JP2008252348A - Digital camera, and control method of digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a shutter chance from being missed by attaining a photographable state immediately after the activation of a system by selecting a zoom position desired by a photographer when turning ON the power. <P>SOLUTION: When it is detected that a power switch 14 is tuned ON and a photographer arbitrarily selects a Tele end or a Wide end using a tele-wide changeover switch 17B further, the digital camera controls a camera main body so as to be in the photographable state after moving a zoom lens 30 to the selected Tele end or Wide end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera and a digital camera that control a camera body to a state in which the camera can be photographed after driving a zoom lens to a predetermined zoom position corresponding to a signal input simultaneously with power-on. It is related with the control method.

  In the digital camera using the retractable lens barrel in the power OFF state, the lens barrel is housed in the camera body in the power OFF state. Since the lens barrel is protruded after the power is turned on, it takes time to become ready for photographing, so a photo opportunity is often missed.

  Therefore, avoiding operations such as turning on the power, zooming, and shuttering until the photographer is ready to shoot, and performing a series of operations other than the power-on button with a single operation. There has been disclosed a technology provided with an activation button that can be used (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a shooting state such as a Tele state or a Wide state can be considered as a shooting state. However, since these shooting states are set by the photographer after the camera is started and a zoom operation is performed, a time loss is large. By pressing a button for selecting the position of the Tele state or Wide state before turning on the camera, the camera is activated in the selected photographing state at the same time as the power is turned on, so that the photographer's desired photographing state can be obtained. A technique related to a camera that can set and reduce the time required for the zoom operation is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 2).

  When the photographer continuously shoots multiple times, it is difficult to set the same zoom position again in order to shoot again at the same zoom position after turning off the power. There has been disclosed a technique relating to a camera that can store a zoom position at the time of pressing in a nonvolatile raw storage medium and start shooting from a zoom position stored in the nonvolatile raw storage medium at the same time as turning on the power ( For example, Patent Document 3).

In addition, after the power is turned on, the zoom lens zoom position is set to the Wide side and the focus position is moved to the pan focus side when the system is started, so that the focusing operation at the time of system startup is unnecessary. A technique for shortening the startup time is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 4).
JP 2004-213037 A JP 2002-112097 A Japanese Patent No. 2004-349844 JP-A-2005-252800

  However, although the technique of Patent Document 1 can perform a series of operations until the photographing is possible in one operation, the photographer can select only one zoom position when the power is turned on. There is.

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, it is possible to set a shooting state desired by the photographer, such as a Tele state or a Wide state, at the time of starting the system. There is a problem that it is not possible to cope with the shooting of a kite. Similarly to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the power is turned on, only one zoom position can be selected.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 can take a picture again at the previous zoom position, and is effective when taking pictures continuously. However, there is a problem that the photographer cannot arbitrarily set the zoom position. .

  Since the technique of Patent Document 4 starts the zoom lens at the Wide end and the pan focus position after pressing the release button, there is a problem that the photographer cannot arbitrarily set the zoom position, as in the technique of Patent Document 3 above. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. When the power is turned on, the photographer selects a zoom position desired by the photographer, and after the system is started, the camera can be immediately photographed so that a photo opportunity is obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can prevent the camera from being missed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a zoom lens whose focal length can be changed, driving means for driving the zoom lens so as to change the focal length, and whether or not power is turned on. Detection means for detecting, input means for inputting a signal for driving the zoom lens to the final end, and input from the input means when the detection means detects that the power is turned on And a control means for controlling the camera body so as to be ready for photographing after starting the control of the drive means so as to obtain a predetermined focal length in the drive direction according to the signal. Digital camera.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the focal length so that a predetermined focal length in the driving direction according to a signal input from an input mechanism such as a zoom key can be obtained by detecting that the power is turned on. After starting the zoom lens drive, the camera body is controlled so as to be ready for shooting.

  As a result, even if you encounter an opportunity to take a picture when the digital camera is turned off, by setting the zoom position that the photographer wants at the same time as turning on the power, the camera can be taken immediately after the system is started. Therefore, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to the first aspect, wherein the predetermined focal length is a maximum wide-angle focal length, a maximum telephoto focal length, and a focal length between the maximum wide-angle focal length and the maximum telephoto focal length. Or the focal length immediately before housing the zoom lens.

  In the invention of claim 2, the predetermined focal length is, for example, the maximum wide-angle focal length in the Wide state, for example, the maximum telephoto focal length in the Tele state, or the focal length between the maximum wide-angle focal length and the maximum telephoto focal length, or It is possible to determine the focal length immediately before housing the zoom lens.

  The focal length between the maximum wide-angle focal length and the maximum telephoto focal length is, for example, when the intermediate position between the maximum wide-angle focal length and the maximum telephoto focal length is raised, and when the photographing is enabled at the intermediate position, the zoom position is changed. Since the change can be made with reference to the intermediate position, the photographer can determine the desired zoom position earlier.

  Also, the focal length immediately before housing the zoom lens is, for example, the focal length of the zoom lens before turning off the power is increased, and the positional information of the zoom lens is stored in an EEPROM or the like that is a non-volatile raw storage medium. The zoom position can be determined based on the stored position information at the time of shooting.

  Thus, since the photographer can perform an operation without setting the zoom position of the zoom lens in detail in order to determine the focal length, it is possible to reduce the time required until the camera body is ready for photographing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the second aspect, the focal length between the maximum wide-angle focal length and the maximum telephoto focal length is a focal length before the maximum wide-angle focal length, and a maximum telephoto focal length. It is configured including the focal length before the distance.

  This allows the photographer to determine the zoom position at the same time as the power is input even after encountering an opportunity to take a picture when the power is turned off. Therefore, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.

  A fourth aspect of the invention is the digital camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control means performs normal driving when performing control to drive in the maximum telephoto focal length direction. It is configured to drive at a speed higher than the speed.

  Thus, by reducing the time required for driving the zoom lens, it is possible to reduce the time until the digital camera becomes ready for photographing.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means displays a display unit for displaying a subject when controlling the camera body. It is configured including making it possible.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a display unit for displaying a subject image is provided, and after the zoom lens is driven to obtain a predetermined focal length, the display unit is set in a displayable state.

  As a result, since the display unit that consumes a large amount of power is not displayed at the time of system startup, it is possible to secure power necessary for driving the zoom lens.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a zoom lens capable of changing a focal length, a driving unit that drives the zoom lens so as to change a focal length, a detection unit that detects whether or not power is turned on, and the zoom A digital camera control method for controlling a digital camera including an input means for inputting a signal for driving the lens to the final end, when the detection means detects that the power is turned on. Controlling the camera body so as to be ready for photographing after starting the control of the driving means so as to obtain a predetermined focal length in the driving direction according to the signal input from the input means. It is characterized by.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the power is turned on and the photographer arbitrarily selects the focal length, the zoom lens is driven so that the selected focal length is obtained, and then the photographing is performed. By controlling the camera body so as to be in a state where it is possible to take a photo opportunity immediately after the system is activated, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a digital camera 10 according to this embodiment, and a focal length of a lens group including a zoom lens and a focus lens for forming a subject image on the front surface of a camera body 11 of the digital camera 10. A lens barrel 12 is provided that adjusts these by expansion and contraction.

  Further, a release button 13 and a power switch 14 are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 11 of the digital camera 10, and the release button 13 is configured in a two-stage manner. Auto focus (auto focus) is performed in the “push” state, and auto exposure processing (AE) is activated to lock the auto focus and AE. The power switch 14 is used when the photographer switches between supplying / stopping power supply to each unit of the digital camera 10.

  Further, an LCD (image display device) 15, a finder window 16, a zoom key 17, a mode switch 18, a menu key 19, an execution key 20, a cancel key 21, and a function button 23 are provided on the back of the main body 11 of the digital camera 10. It has been.

  The LCD 15 can be used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view at the time of shooting, and displays various menu items, various selection items by the photographer, and shot images.

  The zoom key 17 includes a Wide position setting button 17A that determines a zoom position in the wide-angle (Wide) direction and a Tele position setting button 17C that determines a zoom position in the Tele (Tele) direction when pressed by the photographer. Further, in addition to the position setting button, a tele / wide switch 17B composed of a lever switch that can be operated in the up / down direction by the photographer is provided. And the Tele end can be selected.

  Further, the tele / wide changeover switch 17B can be selected when the photographer turns on the power switch 14 with either one of the up / down directions of the tele / wide changeover switch 17B selected. Zooming to the end and the Tele end), and power is supplied to each part of the digital camera 10 to enable photographing.

  Further, the tele / wide changeover switch 17B can select an intermediate position between the Wide end and the Tele end by pressing the photographer without selecting the vertical direction.

  Further, the tele / wide changeover switch 17B is provided so that the “half-pressed” and “full-pressed” states can be set in the same manner as the release button 13, for example, the photographer sets the tele / wide changeover switch 17B. In the “half-pressed” state, the Wide end, the Tele end, or the intermediate position is selected, and when the power switch 14 is turned on, after the zoom is moved in the selected zoom direction, the photographing is enabled. When the zoom direction is selected in the “push” state and the power switch 14 is turned on, the zoom movement may not be performed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the photographer from performing the zoom operation unconsciously when the power is turned on.

  The mode changeover switch 18 switches between a reproduction mode in which reproduction is performed based on image data taken by the digital camera 10 and a photographing mode which is a photographing standby state.

  The menu key 19 is used when the photographer displays various menu items on the LCD 15, and the function button 23 is used when the photographer selects an arbitrary menu item from the various menus displayed on the LCD 15. It is intended for operation.

  The execution key 20 is operated when the photographer gives an instruction to start execution of each item, and the cancel key 21 is used when an instruction to cancel the item selected by the photographer is given.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 includes a zoom lens 30 for changing a focal length, an iris 32 for changing an aperture amount by a shutter and a diaphragm, and a focus lens for focusing a subject image by performing focus adjustment. 34, a CCD 36 disposed behind the optical axis of the focus lens 34, a correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as CDS) 38, and an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as a digital signal) for converting an input analog signal into a digital signal. The output terminal of the CCD 36 is connected to the input terminal of the CDS 38, and the output terminal of the CDS 38 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 40.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a line buffer having a predetermined capacity and an image input controller 42 that performs control for directly storing input digital image data in a predetermined area of a VRAM 60 described later. Various image processing is performed on the digital image data. An image signal processing circuit 44 that performs compression processing on digital data in a predetermined compression format, and a compression processing circuit 46 that performs decompression processing on the compressed digital image data, and an image or menu screen indicated by the digital image data And the like, and a display control circuit (Video Encoder) 48 that generates a signal for displaying the signal on the LCD 15 (image display device) and supplies the signal to the LCD 15.

  Note that the input terminal of the image input controller 42 is connected to the output terminal of the ADC 40.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 52 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10, an AF detection circuit 54 that detects a physical quantity required to operate the AF function, an AE function, and an AWB (Automatic White Balance). AE / AWB detection circuit 56 for detecting a physical quantity (in this embodiment, an amount indicating the brightness of an image obtained by imaging by the CCD 36) required for operating the function.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a memory 58 constituted by an SDRAM used as a work area when the CPU 52 executes various processes, a VRAM 60 that mainly stores digital image data obtained by photographing, and a system startup or photographing time. A ROM 61 for storing programs and data required for processing, and a media controller 62 for enabling the digital camera 10 to access a recording medium 64 configured by smart media are provided.

  The VRAM 60 is used as an image area 60A and a program area 60B. When the power switch 14 is turned on, the system startup program and data stored in the ROM 61 are loaded into the program area 60B. Based on the loaded program and data, the system is started.

  The image input controller 42, image signal processing circuit 44, compression processing circuit 46, display control circuit 48, CPU 52, AF detection circuit 54, AE / AWB detection circuit 56, memory 58, VRAM 60, ROM 61, and media controller 62 are as follows. Each is connected via a system bus.

  Therefore, the CPU 52 controls the operations of the image input controller 42, the image signal processing circuit 44, the compression processing circuit 46, and the display control circuit 48, and acquires the physical quantities detected by the AF detection circuit 54 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 56. The memory 58, the VRAM 60, and the ROM 61 can be accessed, and the recording medium 64 can be accessed via the media controller 62.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a timing generator 66 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 36 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 36. The timing generator 66 has an input terminal connected to the CPU 52 and an output terminal connected to the CCD 36, and the drive of the CCD 36 is controlled by the CPU 52 via the timing generator 66.

  Further, the CPU 52 zooms by supplying a drive signal to a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a stepping motor that drives the zoom lens 30, the iris 32, and the focus lens 34 via the motor drivers 68, 70, and 72. The lens 30, the iris 32, and the focus lens 34 are driven.

  When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 52 changes the focal length by driving and controlling the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72.

  Further, the CPU 52 performs focus control by driving and controlling the focus lens 34 via the motor driver 68 so that the contrast of the image obtained by imaging by the CCD 36 is maximized.

  Further, a mode switching switch 74 that controls switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode by switching the mode switch 18, a shutter switch unit 76 that controls opening and closing of the shutter by pressing the release button 13, and tele / A tele / wide changeover switch unit 78 for controlling zoom movement in the zoom direction (Wide end and Tele end) selected by the up / down operation of the wide changeover switch unit 78 is connected to the CPU 52. It is possible to always grasp the state of the switch.

  Next, processing at the time of shooting performed by the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the power switch 14 is turned on. When the power switch 14 is turned on, the process proceeds to the next step 102. In step 102, whether or not one of the up and down directions of the tele / wide selector switch 17B constituting the zoom key 17 has been selected, that is, tele / wide is selected. The determination is made based on whether or not the changeover switch unit 78 is connected to the tele end or the wide end connection end.

  If either one of the up and down directions of the tele / wide changeover switch 17B is selected, the process proceeds to step 104. If neither is selected, the system is started at the normal zoom position and the camera body 11 is moved. As the photographing enabled state, the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 104, the amount of drive signal (hereinafter referred to as the number of pulses) transmitted from the ROM 61 to the drive mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 in order to move the zoom lens 30 to the tele end or the wide end is from the ROM 61. get.

  Next, in step 106, it is determined whether the movement of the zoom lens 30 is moved to the tele end or the wide end, and at the tele end by a signal from the connection end to which the tele / wide changeover switch section 78 is connected. If there is, the process proceeds to Step 108, and if it is the Wide end, the process proceeds to Step 110.

  In step 108, based on the number of pulses for driving the zoom lens 30 acquired in step 104 to the Tele end, a drive signal is transmitted to the drive mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 to drive the zoom lens 30. At the same time, the system is activated based on the activation program and data stored in the VRAM 60, and the camera body 11 is ready for photographing.

  In step 110, based on the number of pulses for driving the zoom lens 30 obtained in step 104 to the Wide end, a drive signal is transmitted to the drive mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 to drive the zoom lens 30. At the same time as in step 108, the system is activated based on the activation program and data stored in the VRAM 60, and the camera body 11 is ready for photographing.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not the release button 13 has been pressed. If the release button 13 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 114 where the subject is photographed. In the next step 116, the power switch 14 is turned off. If the power switch 14 is turned off, the processing is terminated. If the power switch 14 is not turned off, the release button 13 is pressed in step 112. stand by.

  As a result, in a digital camera using a zoom lens that can change the focal length, when an opportunity to shoot with the power off is desired and the photographer wants to shoot on the Tele side or Wide side, By activating the system while performing the above-described operation, it is possible to prevent a photo opportunity from being missed by allowing the photographer to immediately take a picture in the vicinity of the desired zoom position.

  In addition, when the tele / wide changeover switch 17B can perform the “full press” and “half press” operation, only when the “half press” operation is performed, the tele / wide changeover switch section 78 is provided. Can be connected to the Tele end or Wide end selected by the tele / wide switch 17B.

  Accordingly, since the photographer can consciously perform the zoom operation, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation by the photographer.

  In general, when the zoom lens is moved in the zoom direction, the zoom lens is moved at a constant speed. However, by increasing the moving speed of the zoom lens, it becomes possible to make the photographing possible earlier.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the zoom drive speed at normal time is 500 (PPS), and the zoom speed is changed at 500 (PPS). The camera is ready to shoot faster by increasing the speed.

  In addition, it is possible to prevent the step-out of the drive mechanism that drives the zoom lens by increasing the speed stepwise without increasing the speed constantly.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the system is started while moving the zoom lens, but only the program and data for moving the zoom lens are executed, and the position of the zoom lens desired by the photographer is moved. Later, the system may be activated based on the activation program and data stored in the VRAM 60, and control may be performed so that the camera body 11 is in a photographing enabled state.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the digital camera has been described in which the photographer selects the tele end or the wide end at the same time as the power is turned on so that the camera can be photographed at the selected zoom position at the same time as the system is activated. Is a digital camera that enables a photographer to select a tele end, a wide end, or an intermediate position between the tele end and the wide end simultaneously with turning on the power.

  The configuration of the digital camera according to this embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, but the photographer presses the tele / wide switch 17B as it is without selecting the vertical direction. By doing so, it is possible to select an intermediate position between the Wide end and the Tele end, and when the power switch 14 is turned on while the intermediate position is still selected, the digital camera is zoomed to the intermediate position. Power is supplied to each of the ten units, and the camera is ready for photographing.

  The main configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is almost the same as the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and the tele / wide changeover switch unit 78 is the same as that of the present embodiment. Only the configuration is different.

  In the present embodiment, the tele-wide switch 78 is combined to provide a connection end as a tele end, a wide end, or an intermediate position between the tele end and the wide end, and the zoom selected by the tele-wide switch 17B. Connect to each connection end according to the direction.

  Next, processing at the time of shooting performed by the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When performing the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, The main description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol.

  First, in step 100, when the power switch 14 is turned on, the process proceeds to step 102. When it is determined in step 102 that the tele / wide switch 17B is pressed, the process proceeds to step 200, and the tele / wide is selected. If it is determined that the changeover switch 17B has not been pressed, the system is activated at the normal zoom position, and the routine proceeds to step 112.

  In step 200, the number of pulses transmitted to the driving mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 is acquired from the ROM 61 in order to move the zoom lens 30 to the tele end, the wide end, and the intermediate position.

  Next, in step 202, whether the movement of the zoom lens 30 is moved to the tele end, the wide end, or the intermediate position is determined by a signal from the connection end to which the tele / wide changeover switch section 78 is connected. If it is a Tele end, the process proceeds to Step 108. If it is a Wide end, the process proceeds to Step 110. If it is an intermediate position, the process proceeds to Step 204.

  In step 204, based on the number of pulses for driving the zoom lens 30 to the intermediate position acquired in step 200, a drive signal is transmitted to the drive mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 to drive the zoom lens 30. At the same time, the system is activated based on the activation program and data stored in the VRAM 60, and the camera body 11 is brought into a shootable state.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 112 to step 116, but the description is omitted because it is the same process as in the first embodiment, and the description of steps 108 and 110 is also omitted because it is the same process as in the first embodiment.

  This allows the photographer to select an intermediate position, which can be operated without the need to set the zoom position of the zoom lens in detail to determine the focal length, so the camera body can shoot It is possible to reduce the time required to reach a proper state.

  In addition, when moving the zoom lens to the Tele end, the subject is likely to be far away, so if the focus ball is in the shooting distance infinite direction (INF side), it is possible to make the shooting state faster. .

  Therefore, when moving the zoom lens 30 to the Tele end, the number of pulses required to move the focus lens 34 to a position in the direction of infinite photographing distance is stored in the ROM 61 in advance, and the zoom lens 30 is activated when the system is activated. Is moved to the Tele end and a drive signal is transmitted to the drive mechanism of the focus lens 34 via the motor driver 68 based on the stored number of pulses of the focus lens 34 to drive the focus lens 34.

  Further, when the zoom lens 30 is moved to the Wide end and the intermediate position, since the subject is likely to be close, if the focus ball is in the shortest shooting distance direction (NEAR side), a quicker shooting state can be achieved. It becomes.

  Therefore, when moving the zoom lens 30 to the Wide end and the intermediate position, the number of pulses required to move the focus lens 34 to the position in the shortest shooting distance direction is stored in the ROM 61 in advance, and the zoom is performed when the system is started. The lens 30 is moved to the Wide end or an intermediate position, and the focus lens 34 is driven by transmitting a drive signal to the drive mechanism of the focus lens 34 via the motor driver 68 based on the stored number of pulses of the focus lens 34. Let

[Embodiment 3]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the digital camera has been described in which the photographer selects the zoom position at the same time as the power is turned on, and at the same time when the system is started, the digital camera is set in the shooting enabled state at the selected zoom position. The form is a digital camera that starts display on the image display device after moving the zoom lens to a selected zoom position.

  The configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment and the main configuration of the electrical system are the same as those of the digital camera according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS.

  Next, the processing at the time of shooting performed by the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6, and is the same as the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 described in the first and second embodiments. When processing is performed, the same reference numerals are used and the main description is omitted, and only the parts different from the figure are described.

  In the present embodiment, when the photographer selects the tele end, the wide end, or the intermediate position between the tele end and the wide end simultaneously with the power ON selected by the photographer, after moving the zoom lens to the selected zoom position, In step 300, the display control circuit 48 generates a signal to be displayed on the LCD 15 and supplies it to the LCD 15.

  Even when the photographer does not select the zoom position, a signal for causing the display control circuit 48 to display on the LCD 15 in step 300 after moving the zoom lens to the normal zoom position as described above. Is generated and supplied to the LCD 15.

  As a result, since the display unit that consumes a large amount of power is not displayed at the time of system startup, it is possible to secure power necessary for driving the zoom lens.

[Embodiment 4]
Since the configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of FIG. 1, the description thereof is omitted. Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the digital camera according to FIG. 2, the description is omitted, but only the portion where the ROM 61 shown in FIG.

  Next, processing at the time of shooting performed by the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7, which is the same as the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 described in the first and second embodiments. When processing is performed, the same reference numerals are used and the main description is omitted.

  First, if it is determined in step 100 that the power switch 14 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step 102. If it is determined in step 102 that the tele / wide switch 17B has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 400, where If it is determined that it is not, the system is started at the normal zoom position, and the process proceeds to step 412.

  Next, in step 400, as will be described later, the position of the zoom lens 30 stored in the EEPROM when the position of the zoom lens 30 is changed is acquired, and the Tele end and the Wide end are determined based on the acquired position of the zoom lens 30. , And the number of pulses required to move the zoom lens 30 to the intermediate position.

  Next, in step 402, whether to move the zoom lens 30 to the tele end, the wide end, or the intermediate position is determined based on a signal from the connection end to which the tele / wide changeover switch section 78 is connected. If it is the intermediate position, the process proceeds to step 404. If it is the tele end, the process proceeds to step 406. If it is the wide end, the process proceeds to step 408.

  In step 404, a drive signal is transmitted to the drive mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 based on the number of pulses required for driving the zoom lens 30 calculated in step 400 to the intermediate position. 30 is driven, and the system is activated based on the activation program and data stored in the VRAM 60, and the camera body 11 is ready for photographing.

  Similarly, in step 406 and step 408, the zoom lens 30 calculated in step 400 is driven to the drive mechanism of the zoom lens 30 via the motor driver 72 based on the number of pulses required to drive the zoom lens 30 to the tele end or the wide end. The zoom lens 30 is driven by transmitting a signal, and the camera body 11 is brought into a photographing enabled state.

  In the next step 410, the current position of the zoom lens 30 is stored in the EEPROM, but in this step, any one position of the tele end, the wide end, or the intermediate position is stored.

  Next, in step 412, when the photographer receives an instruction signal for changing the position of the zoom lens to the wide side or the tele side by pressing the wide position setting button 17A and the tele position setting button 17C, the process proceeds to step 412. If there is no change instruction signal, the routine proceeds to step 112.

  In step 414, the zoom lens 30 is driven based on the signal received in step 412, and the position of the driven zoom lens 30 is stored in the EEPROM.

  In step 112, if the release button 13 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 114, where a subject image is taken. In the next step 116, the process is terminated when the power switch 14 is turned off, and the power switch When 14 remains ON, the camera waits for the position of the zoom lens 30 to be changed or the release button 13 to be pressed.

  As a result, when the power source is disconnected while the lens barrel of the digital camera is in the non-collapsed state, it is possible to cope with a failure in which the home position cannot be searched after the power source is restored.

  In other words, the zoom lens can be moved quickly in any state, and the photographing can be performed earlier.

  Further, by providing a limit switch for stopping the driving of the zoom lens at the Tele end, it is possible to prevent the step-out that occurs when the driving mechanism for driving the zoom lens is driven at high speed.

  Further, by providing a limit switch in front of the Tele end, the zoom lens is braked, and the zoom lens can be stopped more reliably.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process at the time of imaging | photography with the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method to move the zoom lens of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention to Tele end faster than normal speed. It is a flowchart showing the process at the time of imaging | photography of the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process at the time of imaging | photography of the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process at the time of imaging | photography of the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 11 Camera body 12 Lens barrel 13 Release button 14 Power switch 15 LCD (image display device)
16 Viewfinder window 17 Zoom key 17A Wide position setting button 17B Tele / wide switch 17C Tele position setting button 18 Mode switch 19 Menu key 20 Execution key 21 Cancel key 23 Function button

Claims (6)

A zoom lens with variable focal length,
Drive means for driving the zoom lens to change the focal length;
Detection means for detecting whether the power is turned on;
Input means for inputting a signal for driving the zoom lens to the final end;
When the detection unit detects that the power is turned on, control of the driving unit is started so that a predetermined focal length in a driving direction corresponding to a signal input from the input unit is obtained. After that, control means for controlling the camera body so as to be ready for shooting,
Including digital camera.   The predetermined focal length is a maximum wide-angle focal length, a maximum telephoto focal length, a focal length between a maximum wide-angle focal length and a maximum telephoto focal length, or a focal length immediately before housing a zoom lens. Digital camera.   3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the focal length between the maximum wide-angle focal length and the maximum telephoto focal length includes a focal length before the maximum wide-angle focal length and a focal length before the maximum telephoto focal length.   The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means drives at a speed faster than a normal driving speed when performing control to drive in a maximum telephoto focal length direction.   5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit controls the camera body, the display unit that displays a subject is in a displayable state. 6. A zoom lens with variable focal length,
Drive means for driving the zoom lens to change the focal length;
Detection means for detecting whether the power is turned on;
Input means for inputting a signal for driving the zoom lens to the final end;
A digital camera control method for controlling a digital camera including:
When the detection unit detects that the power is turned on, control of the driving unit is started so that a predetermined focal length in a driving direction corresponding to a signal input from the input unit is obtained. Later, a digital camera control method in which the camera body is controlled so that shooting is possible.

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