPROM 146.

  In S <b> 4, the zoom control unit 20 b drives the zoom motor 110 via the motor driver 62 so that the zoom lens 101 a moves to the zoom position read from the EEPROM 146.

  As a result, for example, if the icon 123-2 (moving image mode), 123-3 (night view mode), 123-5 (landscape mode) or 123-6 (person mode) is in the alignment mark 97, the zoom lens 101a is Move to the W end. Alternatively, if the icon 123-4 (sport mode) is at the alignment mark 97, the zoom lens 101a moves to the T end.

  In S5, a recording image acquisition operation is performed in response to the release switch 104 being pressed. Of course, the zoom magnification can be arbitrarily changed by operating the zoom switch 127 as necessary.

  With this process, when the switching lever 122 is switched to the “shooting” side, the zoom lens 101a immediately moves to a zoom position suitable for the shooting scene assumed in the shooting mode arbitrarily set by turning the mode dial 123, Shooting can be started immediately at a zoom ratio suitable for the shooting scene.

Second Embodiment
If the setting is made such that the initial zoom position stored in advance regardless of the shooting mode is set to the initial position at the time of power-on as in the conventional example, the zoom position is set to this zoom position. Exclusive control that prioritizes movement may be performed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of photographing processing according to the preferred second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in S11, the photographer arbitrarily turns on the power switch 121.

  Next, in S12, it is determined whether the switching lever 122 is set to the “shooting” side or the “reproduction” side. When the switching lever 122 is set to the “shooting” side, the process proceeds to S13. If it is set to the “reproduction” side, the process proceeds to the image reproduction mode of S19.

  In S13, the operation unit 120 sets the initial zoom position (zoom position at the time of previous power-off) stored in the EEPROM 146 until the previous power-off to be the initial position at the time of power-on regardless of the shooting mode. It is determined whether or not it is input. If the setting is made, the process proceeds to S16, and if the setting is not performed, the process proceeds to S14.

  In S14, the zoom control unit 20b confirms the shooting mode set by the mode setting unit 20a.

  In S <b> 15, the zoom position corresponding to the confirmed shooting mode (shooting mode-compatible zoom position) is read from the EEPROM 146.

  In S16, the zoom position at the previous power-off time stored in the EEPROM 146 is read out.

  In S <b> 17, the zoom control unit 20 b drives the zoom motor 110 via the motor driver 62 so that the zoom lens 101 a moves to the shooting mode-compatible zoom position read from the EEPROM 146 or the zoom position at the previous power-off time. Then, the process proceeds to S18.

  In S18, a recording image acquisition operation is performed in response to the release switch 104 being pressed.

  With this processing, when the switching lever 122 is switched to the “shooting” side, the zoom lens 101a immediately moves to the zoom position suitable for the shooting mode arbitrarily set by the rotation of the mode dial 123, which is suitable for the shooting scene. Shooting can be started immediately at the zoom magnification.

  In this manner, either the zoom position stored in the EEPROM 146 until the previous power-off or the zoom position corresponding to the shooting mode can be selectively / exclusively set when the power is turned on.

Front view of digital camera Rear view of digital camera Top view of mode dial Block diagram of digital camera The figure which showed the program which main CPU executes conceptually with the block Conceptual illustration of the zoom position setting table The flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

14: Light emission control CPU, 17: LED group, 19: LED driver, 16: Communication light emitting device, 20: Main CPU, 60: Lens barrel, 61: Lens cover, 62: Motor driver, 63: Infrared light receiving circuit, 101: photographic lens, 101a: zoom lens, 101b: focus lens, 110: zoom motor, 111: focus motor, 112: aperture motor, 114: lens cover motor, 127: zoom switch, 131: aperture, 132 : CCD, 134: A / D conversion unit, 150: AF detection unit, 151: AE calculation unit, 20a: mode setting unit, 20b: zoom control unit

Claims (6)

A recording unit for recording a subject image formed by a photographing lens including a focus lens and a zoom lens, a mode setting unit for setting a photographing mode when photographing a subject, and driving the zoom lens between a wide angle side and a telephoto side A zoom drive unit that moves between the zoom drive unit and a zoom control unit that controls the drive of the zoom drive unit,
A zoom position storage unit that stores a mode zoom position associated in advance with a shooting mode that can be set in the mode setting unit;
The zoom control unit reads a mode zoom position previously associated with a desired shooting mode set in the mode setting unit from the zoom position storage unit, and the zoom lens moves to the read mode zoom position. An imaging apparatus for controlling the zoom driving unit. The zoom position storage unit stores an initial zoom position of the zoom lens irrelevant to a shooting mode,
A zoom position selection unit that accepts a selection operation of either the initial zoom position or the mode zoom position;
The zoom control unit reads the initial zoom position from the zoom position storage unit when the zoom position selection unit selects the initial zoom position, and the zoom control unit selects the mode zoom position when the zoom position selection unit selects the mode zoom position. The mode zoom position previously associated with the desired shooting mode set in the mode setting unit is read from the zoom position storage unit, and the zoom lens is moved to the read initial zoom position or mode zoom position. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus controls the zoom driving unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zoom position storage unit stores a telephoto end point position in association with a sport mode.   The zoom position storage unit stores a wide-angle end point position in association with each of a portrait mode, a landscape mode, a night view mode, a moving image mode, a sunset mode, a cooking mode, or a birthday mode. The imaging device described in 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zoom driving unit is configured by a motor or an actuator. A recording unit for recording a subject image formed by a photographing lens including a focus lens and a zoom lens, a mode setting unit for setting a photographing mode when photographing a subject, and driving the zoom lens between a wide angle side and a telephoto side An imaging method used in an imaging apparatus including a zoom driving unit that moves between the zoom driving unit and a zoom control unit that controls driving of the zoom driving unit,
Storing in a storage medium a mode zoom position previously associated with a shooting mode that can be set in the mode setting unit;
A mode zoom position previously associated with a desired shooting mode set in the mode setting unit is read from the storage medium, and the zoom driving unit is controlled so that the zoom lens moves to the read mode zoom position. And steps to
An imaging method including:

Images