JP2009267482A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that the imageable time of a video camera which is still powered on with its power switch powered off for faster starting becomes short. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging device includes a photographic parameter storage means 8 of storing photographic parameters including a zoom position when power-off control is performed by a power source control means 6, an imaging device state determination means 10 of determining whether a photograph is performed by the video camera in a hand from a detection result of a sensor 9, a photographic parameter setting means 7 of setting the zoom position to an initial value when the imaging device state determination means 10 determines that a determination result is a hand-holding photography state during the power-on control by the power source control means 6, and setting the zoom position stored in the photographic parameter storage means 8 when the imaging device state determination means determines that the photography state is not the hand-holding photography state, and a zoom lens control means 11 of controlling a zoom lens to the zoom position set by the photographic parameter setting means 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device that captures an image of a subject and records it on a recording medium, and more particularly to an imaging device that enables a video to be recorded on a recording medium at a high speed after a power switch is turned on.

  In recent years, in response to a request to start shooting instantly, the time from turning on the power switch to enabling shooting can be reduced by turning the power on even when the power switch is turned off. Shortening video cameras have been commercialized.

In addition, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 in order not to miss a shooting opportunity by exchanging media or batteries. In the electronic camera of Patent Document 1, the camera information such as the optical zoom position is stored in the EEPROM when the medium or the battery is replaced, and then the power is turned off. After that, when the power is turned on again, the camera information stored in the EEPROM is used to start up, and shooting can be performed under the same conditions as before the power is turned off.
JP 2004-72222 A

  However, devices that have already been commercialized have a problem that the battery can be photographed for a short time since the power is not cut off even when the power switch is turned off, and the battery is continuously consumed. In addition, when returning to the state before the power is turned off, there is a problem that the process of returning the zoom position may take time depending on the position to be returned.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a lens, an imaging unit that converts an optical image of a subject through the lens into an electrical signal, and a recording that records an image acquired by the imaging unit on a recording medium. Means, a power control means for controlling power OFF / ON, a photographing parameter storage means for storing photographing parameters when the power control is controlled by the power control means, and a holding state of the apparatus is detected. A sensor, an imaging apparatus state determination unit that determines whether the sensor is in a hand-held state from the detection result of the sensor, and a determination result by the imaging apparatus state determination unit when the power ON control is performed by the power source control unit The shooting parameter setting means for setting the shooting parameter stored in the shooting parameter storage means or an initial shooting parameter, and the shooting Based on the imaging parameters set in parameter setting means, and a lens control means for controlling the lens.

  As a result, when the power is turned off, the power is completely turned off, and when the user takes a picture with his hand when the power is turned on again, the process to be performed until the camera is ready to shoot Thus, it is not necessary to perform processing for returning the time-consuming shooting parameter to the previous setting, and the shooting can be performed at high speed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging means 1 converts the subject input from the lens into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is input to the recording means 2. The recording means 2 performs appropriate conversion on the input electric signal and records it on the recording medium 3.

  The SW unit 4 outputs operation information for a switch such as a power switch provided for an operation by a user. The output switch information is input to the timer means 5 and the power supply control means 6. The timer means 5 outputs a timer signal from the input switch information when the switch has not been operated for a predetermined time or longer. The timer signal is input to the power supply control means 6.

  The power supply control means 6 turns off the power supply when the power supply switch is changed from ON to OFF or the timer signal is output from the input switch information and the timer signal, and the power supply switch changes from OFF to ON. In such a case, the power supply is controlled so that the power supply is turned on, and the power supply control state is output. The power control state is input to the imaging parameter setting unit 7.

On the other hand, the sensor 9 outputs, for example, a detection signal of a push switch arranged in the grip portion of the video camera. The detection signal is input to the imaging apparatus state determination unit 10.
The imaging device state determination unit 10 outputs a hand-holding determination signal that determines whether or not the user has the hand from the input detection unit. The hand-holding determination signal is input to the shooting parameter setting means 7.

  The shooting parameter setting means 7 outputs shooting parameters such as zoom position, focus information, and white balance information when the power is turned off from the input power control state. The shooting parameters are input to the shooting parameter storage unit 8.

  The shooting parameter storage unit 8 stores the input shooting parameters.

  The imaging parameter setting unit 7 inputs the imaging parameters stored in the imaging parameter storage unit 8 when the power is turned on from the input power state.

  Furthermore, if it is determined from the input hand-held signal that the user does not hold it with his / her hand, the camera may be shooting with a tripod, etc., and the field angle is assumed to be fixed. In order to return to the zoom position, the zoom position stored in the imaging parameter storage means 8 is output. If it is determined that the user holds it with his / her hand, it is assumed that the shooting scene has changed, and the zoom position value that can be set at the fastest speed from power ON is set and output.

  The zoom position is input to the zoom lens control unit 11.

  The zoom lens control means 11 controls the zoom lens according to the input zoom position.

  Next, the operation of the video recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  In the video recording apparatus, the imaging means 1 converts the subject input from the lens into an electrical signal, and the recording means 2 performs appropriate conversion and records it on the recording medium 3.

  When the power switch provided in the SW control means 4 is turned on, the power is turned on by the power control means 6 and the power control information is input to the photographing parameter setting means 7.

  The shooting parameter setting means 7 determines whether or not the imaging device state determination means 10 based on the output of the sensor 9 determines whether or not the user has a hand. Since the angle of view is often changed, it is determined that the angle of view has changed, and the zoom position value that can be set at the fastest speed from power ON is set and output.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the user does not hold it with his / her hand, it is determined that there are many cases where shooting is performed with a tripod fixed and the angle of view does not change, and the zoom position when the power is turned off should be set. Thus, it is possible to shoot without changing the angle of view.

  In the present embodiment, the control of the zoom lens has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this and can be similarly applied to control of the focus lens and various controls to the lens such as a diaphragm. it can.

  2 and 3 show examples of sensor arrangement positions.

  FIG. 2 is an example in which the sensor is disposed on the side surface of the video camera on the grip belt side. This is an example in which the sensor is arranged at a position where the user always presses the video camera when holding it by hand.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which a push switch is arranged on the bottom surface of the video camera. Contrary to the example of FIG. 2, this is an example in which a sensor is always placed at a position where it is pushed when the user does not hold it by hand.

  By arranging in this way, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the user has in his / her hand.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a digital video camera, the battery consumption is low, and the power switch can be switched to a shooting ready state at a high speed after the power switch is turned on. It is possible to take a picture without changing the angle of view and the like before turning off.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a video recording / playback apparatus that can shoot at a high speed after turning on the power switch when the user holds the video camera by hand. When applied to a camera, its practical effect is great.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the sensor in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the sensor in other embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging means 2 Recording means 3 Recording medium 4 SW means 5 Timer means 6 Power supply control means 7 Imaging parameter setting means 8 Imaging parameter storage means 9 Sensor 10 Imaging device state determination means 11 Zoom lens control means 12 Zoom lens 21 Video camera Grip belt Side surface 22 Grip belt 23 SW position 31 Video camera bottom 32 Tripod hole 33 SW position

Claims (4)

A lens,
Imaging means for converting an optical image of the subject through the lens into an electrical signal;
Power control means for controlling power OFF / ON;
Shooting parameter storage means for storing shooting parameters when power OFF control is performed by the power control means;
A sensor for detecting the holding state of the device;
Imaging device state determination means for determining whether the sensor is in a hand-held state from the detection result of the sensor;
When the power ON control is performed by the power control unit, the imaging parameter stored in the imaging parameter storage unit or the initial imaging parameter is set based on the determination result by the imaging device state determination unit. Shooting parameter setting means;
Lens control means for controlling the lens based on the shooting parameters set by the shooting parameter setting means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The lens includes a zoom lens;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens control unit controls the zoom lens to a zoom position set by the shooting parameter setting unit. SW means for performing various operations including a power switch;
Timer means for detecting that the SW means has not been operated for a certain period of time,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit controls power OFF / ON based on a state of a power switch of the SW unit or a detection result of the timer unit. It has a grip part that holds the device body,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed in the grip portion.

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