JP2010117602A - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more effectively reduce power consumption required for a blur correcting operation. <P>SOLUTION: A condition for operating a blur correcting mechanism 130 is recorded for each user in an internal memory 250. In the case of imaging in a power-saving blur correction mode, a user authenticating part 211 authenticates a user. An operating condition for an authenticated user is set by a parameter setting part 212, thereby controlling the operation of the blur correcting mechanism 130 according to the set operating condition. In addition, if the operating condition for the authenticated user is unregistered, the operating condition for the user is set based on test imaging performed without operating the blur correcting mechanism 130. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device and a program, and more particularly to an imaging device and a program suitable for power saving of an imaging device having a shake correction mechanism.

  In an imaging apparatus such as a still camera or a video camera, a mechanism for correcting camera shake during shooting is generally installed. As a blur correction method, there is a lens shift method in which the lens is moved in accordance with the amount and direction of blur to correct the optical axis shift due to camera shake. In addition, in a digital imaging apparatus (digital camera) using an image sensor (imaging device), a sensor shift system that moves the image sensor in accordance with the amount and direction of blur can also be adopted.

  In a method of correcting blur by such a mechanical operation (hereinafter referred to as “mechanical blur correction method”), for example, a lens or an image sensor is moved by an actuator such as a voice coil motor, so that a blur correction operation is performed. A lot of power is consumed, and the battery driving time may be shortened.

  Here, in the case of a digital camera, an electronic blur correction that corrects blur by controlling an effective pixel area on the image sensor, a method of correcting blur by image processing on a captured image, or the like may be employed. it can. Since these methods do not involve mechanical operation, power consumption is reduced, but there are disadvantages such as a low correction effect.

  For this reason, many image pickup apparatuses employ a mechanical shake correction method with a high correction effect, but there is a problem of power consumption as described above. In order to eliminate this inconvenience, a method for reducing power consumption in the mechanical shake correction method has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, only when the sensor shift method and the lens shift method that consumes less power than the sensor shift method are used in combination, and the lens shift method cannot obtain a sufficient effect based on preset conditions. By selecting the sensor shift method, the power consumption during the shake correction operation is reduced.

JP 2008-107646 A

  Here, camera shake in a still camera mainly occurs when the camera body moves due to the pressing of the shutter button. However, the user's habit may affect such operation of the shutter button. Therefore, even when different users shoot under the same conditions, there are cases where the user is affected by camera shake and may not. In this case, when a user who has not been affected by camera shake shoots under the same conditions, it is not necessary to perform a shake correction operation.

  However, in the related art such as Patent Document 1, since the operation conditions are uniformly set, the shake correction operation may be performed even when the operation is not necessary. If such an unnecessary blur correction operation can be suppressed, the power consumption effect can be further improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus and a program that can more effectively reduce power consumption for the shake correction operation.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
In an imaging apparatus having a shake correction mechanism,
Condition information storage means for storing condition information indicating conditions for operating the shake correction mechanism, which is set for each user of the imaging device;
Operation control means for operating the blur correction mechanism based on at least the condition information stored in the condition information storage means;
It is characterized by providing.

In the imaging apparatus,
The operation control unit preferably operates the blur correction mechanism when the magnification of the zoom lens of the imaging apparatus at the time of imaging is equal to or greater than the magnification recorded in the condition information.

The imaging apparatus is
It is desirable to further include sensor means for detecting the amount of movement of the imaging device during imaging, in this case,
The operation control means preferably operates the blur correction mechanism when the movement amount detected by the sensor means is equal to or larger than the movement amount recorded in the condition information.

The imaging apparatus is
An image processing means for detecting the amount of movement between the captured frame images may be further provided. In this case,
The operation control means preferably operates the blur correction mechanism when the movement amount detected by the image processing means is equal to or larger than the movement amount recorded in the condition information.

The imaging apparatus is
It is desirable to further comprise authentication means for authenticating the user of the imaging device, in this case,
It is preferable that the operation control unit operates the shake correction mechanism based on the condition information about the user authenticated by the authentication unit.

The imaging apparatus is
If the condition information for the user authenticated by the authentication means is not stored in the condition information storage means, the apparatus further comprises condition setting means for setting an operation condition recorded in the condition information for the user. It is desirable.

in this case,
The condition setting means preferably records an operation condition in the condition information based on an image captured without operating the blur correction mechanism.

In the imaging apparatus,
The condition setting means preferably stores an operation condition arbitrarily designated by the authenticated user in the condition information storage means as the condition information.

In the imaging apparatus,
The operation control means preferably operates the shake correction mechanism based on the condition information and an imaging parameter applied at the time of imaging.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
In a computer that controls an imaging apparatus having a shake correction mechanism,
A function of storing in the storage unit condition information indicating conditions for operating the shake correction mechanism, set for each user of the imaging device;
A function of operating the blur correction mechanism based on at least the condition information stored in the storage means;
It is characterized by realizing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more effectively reduce the power consumption for the shake correction operation.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is realized by a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) is illustrated. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment is assumed to have a shake correction mechanism mainly for correcting camera shake during shooting.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 100, a data processing unit 200, an interface (I / F) unit 300, and the like as illustrated.

  The imaging unit 100 is a part that performs an imaging operation of the digital camera 1, and includes, for example, an optical device 110, an image sensor unit 120, a shake correction mechanism 130, and the like.

  The optical device 110 includes, for example, a lens, a diaphragm mechanism, a shutter mechanism, and the like, and performs operations related to optical elements necessary for imaging such as collection and focusing of subject light, diaphragm adjustment, and shutter operation. Do it. In addition, the lens comprised by the optical apparatus 110 concerning this embodiment shall be an electric zoom lens.

  The image sensor unit 120 includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementally Metal Oxide Semiconductor), a drive circuit of the image sensor, and the like. By performing photoelectric conversion according to subject light imaged on the image sensor by the device 110, an electrical signal indicating the subject image is generated.

  The blur correction mechanism 130 generates a mechanical operation that acts on the optical device 110 and / or the image sensor unit 120, thereby causing blurring of a subject image (so-called camera shake) due to movement generated in the digital camera 1 during shooting. ). Therefore, the blur correction mechanism 130 is a motion sensor (for example, a gyro sensor that detects acceleration or angular velocity) for detecting the motion of the digital camera 1 that causes blurring, or the motion of the digital camera 1 detected by the motion sensor. And an actuator (for example, a voice coil motor) that moves members constituting the imaging unit 100 according to the above.

  Here, when the camera shake correction method employed by the digital camera 1 is an optical camera shake correction method such as a so-called lens shift method, the actuator of the camera shake correction mechanism 130 moves the lens of the optical device 110 (the lens group). It is configured to move a part of the optical axis to correct optical axis misalignment due to camera shake.

  When the blur correction method employed by the digital camera is a so-called sensor shift method (CCD shift method, CMOS shift method, etc.), the actuator of the blur correction mechanism 130 moves the image sensor of the image sensor unit 120. By being configured, image formation deviation due to camera shake is corrected.

  That is, the shake correction operation in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is performed by a mechanical operation acting on a lens or an image sensor (mechanical shake correction method), and these are known shake correction techniques. It is assumed that

  The data processing unit 200 processes the electrical signal generated by the imaging operation by the imaging unit 100 to generate digital data indicating the captured image, and performs image processing on the captured image. As shown in FIG. 1, the data processing unit 200 includes a control unit 210, an image processing unit 220, an image memory 230, an image output unit 240, an internal memory 250, an external memory 260, and the like.

  The control unit 210 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is stored in an internal memory 250 described later. By executing the above, each part of the digital camera 1 is controlled. Further, in the present embodiment, by executing a predetermined program, a function related to each process described later is realized by the control unit 210.

  The image processing unit 220 includes, for example, an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter), a buffer memory, an image processing processor (so-called image processing engine), and the like, and is generated by the image sensor unit 120. Based on the electrical signal, digital data indicating the captured image is generated.

  That is, when the analog electric signal output from the image sensor unit 120 is converted into a digital signal by the ADC and sequentially stored in the buffer memory, the image processing engine performs so-called development processing on the buffered digital data, Adjust image quality and compress data.

  The image memory 230 includes, for example, a storage device such as a RAM or a flash memory, and temporarily stores captured image data generated by the image processing unit 220, image data processed by the control unit 210, and the like.

  The image output unit 240 includes, for example, an RGB signal generation circuit and the like, converts the image data expanded in the image memory 230 into an RGB signal and the like, and outputs the RGB signal to a display screen (a display unit 310 to be described later).

  The internal memory 250 is composed of a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, for example, and stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the digital camera 1. In the present embodiment, in addition to storing an operation program executed by the control unit 210 and the like, data necessary for processing executed by the control unit 210 and data of a processing result are stored in the internal memory 250.

  The external memory 260 includes a storage device that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 1 such as a memory card, and stores image data captured by the digital camera 1.

  The interface (I / F) unit 300 has a configuration related to an interface between the digital camera 1 and its user or an external device. As shown in FIG. 1, a display unit 310, an external interface unit 320, an operation unit 330, a living body, and the like. The authentication device 340 is configured.

  The display unit 310 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays various screens necessary for operating and setting the digital camera 1, live view images (finder images) at the time of shooting, reproduced images, and the like. Output. In the present embodiment, display output of a captured image or the like is performed based on an image signal (RGB signal) from the image output unit 240. The display unit 310 includes a form such as EVF (Electronic View Finder).

  The external interface unit 320 transmits / receives data to / from an external computer device such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (trademark), in addition to an interface for outputting an analog image signal such as a video output terminal. The interface includes a communication interface for connecting to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like, and outputs image data to an external device.

  The operation unit 330 is configured by various buttons configured on the outer surface of the casing of the digital camera 1, and generates an input signal corresponding to an operation by the user of the digital camera 1 and inputs the input signal to the control unit 210. As buttons constituting the operation unit 330, for example, a power button for instructing power on / off of the digital camera 1, a shutter button (release button) for instructing an imaging operation, and an operation mode of the digital camera 1 are provided. It is assumed that a mode button for designating, a cross key and function buttons for performing various settings, and the like are included.

  The biometric authentication device 340 is a device (for example, a fingerprint reader) that detects the biometric features of the user in order to authenticate the user of the digital camera 1. In the present embodiment, a fingerprint reader is used as the biometric authentication device 340. In this case, it is assumed that the biometric authentication device 340 (fingerprint reading device) is arranged on the outer surface of the digital camera 1 at a position where the user's fingers can be touched.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 210 executes the operation program stored in the internal memory 250 to realize each process described later. In this case, the functions realized by the control unit 210 are illustrated in FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by the control unit 210 when performing the operation according to the present invention. As illustrated, the control unit 210 functions as a user authentication unit 211, a parameter setting unit 212, an imaging control unit 213, a shake correction control unit 214, and the like.

  The user authentication unit 211 authenticates a user who operates the digital camera 1 by controlling the display unit 310, the biometric authentication device 340, and the like. In the present embodiment, since the fingerprint reader is used as the biometric authentication device 340, the user authentication unit 211 performs authentication (fingerprint authentication) based on the fingerprint image read by the biometric authentication device 340. In this case, the user authentication unit 211 controls the biometric authentication device 340, generates a screen necessary for the authentication operation, and outputs the screen to the display unit 310. In addition, an individual data storage area is created in the internal memory 250 for each user authenticated by the user authentication by the user authentication unit 211, and necessary information is recorded and updated.

  The parameter setting unit 212 controls various units of the imaging unit 100 to set various parameters (for example, shutter speed and aperture value) at the time of the imaging operation, and parameter parameters that are conditions for operating the shake correction mechanism 130. Make settings and references.

  The imaging control unit 213 performs an imaging operation by controlling the optical device 110 and the image sensor unit 120 according to a shutter button operation of the operation unit 330 and the like. In this case, for example, information indicating the brightness of the subject is acquired from the optical device 110 or the image sensor unit 120, and the optical device 110 or the image is operated so as to operate with the imaging parameters specified by the parameter setting unit 212 based on the information. The sensor unit 120 is controlled.

  The shake correction control unit 214 controls the shake correction mechanism 130 to perform an operation for correcting shake of the subject image caused by camera shake or the like. As described above, in the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the shake correction is performed by the mechanical operation of the shake correction mechanism 130. In such a system, since the actuator is driven, a large amount of power is consumed when the shake correction operation is performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the condition for executing the shake correction operation is set in advance, and the shake correction operation is performed only when the condition is met, thereby saving power of the digital camera 1.

  Information (condition information) indicating the “condition” in this case is set by the parameter setting unit 212 and stored in the internal memory 250 as individual information for each user authenticated by the user authentication unit 211. Therefore, the blur correction control unit 214 determines whether or not to execute the blur correction operation based on the condition information registered for the user who is using the digital camera 1 at the time when the imaging control unit 213 performs the imaging operation. If it is determined to be executed, the blur correction mechanism 130 is controlled and operated.

  The above is the function realized by the control unit 210. In the present embodiment, each function described above is realized by a logical process performed by the control unit 210 executing a program. These functions are, for example, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Or an integrated circuit).

  The configuration of the digital camera 1 described above is a configuration necessary for realizing the present invention, and a configuration used for a basic function and various additional functions as a digital camera is provided as necessary. .

  The operation of the digital camera 1 having such a configuration will be described below. Here, the “power saving blur correction process” executed for reducing the power consumption of the blur correction operation by the mechanical blur correction method of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a “power saving blur correction mode” as an operation mode selectable by the user. When this “power saving blur correction mode” is selected, It is assumed that the “power saving blur correction process” is started when the digital camera 1 is turned on with the “power saving blur correction mode” selected.

  When the process is started, a user authentication operation is performed by the user authentication unit 211 (step S101). In this embodiment, since the fingerprint reader is used as the biometric authentication device 340, the user authentication unit 211 controls the biometric authentication device 340 to be usable, and the fingerprint reader (biometric authentication device 340). A screen prompting the user to touch the finger is displayed on the display unit 310.

  When the biometric authentication device 340 reads a fingerprint image of a user who is currently using the digital camera 1, the biometric authentication device 340 extracts feature data from the fingerprint image by using, for example, a fingerprint collation algorithm such as a minutia system.

  When the biometric authentication feature data is acquired in this way, the user authentication unit 211 determines whether or not the user is a registered user by determining whether or not the feature data acquired this time has already been registered. It discriminate | determines (step S102). Here, in the internal memory 250 of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, a “user information table” for recording various types of information for each user as shown in FIG. 5 is created. As shown in the figure, the “user information table” is composed of records using a unique user number as a key, and biometric authentication characteristic data acquired by the operation of the biometric authentication device 340 is recorded in each record. In each record, information indicating a condition for performing a shake correction operation (“blur correction operation condition”) designated for the user is recorded.

  Therefore, the user authentication unit 211 compares the feature data obtained by the operation of step S101 with the feature data registered in the “user information table” stored in the internal memory 250, so that the current digital camera It is determined whether or not the user using 1 is a registered user.

  If it is determined that the acquired feature data is unregistered and the user is an unregistered user (step S102: Yes), the user authentication unit 211 creates a new record in the user information table of the internal memory 250, and the step By recording the feature data acquired in S101, it is registered as new user information (step S103).

  When new user registration is performed in this way, the user authentication unit 211 notifies the parameter setting unit 212 to that effect. The parameter setting unit 212 performs processing for setting a condition (hereinafter referred to as “operation condition”) for performing a shake correction operation for a newly registered user.

  First, the parameter setting unit 212 displays on the display unit 310 a confirmation screen (“automatic setting mode confirmation screen”) for inquiring of the user whether to set the operating conditions in the “automatic setting mode” in which the digital camera 1 performs (step setting). S104). In the automatic setting mode confirmation screen, in addition to the inquiry message, options for the inquiry are displayed, and the user operates the operation unit 330 to select an option to determine whether to set in the automatic setting mode. specify.

  When the automatic setting mode is selected by the user's operation (step S105: Yes), the parameter setting unit 212 executes “operation condition setting processing” for setting operation conditions in the automatic setting mode (step S200). The “operating condition setting process” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In this process, the imaging operation is performed under a plurality of conditions without operating the shake correction mechanism 130 (test imaging), and various parameters, sensor detection results, and the like about the captured image in which the influence of camera shake appears are analyzed. Then, the operating condition for the user is set.

  Therefore, when the process is started, the parameter setting unit 212 sets an operation parameter (test parameter) used for test imaging (step S201). In this case, the parameter setting unit 212 first controls the imaging unit 100 via the imaging control unit 213 to perform a photometric operation or the like in the current shooting environment, so that a parameter (shutter speed or aperture value) for appropriate exposure is obtained. Etc.). Based on the set appropriate exposure parameter, a parameter that is likely to cause camera shake in this shooting environment is set as a test parameter.

  Here, since the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment uses an electric zoom lens, the control unit 210 can control the imaging unit 100 to change the zoom magnification. In general, when the shutter speed exceeds “1 / focal length (seconds)” (here, the focal length is a value obtained by converting the size of the image sensor to a full size (so-called 35 mm size)), it is affected by camera shake. It is said that. That is, at the same shutter speed, the higher the zoom magnification (the longer the focal length), the more susceptible to camera shake.

  Therefore, the parameter setting unit 212 first obtains an appropriate exposure at the wide end of the zoom lens, and sets a test parameter based on the exposure value. For example, if the shutter speed at which the focal length is 28 mm (converted value) and the appropriate exposure is 1/60 seconds, the focal length is 60 mm (converted value) or more with the same shutter speed and aperture value. If the zoom magnification is set, the camera is more susceptible to camera shake.

  In many zoom lenses, the F-number on the telephoto side is high, so the shutter speed at which proper exposure is achieved on the telephoto side is slowed accordingly. Therefore, it is desirable to set the zoom magnification (focal length) set as the test parameter in consideration of the F value of the lens. This calculation can be realized by application of an automatic exposure algorithm.

  If it is determined that the zoom lens is not affected by camera shake even when the zoom lens is at the telephoto end, it is likely that camera shake will occur by setting a shutter speed that is slower than the shutter speed for proper exposure as a test parameter. And

  Here, the shutter speed “1 / focal length (seconds)”, which is a threshold value for whether or not to be affected by camera shake, is only a guide and is not absolute. Therefore, by preparing multiple combinations of shutter speeds and zoom magnifications near this threshold as test parameters and performing multiple imaging operations using each test parameter, the relationship between the user's shooting operation and occurrence of blurring Can be analyzed. In this case, the parameter setting unit 212 specifies a plurality of prepared test parameters in the order from the situation in which camera shake is less likely to occur to the situation in which camera shake is more likely to occur. It is assumed that the test parameter specified first is a parameter that is not affected by camera shake.

  The parameter setting unit 212 displays a screen (“operation instruction screen”) indicating an operation instruction for prompting the user to press the shutter button when the test parameter to be designated first is set as a parameter at the time of the imaging operation. It is displayed on 310 (step S202).

  Since the imaging is possible at this time, a live view image (moving image) as a finder image is displayed on the display unit 310. Here, the parameter setting unit 212 measures the amount of image movement between frames constituting a finder image that is a moving image (step S203). In this case, a feature point is determined in the frame image developed from the image sensor of the image sensor unit 120 to the image memory 230 as needed, and the amount of movement of the feature point between frames is measured as a vector.

  That is, if the hold of the digital camera 1 by the user is weak, the viewfinder image is likely to shake, and if the shutter operation is performed in that state, the possibility of camera shake increases. Therefore, the hold characteristic for each user can be analyzed by measuring the movement amount of the finder image.

  Here, when an input signal resulting from the user pressing the shutter button is input from the operation unit 330 (step S204: Yes), the imaging control unit 213 operates with the test parameter currently designated by the parameter setting unit 212. Thus, the optical device 110 and the image sensor unit 120 are controlled. Thereby, the imaging operation of the test imaging is performed. At the same time, the shake correction control unit 214 operates the motion sensor of the shake correction mechanism 130, and acquires a detection value indicating the movement that occurs when the shutter button is pressed (step S205).

  Since an image obtained by such an imaging operation is developed in the image memory 230, the parameter setting unit 212 analyzes the captured image (step S206) to determine whether or not an image blur has occurred. (Step S207).

  As described above, since the test parameter specified first by the parameter setting unit 212 is a parameter that does not cause camera shake, an image free from camera shake due to camera shake is obtained in the first test imaging (step). S207: No). In this case, the parameter setting unit 212 designates the next test parameter and sets it as an imaging parameter (step S201).

  Here, the test parameters are specified in the order that the camera shake is likely to occur from the situation where the camera shake is less likely to occur. A parameter is specified.

  When the next test parameter is set in this way, the same operation as the above-described step S202 to step S205 is performed, and the next captured image is obtained. In the second and subsequent test imaging, the parameter setting unit 212 compares the first captured image with no blurring (step S206) to determine whether or not image blurring has occurred (step S207). ).

  If no blur has occurred even in this test imaging (step S207: No), the process returns to step S201, the next test parameter is set, and the operations from step S201 to step S206 are performed.

  When blurring of the captured image is detected in such a process (step S207: Yes), the parameter setting unit 212 moves the detected finder image and the zoom magnification of the test parameter applied at the time of the test imaging. The amount (vector) and the detected movement (angular velocity) of the digital camera 1 are set as the operating condition for the user (step S208), and the flow returns to the “power saving blur correction process” (FIG. 3).

  Returning to the “power saving blur correction process”, the parameter setting unit 212 accesses the user information table in the internal memory 250 and adds the user information record newly registered in step S103 to the “operation condition setting process” in step S208. The set operating condition is recorded (step S107).

  On the other hand, when the user does not designate the automatic setting mode (step S105: No), the parameter setting unit 212 does not execute the “operation condition setting process”, and allows the user to arbitrarily set the operation condition. ("Manual setting screen") is displayed on the display unit 310 (step S106).

  On this manual setting screen, for example, numerical value options are displayed as parameters of operation conditions, such as zoom magnification, amount of movement of the finder image, and amount of movement of the digital camera 1 during imaging. The user operates the operation unit 330 to select a desired numerical value for each item. The parameter setting unit 212 recognizes the numerical value specified for each parameter of the operation condition based on the input signal from the operation unit 330, and records the user condition record newly registered in step S103. (Step S107).

  The operating conditions for the authenticated user are registered. When the operation condition for the new user is registered, the parameter setting unit 212 operates in the imaging mode by performing a screen display or the like on the display unit 310 indicating that the test imaging is finished and the mode returns to the normal imaging mode. .

  Further, when the already registered user is authenticated (step S102: No), the operation in the imaging mode is performed without performing the operations in steps S103 to S107.

  Under the image capturing mode, the user performs arbitrary photographing, so that the image capturing instruction is input when the user presses the shutter button. Here, when an imaging instruction is input (step S108: Yes), both the parameter setting unit 212 and the imaging control unit 213 recognize the imaging instruction. In this case, the parameter setting unit 212 sets an imaging parameter (shutter speed, aperture value, etc.) that provides an appropriate exposure based on the photometric result at that time and notifies the imaging control unit 213 of the imaging parameter. With reference to the user information table, it is determined whether or not the operating condition registered for the currently used user is satisfied (step S109).

  Here, similarly to the test imaging performed in the “operation condition setting process” (FIG. 4), the movement amount of the finder image is measured and the movement amount of the digital camera 1 when the shutter button is pressed is also measured in the imaging mode. It is assumed that it has been detected. Therefore, the parameter setting unit 212 determines whether the detected value or the zoom magnification at the time of imaging corresponds to the operation condition registered for the user. However, the camera shake is set at the shutter speed set as the appropriate exposure at this time. If the numerical value is not affected by the above, it is determined that the operating condition is not met.

  Based on these determinations, the parameter setting unit 212 determines whether or not a condition (operation condition) for performing a shake correction operation by driving the shake correction mechanism 130 is satisfied, and if so (step S109: Yes), captures an imaging parameter. The control unit 213 is notified to instruct the imaging operation, and the shake correction control unit 214 is instructed to control the shake correction mechanism 130 to perform the shake correction operation. Thereby, the imaging control unit 213 controls the optical device 110 and the image sensor unit 120 to perform an imaging operation, and the blur correction control unit 214 controls the blur correction mechanism 130 to perform the blur correction operation (step). S110).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation condition is not met (step S109: No), the parameter setting unit 212 instructs the image capturing control unit 213 to perform the image capturing operation, but the motion compensation control unit 214 performs the motion compensation operation. Do not instruct execution. Thereby, only the imaging operation is executed without performing the shake correction operation by the shake correction mechanism 130 (step S111).

  Then, the processing from step S108 to step S111 is repeated until a predetermined end event (for example, release of “power saving blur correction mode” or power-off of the digital camera 1) occurs (step S112: No). When the end event occurs (step S112: Yes), this process ends.

  As described above, by applying the present invention as in the above embodiment, the shake correction operation is performed based on the operation condition set for each user, so that unnecessary shake correction operation is suppressed and power consumption is reduced. be able to.

  In this case, since the magnification of the zoom lens is registered as an operation condition, it is possible to perform appropriate control according to the user's characteristics on the telephoto side of the zoom lens that is susceptible to camera shake.

  In addition, since the movement (movement amount) of the imaging device detected at the time of imaging is registered as an operation condition, it is possible to perform appropriate control according to the user's habit of operating the shutter button.

  Furthermore, since the movement on the moving image obtained as a finder image is registered as an operation condition, it is possible to perform appropriate control according to the user characteristics related to the hold of the imaging apparatus.

  Here, since the user is authenticated by an authentication device such as a fingerprint reader, and the control is performed using the registered operating condition for the authenticated user, even if a plurality of persons use the imaging device, it is appropriate Control can be performed.

  In addition, when the operating condition for the authenticated user is not registered, the operating condition is set based on test imaging performed without operating the blur correction mechanism, so that the appropriate blur correction operation control according to the user's specification is performed. Can be performed easily.

  In this case, since the user can arbitrarily register the operation condition, the operation condition according to the user's preference can be set, and the automatically set operation condition can be easily corrected. More appropriate control can be performed.

  Even if the operating conditions registered for each user are applicable, for example, if the parameters such as the shutter speed set at the time of imaging are not affected by camera shake, Since it can be controlled not to operate, the power consumption can be more effectively reduced.

  The said embodiment is an example and the application range of this invention is not restricted to this. That is, various applications are possible, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is realized by a digital still camera is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to, for example, a film camera or a video camera.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the fingerprint reader was illustrated as a biometrics apparatus which authenticates a user, as long as it can authenticate a user, it will not be restricted to this and arbitrary methods may be sufficient. For example, authentication by face recognition may be performed by capturing an image of the user's face by the image capturing function of the image capturing apparatus. Alternatively, if the imaging apparatus is capable of voice input, the voice of the user may be input and authenticated by voiceprint authentication or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the zoom magnification, the moving amount of the imaging device, and the moving amount of the moving image are exemplified as the items registered as the operation conditions. However, the items are not limited to these as long as they are caused by the occurrence of blurring. It is good also as conditions.

  Like the digital camera 1 shown in the above embodiment, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by applying a program as well as being able to be realized as an image pickup apparatus having a function of controlling the operation of the shake correction mechanism in advance. Can function as. That is, if the imaging apparatus has a shake correction mechanism based on a mechanical shake correction method, a program similar to the program executed by the control unit 210 of the above embodiment is applied to the existing imaging apparatus, and the operation of the imaging apparatus Can be made to function as an imaging device according to the present invention.

  The application method of such a program is arbitrary. For example, the program can be applied by being stored in a storage medium such as a memory card (external memory 260), or can be applied via a communication medium such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by the control part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "power saving blurring correction process" concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an “operation condition setting process” executed in the “power saving blur correction process” shown in FIG. 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the "user information table" stored in the internal memory shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 100 ... Imaging part, 110 ... Optical apparatus, 120 ... Image sensor part, 130 ... Shake correction mechanism, 200 ... Data processing part, 210 ... Control part, 211 ... User authentication part, 212 ... Parameter setting part, 213: Imaging control unit, 214: Shake correction control unit, 220 ... Image processing unit, 230 ... Image memory, 240 ... Image output unit, 250 ... Internal memory, 260 ... External memory, 300 ... Interface unit, 310 ... Display unit, 320 ... External interface unit, 330 ... Operation unit, 340 ... Biometric authentication device

Claims (10)

In an imaging apparatus having a shake correction mechanism,
Condition information storage means for storing condition information indicating conditions for operating the shake correction mechanism, which is set for each user of the imaging device;
Operation control means for operating the blur correction mechanism based on at least the condition information stored in the condition information storage means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The operation control unit operates the blur correction mechanism when the magnification of the zoom lens of the imaging device at the time of imaging is equal to or greater than the magnification recorded in the condition information.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. Sensor means for detecting the amount of movement of the imaging device during imaging;
The operation control means operates the blur correction mechanism when the movement amount detected by the sensor means is equal to or larger than the movement amount recorded in the condition information.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Image processing means for detecting the amount of movement between the captured frame images;
The operation control unit operates the blur correction mechanism when the movement amount detected by the image processing unit is equal to or larger than the movement amount recorded in the condition information.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus. Further comprising authentication means for authenticating a user of the imaging device;
The operation control means operates the blur correction mechanism based on the condition information about the user authenticated by the authentication means.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus. If the condition information for the user authenticated by the authentication means is not stored in the condition information storage means, the apparatus further comprises a condition setting means for setting an operation condition recorded in the condition information for the user.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 5. The condition setting means records an operation condition in the condition information based on an image captured without operating the blur correction mechanism.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6. The condition setting means stores an operation condition arbitrarily designated by an authenticated user in the condition information storage means as the condition information.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6. The operation control means operates the shake correction mechanism based on the condition information and imaging parameters applied at the time of imaging.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein In a computer that controls an imaging apparatus having a shake correction mechanism,
A function of storing in the storage unit condition information indicating conditions for operating the shake correction mechanism, set for each user of the imaging device;
A function of operating the blur correction mechanism based on at least the condition information stored in the storage means;
A program characterized by realizing.

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