JP2010160186A - Flash apparatus, imaging apparatus, and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology of a flash apparatus for improving convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The flash apparatus includes: a flash body part for enabling flash emission by using electric power stored in a main capacitor; and accessory shoe part for being rotatably connected to the flash body part to be mounted on an imaging apparatus. In the flash apparatus mounted on the imaging apparatus when the flash body part is in a turn-down posture, the power source of the flash apparatus is turned off to prohibit flash emission (ST1-2). Meanwhile, when the flash body part is in an erected posture, charging processing of the main capacitor is performed in insufficient charge, and flash emission is permitted (ST3, ST6-8). Furthermore, when the flash body part is in an intermediate posture, charging processing of the main capacitor is performed in insufficient charge, meanwhile flash emission is prohibited (ST1, ST3, ST9, ST11-13). As the result, convenience of the flash apparatus is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of a flash device having a light emitting means capable of flash light emission.

  An external flash device (flash device) that is detachably attached to an imaging device such as a digital camera is known.

  In such a flash device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a base portion that is attached to the imaging device and a flash main body portion that is rotatably connected to the base portion are provided. It is possible to switch between a lying posture (prone posture) and a standing posture.

JP 2006-162761 A JP 2007-322454 A

  However, in the above-described flash device, the two postures of the lying posture and the standing posture are the basic postures of the flash main body, and therefore control (for example, turning on / off the power supply) linked to each of the two postures is not performed. However, in addition to these controls, it is not considered to perform specific control linked to the intermediate posture between the two postures. Here, if the control in consideration of the characteristics of the intermediate posture of the flash main body can be performed, the convenience of the flash device may be improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology of a flash device that can improve convenience.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flash device that includes a main body portion having a light emitting means capable of flashing light, and is rotatably connected to the main body portion, corresponding to a prone state and a non-prone state. A base capable of changing the posture of the main body between one posture and a second posture; and the first posture, the second posture, and the first posture and the second posture according to the main body. Detection means capable of detecting the intermediate posture, and processing means for executing different processing depending on each posture of the main body detected by the detection means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus, which is capable of flashing with a main body provided with imaging means for imaging a subject, and is rotatably connected to the main body. A light emitting unit capable of changing posture between a first posture and a second posture corresponding to a state and a non-prone state, and the first posture, the second posture, and the first posture related to the light emitting unit, A detection unit capable of detecting an intermediate posture between the second posture and a processing unit that executes different processes according to each posture of the light emitting unit detected by the detection unit;

  According to the present invention, the main body part (light emitting part) capable of changing the posture between the first posture and the second posture corresponding to the prone state and the non-prone state is provided. Since different processing is executed in accordance with each posture detected by the detection unit with respect to the two postures and the intermediate posture between the first posture and the second posture, the convenience of the flash device (light emitting unit) can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the imaging device 1 which can mount | wear with the flash device 8 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an imaging apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an external configuration of a flash device 8. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an imaging apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the entire imaging apparatus 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the prone posture Pa of the flash device 8, the intermediate posture Pm, and the standing posture Pb. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining posture detection of the flash main body 80. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the flash device 8. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the flash device 8. It is a flowchart which shows an idling process.

<Embodiment>
A camera system (imaging system) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a flash device 8 that can be detachably attached to the upper portion of the imaging device 1 as shown in FIG. It is configured with. Below, the structure of the imaging device 1 is demonstrated first.

[Appearance Configuration of Imaging Device 1]
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing an external configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 to which the flash device 8 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be attached. Here, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front view and a rear view, respectively. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the imaging apparatus 1.

  The imaging apparatus 1 is configured as, for example, a single-lens reflex digital still camera, and includes a camera body (camera body) 10 and a photographing lens 2 as an interchangeable lens that is detachable from the camera body 10.

  In FIG. 1, on the front side of the camera body 10, a mount portion 301 on which the photographing lens 2 is mounted at the center of the front surface, a lens exchange button 302 disposed on the right side of the mount portion 301, and a front left end (X A grip portion 303 is provided so as to protrude from the left side of the direction and allow the user to securely hold the hand with one hand (or both hands). Further, on the camera body 10, a mode setting dial 305 disposed at the upper left front portion (upper left in the Y direction), a control value setting dial 306 disposed at the upper right portion of the front surface, and an upper surface of the grip portion 303 are disposed. A shutter button 307 is provided.

  In FIG. 2, on the rear side of the camera body 10, there are an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 311, a setting button group 312 arranged on the left side of the LCD 311, and a cross key 314 arranged on the right side of the LCD 311. And a push button 315 disposed in the center of the cross key 314. Further, on the back side of the camera body 10, an EVF (Electronic View Finder) 316 disposed above the LCD 311, an eye cup 321 surrounding the EVF 316, and a main switch 317 disposed on the left side of the EVF 316. And are provided. Further, on the back side of the camera body 10, an exposure correction button 323 and an AE lock button 324 disposed on the right side of the EVF 316, and a built-in flash unit 318 and a connection terminal unit 319 disposed above the EVF 316 are provided. Is provided.

  The mount 301 is provided with a connector Ec (see FIG. 5) for electrical connection with the mounted photographing lens 2 and couplers 74 and 75 (see FIG. 5) for mechanical connection. Yes.

  The lens exchange button 302 is a button that is pressed when the photographing lens 2 attached to the mount unit 301 is removed.

  The grip part 303 is a part where the user grips the imaging device 1 at the time of photographing, and is provided with surface irregularities that match the finger shape in order to improve fitting properties. Note that a battery storage chamber and a card storage chamber (not shown) are provided inside the grip portion 303. A battery 69B (see FIG. 5) is housed in the battery compartment as a power source for the camera, and a memory card 67 (see FIG. 5) as a recording medium for recording image data of the photographed image is housed in the card compartment. It is designed to be detachable. The grip unit 303 may be provided with a grip sensor for detecting whether or not the user has gripped the grip unit 303.

  The mode setting dial 305 and the control value setting dial 306 are made of a substantially disk-shaped member that can rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the camera body 10. The mode setting dial 305 is used for various types of shooting such as an automatic exposure (AE) control mode, an autofocus (AF) control mode, a still image shooting mode for shooting a single still image, and a continuous shooting mode for continuous shooting. This mode is used to selectively select a mode and a function installed in the imaging apparatus 1, such as a mode and a reproduction mode for reproducing a recorded image. On the other hand, the control value setting dial 306 is for setting control values for various functions installed in the imaging apparatus 1.

  The shutter button 307 is a push switch that can be operated in a “half-pressed state” that is pressed halfway and further operated in a “full-pressed state”. When the shutter button 307 is half-pressed (S1) in the still image shooting mode, a preparation operation (preparation operation such as setting of an exposure control value and focus adjustment) for shooting a still image of the subject is executed. When the shutter button 307 is fully pressed (S2), a shooting operation (a series of operations for exposing the imaging sensor, performing predetermined image processing on the image signal obtained by the exposure, and recording the image signal on a memory card or the like) Is executed.

  The LCD 311 includes a color liquid crystal panel capable of displaying an image, displays an image captured by the image sensor 101 (FIG. 4), reproduces and displays a recorded image, and is mounted on the imaging apparatus 1. The function and mode setting screen is displayed. Note that an organic EL or a plasma display device may be used instead of the LCD 311.

  The setting button group 312 is a button for performing operations on various functions installed in the imaging apparatus 1. The setting button group 312 includes, for example, a selection confirmation switch for confirming the content selected on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 311, a selection cancel switch, a menu display switch for switching the content of the menu screen, a display on / off switch, A display enlargement switch is included.

  The cross key 314 has an annular member having a plurality of pressing portions (triangle marks in the figure) arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, and is not shown and provided corresponding to each pressing portion. The pressing operation of the pressing portion is detected by the contact (switch). The push button 315 is arranged at the center of the cross key 314. The cross key 314 and the push button 315 are used to change the photographing magnification (movement of the zoom lens in the wide direction and the tele direction), frame advance of the recorded image to be reproduced on the LCD 311 and the like, and photographing conditions (aperture value, shutter speed, flash emission). This is for instructing setting etc.).

  The EVF 316 includes, for example, a color liquid crystal panel that can display an image, and performs display of an image captured by the image sensor 101 (FIG. 4), reproduction display of a recorded image, and the like. Here, the live view (preview) display for displaying the subject in a moving image mode is performed on the EVF 316 or the LCD 311 based on the image signal sequentially generated by the image sensor 101 before the main shooting (shooting for image recording). The user can visually recognize the subject actually captured by the image sensor 101.

  The main switch 317 is a two-contact slide switch that slides to the left and right. When the switch is set to the right in FIG. 2, the power of the imaging device 1 is turned on, and when the switch is set to the left, the power is turned off.

  The built-in flash unit 318 is configured as a pop-up flash. On the other hand, when the flash device 8 configured as an external flash is attached to the camera body 10, the connection is made using a connection terminal portion 319 formed as a hot shoe.

  The eye cup 321 is a “U” -shaped light shielding member that has light shielding properties and suppresses intrusion of external light into the EVF 316.

  The exposure correction button 323 is a button for manually adjusting an exposure value (aperture value or shutter speed), and the AE lock button 324 is a button for fixing exposure.

  The photographic lens 2 functions as a lens window that captures light (light image) from the subject and also functions as a photographic optical system for guiding the subject light to the image sensor 101 disposed inside the camera body 10. It is. The photographing lens 2 can be detached from the camera body 10 by pressing the lens exchange button 302 described above.

  The taking lens 2 includes a lens group 21 including a plurality of lenses arranged in series along the optical axis LT (FIG. 4). The lens group 21 includes a focus lens 211 (see FIG. 5) for adjusting the focal point and a zoom lens 212 (see FIG. 5) for zooming, and each of them is in the direction of the optical axis LT. By driving the zoom lens, zooming and focus adjustment are performed. The photographing lens 2 is provided with an operation ring that can rotate along the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel at a suitable position on the outer periphery of the lens barrel. The zoom lens 212 can be operated by manual operation or automatic operation. It moves in the optical axis direction according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the operation ring, and is set to a zoom magnification (imaging magnification) according to the position of the movement destination.

  The imaging element 101 functions as an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject. When the imaging lens 2 is attached to the camera body 10, the imaging element 101 is on the optical axis LT on the optical axis LT of the lens group 21 included in the imaging lens 2. It is arrange | positioned in the direction which becomes perpendicular | vertical with respect to it. As the image sensor 101, for example, a plurality of pixels configured with photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and each has a spectral characteristic, for example, R (red), G (green), or B (blue) color. A CMOS color area sensor (CMOS type image sensor) having color pixels provided with filters is used. The image sensor (imaging sensor) 101 converts an object light image formed by the photographing lens (photographing optical system) 2 into analog electrical signals (image signals) of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. ) To generate and output image signals of R, G, and B colors. The configuration of the image sensor 101 will be described in detail later.

  The image sensor 101 is held by the image sensor drive mechanism 200 so as to be movable two-dimensionally on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L. A shutter unit 40 is disposed in front of the image sensor 101 in the optical axis direction. The shutter unit 40 is a mechanical focal plane shutter that includes a curtain body that moves in the vertical direction, and that performs an optical path opening operation and an optical path blocking operation of subject light guided to the image sensor 101 along the optical axis L. The shutter unit 40 can be omitted when the image sensor 101 is an image sensor capable of complete electronic shutter.

[Electrical Configuration of Imaging Device 1]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the entire imaging apparatus 1. Here, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. For convenience of explanation, the electrical configuration of the photographic lens 2 will be described first.

  The photographing lens 2 includes a lens driving mechanism 24, a lens position detection unit 25, a lens control unit 26, and an aperture driving mechanism 27 in addition to the lens group 21 constituting the photographing optical system described above.

  In the lens group 21, a focus lens 211 and a zoom lens 212, and a diaphragm 23 for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 101 provided in the camera body 10 include an optical axis LT (FIG. 4) in the lens barrel. The optical image of the subject is captured and formed on the image sensor 101. The focus adjustment operation is performed by driving the lens group 21 in the direction of the optical axis LT by the AF actuator 71M in the camera body 10.

  The lens driving mechanism 24 includes, for example, a helicoid and a gear (not shown) that rotates the helicoid. The lens driving mechanism 24 receives a driving force from the AF actuator 71M via the coupler 74, and moves the focus lens 211 and the like parallel to the optical axis LT. Move in the direction. Note that the movement direction and the movement amount of the focus lens 211 are in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the AF actuator 71M, respectively.

  The lens position detection unit 25 is integrated with the lens barrel 22 while being in sliding contact with the encode plate in which a plurality of code patterns are formed at a predetermined pitch in the optical axis LT direction within the movement range of the lens group 21. And a moving encoder brush for detecting the amount of movement of the lens group 21 during focus adjustment. The lens position detected by the lens position detection unit 24 is output as the number of pulses, for example.

  The lens control unit 26 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer having a built-in memory unit (not shown) such as a ROM that stores a control program and a flash memory that stores data related to status information. The lens control unit 26 has a function of communicating with the main control unit 62 of the camera body 10 via the connector Ec. Thereby, for example, state information data such as the focal length, exit pupil position, aperture value, focusing distance, and peripheral light amount state of the lens group 21 can be transmitted to the main control unit 62, while the main control unit 62, for example, the focus lens 211. Drive amount data can be received. At the time of shooting, data such as focal length information about the shooting lens 2, the position of the focus lens 211, and the aperture value are transmitted to the main control unit 62.

  The aperture drive mechanism 27 receives the driving force from the aperture drive actuator 73M via the coupler 75 and changes the aperture diameter of the aperture 23.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the camera body 10 will be described. The camera body 10 includes an AFE (analog front end) 5, an image processing unit 61, an image memory 614, a main control unit 62, a flash circuit 63, and an operation unit in addition to the imaging element 101 and the shutter unit 40 described above. 64 is comprised. The camera body 10 includes a VRAM 65 (65a, 65b), a card I / F 66, a memory card 67, a communication I / F 68, a power supply circuit 69, a battery 69B, a focus drive control unit 71A and an AF actuator 71M, and shutter drive control. 72A, a shutter drive actuator 72M, an aperture drive control unit 73A, and an aperture drive actuator 73M.

  The image sensor 101 is composed of a CMOS sensor as described above, and the timing control circuit 51 described below starts (and ends) the exposure operation of the image sensor 101, outputs selection of each pixel included in the image sensor 101, and pixels Imaging operations such as signal readout are controlled.

  The AFE 5 gives a timing pulse for causing the image sensor 101 to perform a predetermined operation, and performs predetermined signal processing on an image signal (analog signal group received by each pixel of the CMOS area sensor) output from the image sensor 101. Is converted into a digital signal and output to the image processing unit 61. The AFE 5 includes a timing control circuit 51, a signal processing unit 52, an A / D conversion unit 53, and the like.

  The timing control circuit 51 generates a predetermined timing pulse (a pulse for generating a vertical scanning pulse φVn, a horizontal scanning pulse φVm, a reset signal φVr, etc.) based on the reference clock output from the main control unit 62, and the imaging device 101. And the imaging operation of the image sensor 101 is controlled. In addition, the operation of the signal processing unit 52 and the A / D conversion unit 53 is controlled by outputting predetermined timing pulses to the signal processing unit 52 and the A / D conversion unit 53, respectively.

  The signal processing unit 52 performs predetermined analog signal processing on the analog image signal output from the image sensor 101. The signal processing unit 52 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit that amplifies the charge signal output from the image sensor 101, a clamp circuit, and the like.

  The A / D converter 53 converts the analog R, G, and B image signals output from the signal processor 52 into a plurality of bits (for example, 12 bits) based on the timing pulse output from the timing control circuit 51. ) Are converted into digital image signals.

  The image processing unit 61 performs predetermined signal processing on the image data output from the AFE 5 to create an image file, and includes a black level correction circuit 611, a white balance control circuit 612, a gamma correction circuit 613, and the like. Has been. The image data captured by the image processing unit 61 is temporarily written in the image memory 614 in synchronization with the reading of the image sensor 101. Thereafter, the image data written in the image memory 614 is accessed to access the image processing unit. Processing is performed in each of the 61 blocks.

  The black level correction circuit 611 corrects the black level of each of the R, G, and B digital image signals A / D converted by the A / D conversion unit 53 to a reference black level.

  The white balance correction circuit 612 performs level conversion (white balance (WB) adjustment) of digital signals of each color component of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) based on a white reference corresponding to the light source. Is what you do. That is, the white balance control circuit 612 identifies a portion that is originally estimated to be white from luminance, saturation data, and the like in the photographic subject based on the WB adjustment data provided from the main control unit 62, and R, For each of G and B, the average of the color components, the G / R ratio and the G / B ratio are obtained, and the levels are corrected as R and B correction gains.

  The gamma correction circuit 613 corrects the gradation characteristics of the image data subjected to WB adjustment. Specifically, the gamma correction circuit 613 performs non-linear conversion and offset adjustment using a gamma correction table set in advance for each color component.

  The image memory 614 temporarily stores the image data output from the image processing unit 61 in the photographing mode, and is also used as a work area for performing predetermined processing on the image data by the main control unit 62. It is. In the playback mode, the image data read from the memory card 67 is temporarily stored.

  The main control unit 62 is composed of a microcomputer having a built-in memory such as a ROM that stores a control program and a flash memory that temporarily stores data, and controls the operation of each unit of the imaging apparatus 1.

  In addition, when the camera shake correction mode is executed, the main control unit 62 obtains a shake direction and a shake amount based on a shake detection signal from a shake detection sensor (not shown). Then, based on the obtained direction and shake amount, a shake correction control signal is generated and output to the shake image sensor drive mechanism 200, and control is performed to shift the image sensor 101 in a direction in which hand shake is canceled.

  The flash circuit 63 controls the light emission amount of the flash device 8 connected to the built-in flash unit 318 or the connection terminal unit 319 to the light emission amount set by the main control unit 62 in the flash photographing mode.

  The operation unit 64 includes the mode setting dial 305, the control value setting dial 306, the shutter button 307, the setting button group 312, the cross key 314, the push button 315, the main switch 317, etc., and the operation information is sent to the main control unit 62. It is for input.

  The VRAMs 65a and 65b have a storage capacity of image signals corresponding to the number of pixels of the LCD 311 and the EVF 316, and are buffer memories between the main control unit 62 and the LCD 311 and the EVF 316. The card I / F 66 is an interface for enabling transmission / reception of signals between the memory card 67 and the main control unit 62. The memory card 67 is a recording medium that stores image data generated by the main control unit 62. The communication I / F 68 is an interface for enabling transmission of image data and the like to a personal computer and other external devices.

  The power supply circuit 69 includes a constant voltage circuit, for example, and generates a voltage (for example, 5 V) for driving the entire imaging apparatus 1 such as a control unit such as the main control unit 62, the imaging element 101, and other various driving units. . Note that energization control to the image sensor 101 is performed by a control signal supplied from the main control unit 62 to the power supply circuit 69. The battery 69B includes a secondary battery such as a nickel hydride rechargeable battery or a primary battery such as an alkaline battery, and is a power source that supplies power to the entire imaging apparatus 1.

  The focus drive control unit 71A generates a drive control signal for the AF actuator 71M necessary for moving the focus lens 211 to the in-focus position based on the AF control signal given from the main control unit 62. The AF actuator 71M includes a stepping motor and the like, and applies a lens driving force to the lens driving mechanism 24 of the photographing lens 2 via the coupler 74. The AF actuator 71M may be provided not in the camera body 10 but in the interchangeable lens 2.

  The shutter drive control unit 72A generates a drive control signal for the shutter drive actuator 72M based on a control signal given from the main control unit 62. The shutter drive actuator 72M is an actuator that performs opening / closing drive of the shutter unit 40.

  The aperture drive control unit 73A generates a drive control signal for the aperture drive actuator 73M based on the control signal given from the main control unit 62. The aperture driving actuator 73M applies a driving force to the aperture driving mechanism 27 via the coupler 75.

  Next, the configuration of the flash device 8 will be described in detail.

[External configuration of flash device 8]
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the external configuration of the flash device 8.

  The flash device 8 is configured as an external flash device that can be attached to and detached from the connection terminal portion 319 of the imaging device 1, and includes a flash body portion (light emitting portion) 80 and an accessory shoe portion that is rotatably connected to the flash body portion 80. 81.

  The flash main unit 80 includes an operation button 82 for switching a light emission mode, a display unit 83 for displaying information such as a light emission mode and a light emission level, and a flash light emitting unit 84 (flash light emission) capable of flash light emission (flash light emission). (See FIG. 6).

  The accessory shoe portion 81 is attached to the connection terminal portion 319 of the imaging device 1 configured as a hot shoe, and can be attached to the accessory shoe block 811 and a rotation mechanism portion 812 for rotating the flash main body portion 80. And. With this turning mechanism 812, the flash body 80 in the flash device 8 attached to the imaging device 1 as shown in FIG. 6A falls down, and the flash light emitting portion 84 approaches the upper surface of the imaging device 1, and the imaging device. 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “prone posture”) Pa can be taken. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6C, the flash main body 80 stands up so that the flash light emitting portion 84 is separated from the imaging device 1 and the light emitting surface 84f faces the front (hereinafter also referred to as “standing posture”) Pb. You can also. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the flash main body 80 can take an intermediate posture (hereinafter also referred to as “intermediate posture”) Pm between the prone posture Pa and the standing posture Pb.

  That is, in the flash device 8 attached to the imaging device 1 by the rotation mechanism portion 812 of the accessory shoe portion (base portion) 81, the prone posture (first position) corresponding to the prone state and the non-prone state with respect to the imaging device 1. The posture of the flash main body 80 can be changed between one posture) Pa and the standing posture (second posture) Pb. In such a flash device 8, it is possible to detect which posture Pa, Pb, and Pm the flash body portion 80 is, and this will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the posture detection of the flash main body 80. 7A to 7C illustrate the periphery of the rotation mechanism unit 812 in the prone posture Pa, the intermediate posture Pm, and the standing posture Pb of the flash main body 80 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Yes. For convenience of illustration, the outline of the flash body 80 is indicated by a broken line.

  One protrusion 81p is provided on the side surface of the rotation mechanism portion 812, and the protrusion 81p has three click grooves Ha, Hm, Hb formed as holes on the wall surface of the flash body 80 (illustrated by broken lines). Each can be engaged. With such a configuration, when the flash main body 80 rotates about the rotation shaft 81c of the rotation mechanism 812, the flash 81 is fitted into the click groove Ha as shown in FIG. 7A. The main body 80 can be held in the prone posture Pa. Similarly, when the protrusion 81p is fitted into the click groove Hm as shown in FIG. 7B, the flash body 80 is held in the intermediate posture Pm, and the protrusion 81p is fitted into the click groove Hb as shown in FIG. 7C. Then, the flash main body 80 is held in the standing posture Pb.

  In addition, on the side surface of the rotation mechanism portion 812, two resistors Ra and Rb formed in an arc shape with the rotation shaft 81c as the center are provided, and conduction between these resistors Ra and Rb is provided. A brush contact Br for (short-circuiting) is attached to a member 85 fixed to the flash main body 80. With such a configuration, if the position of the brush contact Br that contacts the two resistors Ra and Rb changes as the posture of the flash body 80 changes, the resistance values related to the resistors Ra and Rb change. . Therefore, by measuring this resistance value, it is possible to determine (detect) the prone posture Pa, the standing posture Pb, and the intermediate posture Pm related to the flash main body 80.

[Electrical configuration of the flash device 8]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the flash device 8. Here, the same parts as those in FIGS. 3 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, in FIG. 8, the connection between the blocks which concerns on the interchange of electric power is represented by a thick line, and the connection between the blocks which concerns on the distribution | circulation of a measurement / control signal is represented by the line with an arrow.

  The flash device 8 uses the display unit 83, the operation unit 820 including the operation buttons 82, the two resistors Ra and Rb, and the brush contact Br to indicate the postures Pa, Pm, and Pb of the flash main unit 80. And a control unit 90 that is electrically connected to these parts.

  The flash device 8 includes a photometric unit 87 and a camera I / F that are electrically connected to the control unit 90. The photometric unit 87 is a part that is provided around the flash light emitting unit 84 shown in FIG. 6 and performs photometry (dimming) on the subject. The camera I / F 88 is an interface for enabling transmission / reception of signals between the control unit 90 and the main control unit 62 of the imaging apparatus 1.

  In addition, the flash device 8 has a predetermined voltage value (setting) for the power supplied from the main capacitor 92 serving as a power storage means for storing the power used for flash light emission in the flash light emitting unit 84 and the battery 69B in the imaging device 1. A charging / boosting circuit 91 for boosting up to a voltage value) and charging the main capacitor 92, and a charging voltage detection circuit 93 for detecting the charging voltage of the main capacitor 92. By using the power stored in the main capacitor 92, in response to the light emission command from the control unit 90 via the light emission control unit 94, the flash light emitting unit 84 having a light emitting tube such as an Xe tube is used. Light emission operation is possible.

  The control unit 90 includes a CPU and a memory, for example, and comprehensively controls each unit of the flash device 8. The control unit 90 has a timer Tm for measuring time as a function.

  In the flash device 8 configured as described above, the flash main body 80 can be held in three postures, that is, the prone posture Pa, the standing posture Pb, and the intermediate posture Pm, but the operation of the flash device 8 linked to these three postures is performed. This will be specifically described below.

[Operation of flash device 8]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the flash device 8. This operation corresponds to the operation when the flash body 80 is switched among the prone posture Pa, the intermediate posture Pm, and the standing posture Pb, and is executed by the control unit 90.

  In step ST1, it is determined whether the flash body 80 is in the prone posture Pa shown in FIG. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the prone posture Pa is detected as the posture of the flash main body 80 by the posture detection unit 86. Here, when the flash body 80 is in the prone posture Pa, since the flash device 8 is not in use, a power-off process for turning off the power of the flash device 8 is performed. On the other hand, if the flash body 80 is not in the prone posture Pa, the process proceeds to step 3.

  In step ST3, it is determined whether the flash main body 80 is in the standing posture Pb shown in FIG. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the standing posture Pb is detected as the posture of the flash main body 80 by the posture detector 86. Here, when the flash body 80 is in the standing posture Pb, the process proceeds to step ST4, and when it is not the standing posture Pb but the intermediate posture Pm shown in FIG. 6B, the process proceeds to step ST9.

  In step ST4, an activation process for the flash device 8 is performed. That is, a power-on process or the like is performed in the flash device 8 so that the flash light emitting unit 84 can emit light.

  In step ST5, the display unit 83 performs normal display. Specifically, the currently set light emission mode and the like are displayed on the display unit 83.

  In step ST6, it is determined whether the charging voltage of the main capacitor 92 is equal to or lower than a set value. That is, whether or not a condition that the charging voltage (charging state) of the main capacitor 92 detected by the charging voltage detection circuit 93 is equal to or higher than a set voltage value (threshold value) α (hereinafter also referred to as “good charging condition”) is satisfied. Is judged. If the charging voltage is equal to or lower than the set value, the process proceeds to step ST7. If the charging voltage is greater than the set value, the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST7, a charging process is performed in which charging is performed by the charging / boosting circuit 91 until the voltage of the main capacitor 92 becomes equal to or higher than the set voltage value, that is, the charging is completed. That is, when it is determined in step ST6 that the charging state of the main capacitor 92 does not satisfy the above charging condition, charging processing by the charging / boosting circuit 91 is performed.

  In step ST8, a light emission permission process for permitting the light emission (flash light emission) operation of the flash light emitting unit 84 in response to the light emission command from the imaging device 1 is performed.

  In step ST9, a light emission prohibiting process for prohibiting the light emission (flash light emission) operation in the flash light emitting section 84 is performed even if there is a light emission command from the imaging apparatus 1. This is because when the flash main body 80 is in the intermediate posture Pm shown in FIG. 6B, an appropriate light emitting operation cannot be performed with the light emitting surface 84f not facing the subject.

  In step ST10, since light emission is prohibited in step ST9, the display unit 83 displays that the flash light emitting unit 84 cannot emit light. Thereby, the user can recognize that the flashing device 8 cannot perform the light emitting operation.

  In step ST11 and step ST12, the same operation as step ST6 and step ST7 is performed.

  In step ST13, since the charging voltage of the main capacitor 92 is equal to or higher than the set voltage value, a charging stop process for stopping the charging operation by the charging / boosting circuit 91 is performed.

  In step ST14, an idling process is performed (detailed later). That is, a state (standby state) that can quickly respond even when the flash main body 80 is switched from the intermediate posture Pm to the standing posture Pb is maintained.

  In the flash device 8 performing the above operation, when the prone posture Pa relating to the flash main body 80 is detected by the posture detection unit 86 by the operation of steps ST1 and ST2, the flash device 8 is turned off and the flash is turned on. A process (first process) for setting prohibition of flash emission in the light emitting unit 84 is executed. In addition, when the posture detection unit 86 detects the standing posture Pb related to the flash main body unit 80 by the operations of steps ST3 to ST8, the charging / boosting circuit 91 performs a charging process, and the flash light emitting unit 84 performs flash emission. A process for setting permission (second process) is executed. Further, when the intermediate posture Pm related to the flash main body 80 is detected by the posture detection unit 86 by the operations of steps ST1, ST3 and steps ST9 to ST14, the charging / boosting circuit 91 performs the charging process, while A process (third process) for setting prohibition of flash emission in the light emitting unit 84 is executed. By such first to third processes, control regarding use / nonuse of the flash device 8 interlocked with the prone posture Pa and the standing posture Pb of the flash main body 80 can be performed, and preparations for use are made although not in use. Control that takes into account the characteristics of the required intermediate posture Pm becomes possible.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart corresponding to step ST14 and showing the idling process. This operation is an event process executed at regular intervals (for example, every 30 seconds) by the timer Tm of the control unit 90. As described above, this operation is sequentially called at regular time intervals using the timer Tm. However, in a time zone (timer waiting time) when this operation is not called by the timer Tm, the power is turned off except for necessary parts. It is preferable to save power in this state.

  In steps ST21 to ST23, operations similar to those in steps ST11 to ST13 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are performed. With this operation, even if the electric charge stored in the main capacitor 92 is lost due to spontaneous discharge in the air over time, the electric charge (electric power) for that amount can be supplemented. And about this operation | movement, a charging process will be repeatedly performed when the voltage check of the main capacitor | condenser 92 for every fixed time using the timer Tm (determination operation | movement of step ST21) is voltage shortage, ie, charge is insufficient. . In other words, if it is determined that the charging state of the main capacitor 92 does not satisfy the above-described good charging condition in the determination process of step ST21 that is sequentially executed at regular time intervals by the timer Tm, the charging / boosting circuit The main capacitor 92 is charged by 91. Thereby, even when the flash device 8 is not used in the intermediate posture Pm, the main capacitor 92 can always be kept in a good charged state, and the flash body 80 is switched from the intermediate posture Pm to the standing posture Pb. At this time, the flash light emitting portion 84 can be made ready to emit light.

  In step ST24, a counter up process is performed. Specifically, every time the operation of this flowchart is called by the timer Tm, for example, the number of counters stored in the memory of the control unit 90 is incremented.

  In step ST25, it is determined whether the set time has elapsed since the start of the idling process. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the process of step ST13 shown in FIG. Here, for example, when the number of calls per 30 seconds (the number of counters) reaches 60 times by the counter-up process in step ST24, the elapse of 30 minutes is detected.

  In step ST25, if the set time has elapsed, it is determined that the user does not use the flash device 8 thereafter, and the process proceeds to step ST26. If the set time has not elapsed, this flow is performed. Exit.

  In step ST26, the same operation as step ST2 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is performed. That is, the power supply of the flash device 8 is turned off, and the operation of the above-described steps ST21 to ST23, that is, the operation of replenishing the electric power naturally discharged by the main capacitor 92 is prohibited, thereby preventing the battery 69B from being consumed.

  Because of the operation of the flash device 8 described above, different processes are executed according to the postures of the flash body 80 detected by the posture detector 86, that is, the prone posture Pa, the standing posture Pb, and the intermediate posture Pm. In addition to the control linked to the standing posture Pb, the control can be performed in consideration of the characteristics of the intermediate posture Pm in a state that can be immediately supported by switching to the standing posture Pb while saving power. As a result, the convenience of the flash device 8 can be improved.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, it is not essential to execute the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 with the flash device 8 that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device 1, but with the built-in flash 318 that is fixedly provided in the imaging device 1. You may do it. In this case, a sensor (corresponding to the posture detection unit 86) capable of detecting the prone posture, the standing posture, and the intermediate posture of the built-in flash (light emitting unit) 318 is provided, and the main control unit 62 The operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

  The imaging apparatus 1 in the above embodiment is not necessarily configured as a digital camera, and may be configured as a silver salt camera (film camera).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Interchangeable lens 8 Flash device 10 Camera body 62 Main control part 69B Battery 80 Flash main body part 81 Accessory shoe part 82 Operation button 83 Display part 84 Flash light emission part 86 Attitude detection part 90 Control part 91 Charging / boosting circuit 92 main Capacitor 93 Charging voltage detection circuit 100 Imaging system 101 Imaging device 318 Built-in flash unit 319 Connection terminal unit 811 Accessory shoe block 812 Turning mechanism unit Pa Prone posture Pb Standing posture Pm Intermediate posture Tm Timer

Claims (6)

A main body having a light emitting means capable of flashing;
A base that is rotatably connected to the main body and capable of changing the posture of the main body between a first posture and a second posture corresponding to a prone state and a non-prone state;
Detecting means capable of detecting the first posture, the second posture, and an intermediate posture between the first posture and the second posture, the body portion;
Processing means for executing different processing depending on each posture of the main body detected by the detection means;
A flash device comprising: Power storage means for storing electric power used for flash emission in the light emitting means;
Determination means for performing a determination process for determining whether or not a state of charge of the power storage means satisfies a predetermined condition;
A charge processing unit that performs a charging process for charging the power storage unit when the determination unit determines that the state of charge does not satisfy the predetermined condition;
Setting means for setting permission of the flash emission or prohibition of the flash emission in the light emitting means;
Further comprising
The processing means includes
A first processing unit for executing a first process for setting the prohibition of the flashing by turning off the power of the flashing device when the first posture of the main body is detected by the detection unit;
When the detection unit detects the second posture related to the main body, the second processing unit performs the charging process by the charging processing unit and executes the second process of setting permission for the flash emission. When,
Third processing means for executing a third process for setting prohibition of flashing while performing the charging process by the charging processing means when the detecting means detects the intermediate posture of the main body. When,
The flash device according to claim 1, comprising:   In the charging process in the third process, the storage unit is charged when it is determined in the determination process that is sequentially executed at a predetermined time interval that the charging state does not satisfy the predetermined condition. The flash device according to claim 2.   The flash device according to claim 1, wherein the base is attachable to an imaging device provided with an imaging means for imaging a subject. A main body provided with imaging means for imaging a subject;
A light emitting unit capable of flashing and capable of rotating between the first posture and the second posture corresponding to a prone state and a non-prone state by being rotatably connected to the main body unit;
Detecting means capable of detecting the first posture, the second posture, and an intermediate posture between the first posture and the second posture, according to the light emitting unit;
Processing means for executing different processing according to each posture of the light emitting unit detected by the detection means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A posture changing step of changing the posture of the light emitting unit capable of flashing between the first posture and the second posture corresponding to the prone state and the non-prone state;
A detecting step of detecting the posture of the light emitting unit with respect to the first posture, the second posture, and an intermediate posture between the first posture and the second posture;
A processing step of performing different processing according to each posture of the light emitting unit detected in the detection step;
A processing method comprising:

Images