JP2010128451A - Illuminating device, imaging device, and method for controlling illuminating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminating device capable of grasping a field angle and the center of the field angle regardless of any situation. <P>SOLUTION: The illuminating device 2 has an LED group 9 that illuminates in order to increase the brightness of a subject when a static image is photographed. During preparation for photographing, the illuminating device 2 selects one of LED from among the LED group 9 according to the photographing field angle of an imaging device 1 that outputs a light emission instruction to the illuminating device. The illuminating device illuminates the four corner or the center of the photographing field angle, or the four corner and the center of the photographing field angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device including a plurality of light sources, an imaging device equipped with the illumination device, and a method for controlling the illumination device.

  In imaging devices, except for digital cameras with a live view function, the subject and angle of view are checked using the viewfinder during normal shooting, but depending on the situation and subject, the viewfinder may be used. It can be difficult.

  For example, it may not be possible to look into the viewfinder during underwater photography, and in that case, it is difficult to grasp the angle of view. Also, at night or in a dark place, even if the viewfinder can be used, it is difficult to grasp the angle of view because there is not enough light, and whether the subject is at a position within the angle of view intended by the photographer. Didn't know without flash photography.

  Even if the viewfinder cannot be used, several proposals have been made to grasp the angle of view. For example, there is a technique for confirming the position of the user himself / herself by visually recognizing an LED provided in the imaging apparatus and assisting self-photographing (see Patent Document 1).

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for efficiently irradiating the inside of the angle of view by matching the irradiation angle with the photographing optical system.
JP 2004-004453 A JP 2005-91582 A

  However, the technique proposed in Patent Document 1 is limited to self-photographing and cannot be applied to various subjects.

  Further, although the technique proposed in Patent Document 2 can efficiently illuminate the angle of view, the angle of view is not required unless the photographer uses a finder or confirms the live view image displayed on the rear liquid crystal panel. Cannot be recognized. When shooting underwater, it is difficult to look through the viewfinder. In the dark, not only the viewfinder, but also the rear LCD panel has a low subject brightness, so it is difficult to recognize the angle of view and the subject.

  The objective of this invention is providing the illuminating device and imaging device which can grasp | ascertain an angle of view and the center of an angle of view regardless of the situation.

  In order to achieve the above object, an illumination apparatus according to the present invention is an illumination apparatus that irradiates a subject in response to a light emission instruction from an imaging apparatus, and includes: a light emitting unit including a plurality of light sources; and light emission control of the plurality of light sources. A light emission control unit that performs any of the light sources from the plurality of light sources according to a shooting angle of view of the imaging device that outputs a light emission instruction to the illumination device during shooting preparation. And the emission control is performed so that at least one of the four corners and the center of the photographing field angle is irradiated.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a light emitting unit including a plurality of light sources, and a light emission control unit that performs light emission control of the plurality of light sources. Accordingly, one of the plurality of light sources is selected, and light emission control is performed so that at least one of the four corners and the center of the shooting field angle is irradiated.

  According to the illumination device and the imaging device of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the angle of view and the center of the angle of view regardless of the situation.

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

  1A and 1B are external views of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a side view, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an interchangeable lens 7 is provided at the center of the body of the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. Above the imaging device 1, an illumination device 2 including a plurality of light sources that irradiate in order to increase the brightness of a subject when shooting a still image, and a release button 3 are provided at the upper left.

  On the back surface of the imaging apparatus 1, an angle-of-view irradiation button 4, a viewfinder (eyepiece unit) 5, a rear liquid crystal panel 6, and a face detection sensor 8 are provided. The rear liquid crystal panel 6 has a so-called live view function for sequentially displaying images output from a not-shown image sensor at a preset cycle. The face detection sensor 8 includes known light projecting means and light receiving means, and can detect whether or not an object is approaching the finder 5. For example, the distance between the photographer's face and the imaging device 1 is Detect that the distance is less than the predetermined distance.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the illumination device in FIG.

  The illumination device 2 includes an LED group (a plurality of light sources) 9. At the time of shooting field angle and field angle center irradiation, for example, some LEDs (light sources) 9a to 9e of the LED group 9 are caused to emit light. The light sources that irradiate the four corners of the shooting angle of view are not particularly limited to the positions of the LEDs 9a to 9d in FIG.

  Note that a light emission control unit that performs light emission control, such as which light source of the LED group 9 emits light, may be included in the imaging device 1, or the illumination device 2 may be included in response to a light emission instruction from the imaging device 1. Based on this, the light emission control of the LED group 9 may be performed.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the first embodiment of the illumination control process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  When the image pickup apparatus 1 is powered on, in step S101, the image pickup apparatus 1 (the control unit (not shown)) determines whether or not to perform field angle irradiation that illuminates the four corners of the shooting field angle like a pointer. The determination is made based on whether or not the irradiation button 4 is pressed. When the field angle irradiation is not performed, the normal shooting mode is set.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the illumination device and the subject in FIG.

  When the view angle irradiation button 4 is pressed, in the next step S102, the imaging device 1 causes the plurality of LEDs 9a to 9d provided in the illumination device 2 to emit light, and irradiates the four corners of the shooting angle of view shown in FIG. The view angle indexes 10a to 10d indicating the shooting view angles are obtained. Alternatively, the center of the field angle of view may be irradiated to obtain the field angle center index 10e, or both indices may be obtained. In other words, at least one of the four corners and the center of the shooting field angle is irradiated. Moreover, you may perform selection of LED to light-emit by the illuminating device 2 itself.

  Since it is assumed that the brightness of the subject is low in a dark place, it is preferable to irradiate the center of the shooting angle of view. Even after the start of irradiation, if the distance between the photographer's face and the imaging device 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the imaging device 1 enters a state where the finder 5 is used based on the detection result of the face detection sensor 8. It is determined that there is (step S103). And the imaging device 1 stops irradiation of LED9a-9d or LED9e (step S104).

  In the imaging device 1 having the live view function, the imaging device 1 determines that the shooting angle of view and the subject can be confirmed on the rear liquid crystal panel 6 at the time when the live view function is executed (step). S103). And the imaging device 1 stops irradiation of LED9a-9d or LED9e (step S104).

  As described above, the photographing angle of view can be easily obtained based on the angle-of-view indices 10a to 10d at the four corners irradiated from the lighting device 2 even in underwater photography or in a dark place where it is difficult to maintain the posture looking into the viewfinder 5. Can be recognized.

  After that, in step S105, the imaging apparatus 1 detects that the release button 3 is half-pressed (SW1 ON), and in step S106, the imaging apparatus 1 determines whether or not a mode that uses strobe light emission is selected during shooting. Judgment (determining whether or not lighting is used during shooting).

  When the mode using the strobe light emission is selected, in step S107, all the LEDs in the LED group 9 provided in the illumination device 2 emit light in the shooting after the release button 3 is fully pressed (SW2ON). (Lit).

  If a mode that does not use illumination is selected at the time of shooting, in step S108, the imaging apparatus 1 ends irradiation indicating the four corners of the shooting angle of view, and the release button 3 is fully pressed (SW2 ON) (step S109). ), Shooting is completed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illumination is possible even under bad conditions such as underwater shooting or shooting in a dark place and when it is difficult for the photographer to look into the viewfinder 5. By irradiating the four corners of the shooting angle of view with the apparatus 2, the angle of view can be confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to perform shooting at a desired angle of view that reflects the photographer's intention.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the second embodiment of the illumination control process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  The second embodiment shows a processing procedure in the case of performing irradiation according to the position of the distance measuring point used in the focusing operation in addition to the irradiation of the four corners indicating the shooting angle of view at the time of shooting preparation.

  Steps S201 to S204 are the same processes as steps S101 to S104 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the imaging apparatus 1, a focusing operation (autofocus) on the subject is executed by half-pressing the normal release button 3 (SW1 ON). The imaging apparatus 1 starts autofocus after detecting half-press of the release button 3 in step S205. Note that autofocus is performed by controlling the focusing of the interchangeable lens 7 by an AF control unit (not shown) in the imaging apparatus 1. Autofocus is performed for any one of a plurality of distance measuring points provided within the shooting angle of view, and the distance measuring point used for autofocus is the shooting angle of view. It changes according to the position of the subject in the camera and the operation of the photographer.

  Thereafter, in step S206, the imaging device 1 emits (irradiates) the plurality of LEDs 9a to 9d provided in the illumination device 2 according to the position of the selected ranging point among the plurality of ranging points. .

  Steps S207 to S210 correspond to steps S106 to S109 in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, at the time of shooting preparation, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment, a distance measuring point applied to focusing is also irradiated. Accordingly, since the shooting angle of view and the position of the distance measuring point applied to the in-focus state can be confirmed, it is possible to perform shooting that reflects the intention of the photographer.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the third embodiment of the illumination control process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  The third embodiment shows a processing procedure for selecting a light source (LED) to be turned on according to the position of a distance measuring point applied as a focal point among a plurality of distance measuring points at the time of shooting. is there.

  Steps S301 to S307 are the same as steps S201 to S207 in the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S308, the imaging apparatus 1 performs illumination according to the position of the distance measuring point that is actually applied as the focal point among a plurality of distance measuring points in the shooting after the release button 3 is fully pressed (SW2 ON). The LED to be lit is selected from the LED group 9 provided in the device 2. Then, light emission in a limited range is performed.

  Step S309 and step S310 correspond to step S108 and step S109 in the first embodiment, respectively.

  In the first and second embodiments, all the light sources are turned on when illumination is used during shooting. In the third embodiment, the entire light emission amount itself is increased while the luminance of the main subject is increased by selecting the light source to be turned on according to the position of the distance measuring point (mainly the position of the main subject) and emitting light. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the LEDs of the LED group 9 provided in the lighting device 2 are caused to emit light (light on), not all the LEDs need to emit light (light on). You may change the number of LED light-emitted (lighted) according to the emitted light amount.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the fourth embodiment of the illumination control process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  The fourth embodiment shows a processing procedure in the case of selecting a light source to be turned on according to the luminance distribution of the screen at the time of shooting.

  Steps S401 to S404 and step S407 are the same as steps S101 to S104 and step S106 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S405, the imaging apparatus 1 detects the half-press (SW1 ON) of the release button 3, and then acquires the luminance distribution at the shooting angle of view in step S406. The luminance distribution at the shooting angle of view is obtained by a photometric unit (not shown) in the imaging apparatus 1.

  In step S408, the imaging device 1 selects an LED to be lit from the LED group 9 provided in the illumination device 2 in accordance with the luminance distribution of the shooting angle of view in shooting after the release button 3 is fully pressed (SW2 ON). Then, light emission in a limited range is performed. As a result, it is possible to perform natural shooting with a more balanced tone, which is less likely to cause black crushing.

  Step S409 and step S410 correspond to step S108 and step S109 in the first embodiment, respectively.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, by selecting a light source to be lit and emitting light, the overall light emission amount itself is smaller than when all the LED groups 9 emit light while maintaining the luminance balance of the entire shooting angle of view. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

  The illumination device 2 in the above-described four embodiments may be an external strobe attached to the imaging device 1 or a built-in strobe provided in the imaging device 1.

1 is an external view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the illuminating device in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 1st Embodiment of the illumination control process performed by the imaging device of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between the illuminating device in FIG. 1, and a to-be-photographed object. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 2nd Embodiment of the illumination control process performed by the imaging device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 3rd Embodiment of the illumination control process performed by the imaging device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 4th Embodiment of the illumination control process performed by the imaging device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Illumination device 3 Release button 4 Field angle irradiation button 5 Viewfinder 6 Back surface liquid crystal panel 7 Interchangeable lens 8 Face detection sensor 9 LED group 10a-10d Angle of view index 10e Angle of view center index

Claims (9)

An illumination device that irradiates a subject in response to a light emission instruction from an imaging device, and a light emitting unit including a plurality of light sources;
A light emission control means for performing light emission control of the plurality of light sources,
The light emission control unit selects one of the plurality of light sources according to a shooting angle of view of the imaging device that outputs a light emission instruction to the illumination device during shooting preparation, and includes four corners of the shooting angle of view and An illumination device that performs light emission control so as to irradiate at least one of the centers.   2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit performs light emission control so as to irradiate a distance measuring point used for the focusing operation within the shooting angle of view during a focusing operation on the subject. .   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit performs light emission control so that all of the plurality of light sources emit light during photographing.   The light emission control means performs light emission control so as to change a light source to emit light among the plurality of light sources in accordance with a position of a distance measuring point within the photographing field angle used at the time of focusing on the subject during photographing. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is performed.   3. The light emission control unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit performs light emission control so as to change a light source to emit light among the plurality of light sources in accordance with a luminance distribution within the photographing angle of view during photographing. The lighting device described. The imaging apparatus includes an eyepiece, and a detection unit that detects whether an object is approaching the eyepiece,
The light emission control means emits light so as to irradiate at least one of the four corners and the center of the photographing field angle when the detection means detects that there is an object within a predetermined distance from the eyepiece. 6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control is performed so as to stop the light emission of the light source. The imaging apparatus has display means for sequentially displaying images output at a preset cycle from the imaging element,
The light emission control unit emits light so as to irradiate at least one of the four corners and the center of the shooting field angle when the display unit starts sequential display of images output from the image sensor at a preset cycle. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein light emission control is performed so as to stop light emission of the plurality of light sources. Light emitting means comprising a plurality of light sources;
A light emission control means for performing light emission control of the plurality of light sources,
The light emission control means performs light emission control so as to select at least one of the four corners and the center of the photographing field angle in accordance with a photographing field angle at the time of preparation for photographing. An imaging apparatus characterized by that. A method for controlling an illuminating device that has a light emitting unit composed of a plurality of light sources that irradiates a subject according to a light emission instruction from an imaging device,
At the time of shooting preparation, one of the plurality of light sources is selected according to the shooting angle of view of the imaging device that outputs a light emission instruction to the illumination device, and at least one of the four corners and the center of the shooting angle of view is irradiated. A method for controlling an illuminating device, characterized in that light emission control is performed.

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