JP2008035390A - Imaging apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus that can be made low-cost and compact by decreasing the number of components of the display system and can display effective foreign matter elimination operations without losing a high speed response sense at starting. <P>SOLUTION: A digital single-lens reflex camera includes a system controller 50, a liquid crystal monitor 28, a piezoelectric element drive circuit 42, a piezoelectric element 43, and an optical filter 44 or the like. The system controller 50 causes the piezoelectric element drive circuit 42 to excite the piezoelectric element 43 operatively connected with a power on operation of the camera by a photographer to execute a foreign matter remove operation for removing the foreign matter on the surface of the optical filter 44. In this case, the system controller 50 displays an icon representing the foreign matter elimination operation state to a part of region of an information display image before photographing for a time longer than the foreign matter removal drive time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device including a display unit, a control method, and a program.

In recent years, a digital single-lens reflex camera capable of exchanging lenses has been developed in which a dust removing unit is disposed in front of a photoelectric conversion surface of an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal. The dust removing means removes dust adhering to the optical element disposed in front of the photoelectric conversion surface. On the other hand, proposals relating to a technique for indicating that the dust removing means is operating have also been made. Furthermore, a technique for expressing (displaying) that the dust removing means is operating in an easy-to-understand manner has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the operation of the dust removing means is generally performed automatically when the camera is turned on.
JP 2006-94057 A

  The conventional digital single-lens reflex camera has the following problems. In order to reduce the cost and size by reducing the components of the camera display system, the same display device is used to display the pre-photographing information presented to the photographer and the display indicating that the dust removing means is operating. I want to share it. However, if the display device is to be used as described above, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve both a high-speed response when the camera is activated and a display indicating that the dust removing unit is operating.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus and control capable of reducing the cost and size of the display system by reducing the components of the display system and displaying an effective foreign substance removal operation without impairing the high-speed response at the time of startup. It is to provide a method and a program.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal, and a display unit that displays pre-shooting information to be presented to a photographer. A removing unit arranged corresponding to the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging unit to remove the foreign matter, and causing the removing unit to execute a first removal operation in conjunction with a power-on operation of the imaging device. An operation control means for causing the removal means to execute a second removal operation other than when the apparatus is powered on, a display indicating that the first removal operation is being performed, and a display indicating that the second removal operation is being performed are displayed on the display means. And a display control means for displaying the display means so that the display form indicating that the first removing operation is being performed is different from the display form indicating that the second removing operation is being performed. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, since the display indicating that the foreign substance removing operation is being performed is also used as the display means for displaying the pre-photographing information, it is possible to reduce the cost and size by reducing the components of the display system of the imaging device. It becomes. Furthermore, it is possible to display an effective foreign substance removal operation without impairing the high-speed response at the time of starting the imaging apparatus.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a photographing lens unit is removed when a camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a top view of the camera. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera.

  1 to 3, the camera according to the present embodiment is a digital single-lens reflex camera in which a mechanism for attaching a photographing lens unit (see FIG. 4), various buttons, a display device, and the like are arranged in each part of the camera body 100. It is configured. The camera body 100 is provided with a grip portion 501 that protrudes forward so that a photographer can stably hold the camera during shooting. The lens mount 310 is a mechanism for detachably attaching the photographing lens unit to the camera body 100.

  The mount contact 311 has a function of supplying power to the photographic lens unit side while interposing a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like transmitted and received between the camera body 100 and the photographic lens unit. The lens lock release button 504 is operated when the photographing lens unit is pushed in when being removed from the camera body 100. The mirror box 502 is disposed inside the camera body 100. The photographing light flux that has passed through the photographing lens as a result of photographing by the camera is guided to the mirror box 502.

  A part of the photographic light beam guided to the mirror box 502 is reflected by the main mirror 1 toward the finder optical system. An external terminal lid 506 that can be opened and closed is provided on the side surface of the camera body 100 opposite to the grip portion 501. Inside the external terminal lid 506, a video signal output jack (not shown) and a USB output connector (not shown) are housed as external interfaces.

  A shutter button 62 and a main electronic dial 65 are disposed on the grip portion side of the upper part of the camera body 100. The shutter button 62 serves as an activation switch when starting shooting. The main electronic dial 65 is operated when setting the shutter speed and the lens aperture value according to the operation mode at the time of shooting. Some of the operation results of these operation members are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 described later. The shutter button 62 is configured such that SW1 • 63 (described later) is turned on in the first stroke and SW2 • 64 (described later) is turned on in the second stroke.

  A flash unit 500 that pops up with respect to the camera body 100, an accessory shoe 410 for attaching a flash, and a flash contact 411 are disposed in the upper center of the camera body 100. A shooting mode dial 60 is arranged on the upper right side of the camera body 100. The main switch 61 is operated when starting (powering on) or stopping (powering off) the operation of the camera.

  A finder eyepiece window 509 is provided in the upper part of the back surface of the camera body 100, and a liquid crystal monitor 28 is provided near the center of the back surface of the camera body 100. Around the liquid crystal monitor 28, the following various setting buttons are arranged. A DISPLAY (hereinafter, DISP) button 66 for performing operations such as switching between display / non-display of the liquid crystal monitor. A MENU button 67 for performing operations such as calling a menu screen. A JUMP button 68 for operations such as tab switching on the menu screen. A playback button 69 for performing operations such as playback of a captured image. An erasing button 70 for performing an operation such as erasing a photographed image.

  An easy direct button 71 for performing operations such as printing of a photographed image. Distance measuring point selection button 72. AE lock button 73. Exposure compensation setting button 74. A drive mode setting button 75 for selecting self-timer shooting, continuous shooting, single shooting, and the like. ISO sensitivity setting button 76 (upward selection button). White balance selection button 77 (downward selection button). Metering mode selection button 78 (left direction selection button). Distance measurement mode selection button 79 (right direction selection button). A picture style selection button 80 for selecting image characteristics according to the photographic expression and subject.

    An ISO sensitivity setting button 76, a white balance selection button 77, a photometry mode selection button 78, and a distance measurement mode selection button 79 are used to select a direction for selecting the vertical and horizontal directions on the menu screen and various setting screens displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, respectively. Functions as a button. The picture style selection button 80 functions as a SET button for confirming the selected item on the menu screen or various setting screens. In the present embodiment, the drive mode setting button 75, white balance selection button 77, photometry mode selection button 78, and distance measurement mode selection button 79 display the shooting information setting screen (FIGS. 22 to 27) on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Operate when instructing. The main electronic dial 65, the photometry mode selection button 78, and the distance measurement mode selection button 79 are operated when selecting (changing) a mode to be described later of the central band-like portion of the photographing information setting screen (FIGS. 22 to 27).

  In this embodiment, the pre-shooting information (FIG. 21) and the reproduced image (FIG. 12) are also displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Further, the setting display area (center band portion) related to shooting on the pre-shooting information display screen (FIG. 21) and the setting selection area (center band portion) related to shooting on the shooting information setting screen (FIGS. 22 to 27) are substantially the same. It is set to become. This realizes a display that is easy to see and understand even on a screen with a large amount of display information such as the liquid crystal monitor 28.

  In the present embodiment, the condition for shifting from the shooting information setting screen to the pre-shooting information display screen is that the operation of the picture style selection button (SET button) 80 or the operation of the shutter button 62 (first shutter switches SW1 and SW63). Is turned on).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the camera.

  4, the camera body 100 includes a system controller 50, a liquid crystal monitor 28, and the like, and a recording medium 200, a photographing lens unit 300, and an external strobe 400 can be attached and detached. In the camera body 100, the main mirror 1 is disposed obliquely (inclined) in the photographing optical path in the viewfinder observation state, and retracts out of the photographing optical path in the photographing state. Further, the main mirror 1 is a half mirror, and when it is obliquely installed in the photographing optical path, part of the light beam from the subject is transmitted to a focus detection optical system described later. The focus plate 2 projects an optical image of a subject formed by a photographing lens 301 described later.

  The sub mirror 3 together with the main mirror 1 is obliquely installed in the photographing optical path in the finder observation state and retracts out of the photographing optical path in the photographing state. The sub-mirror 3 is configured to bend the light beam transmitted through the oblique main mirror 1 and lead it toward the focus detection unit 8. The focus detection unit 8 performs focus detection by a known phase difference method. The pentaprism 4 changes the finder optical path. The eyepiece lens 5 allows the photographer to observe the photographing screen by observing the focus plate 2 through the eyepiece lens 5.

  The photometric lens 6 and the photometric sensor 7 are for measuring subject luminance in the viewfinder observation screen. Since the photometric sensor 7 incorporates a known logarithmic compression circuit, its output is logarithmically compressed. The shutter 9 is a focal plane type shutter. The image sensor 14 is composed of a CCD, a CMOS, etc., and photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject into an electric signal. The mirror position detection unit 11 includes a photo interrupter, a photo reflector, or a switch (SW) that is mechanically turned on / off, and detects that the main mirror 1 is in a predetermined position when it is in an operating state.

  The display off sensor 10 includes a light projection IRED (not shown) and a light receiving sensor (not shown). Infrared light is projected from the light projection IRED, and infrared light reflected from the face of the subject (person) is detected by a light receiving sensor, so that the proximity of the face can be detected. The A / D converter 16 converts the analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. The timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system controller 50.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using image data captured by the image sensor 14 and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  The memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the first memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 passes through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or the data of the A / D converter 16 passes directly through the memory control circuit 22, and the image display memory 24 or the first memory. 30 is written. The image display memory 24 stores image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28. The D / A converter 26 converts the digital signal into an analog signal.

  The liquid crystal monitor 28 displays a reproduced image, a pre-shooting information display screen (FIG. 21), a shooting information setting screen (FIGS. 22 to 27), and the like. The liquid crystal monitor 28 includes a transmissive TFT liquid crystal and a backlight that illuminates the display, and is a self-luminous display device in which the display is visible even in the dark. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 via the D / A converter 26. Here, the pre-shooting information is information (including shutter speed, aperture value, number of shots, etc.) presented to the photographer in the shooting preparation state, and the shooting information is set by the photographer for actual shooting. Information.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the liquid crystal monitor 28 having a backlight is used as the display device of the camera is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods (for example, organic EL or the like) are used. A self-luminous display device may be used.

  The first memory 30 stores captured image data, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still image data. The first memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system controller 50. The compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses / decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads the image data stored in the first memory 30 and performs compression processing or decompression processing. The image data that has been processed is written into the first memory 30.

  The shutter control unit (exposure control unit) 40 controls the focal plane type shutter 9. The mirror control unit 41 includes a motor for driving the main mirror 1 up / down and a drive circuit. The system controller 50 controls the entire camera body 100, and performs display control of each display unit including the liquid crystal monitor 28, control for removing foreign matters attached to the surface of an optical filter 44 described later, and the like. Further, the system controller 50 executes processing shown in each flowchart described later based on the program. The second memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, etc. for operation of the system controller 50.

  The optical filter 44 is composed of a quartz birefringent plate, and functions as an optical low-pass filter in combination with an optical element in which a phase plate and an infrared cut filter are stacked, and is located in front of the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 14. Is arranged. The piezoelectric element 43 is configured as a laminated type, and is vibrated with a predetermined drive pattern by the piezoelectric element drive circuit 42 that has received a command from the system controller 50, and transmits the vibration to the optical filter 44. As a result, it is possible to perform an operation for removing foreign matters such as dust adhering to the surface of the optical filter 44 (hereinafter referred to as foreign matter removing operation).

  A built-in strobe (built-in flash device) 120 is built in the camera body 100 and emits a flash to a subject, and includes an Xe (xenon) tube 121, a reflective shade 122, a light emission control circuit 123, and a charging circuit 124. Yes. The light emission control circuit 123 is configured by an IGBT or the like that controls light emission of the Xe tube 121. The charging circuit 124 generates a voltage of about 300 V that supplies power to the Xe tube 121.

  The in-finder display unit 54 is configured as a liquid crystal display device having a backlight that displays an operation state of the camera, a message, and the like according to execution of a program in the system controller 50. The in-viewfinder display unit 54 is configured to be visible below the focus plate 2 when the photographer observes the viewfinder. The display contents of the display unit 54 in the finder include in-focus display, AE lock / FE lock display, flash charge display, red-eye reduction setting display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure level / exposure correction display, and the number of images that can be shot continuously. There are indications. The nonvolatile memory 56 can electrically erase / record data, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used.

  The camera operation system inputs various operation instructions to the system controller 50, and includes a switch, a dial, a lever, and the like. As described above, the mode dial 60 can be set to switch the shooting mode. The first shutter switches SW1 and SW63 are turned on when the shutter button 62 (FIG. 2) is half-pressed to instruct the start of operations such as AF (autofocus) processing and AE (automatic exposure) processing.

  Further, when the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is turned on, a photometric timer for a predetermined time is started. While the photometry timer is operating, the shutter speed, aperture value, and exposure level display calculated from the photometry results are displayed on the in-finder display unit 54 and the liquid crystal monitor 28. The photometric timer is updated by continuing to turn on the first shutter switches SW1 and 63, or by operating operation members such as the main electronic dial 65 and the AE lock button 73.

  The second shutter switch SW2, 64 is turned on when the shutter button 62 (FIG. 2) is fully pressed, and instructs the start of the following series of processing operations. Exposure processing for writing image data to the first memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22 from the signal read from the image sensor 14. Development processing using calculation results in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22. A recording process in which image data is read from the first memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and written to the recording medium 200.

  As described above, the main switch 61 is operated when turning on / off the camera. The main electronic dial 65 is operated when selection / setting related to photographing is performed. By rotating the main electronic dial 65 by one click, a 2-bit signal with a phase shift is sent to the system controller 50. Thereby, the rotation direction and the number of rotation clicks of the main electronic dial 65 are detected by the system controller 50.

  The operation unit 101 includes various buttons shown below. The various buttons include a DISP button 66, a MENU button 67, a JUMP button 68, a playback button 69, an erase button 70, an easy direct button 71, a distance measuring point selection button 72, an AE lock button 73, and an exposure correction setting button 74. . The various buttons further include a drive mode setting button 75, an ISO sensitivity setting button 76, a white balance selection button 77, a photometry mode selection button 78, a distance measurement mode selection button 79, and a picture style selection button 80.

  The power control unit 85 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches blocks to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 85 detects whether the power supply unit 86 is attached to the camera body 100, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power control unit 85 controls the internal DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction from the system controller 50, and supplies the necessary voltage (power) to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period. .

  The power supply terminal 87 is a terminal on the camera body side. The power supply terminal 88 is a terminal on the power supply side. The power supply unit 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  The interface unit 90 manages an interface with the recording medium 200. The camera body side recording medium connector 92 is connected to the recording medium 200. The interface unit 90 and the camera main body side recording medium connector 92 are configured using a standard conforming to a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface unit 204 that controls an interface with the camera body 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the camera body 100.

  The communication unit 110 has communication functions such as USB, IEEE 1394, and wireless communication. The connector 112 connects the camera body 100 to other devices via the communication unit 110.

  A communication line 399 controls communication between the photographing lens unit 300 and the system controller 50 on the camera body 100 side. A communication line 499 controls communication between the external strobe 400 and the system controller 50 on the camera body 100 side.

  The photographing lens unit 300 includes a photographing lens 301, a focus control unit 302, a subject distance detection unit 303, an aperture control unit 305, a lens control microcomputer 306, and the like. The taking lens 301 passes an optical image of the subject and forms it on the image sensor 14. The focus control unit 302 includes a motor and a motor drive circuit for driving the photographing lens 301 in the optical axis direction and focusing. The subject distance detection unit 303 includes an encoder that detects the distance from the position of the photographing lens 301 to the subject.

  The diaphragm 304 adjusts the exposure amount to the image sensor 14 at the time of shooting in combination with the shutter 9. The aperture control unit 305 includes a motor that drives the aperture 304 and a motor drive circuit. The lens control microcomputer 306 controls the focus control unit 302, the aperture control unit 305, and the like, and controls communication with the system controller 50 on the camera body 100 side.

  The photographing lens unit 300 is detachably attached to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 310 as described in FIG. The taking lens unit 300 is electrically connected to the camera body 100 via a mount contact 311 composed of a serial communication line and a power supply unit.

  An external strobe (external flash device) 400 is externally attached to the camera body 100 and emits a flash to the subject. The Xe tube 401, the reflective shade 402, the light emission control circuit 403, the charging circuit 404, the power supply unit 405 and a strobe control microcomputer 406 are provided. The light emission control circuit 403 includes an IGBT or the like that controls light emission of the Xe tube 401. The charging circuit 404 generates a voltage of about 300 V that supplies power to the Xe tube 401. The power supply unit 405 includes a battery that supplies power to the charging circuit 404. The strobe control microcomputer 406 controls light emission and charging of the external strobe 400 and controls communication with the system controller 50 on the camera body 100 side.

  The external strobe 400 is detachably attached to the camera body 100 via the accessory shoe 410. The external strobe 400 is electrically connected to the camera body 100 via a flash contact 411 including a serial communication line and an X terminal (light emitting terminal).

  In the present embodiment, the system controller 50 performs a foreign substance removing operation in which the piezoelectric element 43 is vibrated by the piezoelectric element driving circuit 42 to remove foreign substances on the surface of the optical filter 44 in conjunction with the camera power-on operation by the photographer. Let it run. Further, the system controller 50 causes the foreign object removal operation to be executed in accordance with the camera power-off operation by the photographer (automatic foreign object removal operation). Further, the system controller 50 executes a foreign substance removal operation in accordance with the setting on the menu screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28 by the photographer (foreign substance removal operation based on manual operation).

  Next, various operations of the digital single-lens reflex camera of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described in detail.

  First, the operation of the liquid crystal monitor 28 display when the camera body 100 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, since the liquid crystal monitor 28 is a TFT liquid crystal type, the liquid crystal monitor 28 is illustrated as a TFT in the flowcharts of FIG.

  When the photographer turns on the main switch 61 of the camera to turn on the power, the system controller 50 starts the process from step S50. The system controller 50 confirms the display setting of the liquid crystal monitor 28 in step S51, and proceeds to step S52. The display setting of the liquid crystal monitor 28 can be performed based on a menu stored in advance in the camera.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a display setting screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28. This screen is a screen showing how the liquid crystal monitor 28 is set to always light when the power is turned on by the main switch 61 of the camera body 100. 7 is also a display setting screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28 as in FIG. In this screen, when the power is turned on by the main switch 61 of the camera body 100, whether or not the liquid crystal monitor 28 is turned on becomes the display setting of the liquid crystal monitor 28 when the camera body 100 was turned off last time. It is a screen which shows a mode that it sets.

  The system controller 50 proceeds to step S53 if the display setting of the liquid crystal monitor 28 is set to always display in step S52, and proceeds to step S54 otherwise. In step S53, the system controller 50 turns on the liquid crystal monitor 28 and displays pre-photographing information.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, various information is displayed. Reference numeral 801 denotes a shutter speed, and reference numeral 802 denotes an aperture value. The shutter control unit 40 and the aperture control unit 305 perform control based on these set values. Reference numeral 803 denotes ISO sensitivity, which relates to the amplification factor of the signal output from the image sensor 14. Reference numeral 804 denotes a display indicating ON / OFF of the sounding body. When this display is made, for example, an electronic sound is emitted by operating the first shutter switch SW1. Reference numeral 805 denotes a red-eye reduction display. Regarding the light emission of the built-in strobe light 120, when this display is made, control for red-eye reduction is performed.

  Reference numeral 806 denotes a recordable number of sheets (shootable number of sheets) calculated from the remaining amount of the recording medium 200. This number varies according to the set image quality represented by 808. More specifically, 808 is represented by “RAW” indicating a lossless compression file format, or an irreversible compression file format, such as “L”, “M”, or “S” indicating image size. Reference numeral 807 denotes the state of charge of the power supply unit 86. Reference numeral 809 denotes a white balance setting, and reference numeral 810 denotes a selected photographing mode. By displaying such pre-photographing information, the photographer can check the state and settings of the camera.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the system controller 50 confirms the previous power-off state in step S54, and proceeds to step S55. If it is determined in step S55 that the liquid crystal monitor 28 was previously turned on, the process proceeds to step S53, and the liquid crystal monitor 28 is turned on. On the other hand, if the previous power-off state in step S55 is the liquid crystal monitor 28 extinguished, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S56, and the liquid crystal monitor 28 remains off as shown in FIG.

  The system controller 50 proceeds to step S57 immediately after the process of step S53. In step S57, a foreign substance removal display operation process at the time of camera activation is performed. In this operation, foreign matter removal is displayed and foreign matter removal operation processing is executed. Specifically, this will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, after the process of step S56, the system controller 50 performs a foreign substance removal operation process when the camera is activated (when the camera power is turned on) in step S58. The foreign substance removal operation process is a process in which the system controller 50 removes the foreign substance attached to the surface of the optical filter 44 by vibrating the piezoelectric element 43 by the piezoelectric element drive circuit 42. When step S57 or step S58 is completed, a series of this process at power-on is ended in step S59.

  According to this process, under the condition that the liquid crystal monitor 28 is displayed when the camera is activated, the pre-shooting information display screen (FIG. 8) is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 immediately after the camera is activated. Thereby, it is possible to promptly notify the photographer that the camera has been activated and the state and settings of the camera before photographing.

  Next, an operation for a change in the state of the DISP button 66 in the shooting preparation state of the camera body 100 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer presses the DISP button 66 in the shooting preparation state of the camera body 100, the system controller 50 calls a program for executing the flowchart of FIG. 9 from the second memory 52, and starts this processing from step S100. The system controller 50 confirms the state of the DISP button 66 in step S101. If the DISP button 66 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S102 and confirms the lighting state of the liquid crystal monitor 28. On the other hand, if the DISP button 66 is off in step S101, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S105.

  If the liquid crystal monitor 28 is displaying the pre-photographing information as shown in FIG. 8 in step S102, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S103 and turns off the liquid crystal monitor 28 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the liquid crystal monitor 28 is turned off as shown in FIG. 10 in step S102, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S104, turns on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and displays pre-photographing information as shown in FIG. In step S105, the process ends.

  Next, an operation when the photographer presses the DISP button 66 while the image is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 in the camera body 100 (an operation in response to a change in the state of the DISP button 66) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The image recorded on the recording medium 200 connected to the camera body 100 can be displayed and confirmed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 when the photographer presses the playback button 69 of the camera body 100. When the photographer presses the playback button 69, the system controller 50 starts this processing from step S200. In step S201, the system controller 50 confirms the state of the DISP button 66. If the DISP button 66 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the system controller 50 confirms playback display settings in the camera body 100, and proceeds to step S203.

  On the other hand, if the DISP button 66 is off in step S201, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S211. If the display setting for image reproduction is the display setting for simple shooting information display in step S203, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S204, and switches the display setting for image reproduction to the display setting for simple shooting information. Further, in step S205, the system controller 50 displays the simple photographing information at a predetermined position in the liquid crystal monitor 28 as shown in FIG. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S206.

  If the display setting for image reproduction is the shooting information display setting in step S206, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S207, and switches the image reproduction display setting to the shooting information display setting. Further, in step S208, the system controller 50 displays detailed photographing information at a predetermined position in the liquid crystal monitor 28 as shown in FIG.

  If the display setting for image playback is a display setting other than the shooting information display setting in step S206, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S209 and switches the display setting for image playback to the display setting for only the image. Further, in step S210, the system controller 50 displays only an image that does not include shooting information as shown in FIG. A series of image display is performed, and the process ends in step S211.

  Next, an operation for a change in the state of the DISP button 66 in a state where menu display or INFO display is being performed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 of the camera body 100 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer presses the MENU button 67 in the shooting preparation state of the camera body 100, the system controller 50 switches the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 to the menu screen display shown in FIG. As a result, various settings such as settings relating to images, for example, settings relating to recording image quality and light adjustment correction, and settings for the presence or absence of electronic sound, can be made. When the photographer presses the DISP button 66 while the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 is menu screen display, the system controller 50 switches the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 to the screen display shown in FIG. Thereby, the setting state such as date, time, white balance (WB), etc. is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 (INFO display).

  The system controller 50 starts this processing from step S300 in which the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 is in a menu display or INFO display. The system controller 50 checks the state of the DISP button 66 in step S301. If the DISP button 66 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S302. If the DISP button 66 is off, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S306.

  The system controller 50 confirms the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 in step S302, and proceeds to step S303. If the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 is menu display in step S303, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S304 and sets the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 to INFO display (FIG. 17). On the other hand, if the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 is other than menu display (INFO display) in step S303, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S305, and changes the display content of the liquid crystal monitor 28 to menu display (FIG. 16). In step S306, the process is terminated.

  Next, an operation for a change in the state of the DISP button 66 during BULB shooting in the camera body 100 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer operates the mode dial 60 and the main electronic dial 65 to a predetermined state, the shutter speed is changed to a BULB (bulb) state, long exposure is possible, and the shutter 9 is moved while the shutter button 62 is pressed. Shooting in the open state is possible. The system controller 50 sets the shutter speed to the BULB state, and starts this processing from step S400 when the photographer presses the shutter button 62 and the second shutter switch SW2, 64 is turned on.

  In step S401, the system controller 50 starts BULB shooting exposure and proceeds to step S402. The system controller 50 proceeds to step S403 if the liquid crystal monitor 28 is turned on in step S402, and proceeds to step S406 if the liquid crystal monitor 28 is turned off. In step S403, the system controller 50 displays the elapsed exposure time on the liquid crystal monitor 28 as shown in FIG. At this time, the elapsed exposure time is displayed in white letters on the black background in the liquid crystal monitor 28.

  Next, the system controller 50 confirms the state of the DISP button 66 in step S404. If the DISP button 66 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S405 and turns off the liquid crystal monitor 28 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the DISP button 66 is off in step S404, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S408.

  If the DISP button 66 is on in step S406, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S407 and displays the elapsed exposure time in the liquid crystal monitor 28 as shown in FIG. At this time, as in step S404, the exposure elapsed time is displayed in white characters on the black background in the liquid crystal monitor 28. On the other hand, if the DISP button 66 is off in step S406, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S408.

  If the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is in the OFF state in step S408, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S409 and ends the exposure. On the other hand, the system controller 50 returns to step S402 if the first shutter switch SW1, 63 remains on in step S408. In step S410, the process ends.

  In the present embodiment, when the pre-shooting information is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, black characters are displayed against a white background so that the characters can be easily seen even when the surroundings are bright, such as outdoors in the daytime. On the other hand, when the exposure elapsed time is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 during bulb photography, which is often used in a dark environment, white characters are displayed against a black background. Thereby, for example, even in a dark environment where astronomical photography is performed, display glare is suppressed, and the photographer has good visibility and is easy to use.

  In the present embodiment, black characters are displayed on a white background when the pre-shooting information is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and white characters are displayed on the black background when the exposure elapsed time is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 during bulb shooting. Although it is set to display, it is not limited to a specific display color. When displaying the pre-photographing information on the liquid crystal monitor 28, dark color characters are displayed on a light color background, and when displaying the elapsed exposure time on the liquid crystal monitor 28 during bulb photographing, the light color characters are displayed on the dark color background. Also good.

  Next, the distance measurement mode selection sequence of the camera body 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer operates the distance measurement mode selection button 79 that also serves as the right direction selection button in the shooting preparation state of the camera body 100, the distance measurement mode selection state is entered. At this time, the system controller 50 starts the distance measurement mode selection sequence from step S700 at a predetermined timing. In the shooting preparation state, the distance measurement mode information 601 is displayed on the central band portion on the pre-shooting information display screen shown in FIG. 21 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28.

  On the other hand, when the distance measurement mode is selected, the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28 shifts to a distance measurement mode selection screen (shooting information setting screen) shown in FIG. The distance measurement mode selection screen is configured to display a series of selectable distance measurement mode displays 605 in the width direction including the distance measurement mode information 601 on the pre-shooting information display screen. The photographer can easily recognize the position where the ranging mode is displayed on the pre-shooting information display screen and the ranging mode selection screen.

  In addition, the selected ranging mode is displayed in reverse video. Further, a guidance 606 indicating that the distance measurement mode is being selected is displayed at the top of the distance measurement mode selection screen, and the currently selected distance measurement mode is displayed immediately above the series of selectable distance measurement mode displays 605. A guidance 607 indicating the name of the mode is displayed. By displaying the guidances 606 and 607, the photographer can clearly understand the currently selected item.

  In step S701, the system controller 50 checks the state of the left direction selection button 78. If the left direction selection button 78 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S702, and if the left direction selection button 78 is off, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S706. In step S702, the system controller 50 performs state transition (transition) in the ranging mode. At this time, the display of the central band-like portion of the distance measurement mode selection screen (shooting information setting screen) on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is “ONE SHOT” (FIG. 22) → “AI SERVO” (FIG. 24) → “AI FOCUS” (FIG. The state transitions in the order of 23).

  Next, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S703, updates the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 to display the selected distance measuring mode, and proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the system controller 50 confirms whether the end of the distance measurement mode selection state is selected. If the end of the distance measurement mode selection state is selected, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S705, and displays the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 before photographing. Update to the information display screen. Then, in step S709, this process ends.

  If the end of the distance measurement mode selection state is not selected in step S704, the system controller 50 returns to step S701. Here, “selecting the end of the distance measurement mode selection state” means that the end is selected by operating the shutter button 62 (the first shutter switches SW 1 and 63 are turned on) or the SET button 80.

  The system controller 50 confirms the state of the right direction selection button 79 in step S706. If the right direction selection button 79 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S707, and if the right direction selection button 79 is off, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S704. In step S707, the system controller 50 performs state transition (transition) in the ranging mode. At this time, the display of the central band-like portion of the distance measurement mode selection screen (shooting information setting screen) on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is “ONE SHOT” (FIG. 22) → “AI FOCUS” (FIG. 23) → “AI SERVO” (FIG. The state transitions in the order of 24).

  Next, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S708, updates the display of the central band-like portion of the distance measurement mode selection screen (shooting information setting screen) on the liquid crystal monitor 28 so as to display the selected distance measurement mode, and step S704. Proceed to

  Here, FIGS. 25, 26, and 27 show examples of screen displays when white balance setting, photometry mode setting, and drive mode setting are performed, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 25, 26, and 27, the white balance setting, photometry mode setting, and drive mode setting displayed in the same width direction as the distance measuring mode display on the pre-shooting information display screen are also described above. The selection operation sequence and display form are the same as in the distance measurement mode.

  Next, an AF ranging point selection operation sequence in the camera body 100 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer operates the distance measuring point selection button 72 in the shooting preparation state of the camera body 100, the distance measuring point selection state is entered. At this time, the system controller 50 starts the distance measuring point selection sequence from step S600 at a predetermined timing. In the shooting preparation state, the distance measuring point information 602 is displayed in the lower area of the central strip portion on the pre-shooting information display screen shown in FIG. 29 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28.

  On the other hand, when the focus detection point is selected, the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is a screen display shown in FIG. 30 in which the focus detection point information 602 is extracted and enlarged. Furthermore, at the top of the screen, information indicating that a distance measuring point is being selected is displayed, and immediately above the distance measuring point information display, information indicating whether it is currently automatically selected or arbitrarily selected. Is displayed. As a result, it becomes clear that the focus detection point is selected, and the selected focus detection point is easy to understand.

  The system controller 50 confirms whether or not the SET button 80 has been pressed in step S601. If the SET button 80 is pressed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S602. If the SET button 80 has not been pressed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S607. In step S602, the system controller 50 confirms the distance measuring point selection state before the SET button 80 is pressed. If the distance measuring point selection state is automatic selection, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S603, and the distance measuring point selection state is arbitrarily selected. If so, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S603, the system controller 50 moves the distance measurement point to the center and updates the distance measurement point on the distance measurement point selection screen to the central distance measurement point selection screen shown in FIG. 31, and proceeds to step S604 as an optional selection state. . In step S606, the system controller 50 automatically selects a distance measuring point and updates the distance measuring point on the distance measuring point selection screen to the distance measuring point automatic selection screen shown in FIG. 30, and proceeds to step S604 as an automatic selection state. . That is, when the SET button 80 is pressed, automatic selection is switched to arbitrary selection, and arbitrary selection is switched to automatic selection.

  In step S604, the system controller 50 confirms whether or not the end of the distance measuring point selection state is selected. If the end of the distance measuring point selection state is selected, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S605 and before displaying the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Update to the information display screen. In step S619, the process ends.

  If the end of the distance measuring point selection state is not selected in step S604, the system controller 50 returns to step S601. Here, “the end of the distance measuring point selection state is selected” means operation of the shutter button 62 (the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is turned on), pressing of the distance measuring point selection button 72, or predetermined distance measurement. The end is selected when the point selection state timer elapses.

  In step S607, the system controller 50 confirms whether or not the upward selection button 76 has been pressed. If the upward selection button 76 has been pressed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S608, and if the upward selection button 76 has not been pressed. Proceed to step S610. The system controller 50 confirms the distance measuring point selection state before the up direction selection button 76 is pressed in step S608. If the distance measuring point selection state is automatic selection, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S603, and the upward direction selection button. If the distance measuring point selection state before pressing 76 is an arbitrary selection, the process proceeds to step S609. In step S609, the system controller 50 moves the distance measuring point upward, updates the distance measuring point on the distance measuring point selection screen to the upper distance measuring point selection screen shown in FIG. 32, and proceeds to step S604.

  In step S610, the system controller 50 checks whether or not the downward selection button 77 has been pressed. If the downward selection button 77 has been pressed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S611, and if the downward selection button 77 has not been pressed. The process proceeds to step S613. The system controller 50 confirms the distance measuring point selection state before the down direction selection button 77 is pressed in step S611. If the distance measuring point selection state is automatic selection, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S603, and the down direction selection button. If the distance measuring point selection state before 77 is pressed is an arbitrary selection, the process proceeds to step S612. In step S612, the system controller 50 moves the distance measuring point downward, updates the distance measuring point on the distance measuring point selection screen to the lower distance measuring point selection screen shown in FIG. 33, and proceeds to step S604.

  The system controller 50 confirms whether or not the left direction selection button 78 has been pressed in step S613. If the left direction selection button 78 has been pressed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S614, and if the left direction selection button 78 has not been pressed. The process proceeds to step S616. The system controller 50 confirms the distance measuring point selection state before the left direction selection button 78 is pressed in step S614. If the distance measuring point selection state is automatic selection, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S603, and the left direction selection button. If the distance measuring point selection state before pressing 78 is an arbitrary selection, the process proceeds to step S615. In step S615, the system controller 50 moves the distance measuring point to the left and updates the distance measuring point on the distance measuring point selection screen to the left distance measuring point selection screen shown in FIG. 35, and proceeds to step S604.

  In step S616, the system controller 50 checks whether or not the right direction selection button 79 has been pressed. If the right direction selection button 79 has been pressed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S617, and if the right direction selection button 79 has not been pressed. The process proceeds to step S604. In step S617, the system controller 50 confirms the distance measuring point selection state before the right direction selection button 79 is pressed. If the distance measuring point selection state is automatic selection, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S603, and the right direction selection button. If the distance measuring point selection state before 79 is pressed is an arbitrary selection, the process proceeds to step S618. In step S618, the system controller 50 moves the distance measuring point to the right and updates the distance measuring point on the distance measuring point selection screen to the right distance measuring point selection screen shown in FIG. 34, and proceeds to step S604.

  Next, the foreign substance removal operation and display processing when the liquid crystal monitor 28 in the camera main body 100 is activated in the display-on state (when the power is turned on) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  The system controller 50 calls the foreign substance removal operation and display process of FIG. 36 in step S57 of FIG. 5, and starts this process from step S800. In step S802, the system controller 50 first checks whether the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is turned on. If the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S803, and if the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S810.

  In step S803, the system controller 50 determines whether or not automatic foreign substance removal execution (described later) is set. If foreign matter removal automatic execution is set, the process advances to step S804. If the automatic foreign substance removal execution is not set, the process proceeds to step S816, and the process is terminated.

  In step S804, the system controller 50 starts a foreign substance removing operation for removing the foreign substance on the surface of the optical filter 44 by vibrating the piezoelectric element 43 by the piezoelectric element driving circuit 42, and proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the system controller 50 displays on the partial area of the pre-photographing information display screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28 that the foreign matter removing operation is being performed, and proceeds to step S806. Details of the display in step S805 will be described later. Note that a partial area of the pre-shooting information display screen is an area unrelated to the area for displaying the exposure information included in the pre-shooting information.

  In step S806, the system controller 50 determines whether or not a predetermined foreign matter removal drive time has elapsed since the start of the foreign matter removal operation. If the predetermined foreign matter removal drive time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S812, and if the predetermined foreign matter removal drive time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S807. In step S812, the system controller 50 ends the foreign matter removal operation, and proceeds to step S813.

  In step S813, the system controller 50 checks whether or not the first shutter switch SW1 · 63 is turned on. If the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S814, and if the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S810.

  In step S814, the system controller 50 determines whether or not a predetermined display time set in advance has elapsed since the start of the foreign substance removal operation display. If the predetermined display time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S815. If the predetermined foreign matter removal drive time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S813. Here, the predetermined display time is longer than the predetermined foreign matter removal driving time (the driving time of the piezoelectric element 43 by the piezoelectric element driving circuit 42), and the photographer visually recognizes the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Sufficient time is set.

  In step S815, the system controller 50 ends the foreign matter removal operation display, and ends the present process in step S816. The display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 in the state where the foreign matter removal operation display is ended in step S815 is the same as the display (FIG. 8) in the state where the present process is started.

  In step S807, the system controller 50 confirms whether or not the first shutter switches SW1 and 63 are turned on. If the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is not turned on, the process returns to step S805. If the first shutter switch SW1, 63 is turned on, the process advances to step S808 to end the foreign matter removal operation, and the foreign matter removal operation display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is finished in step S809.

  In step S810, the system controller 50 performs photometry / distance measurement processing, and in step S811, displays shooting information (aperture value calculated from the photometric value, shutter speed, exposure level, etc.) as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 38, since the manual mode is selected as the shooting mode and the exposure is set manually, the exposure level 604 is set to the display (FIG. 8) in the state where the present process is started. It is displayed. After completing the process in step S811, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S814 and ends the series of processes.

  FIG. 37 is an example of a pre-photographing information display screen on the liquid crystal monitor 28 in step S805. In the area 603 for displaying the number of images that can be photographed at the lower right of the pre-photographing information display screen in FIG. 37, an icon indicating that a foreign matter removing operation is in progress is displayed. Main shooting information such as shutter speed 801, aperture value 802, ISO sensitivity 803, etc. is displayed in the same manner as normal pre-shooting information (FIG. 8). Thereby, the photographer can simultaneously confirm the information necessary for photographing and the foreign matter removing operation.

  Further, according to this process, as described above, it is possible to start shooting immediately by turning on the first shutter switch SW1, 63 from the state of step S805. Since the display form in FIG. 37 (FIG. 37) is similar to the normal pre-shooting information display (FIG. 8), it is easy to understand that the photographer can intuitively take a picture. It has become. Further, the display of the icon indicating that the foreign object removal operation is being performed is set to be displayed for a longer time than the actual foreign object removal operation time so that the photographer can easily recognize even a small icon.

  Next, the foreign substance removal operation and display processing when the liquid crystal monitor 28 of the camera body 100 is activated in the display-off state (when the power is turned on) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The system controller 50 calls the foreign substance removal operation process of FIG. 39 in step S58 of FIG. 5, and starts this process from step S900. In step S902, the system controller 50 checks whether or not the first shutter switches SW1 and 63 are turned on. In step S803, the system controller 50 determines whether or not automatic foreign substance removal is set, and distributes the processes. The sequence in FIG. 39 is the same as the sequence in FIG. 36 except that there is no processing related to display, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the foreign substance removal operation process when the camera body 100 is turned off will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer turns off the main switch 61 of the camera body 100, the system controller 50 starts this processing from step S1000. The system controller 50 first determines in step S1001 whether or not foreign matter removal automatic execution is set. If foreign matter removal automatic execution is set, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S1002, and if foreign matter removal automatic execution is not set. The process proceeds to step S1007.

  In step S1002, the system controller 50 starts a foreign matter removing operation for removing the foreign matter on the surface of the optical filter 44 by vibrating the piezoelectric element 43 by the piezoelectric element driving circuit 42, and proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, the system controller 50 checks whether or not the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is on. If the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is on, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S1004. If the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is off, step S1005 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S1004, the system controller 50 displays a screen indicating that the foreign substance removing operation is being performed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and proceeds to step S1005. FIG. 41 shows a screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and only an icon indicating that the foreign matter removing operation is being performed is displayed on the black background screen. In other words, the foreign matter removing operation is displayed using the entire screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28. Since this icon is displayed largely at the center of the screen, the photographer can easily recognize that the foreign object removing operation is in progress. Further, since the display during the foreign substance removal operation is a display of a form completely different from the display form of the pre-photographing information as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the photographer can easily recognize that the photographing operation cannot be performed. it can.

  The system controller 50 continues the foreign matter removal operation until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the foreign matter removal operation in step S1005, and proceeds to step S1006 when the predetermined time has passed. In step S1006, the system controller 50 ends the foreign matter removal operation display, and proceeds to step S1007. In step S1007, the system controller 50 turns off the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Subsequently, in step S1008, the system controller 50 performs a shutdown process of the camera body 100, and the process ends in step S1009. That is, the camera is automatically turned off after the foreign substance removing operation is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the camera body 100 is configured such that the photographer can arbitrarily execute the foreign substance removal operation by a menu operation.

  Next, the processing for executing the foreign substance removal operation by the photographer's menu operation in the camera body 100 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographer selects the item “sensor cleaning: automatic” from the menu screen shown in FIG. 43 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, the system controller 50 starts this processing from step S1100. In step S1101, the system controller 50 displays the setting menu screen for the foreign substance removal operation shown in FIG. 44 as a submenu on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and proceeds to step S1102.

  In step S1102, the system controller 50 confirms whether or not the first shutter switches SW1 and 63 are turned on. If the first shutter switch SW1 · 63 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S1103. If the first shutter switch SW1 · 63 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S1112.

  In step S1103, the system controller 50 determines whether “Execute Now” has been selected on the setting menu screen of FIG. If “execute now” is selected, the process proceeds to step S1104. If “execute now” is not selected, the process proceeds to step S1114. In step S1104, the system controller 50 starts a foreign substance removing operation for removing the foreign substance on the surface of the optical filter 44 by vibrating the piezoelectric element 43 by the piezoelectric element driving circuit 42, and proceeds to step S1105.

  In step S1105, the system controller 50 displays on the liquid crystal monitor 28 that the foreign matter removing operation is being performed, and then proceeds to step S1106. The display screen of the liquid crystal monitor 28 in step S1105 is the same as the display screen (FIG. 41) of the liquid crystal monitor 28 in step S1004 of FIG.

  In step S1106, the system controller 50 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the foreign substance removal operation. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1107. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1108. In step S1107, the system controller 50 displays a foreign matter removing operation setting menu screen (FIG. 44) on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and the process ends in step S1117.

  In step S1108, the system controller 50 checks whether or not the first shutter switch SW1 · 63 is turned on. When the first shutter switch SW1 · 63 is not turned on, the process returns to step S1105, and when the first shutter switch SW1 · 63 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S1110.

  The system controller 50 continues the foreign matter removal operation until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the foreign matter removal operation in step S1110. When the predetermined time has passed, the system controller 50 proceeds to step S1111. In step S <b> 1111, the system controller 50 ends the foreign matter removal operation display, and proceeds to step S <b> 1112. In step S1112, the system controller 50 performs photometry / ranging processing, and proceeds to step S1113. In step S1113, shooting information (aperture value calculated from the photometric result, shutter speed, exposure level, etc.) is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In step S1114, the system controller 50 confirms whether or not “setting” is selected on the setting menu screen of FIG. If “SETTING” is selected, the process proceeds to step S1117. If “SETTING” is not selected, the process proceeds to step S1115. In step S1117, the system controller 50 accepts the setting for turning on / off automatic execution of foreign matter removal, and returns to step S1101.

  45 and 46 are screens displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 in step S1117. The character icon at the bottom of the screen is highlighted, and the icon can be toggled from “Yes” → “No” → “Yes” with the left direction selection button 78 and the right direction selection button 79. The change is accepted and confirmed by the SET button 80. When “Yes” is selected, automatic execution of foreign matter removal is set to on, and when “No” is selected, automatic execution of foreign matter removal is set to off.

  In step S1115, the system controller 50 confirms whether the MENU button 67 has been pressed. If the MENU button 67 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1116, and if the MENU button 67 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1101. In step S1116, the system controller 50 exits the foreign matter removal operation setting menu screen, displays the menu screen one level higher (FIG. 43) on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and ends this processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the display indicating that the foreign matter removing operation is being performed is also used for the liquid crystal monitor 28 that displays information before photographing, the number of components of the display system of the camera is reduced. Cost reduction and size reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, it is possible to display an effective foreign substance removal operation without impairing the high-speed response at the time of starting the camera.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, a digital single-lens reflex camera is taken as an example of the imaging device, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to cameras other than digital SLR cameras.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus and performing the following processing. In other words, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention. .

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk can be used. Further, optical disks such as CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the like can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Cases are also included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the following program code is specified based on the instruction of the next program code. This includes cases where processing is performed. That is, the case where the CPU or the like provided in the extension board or the extension unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is included.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the imaging lens unit which looked at the camera as an imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is a top view of a camera. It is a rear view of a camera. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the display operation of the liquid crystal monitor at the time of power-on of a camera. It is a figure which shows the display setting screen (lighting setting) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display setting screen (light extinction setting) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the information display screen (at the time of starting) of the liquid crystal monitor before imaging | photography. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement when a DISP button is pushed down in a photography preparation state with a camera. It is a figure which shows the screen of the light-off state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when the DISP button is pressed during image reproduction display with a camera. It is a figure which shows the simple picked-up image information display screen of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the picked-up image information display screen of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows a reproduction | regeneration display screen only of the image of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement at the time of pressing the DISP button in the menu display state or INFO display state of a camera. It is a figure which shows the menu display screen of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the INFO display screen of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement with respect to the state change of the DISP button at the time of BULB imaging | photography of a camera. It is a figure which shows the exposure elapsed time display screen at the time of BULB imaging | photography of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the selection operation sequence of the ranging mode of a camera. It is a figure which shows the ranging mode display in the imaging | photography preparation state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display (ONE SHOT) of the ranging mode selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display (AI FOCUS) of the ranging mode selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display (AI SERVO) of the ranging mode selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the white balance selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the photometry mode selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the drive mode selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the selection operation sequence of AF ranging point of a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the selection operation sequence of AF ranging point of a camera. It is a figure which shows the selected ranging point information display in the imaging | photography preparation state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display (automatic selection) of the ranging point selection state of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the ranging point selection state display (center selection) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the ranging point selection state display (upper selection) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the ranging point selection state display (downward selection) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the ranging point selection state display (right selection) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the ranging point selection state display (left selection) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the foreign material removal operation | movement at the time of starting in the liquid crystal monitor display ON state of a camera, and a display sequence. It is a figure which shows the display during the foreign material removal operation | movement at the time of the camera start of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the imaging | photography information display state (during photometry timer) of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the foreign material removal operation | movement sequence at the time of starting in the liquid crystal monitor display off state of a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the foreign material removal operation | movement process when the power supply of a camera is turned off. It is a figure which shows the display during the foreign material removal operation | movement at the time of arbitrary execution at the time of camera power-off of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding execution of the foreign material removal operation | movement by menu operation of a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding execution of the foreign material removal operation | movement by menu operation of a camera. It is a figure which shows the display of the menu of the camera various settings of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the menu of the foreign material removal setting of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the setting menu of the foreign material removal automatic execution of a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the display of the setting menu of the foreign material removal automatic execution of a liquid crystal monitor.

Explanation of symbols

14 Imaging device (imaging means)
28 LCD monitor (display means)
42 Piezoelectric element drive circuit (removal means)
43 Piezoelectric element (removal means)
44 Optical filter 50 System controller (operation control means, display control means)
62 Shutter button (shooting start operation means)

Claims (12)

An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal; and a display unit that displays pre-shooting information to be presented to a photographer,
Removing means arranged corresponding to the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging means to remove foreign matter;
Operation control means for causing the removal means to execute a first removal operation in conjunction with a power-on operation of the imaging apparatus, and for causing the removal means to execute a second removal operation other than during the power-on operation of the imaging apparatus; ,
A display indicating that the first removal operation is being performed and a display indicating the second removal operation being performed in combination with the display means, and a display form indicating that the display means is performing the first removal operation; Display control means for displaying the second removal operation in a different manner from the display mode;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The display form indicating that the first removal operation is being performed is a display form in which a display indicating that the first removal operation is being performed is performed for a set time in a partial area of the pre-shooting information screen displayed on the display unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The partial area of the pre-photographing information screen for performing display indicating that the first removal operation is in progress is an area unrelated to an area for displaying exposure information included in the pre-photographing information. 2. The imaging device according to 2.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the set time for performing the display indicating that the first removal operation is in progress is set to be longer than the drive time of the removal means. It further comprises a shooting start operation means for instructing the start of shooting,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit ends the first removal operation of the removal unit when detecting an operation of the photographing start operation unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second removal operation is an operation that is executed in accordance with a power-off operation of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second removal operation is an operation executed in accordance with an operation by an external input.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display mode indicating that the second removal operation is being performed is a display mode that uses the entire screen of the display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit also serves to display an image photographed by the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is selected from a group including a digital single-lens reflex camera. Imaging means for photoelectrically converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal, display means for displaying pre-photographing information to be presented to a photographer, and removal means arranged corresponding to the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging means to remove foreign matter An imaging apparatus control method comprising:
An operation control step of causing the removal means to execute a first removal operation in conjunction with a power-on operation of the imaging apparatus, and causing the removal means to execute a second removal operation other than during the power-on operation of the imaging apparatus; ,
A display indicating that the first removal operation is being performed and a display indicating the second removal operation being performed in combination with the display means, and a display form indicating that the display means is performing the first removal operation; A display control step for displaying the second removal operation so as to be different from the display mode;
A control method comprising:   The program for making a computer perform the control method of the imaging device of the said Claim 11.