JP2009300963A - Single lens reflex digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve AF even when a dark lens is mounted and phase difference AF cannot be performed in a single lens reflex digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: When the dark lens is mounted and the phase difference AF cannot be performed, the camera is set in a live view mode to perform autofocus in imaging surface autofocus, thereby automatically performing photography in focus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a single-lens reflex digital still camera.

  In a single-lens reflex type digital still camera, an image sensor such as a CCD is attached to a film loading portion of a camera using a single-lens reflex type silver salt film (hereinafter abbreviated as a silver salt camera) to form a digital still camera. Many. In such a digital still camera, the light passing through the imaging lens is separated by a separator lens, and focusing is performed by a phase-difference autofocus method that performs focusing by obtaining a lens moving amount based on a distance between the images. It is carried out.

As an example of the above, Patent Document 1 below can be cited.
JP 2003-101827 A

  However, when a single lens reflex digital still camera is equipped with a dark lens (F value is 8.0 or more), phase difference autofocus cannot be performed, and automatic focusing cannot be performed. was there.

  If phase difference autofocus is not possible, the camera enters the live view mode, performs autofocus with the imaging surface autofocus, and automatically performs shooting with focus.

  As described above, even when a single lens reflex digital still camera is equipped with a dark lens and the lens focus mode is set to autofocus, autofocus is performed using the live view imaging surface autofocus. This makes it possible to automatically perform autofocus and provide a single-lens reflex digital still camera that is easy for the user to use.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  First, a single-lens reflex digital still camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 29902 is a mechanical shutter for controlling the exposure amount to the image sensor 29014, and 29014 is an image sensor for converting an optical image into an electrical signal.

  The light beam incident on the lens 29310 can be guided through the diaphragm 29312, the lens mounts 29306 and 29106, the mirror 29130, and the mechanical shutter 29012 by the single-lens reflex method, and can be formed on the image sensor 29014 as an optical image. If the setting of the lens 29310 is not the manual focus mode (MF) but the auto focus mode (AF), the focus mode and the F value (lens brightness) are communicated to the single-lens reflex digital still camera body. If the F value is smaller than 8.0, the single-lens reflex digital still camera performs autofocus. However, if the F value is 8.0 or more, the single-lens reflex digital still camera cannot perform autofocus.

  Reference numeral 29016 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 29014 into a digital signal.

  A timing generation unit 29018 supplies an electronic shutter control signal and a clock signal to the image sensor 29014 and a control signal and a clock signal to the A / D converter 29016, and is controlled by the memory control unit 29002 and the digital unit system control unit 29015. .

  Reference numeral 29051 denotes a digital unit system control unit that controls the digital unit of the digital camera 102 and can communicate with the camera unit system control unit 29050.

  The digital unit system control unit 29051 controls data display of the image display unit, receives notification from the camera unit system control unit 29050 whether the photometry timer is in operation, stores the state in the RAM 29030, and the image processing unit 29020. In response to the notification of whether or not the image is being processed, the state is stored in the RAM 29030, and further whether the image display unit is displaying data is stored in the RAM 29030.

  Reference numeral 29020 denotes an image processing unit, which performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 29016 or the data from the memory control unit 29002, and determines whether the image processing is in progress. Notify the control unit.

  Further, in the image processing unit 29020, a predetermined calculation process is performed using the captured image data as necessary, and the system control unit 29050 is configured to perform exposure control unit 29040, distance measurement control unit based on the obtained calculation result. An imaging surface autofocus process, an AE (automatic exposure) process, and an EF (flash dimming) process can be performed to control the 29042. When the image processing unit 29020 is set to the live view mode, the image display unit 29028 displays the image data captured by the image sensor 29014 in real time.

  Further, the image processing unit 29020 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  Reference numeral 29902 denotes a memory control unit that controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation unit 29018, the image processing unit 29020, the RAM 29030, and the compression / decompression unit 29032.

  The data of the A / D converter 29016 is written into the RAM 29030 via the image processing unit 29020 and the memory control unit 29002, or the data of the A / D converter 29016 is directly written through the memory control unit 29002.

  Reference numeral 29028 denotes an image display unit (including a video controller) composed of a TFT LCD or the like, and displays a menu, captured image data, and the like. If the focus mode of the lens 29310 is set to autofocus and a dark lens of F8.0 or higher is attached, whether or not to perform AF for a user who uses a single-lens reflex digital camera is displayed on the image display unit 29028. To display.

  Further, the image display unit 29028 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the digital unit system control unit 29051. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the digital camera 101 is greatly reduced. I can do it.

  Reference numeral 29030 denotes a RAM for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Accordingly, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, a large amount of image writing can be performed at high speed on the storage unit.

  Also, the captured image image data or the image data called from the recording unit is stored in the memory under the control of the digital unit system control unit 29051. A part of this RAM 29030 is used as a cache area in this embodiment.

  Further, the RAM 29030 can be used as a work area for the system control unit 29050.

  A compression / decompression unit 29032 compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the RAM 29030, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and writes the processed data to the RAM 29030. .

  Reference numeral 29040 denotes mechanical shutter control means for controlling the mechanical shutter 29012 in cooperation with the diaphragm control means 29340 for controlling the diaphragm 29312 based on the photometric information from the photometric means 29046.

  Reference numeral 29042 denotes distance measuring means for performing AF (autofocus) processing. A single-lens reflex system converts a light beam incident on the lens 29310 into a diaphragm 29312, lens mounts 29306 and 29106, a mirror 29130, and a distance measuring sub mirror (not shown). , The in-focus state of an image formed as an optical image can be measured.

  Reference numeral 29046 denotes photometric means for performing AE (automatic exposure) processing, and the light incident on the lens 29310 is converted into a diaphragm 29312, lens mounts 29306 and 29106, mirrors 29130 and 29132, and a photometric lens (not shown) by a single lens reflex system. The incident state of the image formed as an optical image can be measured by making the light incident on the photometric means 29046 via.

  The photometry means 29046 also has an EF (flash dimming) processing function in cooperation with the flash 29048.

  Reference numeral 29048 denotes a flash, which has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The system control unit 29050 controls the mechanical shutter control unit 29040, the aperture control unit 29340, and the distance measurement control unit 29342 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 29014 by the image processing unit 29020. It is also possible to perform exposure control and AF (autofocus) control using the video TTL method.

  Reference numeral 29050 denotes a camera unit system control unit that controls the camera unit of the digital camera 101 and notifies the digital unit system control unit whether the photometry timer is operating.

  Reference numeral 29052 denotes a memory for storing constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the camera unit system control unit 29050.

  Reference numeral 29054 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program in the camera unit system control unit 29050. One or a plurality of places are provided near the operation unit in an easily visible position, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sound generation element.

  In addition, the display portion 29054 is partly installed in the optical viewfinder 290104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 29054, what is displayed on the LCD, for example, is a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression rate display, a recording pixel number display, a recording number display, and a remaining image number display. , Shutter speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display , Attachment / detachment state display of the recording media 29200 and 29210, attachment / detachment state display of the lens unit 29300, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, display showing a connection state with an external computer, and the like.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 29054, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 29104 is, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, There are an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, a recording medium writing operation display, and the like.

  Further, among the display contents of the display unit 29054, the display on the LED or the like includes, for example, in-focus display, photographing preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, recording medium There are a writing operation display, a macro shooting setting notification display, a secondary battery charge state display, and the like.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 29054, what is displayed on the lamp or the like includes, for example, a self-timer notification lamp. This self-timer notification lamp may be used in common with AF auxiliary light.

  Reference numeral 29056 is an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  29060, 29062, 29064, 29066, 29068, and 29070 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 29050. A single unit such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like Consists of multiple combinations.

  29060 is a mode dial switch, which is an automatic shooting mode, program shooting mode, shutter speed priority shooting mode, aperture priority shooting mode, manual shooting mode, depth of focus priority (depth) shooting mode, portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting mode, and close-up shooting. Each function shooting mode such as a mode, a sports shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, and a panorama shooting mode can be switched and set.

  29062 is a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash dimming) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  29064 is a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on upon completion of an operation of a shutter button (not shown). An exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 29014 into the RAM 29030 via the A / D converter 29016 and the memory control unit 29002. A series of development processes using operations in the image processing unit 29020 and the memory control unit 29002, recording processing for reading out image data from the RAM 29030, compression in the compression / decompression unit 29032, and writing the image data in the recording medium 29200 or 29210 Instructs the start of processing operation.

  A reproduction switch 29066 instructs the start of a reproduction operation in which a photographed image is read from the RAM 29030 or the recording medium 29200 or 29210 and displayed by the image display unit 29028 in the photographing mode state.

  29068 is a single-shot / continuous-shooting switch. When the shutter switch SW2 is pressed, the single-shot mode is set to take one frame for standby, and continuous shooting is performed while the shutter switch SW2 is pressed. You can set the mode. This patent relates to image transfer processing when this switch is in the continuous shooting mode.

  An operation unit 29070 includes various buttons, a touch panel, etc., a menu button, a set button for starting a live view, a macro button, a multi-page playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu. Move + (plus) button, Menu move-(minus) button, Playback image move + (plus) button, Playback image-(minus) button, Shooting image quality selection button, Exposure compensation button, Date / time setting button, Panorama mode, etc. Select / switch button for setting selection and switching of various functions when executing shooting and playback of images, Decision / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and playback of panorama mode, etc., image Image display ON / OFF switch for setting ON / OFF of display unit 29028, taken immediately after shooting Quick review ON / OFF switch for setting the quick review function to automatically play back image data, for selecting the compression rate of JPEG compression, or for selecting the CCDRAW mode for digitizing the image sensor signal and recording it on the recording medium Press the shutter switch SW1 to set each function mode such as compression mode switch, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, etc. There is an AF mode setting switch that can set a one-shot AF mode that keeps the in-focus state when it is in focus and a servo AF mode that keeps autofocusing continuously while pressing the shutter switch SW1.

  In addition, the functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily by providing a rotary dial switch.

  Reference numeral 29907 denotes a power switch, which can switch and set the power-on and power-off modes of the digital camera 101. Also, the power on and power off settings of various accessory devices such as the lens unit 29300, the external strobe, and the recording media 29200 and 29210 connected to the digital camera 101 can be switched.

  29080 is a power control means, which is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, etc., and detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level, In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the camera unit system control unit 29050, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 29082 denotes a connector, 29084 denotes a connector, and 29086 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  29090 and 29904 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card and a hard disk, 29092 and 29096 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card and a hard disk, and 29098 is a connector 29092 and / or 29096 with a recording medium 29200 or 29210 attached. Recording medium attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is present.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  The interface and the connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, when the interfaces 29090 and 29904 and the connectors 29092 and 29096 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like, a LAN card, modem card, USB card, IEEE1394 Management data attached to image data and image data can be transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS communication cards. I can meet each other.

  Reference numeral 29104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can guide and display a light beam incident on the lens 29310 through an aperture 29312, lens mounts 29306 and 29106, and mirrors 29130 and 29132 as an optical image by a single lens reflex method. Accordingly, it is possible to perform photographing using only the optical viewfinder 29104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 29028. In the optical viewfinder 29104, some functions of the display unit 29054, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  Reference numeral 29110 denotes a communication unit for connecting the digital camera 101 to the PC 102. Actually, the communication unit is composed of IEEE1394. The camera is used to transmit information stored in the RAM 29030, the ROM, and the recording unit to the PC 102 via the communication unit 29110, or to receive various information. In particular, it is used for transmitting and receiving photographing data and image data.

  The communication unit may be configured by various communication means such as RS232C, USB, USB2, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 29112 denotes a connector for connecting the digital camera 101 to another device by the communication unit 29110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 29120 denotes an interface for connecting the digital camera 101 to the lens unit 29300 in the lens mount 29106. Reference numeral 29122 denotes a connector for electrically connecting the digital camera 101 to the lens unit 29300. Reference numeral 29124 denotes the lens mount 29106 and / or the connector 29122. This is lens attachment / detachment detection means for detecting whether or not the lens unit 29300 is attached.

  The connector 29122 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the digital camera 101 and the lens unit 29300, and also has a function of supplying currents of various voltages. The connector 29122 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  Reference numerals 29130 and 29132 denote mirrors that can guide the light incident on the lens 29310 to the optical viewfinder 29104 by a single-lens reflex system. The mirror 29132 may be either a quick return mirror or a half mirror.

  Reference numeral 29200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 29200 includes a recording unit 29202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 29204 with the digital camera 101, and a connector 29206 for connecting with the digital camera 101.

  Reference numeral 29210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 29210 includes a recording unit 29212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 29214 with the image processing apparatus 29100, and a connector 29216 for connecting with the digital camera 29100.

  Reference numeral 29300 denotes an interchangeable lens type lens unit.

  Reference numeral 29306 denotes a lens mount that mechanically couples the lens unit 29300 with the digital camera 29100. The lens mount 29306 includes various functions for electrically connecting the lens unit 29300 to the digital camera 101.

  Reference numeral 29310 denotes a lens, and reference numeral 29312 denotes an aperture.

  Reference numeral 29320 denotes an interface for connecting the lens unit 29300 to the digital camera 101 in the lens mount 29306, and reference numeral 29322 denotes a connector for electrically connecting the lens unit 29300 to the digital camera 101.

  The connector 29322 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the digital camera 101 and the lens unit 29300, and has a function of supplying or supplying various voltage currents. The connector 29322 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  Reference numeral 29340 denotes aperture control means for controlling the aperture 29312 in cooperation with the shutter control means 40 for controlling the mechanical shutter 29902 based on photometry information from the photometry means 29046.

  Reference numeral 29342 denotes distance measuring control means for controlling the focusing of the lens 29310, and 29344 denotes zoom control means for controlling the zooming of the lens 29310.

  Reference numeral 29350 denotes a lens system controller that controls the entire lens unit 29300. The lens system control unit 29350 is a memory for storing operation constants, variables, programs, etc., identification information such as numbers unique to the lens unit 29300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, minimum aperture value, focal length, It also has a non-volatile memory function for holding current and past set values.

  Reference numeral 29600 denotes a ROM, which is an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory that retains the stored contents even when the camera is turned off. In particular, it is used to store a program for controlling the camera operation, and to store a shooting mode, shooting information, and various parameters.

  Reference numeral 29601 denotes a DMA controller 1 that performs DMA transfer of display data prepared on the RAM 29030 to the image display unit 29028 when the image display unit 29028 displays data. Data transferred by the DMA transfer is displayed on the image display unit.

  In 29602, when the image display unit 29028 is not displaying data and a data transfer request is received from the PC 102, the digital unit system control unit 29051 sets the DMA controller 2 29602, and the RAM 29030 and the communication unit 29110. DMA controller 2 that performs DMA transfer to and from (high-speed transfer mode).

  Next, the operation of the single lens reflex digital still camera will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In order to use a single-lens reflex digital still camera, the power switch 29072 is turned on (S201). If the shutter switch (SW1) 29062 is turned on (S202), it communicates with the lens 29310 and acquires the F value of the lens (S203). If the F value is smaller than F8.0 (S204), the single-lens reflex digital still camera body acquires the focus mode set for the lens by communicating with the lens, and if it is set to the autofocus mode (S205). The distance measuring unit 29042 measures the distance and shoots with autofocus (S206). If the manual focus mode is set, shooting is performed with manual focus (S207). If the F value is 8.0 or more, the single-lens reflex digital still camera body acquires the focus mode set for the lens by communicating with the lens, and if it is set to the autofocus mode (S208), the digital camera The system display unit 29051 communicates with the image display unit 29028 to display “Please activate live view if you want to perform autofocus” (S209). When the user wants to perform autofocus (S210), the user presses a SET button (not shown) in the operation unit 29070, starts live view, and starts image plane autofocus by the image processing unit 29020 (S211). If autofocus is not desired, the lens 29310 is set to manual focus mode and shooting is performed with manual focus (S212).

The figure which shows the structure of the single-lens reflex type digital still camera concerning a present Example. The figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the single-lens reflex digital still camera concerning a present Example.

Claims (2)

  Means for communicating with a lens connected to the single-lens reflex digital still camera and acquiring the F mode and the set focus mode; and if the lens is a dark lens, the acquired autofocus mode is the autofocus mode. A single-lens reflex digital still camera comprising means for determining whether or not there is an alarm and displaying a warning on the display unit when the autofocus mode is set.   In the single-lens reflex digital still camera according to claim 1, when a user who receives the warning and uses the single-lens reflex digital still camera wants to autofocus, activate live view and perform autofocus by imaging surface autofocus. Features a single-lens reflex digital still camera.

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