JP2010021621A - Image capturing apparatus, and control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for reducing a possibility of erroneous detection, where an eyepiece detection sensor detects a movable monitor partially by changing the posture of the movable monitor. <P>SOLUTION: An image capturing apparatus 1A has: the movable monitor 12; a posture detection section 123 for detecting the posture of the monitor 12; an optical finder means having a finder window; the eyepiece detection sensor 13 for detecting the presence of an eye in the proximity of the finder window; and an operation control section 125 for executing prescribed operation in response to the detection of the presence of an eye in the proximity by the eyepiece detection sensor 13. The operation control section 125 inhibits the execution of the prescribed operation in response to the eyepiece detection according to the posture of the monitor 12 detected by the posture detection section 123. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique of an imaging apparatus having a function of detecting an eyepiece to a finder window.

  Some single-lens reflex digital cameras (hereinafter also referred to as “single-lens reflex cameras”) have a live view function for displaying a time-series image related to a subject on a display unit (monitor) in a moving image manner. is there.

  With a camera with such a live view function, it is possible to determine the composition by visually recognizing the monitor, but in order to use the live view function more effectively, the monitor can be moved to change the posture of the monitor. There are cameras that can improve the convenience of the photographer (also referred to as “user”).

  Some single-lens reflex cameras have an eyepiece detection function in which an eyepiece detection sensor is provided in the vicinity of the finder window to detect an eyepiece on the finder window (for example, Patent Document 1). In a camera having an eyepiece detection function, a predetermined operation (for example, AF operation, monitor turn-off operation) is executed in response to eyepiece detection.

JP-A-4-294337

  However, in a camera having a movable monitor and an eyepiece detection function, the monitor may be detected by the eyepiece detection sensor depending on the movable mode of the monitor, that is, the posture of the monitor. When such erroneous detection occurs, a predetermined operation in response to eyepiece detection is executed even when the user does not intend to use the optical viewfinder.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the possibility of erroneous detection in which a part of the movable monitor is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor by changing the posture of the movable monitor. .

  A first aspect of the present invention is an imaging apparatus, which is a movable display unit, an attitude detection unit that detects the attitude of the display unit, an optical finder unit having a finder window, and a predetermined position on the finder window. An approach detection means for detecting an approach of an object; and an operation control means for executing a predetermined action in response to detection of the predetermined object by the approach detection means, wherein the action control means is detected by the posture detection means. Further, the execution of the predetermined operation is prohibited according to the attitude of the display unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus, which includes a movable display unit, an attitude detection unit that detects an attitude of the display unit, an optical finder unit having a finder window, and the finder window. An approach detecting means for detecting the approach of the predetermined object; and an invalidating means for invalidating the approach detection by the approach detecting means in accordance with the attitude of the display unit detected by the attitude detecting means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection in which a part of the movable monitor is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor by changing the posture of the movable monitor.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1. First Embodiment>
<Configuration>
1 and 2 are diagrams showing an external configuration of an imaging apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a shooting posture in which the imaging apparatus 1A is held at a low position. 1 is a front external view of the image pickup apparatus 1A, and FIG. 2 is a rear external view of the image pickup apparatus 1A. In the following description, the + Y direction is upward and the −Y direction is downward for convenience. And

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 </ b> A according to the present embodiment is configured as a lens interchangeable single-lens reflex digital camera. Specifically, the imaging apparatus 1 </ b> A includes an imaging apparatus main body (camera main body) 2, and an interchangeable photographing lens unit (hereinafter also referred to as “interchangeable lens”) 3 with respect to the camera main body 2. It is removable.

  The interchangeable lens 3 is mainly configured by a lens barrel 36, a lens group 37 (see FIG. 4) and a diaphragm (not shown) provided inside the lens barrel 36, and the like. The lens group 37 includes a focus lens (also referred to as an “AF lens”) that changes the focal position by moving in the optical axis direction.

  The camera body 2 includes an annular mount portion Mt to which the interchangeable lens 3 is attached at the front center, and an attach / detach button 89 for attaching / detaching the interchangeable lens 3 is provided near the annular mount portion Mt.

  Further, the camera body 2 is provided with a mode setting dial 82 in the upper left part of the front surface and a control value setting dial 86 in the upper right part of the front surface. By operating the mode setting dial 82, various camera modes (such as various shooting modes (such as portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting mode, and continuous shooting mode), a playback mode for playing back captured images, and external devices can be used. It is possible to perform a setting operation (switching operation) including a communication mode for performing data communication. Further, by operating the control value setting dial 86, it is possible to set control values in various shooting modes.

  Further, the camera body 2 includes a grip portion 14 for the user to hold at the left front end portion. A release button (shutter button) 11 for instructing the start of exposure is provided on the upper surface of the grip portion 14. A battery storage chamber and a card storage chamber are provided inside the grip portion 14. For example, four AA batteries are housed in the battery compartment as a power source for the camera, and the card compartment contains a recording medium (here, a memory card 90 (FIG. 7)) is detachably stored.

  The release button 11 is a two-stage detection button that can detect a half-pressed state (S1 state) and a fully-pressed state (S2 state). When the release button 11 is half-pressed to enter the S1 state, a preparation operation (for example, an AF control operation and an AE control operation) for acquiring a recording still image (main captured image) related to the subject is performed. When the release button 11 is further pushed into the S2 state, the subject image is exposed using a photographing operation (imaging element (also referred to as “main imaging element”)) 5 (described later) of the actual photographed image. A series of main photographing operations for performing predetermined image processing on the obtained image signal is performed.

  In FIG. 2, a monitor 12 is provided as a display unit in the approximate center of the back surface of the camera body 2. The monitor 12 is configured as a color liquid crystal display (LCD), for example. The monitor 12 can display a menu screen for setting shooting conditions and the like, and can reproduce and display a captured image recorded in the memory card 90 in the reproduction mode.

  The monitor 12 is installed on a movable mechanism MK and is configured as a tilt movable display unit (see FIG. 4). The movable mechanism MK is configured to be rotatable about the axis PX1 in the direction of the arrow YG1, and is also configured to be rotatable about the axis PX2 in the direction of the arrow YG2.

  Thus, the photographer can pull out the monitor 12 installed on the movable mechanism MK from the back surface of the imaging apparatus 1A and tilt the screen of the monitor 12, so that the photographer can monitor the monitor regardless of the position of the imaging apparatus 1A. It becomes easy to visually recognize 12 facing directly. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the imaging apparatus 1 </ b> A is held at the low position, the monitor 12 can be viewed directly facing by tilting the screen of the monitor 12 by pulling out the monitor 12 from the back surface. it can.

  In addition, each shaft portion (also referred to as “hinge portion”) HR1 and HR2 of the movable mechanism MK is provided with an angle detector DA (not shown in FIG. 4), and an opening angle θ1 in each shaft portion HR1 and HR2 is provided. Each θ2 can be detected.

  A finder window 10 is provided at the upper center of the back surface of the camera body 2. The subject image from the interchangeable lens 3 is guided to the finder window 10, and the user can visually recognize an image equivalent to the subject image acquired by the main image sensor 5 by looking into the finder window 10. Specifically, the subject image incident on the photographing optical system is reflected upward by the mirror mechanism 6 (see FIG. 4) and is viewed through the eyepiece lens 67. Thus, the user can determine the composition by looking through the finder window 10. When the actual photographing operation is started by detecting the S2 state of the release button 11, the mirror mechanism 6 is retracted from the optical path of the light (subject light) forming the subject image, and the light (subject image is received from the interchangeable lens 3). Light to be formed) reaches the main image sensor 5 and a captured image (image data) relating to the subject is obtained.

  An eyepiece detection sensor 13 is provided below the finder window 10.

  The eyepiece detection sensor 13 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a proximity object, and functions as an approach detection unit that detects the approach of the object to the finder window 10. Specifically, the eyepiece detection sensor 13 includes a light projecting element that emits infrared light and a light receiving element that receives reflected light of the infrared light on the photographer's face, and detects the presence or absence of reflected light. By doing this, it is detected whether or not the optical viewfinder is used by the user.

  A main switch 81 is provided at the upper left of the monitor 12. The main switch 81 is composed of two slide switches. When the contact is set to the left “OFF” position, the imaging apparatus 1A is turned off, and when the contact is set to the right “ON” position, the imaging is performed. The apparatus 1A is turned on.

  A direction selection key 84 and a display changeover switch 9 are provided on the right side of the monitor 12.

  The direction selection key 84 has a circular operation button, and it is possible to detect a pressing operation in four directions of upper, lower, left and right, and a pressing operation in four directions of upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left on the operation button. It has become. In addition, the direction selection key 84 is configured to detect a pressing operation of a push button at the center, in addition to the pressing operations in the eight directions.

  The display change-over switch 9 is configured as a three-point slide switch, and can switch a composition determination operation (framing) mode (also referred to as “framing mode”) by a slide operation.

  Specifically, when the contact of the display changeover switch 9 is set to the upper “optical” position, the optical viewfinder mode (also referred to as “OVF mode”) is selected, and the subject image is displayed in the optical viewfinder field of view. . Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the subject image in the optical finder field of view through the finder window 10 and perform the composition determination operation.

  Further, when the contact point of the display changeover switch 9 is set to the lower “liquid crystal” position, an electronic viewfinder mode (also referred to as “EVF mode”) is selected, and the live view image related to the subject image on the monitor 12 is a moving image mode. Is displayed (live view display). Accordingly, the user can perform framing by visually recognizing the live view image displayed on the monitor 12.

  Further, when the contact of the display changeover switch 9 is set to the middle “automatic” position, the display in the optical finder field of view (also referred to as “OVF display”) and the live view depending on the presence or absence of the eyepiece on the finder window 10. The display is automatically switched. Accordingly, the user can perform framing by visually recognizing either the OVF display or the live view display according to the usage mode of the imaging apparatus 1A.

  On the left side of the monitor 12, a setting button group 83 including a plurality of buttons for setting a menu screen, deleting an image, and the like is provided.

  Next, the internal configuration of the imaging apparatus 1A will be described. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of the image pickup apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the imaging apparatus 1 </ b> A, a finder unit (also referred to as “finder optical system”) 102, a mirror mechanism 6, a phase difference AF module (hereinafter also simply referred to as AF module) 20, a shutter 4, A main image sensor 5 and a sub image sensor 7 are provided.

  The main imaging element (here, a CCD sensor (also simply referred to as a CCD)) 5 is disposed on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L on the optical axis L of the lens group 37 provided in the interchangeable lens 3. The main imaging element 5 converts the subject image received on the imaging surface into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion action, and generates an image signal related to the actual captured image.

  A shutter 4 is disposed immediately before the main image sensor 5. The shutter 4 is a mechanical focal plane shutter that includes a curtain body that moves in the vertical direction and performs an optical path opening operation and an optical path blocking operation of subject light guided to the main image sensor 5 along the optical axis L.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a mirror mechanism 6 is provided on the optical path (also referred to as “imaging optical path”) from the interchangeable lens 3 to the main image sensor 5.

  The mirror mechanism 6 has a main mirror 61 (main reflection surface) that reflects light from the photographing optical system upward. For example, a part or all of the main mirror 61 is configured as a half mirror, and transmits a part of light from the photographing optical system. The mirror mechanism 6 also includes a sub mirror 62 (sub reflective surface) that reflects light transmitted through the main mirror 61 downward.

  Further, the mirror mechanism 6 is configured as a so-called quick return mirror, and the posture can be switched between a mirror-down state and a mirror-up state.

  Specifically, the mirror mechanism 6 is arranged so as to be in the mirror-down state until the release button 11 is fully pressed in the shooting mode, in other words, when determining the composition (see FIG. 4). . In the mirror-down state, the subject light from the interchangeable lens 3 is reflected upward by the main mirror 61 and forms an image on the focusing screen 64, and then enters the finder 102 (also referred to as “finder optical system”) as an observation light beam. Incident.

  A part of the subject light is transmitted through the main mirror 61, reflected downward by the sub mirror 62, and guided to the AF module 20.

  The AF module 20 includes a separator lens, a line sensor (focus detection sensor), and the like, and acquires information on focus adjustment (also referred to as “focus information” or “distance information”) according to the focus adjustment state of the focus lens. It functions as a so-called AF sensor.

  Specifically, the AF module 20 generates two images by separating light from a subject in a distance measuring area (also referred to as an “AF area”) set in the shooting area with a separator lens. The AF module 20 has a phase difference detection function of receiving the two images with a line sensor and outputting a phase difference detection signal corresponding to the image interval as focus information. That is, in the mirror-down state during shooting standby, focus information is output from the AF module 20 based on the subject light guided to the AF module 20.

  In this way, the AF module 20 functions as a focus information acquisition unit that acquires focus information from an AF area fixedly set at a predetermined position in the imaging region.

  On the other hand, when the release button 11 is fully pressed S2, the mirror mechanism 6 is driven so as to be in the mirror up state (see FIG. 5), and the exposure operation is started.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time of exposure, the mirror mechanism 6 jumps upward with the rotating shaft 63 as a fulcrum and retracts from the photographing optical path. Specifically, the main mirror 61 and the sub mirror 62 are retracted upward so as not to block the light from the photographing optical system, and the light from the interchangeable lens 3 reaches the main image sensor 5 in accordance with the opening timing of the shutter 4. . The main imaging device 5 generates an image signal related to the subject image based on the received light flux by photoelectric conversion. As described above, the light from the subject is guided to the main image sensor 5 through the interchangeable lens 3, thereby obtaining a photographed image (captured image data) relating to the subject.

<Composition determination operation>
Next, a composition determination operation (framing operation) in the imaging apparatus 1A will be described. As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1A, the user performs composition determination using the optical viewfinder in the OVF mode or the composition determination using the electronic viewfinder in the EVF mode by the slide operation of the display changeover switch 9. Can be selected. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the imaging apparatus 1A in the EVF mode.

  When the composition is determined, the mirror mechanism 6 is arranged so as to be in a mirror-down state (see FIGS. 4 and 6). As described above, in the mirror-down state, the subject image from the interchangeable lens 3 is reflected upward by the main mirror 61 and guided to the finder unit 102 as an observation light beam.

  The finder unit 102 includes a pentamirror 65, an eyepiece lens 67, a finder window 10, an imaging lens 69, a sub imaging element 7, and the like.

  The pentamirror 65 has a plurality of mirrors (reflection surfaces), and has a function of changing the light path of the subject light and a function of changing the light path of the subject light by changing the top and bottom of the subject image by reflection.

  Specifically, the pentamirror 65 includes two mirrors (dach mirrors) 65a and 65b formed in a triangular roof shape, a surface 65c fixed to the roof mirrors (dach surfaces) 65a and 65b, and an optical path change. And a mirror (reflection surface) 65e.

  The roof mirrors 65a and 65b are formed as an integral part 65d by plastic molding, and have a function of reversing the posture of the subject image by reflecting the subject light twice. The optical path changing mirror 65e has a function of changing the optical path of the subject light according to which of the optical finder and the electronic finder is used to determine the composition.

  The eyepiece 67 has a function of guiding the subject image that has been erected by the pentamirror 65 to the outside of the finder window 10.

  Hereinafter, each of the framing operation using the optical finder and the framing operation using the electronic finder will be described in detail.

  First, the framing operation using the optical finder will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the OVF mode, the mirror mechanism 6 is disposed on the optical path of the subject image from the interchangeable lens 3, and the subject image passes through the main mirror 61, the pentamirror 65, and the eyepiece 67 in order. Guided to window 10.

  More specifically, the subject light that has passed through the interchangeable lens 3 is reflected upward by the main mirror 61 and forms an image on the focusing screen 64. The subject light imaged on the focusing screen 64 passes through the focusing screen 64 and is changed by the pentamirror 65, and then travels through the eyepiece 67 to the viewfinder window 10 (see the optical path PA in FIG. 4). Thus, the subject image guided to the finder window 10 along the optical path PA reaches the eyes of the user (observer) and is visually recognized.

  As described above, in the OVF mode, the user can visually check the subject image displayed in the finder field of view and determine the composition by looking through the finder window 10.

  Next, a framing operation using the electronic viewfinder will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the EVF mode, the mirror mechanism 6 is disposed on the optical path of the subject image from the interchangeable lens 3. The subject light that has passed through the interchangeable lens 3 is reflected upward by the main mirror 61 and forms an image on the focusing screen 64. The subject light imaged on the focusing screen 64 passes through the focusing screen 64 and is changed in path by the pentamirror 65, and then on the imaging surface of the sub imaging device 7 via the imaging lens 69 (imaging optical system). Re-image is formed (see the optical path PB in FIG. 6).

  As described above, in the EVF mode, the subject image is guided to the sub imaging element 7 along the optical path PB different from the optical path PA in the OVF mode.

  Such an optical path change in the finder unit 102 is realized by changing the angle of the optical path change mirror 65e (installation angle with respect to the camera body 2) in accordance with the finder mode.

  Specifically, the optical path changing mirror 65e is configured to be rotatable about the axis AX1 in conjunction with the slide operation of the display changeover switch 9, and in the EVF mode (see FIG. 6), the OVF mode (see FIG. 4). As compared with the above, the shaft is turned by a predetermined angle AN in the direction of the arrow YV about the axis AX1.

  Thus, in the EVF mode, the optical path of the subject light in the finder unit 102 is changed by changing the posture of the optical path changing mirror 65e. Thereby, the subject light passes through the imaging lens 69 and reaches the sub imaging element 7.

  As described above, the sub-image sensor 7 receives the subject light that has reached along the optical path PB, and sequentially acquires the captured images related to the subject image at a minute time interval (for example, 1/60 seconds). The acquired time-series captured images are sequentially displayed on the monitor 12 in a moving image manner (live view display).

  Thus, the user can determine the composition by visually recognizing the moving image (live view image) displayed on the monitor 12.

  The imaging lens 69 and the sub-imaging device 7 are disposed at a position where the light beam traveling from the optical path changing mirror 65e to the eyepiece lens 67 is not blocked in the OVF mode (here, above the eyepiece lens 67).

  Thus, in the imaging apparatus 1A, the optical path of the subject light is changed by changing the attitude of the optical path changing mirror 65e of the finder unit 102, and the OVF mode and the EVF mode are switched.

<Functional block>
Next, an outline of functions of the imaging apparatus 1A will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the imaging apparatus 1A includes a phase difference AF module 20, an operation unit 80, an overall control unit 100, a mirror mechanism 6, a shutter 4, a main imaging element 5, an A / D conversion circuit 52, and digital signal processing. A circuit 50 and an image memory 56 are provided.

  The operation unit 80 includes various buttons and switches including the release button 11 (see FIG. 1). In response to a user input operation on the operation unit 80, the overall control unit 100 implements various operations.

  The main image sensor 5 responds to drive control signals (accumulation start signal and accumulation end signal) input from a timing control circuit (not shown), and exposes the subject image formed on the light receiving surface (imaging surface) ( Charge accumulation by photoelectric conversion) is performed, and an image signal related to the subject image is generated.

  The image signal (analog signal) acquired by the main image sensor 5 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 52. The image signal converted into the digital signal is input to the digital signal processing circuit 50.

  The digital signal processing circuit 50 performs digital signal processing on the image signal input from the A / D conversion circuit 52. Specifically, signal processing such as black level correction processing, white balance (WB) processing, and γ correction processing is performed. The image signal (image data) after the signal processing is stored in the image memory 56.

  The image memory 56 is a high-speed accessible memory for temporarily storing generated image data, and has a capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames.

  At the time of actual photographing, the image data temporarily stored in the image memory 56 is subjected to image processing (compression processing or the like) as appropriate in the overall control unit 100 and then stored in the memory card 90.

  The sub image sensor 7 basically has the same function as the main image sensor 5 and plays a role as a so-called live view image acquisition (electronic finder) image sensor (auxiliary image sensor). Specifically, the sub image sensor 7 exposes the subject image guided to the finder optical system, and acquires an image signal related to an image for live view display. Note that the sub image sensor 7 only needs to have a resolution for generating an image signal for live view, and is usually configured with a smaller number of pixels than the main image sensor 5.

  The image data acquired by the sub imaging device 7 is subjected to predetermined processing in the A / D conversion circuit 52 and the digital signal processing circuit 50, temporarily stored in the image memory 56, and then displayed on the monitor 12.

  The overall control unit 100 is configured as a microcomputer and mainly includes a CPU, a RAM 120A, a ROM 120B, and the like. The overall control unit 100 implements various functions by reading a program stored in the ROM 120B and executing the program by the CPU.

  The overall control unit 100 functionally realizes the phase difference AF control unit 121, the drive control unit 122, the attitude detection unit 123, the determination unit 124, the operation control unit 125, the display control unit 126, and the like by executing the above-described program. To do.

  The phase difference AF control unit 121 performs an automatic focusing (AF) operation (phase difference AF) by a phase difference detection method. Specifically, the phase difference AF control unit 121 performs a lens focus position specifying operation for specifying the position of the focus lens (lens focus position) at the time of focusing based on the focus information output from the AF module 20. Do.

  The drive control unit 122 executes a lens drive operation for moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction in accordance with a control signal from the phase difference AF control unit 121.

  Specifically, the drive control unit 122 operates the lens side control unit 31 in the interchangeable lens 3 in accordance with a control signal from the phase difference AF control unit 121. The lens side control unit 31 drives the lens driving unit 38 in accordance with a command from the drive control unit 122 to move the focus lens included in the lens group 37 of the interchangeable lens 3 in the optical axis direction. The position of the focus lens (also simply referred to as “lens position”) is detected by the lens position detection unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3, and data indicating the position of the focus lens is transferred from the lens side control unit 31 to the entire camera body 2. It is sent to the control unit 100.

  The posture detection unit 123 has a function of detecting the posture of the monitor 12 by calculating the current position of the monitor 12 based on the angle information of the shaft portions HR1 and HR2 acquired by the angle detector. ing.

  The determination unit 124 determines whether the monitor 12 is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13 based on posture information (also referred to as “position information”) regarding the posture of the monitor 12 detected by the posture detection unit 123. Specifically, the determination unit 124 determines a part of the monitor 12 based on the current position of the monitor 12 and the detectable region (or “eyepiece detection region”) RM (see FIG. 6) of the eyepiece detection sensor 13. Is included in the detectable region RM.

  The detectable area RM of the eyepiece detection sensor 13 is an area in which a proximity object can be detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13, and is stored in the ROM 120B in advance.

  The operation control unit 125 has a function of receiving information (eyepiece information) related to approach detection indicating that an approach of an object has been detected from the eyepiece detection sensor 13 and executing a predetermined operation.

  Examples of the predetermined operation in response to the eyepiece detection include a focus detection operation and a finder display switching operation.

  Specifically, the operation control unit 125 starts a focus detection operation in response to eyepiece detection. That is, when an eyepiece is detected, the operation control unit 125 instructs the phase difference AF control unit 121 to start a focus detection operation. The focus detection operation started in response to eyepiece detection is also referred to as eye start AF.

  In addition, the operation control unit 125 causes the finder display switching operation to be executed in accordance with the eyepiece detection. Specifically, when the automatic mode is selected as the framing mode by the display changeover switch 9, the operation control unit 125 switches between OVF display and live view display according to the presence or absence of the eyepiece. More specifically, in the automatic mode, when an eyepiece is not detected, live view display is performed. When an eyepiece is detected, the monitor 12 is turned off and OVF display is started.

  Further, the operation control unit 125 controls whether or not to prohibit the execution of the predetermined operation in response to the eyepiece detection according to the determination result by the determination unit 124. Details will be described later.

  Returning to the description of the functional unit (FIG. 7), the display control unit 126 controls the display contents on the display unit such as the monitor 12. For example, the display control unit 126 performs live view display in which a continuous image is displayed on the monitor 12 based on captured images continuously acquired by the sub imaging element 7.

<Operation of Imaging Device 1A According to the Attitude of Monitor 12>
Next, in the imaging apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, an operation executed according to the posture of the monitor 12 in the shooting mode will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of operations executed in accordance with the attitude of the monitor 12. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the imaging apparatus 1A when the posture of the monitor 12 is changed in the EVF mode.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the photographing mode is set, the posture of the monitor 12 is detected by the posture detection unit 123 in step SP1.

  In step SP2, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not the monitor 12 exists in the eyepiece detection region RM. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, it is assumed that an operation (also referred to as “attitude change operation”) in which the monitor 12 is pulled out from the back surface of the imaging apparatus 1A is performed, and a part of the monitor 12 is included in the eyepiece detection region RM. . In this case, the determination unit 124 determines that the monitor 12 is present in the eyepiece detection region RM, and the process proceeds to step SP3.

  In step SP3, the operation control unit 125 performs an operation prohibition process in response to eyepiece detection.

  For example, the operation control unit 125 prohibits the execution of the focus detection operation and does not execute the eye start AF. When the automatic mode is selected as the framing mode, the operation control unit 125 prohibits switching from the live view display to the OVF display and continues the live view display.

  As described above, in step SP3, the execution of the operation in response to the eyepiece detection is prohibited. Thereby, the misdetection by which a part of monitor 12 is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13 can be prevented.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 124 determines in step SP2 that the monitor 12 does not exist in the eyepiece detection region RM, the process proceeds to step SP4.

  In step SP4, the operation control unit 125 performs an execution permission process of the operation in response to the eyepiece detection, and the operation in response to the eyepiece detection can be executed. Thereby, when an eyepiece is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13, an operation in response to the eyepiece detection is executed.

  When the process of step SP3 or step SP4 ends, the process proceeds to step SP5.

  In step SP5, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is continued. If the shooting mode has been continued, the process returns to step SP1 and the processes of steps SP1 to SP5 are repeatedly executed. That is, during the shooting mode, the processes of steps SP1 to SP5 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the shooting mode ends (for example, when the mode is changed to the playback mode), the operation executed according to the posture of the monitor 12 is ended.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1A disables the operation in response to the eyepiece detection by prohibiting the execution of the operation in response to the eyepiece detection in accordance with the posture of the monitor 12. According to this, since the possibility of erroneous detection in which a part of the monitor 12 is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13 due to the change in the posture of the monitor 12 can be reduced, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in response to the erroneous detection. Can do.

<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  When the monitor 12 is present in the eyepiece detection region RM, the imaging apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment invalidates the eyepiece detection function and does not execute (does not execute) the operation in response to the eyepiece detection. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment.

  The imaging apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration and functions as those of the imaging apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment except for the functional configuration of the overall control unit 100 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 6). The common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the overall control unit 100 of the imaging apparatus 1B, an eyepiece detection invalidating unit 127 is further realized by executing a program stored in the ROM 120B.

  The eyepiece detection invalidation unit 127 invalidates the eyepiece detection by the eyepiece detection sensor 13 according to the determination result in the determination unit 124. Specifically, when the determination unit 124 determines that the monitor 12 does not exist in the eyepiece detection region RM, the eyepiece detection invalidation unit 127 invalidates the eyepiece information acquired by the eyepiece detection sensor 13.

  Here, an operation executed in accordance with the attitude of the monitor 12 in the imaging apparatus 1B of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of operations executed in accordance with the attitude of the monitor 12 in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in steps SP1 and SP2, processing similar to that of the imaging device 1A (see FIG. 8) is executed.

  In brief, in step SP1, the posture of the monitor 12 is detected by the posture detector 123.

  In step SP2, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not the monitor 12 exists in the eyepiece detection region RM. If it is determined that the monitor 12 is present in the eyepiece detection region RM, the process proceeds to step SP11.

  In step SP11, the eyepiece detection invalidating unit 127 executes processing for invalidating the eyepiece information. In this way, in step SP11, the eyepiece information from the eyepiece detection sensor 13 is invalidated and the eyepiece detection function is invalidated. Therefore, erroneous detection that a part of the monitor 12 is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13 is prevented. Can do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP2 that the monitor 12 does not exist in the eyepiece detection region RM, the process proceeds to step SP5 without passing through step SP11.

  In step SP5, similarly to the imaging device 1A, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is continued. If the shooting mode has been continued, the process returns to step SP1, and the processes of steps SP1, SP2, SP11, and SP5 are repeatedly executed. That is, during the shooting mode, the processes of steps SP1, SP2, SP11, and SP5 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the shooting mode ends (for example, when the mode is changed to the playback mode), the operation executed according to the posture of the monitor 12 is ended.

  As described above, the imaging device 1B invalidates the eyepiece detection function by invalidating the eyepiece information from the eyepiece detection sensor 13 according to the posture of the monitor 12. According to this, since the possibility of erroneous detection in which a part of the monitor 12 is detected by the eyepiece detection sensor 13 due to the change in the posture of the monitor 12 can be reduced, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in response to the erroneous detection. Can do.

<3. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the posture detection unit 123 calculates the current position of the monitor 12 by calculation, and determines whether a part of the monitor 12 is included in the detectable region RM according to the current position of the monitor 12. Although it was determined by the determination unit 124, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Specifically, a part of the monitor 12 is included in the detectable region RM when the opening angles θ1 and θ2 detected by the angle detector DA of the shaft portions HR1 and HR2 respectively become predetermined angles. May be determined.

  In addition, execution / non-execution of a predetermined operation in response to eyepiece detection is performed depending on whether or not a posture changing operation for simply pulling the monitor 12 out of the back surface of the imaging apparatus 1A is performed regardless of the sizes of the opening angles θ1 and θ2. May be controlled. Specifically, the posture change operation is regarded as a photographer's intention to perform framing using the monitor 12, and when the posture change operation is performed, the operation in response to the eyepiece detection is not executed. You may do it.

  That is, when the posture (state) of the monitor 12 is changed from the initial (contained) state housed on the back surface to the movable state pulled out from the back surface, the execution prohibition process of the predetermined operation in response to the eyepiece detection, or the eyepiece The detection function is invalidated.

  In the second embodiment, when the determination unit 124 determines that the monitor 12 does not exist in the eyepiece detection region RM, the eyepiece detection invalidation unit 127 invalidates the eyepiece information from the eyepiece detection sensor 13. However, it is not limited to this.

  Specifically, the eyepiece detection invalidating unit 127 has a function as a power supply control unit that performs power supply control to the eyepiece detection sensor 13, and the eyepiece detection sensor 13 is activated / not activated according to the determination result of the determination unit 124. You may make it control activation.

  That is, when it is determined that the monitor 12 is present in the eyepiece detection region RM, power supply to the eyepiece detection sensor 13 is stopped and the eyepiece detection sensor 13 is deactivated.

  According to this, when it is determined that the monitor 12 is present in the eyepiece detection region RM, the eyepiece detection function is invalidated by stopping the power supply to the eyepiece detection sensor 13, so that a part of the monitor 12 is the eyepiece detection sensor 13. It is possible to prevent a malfunction due to being detected by.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography attitude | position which hold | maintained the imaging device to the low position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the imaging device in EVF mode. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement performed according to the attitude | position of a monitor. In EVF mode, it is the longitudinal cross-sectional view of an imaging device when the attitude | position of a monitor is changed. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of operations executed in accordance with the posture of the monitor 12 in the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B Imaging device 10 Viewfinder window 12 Monitor 13 Eyepiece detection sensor 123 Posture detection unit 124 Judgment unit 125 Operation control unit 127 Eyepiece detection invalidation unit

Claims (14)

A movable display,
Posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the display unit;
An optical finder means having a finder window;
An approach detection means for detecting an approach of a predetermined object to the finder window;
Operation control means for executing a predetermined action in response to detection of the predetermined object by the approach detection means;
With
The image pickup apparatus that prohibits execution of the predetermined operation in accordance with the posture of the display unit detected by the posture detection unit. A determination unit that determines whether the display unit is detected by the approach detection unit as the predetermined object based on the posture of the display unit detected by the posture detection unit;
Further comprising
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit prohibits execution of the predetermined operation when the determination unit determines that the display unit is detected as the predetermined object.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation of turning off the display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit prohibits execution of the predetermined operation when the movable state of the display unit is detected by the posture detection unit. A movable display,
Posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the display unit;
An optical finder means having a finder window;
An approach detection means for detecting an approach of a predetermined object to the finder window;
Invalidating means for invalidating the approach detection by the approach detecting means according to the attitude of the display unit detected by the attitude detecting means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A determination unit that determines whether the display unit is detected by the approach detection unit as the predetermined object based on the posture of the display unit detected by the posture detection unit;
Further comprising
The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the invalidation unit invalidates the approach detection by the approach detection unit when the determination unit determines that the display unit is detected as the predetermined object. An operation control unit for executing a predetermined operation in response to the approach detection of the predetermined object by the approach detection unit;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the invalidation unit invalidates the approach detection by the approach detection unit when the movable state of the display unit is detected by the posture detection unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the invalidation unit invalidates information related to approach detection acquired by the approach detection unit according to the attitude of the display unit detected by the attitude detection unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the invalidation unit includes a deactivation unit that deactivates the approach detection unit according to the posture of the display unit detected by the posture detection unit. a) detecting the attitude of the movable display unit;
b) detecting the approach of a predetermined object to the finder window;
c) executing a predetermined operation in response to the approach detection of the predetermined object in the step b);
With
In the step c), an imaging apparatus control method in which execution of the predetermined operation is prohibited in accordance with the attitude of the display unit detected in the step a). In the computer built into the imaging device,
a) detecting the attitude of the movable display unit;
b) detecting the approach of a predetermined object to the finder window;
c) executing a predetermined operation in response to the approach detection of the predetermined object in the step b);
And execute
In the step c), a program in which execution of the predetermined operation is prohibited according to the attitude of the display unit detected in the step a). a) detecting the attitude of the movable display unit;
b) detecting the approach of a predetermined object to the finder window;
c) invalidating the approach detection of the predetermined object detected in the step b) according to the attitude of the display unit detected in the step a);
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising: In the computer built into the imaging device,
a) detecting the attitude of the movable display unit;
b) detecting the approach of a predetermined object to the finder window;
c) invalidating the approach detection of the predetermined object detected in the step b) according to the attitude of the display unit detected in the step a);
A program that executes