JP2009258550A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of performing cleaning of an imaging device while preventing an accident such as breakage of an optical member. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus to/from which a lens 1 can be attached/detached is equipped with an optical member (fixed type main mirror 22) arranged between a camera mount 3 and the imaging device 5, and an attachment/detachment detection means (main mirror attachment/detachment detection circuit 25) detecting the attachment/detachment of the optical member. The imaging apparatus is equipped with a shutter driving means (shutter driving circuit 16) for setting a shutter 4 to an open state when the detachment of the optical member is detected by the attachment/detachment detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly to a cleaning technique for an image pickup element in an image pickup apparatus capable of exchanging lenses, more specifically to a cleaning technique for a filter, an image pickup element cover glass, etc. The present invention relates to a characteristic imaging device.

  Conventionally, a digital image in which a subject image incident from an optical system is photographed using an image sensor, and the resulting image signal is signal-processed and converted into image information, and the image information is recorded in a recording means. Various cameras have been proposed. Here, the recording means includes a memory card, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or a hard disk with a built-in flash memory.

  By the way, in general, in a digital camera, an infrared cut filter is disposed in a part of the photographing optical system in order to suppress the influence of infrared light on an image. In addition, a low-pass filter is disposed in a part of the photographing optical system in order to suppress moire or the like due to a high-frequency component of the subject.

  In digital cameras using an interchangeable lens system, the infrared cut filter and low-pass filter are placed between the image sensor and shutter, between the camera mount and fixed main mirror, that is, between the camera mount and image sensor. Has been.

  Since an interchangeable lens type digital camera has a structure that allows the lens to be attached and detached, dust or the like is likely to adhere to the surface of an infrared cut filter, a low-pass filter, or an image sensor cover glass. Dust and the like adhering to the image sensor is reflected so as to be clearly confirmed even on the captured image, and the captured image cannot be used.

  Note that dust or the like specifically adheres to the filter or the image sensor cover glass that is in close contact with the image sensor as described above, but the expression that it adheres to the image sensor may be used.

  Under such a background, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a camera user frequently attaches / detaches a filter for a long period of time or frequently attaches / detaches a lens, a warning is given to clean the image sensor.

  Therefore, the camera user who receives the warning sets the camera operation mode to the cleaning mode and executes it so that the camera user cleans dust and dirt attached to the image sensor and prevents reflection in the captured image. can do.

  In the cleaning mode, an optical member such as a main mirror and a mechanism member such as a shutter between the image sensor and the camera mount are retracted so that the surface of the image sensor can be seen and cleaned from the mount surface.

  In the above conventional technique, after issuing a warning to clean the image sensor, the camera user's hand sets the cleaning mode, and the camera user's hand executes the cleaning mode and then cleans the image sensor surface. .

  If the optical member of the infrared cut filter or low-pass filter is placed not in front of the image sensor but in the space between the camera mount and the image sensor, it must be removed before cleaning the image sensor after executing the cleaning mode. is there.

In the case of a camera having a fixed main mirror (a main mirror fixed inside that does not move between the retracted position and the photographing position) even if an infrared cut filter or a low-pass filter is located immediately before the image sensor, an optical member is used. It is necessary to remove the fixed primary mirror which is one of the above.
JP 2000-125152 A

  In the above-described conventional technology, it is necessary to remove the optical member between the camera mount and the image pickup device which is always necessary when cleaning the image pickup device. Therefore, if the user forgets to remove the optical member and starts the imaging element cleaning operation without noticing the presence of the optical member, in the worst case, the optical element may be destroyed (cracked) or scratched.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of cleaning an imaging element while preventing an accident such as breakage of an optical member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 is an imaging apparatus in which a lens can be attached and detached, and an optical member disposed between a camera mount and an imaging element, and detection of the attachment and detachment of the optical member. It is characterized by comprising attachment / detachment detection means and shutter driving means for opening the shutter when the attachment / detachment detection means detects the removal of the optical member.

  According to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to execute the cleaning of the image pickup element while preventing an accident such as breakage of the optical member.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the digital camera includes a replaceable lens (photographing lens) 1 and a digital camera body 2.

  The digital camera main body 2 receives a camera mount 3 that couples the lens 1 and the digital camera main body 2, a shutter 4, and a subject image, and is an image pickup composed of, for example, a CMOS image sensor for photoelectrically converting the subject image. An element 5 is provided.

  A fixed main mirror 22 configured by a semi-transmissive mirror provided in the digital camera body 2 normally guides light that has passed through the lens 1 to the finder optical system and the image sensor 5. The fixed main mirror 22 is detachable from the digital camera body 2. Here, the fixed type means that it is fixed inside the digital camera body 2.

  The sub mirror 23 provided behind the fixed main mirror 22 is arranged to guide the light beam transmitted through the fixed main mirror 22 to the AF device 24 serving as a focus detection means. The sub-mirror 23 is moved to a position outside the photographing optical path by a sub-mirror driving circuit 15 (FIG. 2) that is a sub-mirror driving means at the time of photographing. Reference numeral 23 'denotes the position of the sub mirror 23 retracted out of the photographing optical path.

  A focus plate 6, a pentaprism 9, and an eyepiece lens 10 provided in the digital camera body 2 are part of a finder optical system. The optical filter 8 provided in the digital camera body 2 has a low-pass filter and an infrared cut filter bonded together. The infrared cut filter is disposed in order to suppress the influence of infrared light on the image. The low-pass filter is arranged to suppress moire or the like due to the high-frequency component of the subject.

  The image sensor 5 and the optical filter 8 are in close contact with each other, and foreign matters such as dust and dust do not enter between the optical filter 8 and the image sensor 5.

  Here, when the cleaning mode is activated by the operation unit 17 (FIG. 2), the sub mirror 23 is mirror-down as in the case of photographing, and the shutter 4 is opened. If the lens 1 is not attached and the fixed fixed main mirror 22 is removed, the imaging device 5 can be directly viewed from the camera mount 3. The photographer (camera user) can clean the image sensor 5 by operating the cleaning mode.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the digital camera of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the digital camera includes a lens 1 and a mechanical switch, and includes a lens attachment / detachment detection circuit 13 that is an attachment / detachment detection unit that detects attachment / detachment of the lens 1.

  The digital camera includes a main mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit 25 that is configured by a fixed main mirror 22 and a mechanical switch, and is an attachment / detachment detection unit that detects an attachment state of the fixed main mirror 22 to the digital camera body 2.

  The digital camera also includes a sub mirror 23 and a sub mirror drive circuit 15 that is a sub mirror drive means.

  The digital camera also includes a shutter 4 and a shutter driving circuit 16 that is a shutter driving means for driving the shutter 4 to open and close.

  The digital camera also includes an image sensor 5, a signal processing circuit 11 for converting an output signal of the image sensor 5 into a predetermined video signal, and a recording circuit 12 for recording the video signal on a recording medium.

  The digital camera also includes a control circuit 21 for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera, such as the signal processing circuit 11, the recording circuit 12, and the sub mirror drive circuit 15.

  The digital camera also includes an operation unit 17 including a camera power switch, a changeover switch for switching operation modes, a shutter / release switch, and the like, and a display unit 18 for displaying captured images and various setting items. The operation unit 17 is a mode setting unit that sets a cleaning mode that allows the image pickup device 5 to be cleaned.

  The digital camera also includes a warning LED 19, a warning buzzer 20, and an AF device 24.

  Each of the warning LED 19 and the warning buzzer 20 serves as warning means. The warning LED 19 receives a warning signal from the control circuit 21 and warns the photographer by turning on or blinking. The warning buzzer 20 receives a warning signal from the control circuit 21 and warns the photographer by making a buzzer sound.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of control processing when the fixed main mirror is removed, which is executed by the digital camera of FIG. Note that some camera user operations are included.

  The camera operation when the fixed main mirror 22 is removed will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the mounting state of the fixed main mirror 22 is detected in step S101. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on information from the main mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit 25. If the fixed main mirror 22 is mounted, the original state is restored. If it is determined that the fixed main mirror 22 has been removed, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the sub mirror 23 is moved down and the shutter 4 is opened. The down operation of the sub mirror 23 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the sub mirror drive circuit 15 to drive the mirror down. The opening operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to open the shutter.

  In this state, the optical filter 8 held in close contact with the surface of the image sensor 5 can be directly viewed, and a cleaning operation can be performed.

  In step S103, the surface of the optical filter 8 held in close contact with the image sensor 5 is cleaned by the camera user.

  In step S104, the mounting state of the fixed main mirror 22 is detected. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on information from the main mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit 25. If the fixed main mirror 22 has been mounted, the process proceeds to step S105.

  If the control circuit 21 determines that the fixed main mirror 22 is continuously removed, it is determined that the cleaning operation of the optical filter 8 is continued, and the current state is maintained.

  In step S105, the sub mirror 23 is raised and the shutter 4 is closed. The up operation of the sub mirror 23 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the sub mirror drive circuit 15 to drive up the mirror. The closing operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to close the shutter. Then, this process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of control processing by mode discrimination executed by the digital camera shown in FIG. Note that some camera user operations are included.

  The camera operation when the digital camera is set to the cleaning mode by the camera user will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, in step S201, the camera operation mode set by the camera user is determined. The setting of the camera operation mode is performed by a mode setting dial (not shown) included in the operation unit 17. The operation mode is determined by the control circuit 21 based on the operation status of the operation unit 17.

  When the operation mode of the camera is set to the normal shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S208. If the camera operation mode is set to the cleaning mode, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the mounting state of the lens 1 is detected. The control circuit 21 determines the mounting state of the lens 1 based on information from the lens attachment / detachment detection circuit 13. If the lens 1 is attached, the process proceeds to step S209. If the lens 1 is not attached, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S209, since the cleaning operation of the image sensor 5 cannot be performed when the lens 1 is mounted, a warning is given. The warning is performed by instructing the LED 19 for warning and the buzzer 20 for warning to blink the LED and turn on the buzzer sound from the control circuit 21. The warning ends after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step S203, the mounting state of the fixed main mirror 22 is detected. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on information from the main mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit 25. If the fixed main mirror 22 has been removed, the process proceeds to step S205. If the fixed main mirror 22 is attached, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, if the fixed main mirror 22 is in the mounted state, a warning is given because the image sensor 5 cannot be cleaned. The warning is performed by instructing the LED 19 for warning and the buzzer 20 for warning to blink the LED and turn on the buzzer sound from the control circuit 21. The warning ends after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step S205, the sub mirror 23 is moved down and the shutter 4 is opened. The down operation of the sub mirror 23 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the sub mirror drive circuit 15 to drive the mirror down. The opening operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to open the shutter.

  In this state, the optical filter 8 held in close contact with the surface of the image sensor 5 can be seen directly, and a cleaning operation can be performed.

  In step S206, the surface of the optical filter 8 held in close contact with the image sensor 5 is cleaned by the camera user.

  In step S207, the mounting state of the fixed main mirror 22 is detected. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on information from the main mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit 25. If the fixed main mirror 22 has been mounted, the process proceeds to step S208.

  If the control circuit 21 determines that the fixed main mirror 22 is continuously removed, it is determined that the cleaning operation of the optical filter 8 is continued, and the current state is maintained.

  In step S208, the sub mirror 23 is raised and the shutter 4 is closed. The up operation of the sub mirror 23 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the sub mirror drive circuit 15 to drive up the mirror. The closing operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to close the shutter. Then, this process ends.

  In the present embodiment, when a fixed main mirror 22, which is a fixed optical member (optical member), is disposed between the camera mount 3 and the image sensor 5, detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the fixed main mirror 22. (Main mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit 25) is provided. Since the cleaning mode is automatically executed when the fixed main mirror 22 is removed, accidents such as breakage of the optical member can be prevented.

  Further, in the case where the fixed main mirror 22 is disposed between the camera mount 3 and the image pickup device 5, the removal of the fixed main mirror 22 is mostly aimed at cleaning the image pickup device 5. Therefore, the operability of the camera user can be improved by performing the above control.

  Further, when the cleaning mode is set in a state where the fixed main mirror 22 is not removed, a warning is given by a warning means to notify the camera user that the fixed main mirror 22 is mounted and fixed. It becomes possible to prevent an accident of breakage of the main mirror 22.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the digital camera of FIG.

  5 and 6, the same portions as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, the second embodiment includes a main mirror 7 instead of the fixed main mirror 22 and the sub mirror 23 of the first embodiment of FIG. 1. 7 'indicates the position of the main mirror 7 retracted out of the photographing optical path.

  Further, the shutter 4 is disposed facing the image sensor 5, and the optical filter 8 is disposed between the shutter 4 and the camera mount 3 so as to be detachable from the digital camera body 2. Further, the AF device 24 of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 is removed.

  In FIG. 6, a main mirror drive circuit 14 for driving the main mirror 7 and a filter attachment / detachment detection circuit 26 for detecting whether or not the optical filter 8 is attached are provided.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of control processing when the optical filter is removed, which is executed by the digital camera of FIG. Note that some camera user operations are included.

  The camera operation when the optical filter 8 is removed will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the mounting state of the optical filter 8 is detected in step S301. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on the information of the filter attachment / detachment detection circuit 26. If the optical filter 8 is mounted, the original state is restored. If it is determined that the optical filter 8 has been removed, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the main mirror 7 is raised and the shutter 4 is opened. The up operation of the main mirror 7 is executed by a mirror up drive instruction from the control circuit 21 to the main mirror drive circuit 14. The opening operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to open the shutter. In this state, the surface of the image sensor 5 can be directly viewed, and a cleaning operation can be performed.

  In step S303, the surface of the image sensor 5 is cleaned by the camera user.

  In step S304, the mounting state of the optical filter 8 is detected. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on the information of the filter attachment / detachment detection circuit 26. If the optical filter 8 is attached, the process proceeds to step S305. If the control circuit 21 determines that the optical filter 8 is continuously removed, it is determined that the cleaning operation of the surface of the image sensor 5 is continued, and the current state is maintained.

  In step S305, the main mirror 7 is lowered and the shutter 4 is closed. The down operation of the main mirror 7 is executed by a mirror down drive instruction from the control circuit 21 to the main mirror drive circuit 14. The closing operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to close the shutter. Then, this process ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of control processing by mode discrimination executed by the digital camera of FIG. Note that some camera user operations are included.

  The camera operation when the digital camera is set to the cleaning mode by the camera user will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, in step S401, the camera operation mode set by the camera user is determined. The setting of the camera operation mode is performed by a mode setting dial (not shown) included in the operation unit 17.

  The operation mode is determined by the control circuit 21 based on the operation status of the operation unit 17. When the operation mode of the camera is set to the normal shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S408. When the camera operation mode is set to the cleaning mode, the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, the mounting state of the lens 1 is detected. The control circuit 21 determines the mounting state of the lens 1 based on information from the lens attachment / detachment detection circuit 13. If the lens 1 is attached, the process proceeds to step S409. If the lens 1 is not attached, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S409, a warning is given because the imaging device cannot be cleaned when the lens 1 is mounted. The warning is performed by instructing the LED 19 for warning and the buzzer 20 for warning to blink the LED and turn on the buzzer sound from the control circuit 21. The warning ends after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step S403, the mounting state of the optical filter 8 is detected. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on the information of the filter attachment / detachment detection circuit 26. If the optical filter 8 has been removed, the process proceeds to step S405. If the optical filter 8 is attached, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, when the optical filter 8 is attached, a warning is given because the cleaning operation of the image sensor 5 cannot be performed. The warning is performed by instructing the LED 19 for warning and the buzzer 20 for warning to blink the LED and turn on the buzzer sound from the control circuit 21. The warning ends after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step S405, the main mirror 7 is raised and the shutter 4 is opened. The up operation of the main mirror 7 is executed by a mirror up drive instruction from the control circuit 21 to the main mirror drive circuit 14. The opening operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to open the shutter. In this state, the surface of the image sensor 5 can be directly viewed, and a cleaning operation can be performed.

  In step S406, the five surfaces of the image sensor are cleaned by the camera user.

  In step S407, the mounting state of the optical filter 8 is detected. The detection of the mounting state is determined by the control circuit 21 based on the information of the filter attachment / detachment detection circuit 26.

  If the optical filter 8 is attached, the process proceeds to step S408. If the control circuit 21 determines that the optical filter 8 is continuously removed, it is determined that the cleaning operation of the optical filter 8 is continued, and the current state is maintained.

  In step S408, the main mirror 7 is lowered and the shutter 4 is closed. The down operation of the main mirror 7 is executed by a mirror down drive instruction from the control circuit 21 to the main mirror drive circuit 14. The closing operation of the shutter 4 is executed when the control circuit 21 instructs the shutter driving circuit 16 to close the shutter. Then, this process ends.

  In the present embodiment, when an optical filter 8 that is a fixed optical member (optical member) is disposed between the camera mount 3 and the image sensor 5, detection means (filter attachment / detachment detection) that detects attachment / detachment of the optical filter 8. A circuit 26) is provided. Since the cleaning mode is automatically executed when the optical filter 8 is removed, accidents such as breakage of the optical member can be prevented.

  In addition, in the case where the optical filter 8 is disposed between the camera mount 3 and the image pickup device 5, the removal of the optical filter 8 is intended to clean the image pickup device 5 in most cases. Therefore, the operability of the camera user can be improved by executing the above processing.

  Further, when the cleaning mode is set in a state where the optical filter 8 is not removed, a warning means is used to warn the camera user that the optical filter 8 is mounted, and the optical filter 8 is damaged. Can be prevented.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control processing at the time of the fixed main mirror removal performed by the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control processing by the mode discrimination | determination performed by the digital camera of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the digital camera as an imaging device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control processing at the time of the optical filter removal performed by the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control processing by the mode discrimination | determination performed by the digital camera of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens 2 Digital camera main body 3 Camera mount 4 Shutter 5 Image pick-up element 8 Optical filter 13 Lens attachment / detachment detection circuit 15 Submirror drive circuit 16 Shutter drive circuit 17 Operation part 18 Display part 19 Warning LED
20 Warning buzzer 21 Control circuit 22 Fixed primary mirror 23 Sub mirror 25 Primary mirror attachment / detachment detection circuit

Claims (4)

In an imaging device in which a lens can be attached and detached,
An optical member disposed between the camera mount and the image sensor;
Attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the optical member;
When the removal of the optical member is detected by the attachment / detachment detection means, a shutter driving means for opening the shutter;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Mode setting means for setting a cleaning mode that allows the image pickup device to be cleaned by opening the shutter by the shutter driving means;
When the cleaning mode is set by the mode setting means, if the attachment / detachment detection means does not detect the removal of the optical member, warning means for giving a warning;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical member is a main mirror or an optical filter. A submirror disposed behind the primary mirror;
When the removal of the main mirror is detected by the attachment / detachment detection means, sub-mirror driving means for retracting the sub-mirror,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

Images