JP2010175639A - Lens interchangeable camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dust, or the like, from infiltrating a camera body due to replacement of a lens. <P>SOLUTION: When a lens unit 20 is attached to a mount 12 and power supply of a lens interchangeable digital camera 1 is turned on, the lens unit 20 is locked so that the unit 20 cannot be detached from the mount 12, and an AF motor unit 43 is driven to actuate a compressor 42. The compressor 42 generates compressed air, by using air supplied through an air filter 41 and supplies it to an air jetting unit 48 through an air duct 47. The air jetting unit 48 jets the supplied clean compressed air to space surrounded by a cover 40 and a lens mount 22. Thus, dust or the like adhering to the inside of the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 is blown away. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interchangeable lens camera, and more particularly to an interchangeable lens camera that prevents entry of dust and the like due to lens replacement.

  In Patent Document 1, the opening cover is opened when the payonet claw is rotated from the insertion position to the locking position, and the opening cover is closed when the payonet claw is rotated from the locking position to the insertion position. An interchangeable lens camera that prevents intrusion of dust and the like has been proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, a cleaning attachment is attached to the camera body instead of an interchangeable lens, an air flow path is formed on the front surface of the image sensor, and dust attached to the image sensor due to air flowing through the flow path is removed. A cleaning attachment to be removed has been proposed.

In Patent Document 3, dust attached to the optical filter is obtained by bringing a double cylindrical vacuum cleaner into close contact with the mount, sucking air from the outer cylinder, and discharging air from the inner cylinder through the front surface of the optical filter. An interchangeable lens type digital camera cleaner that removes the above has been proposed.
JP 2008-15017 A JP 2007-189670 A JP 2007-94117 A

  However, in the interchangeable lens camera described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that dust or the like attached to the opening cover or the lens unit cannot be prevented from entering the camera body.

  In addition, in the cleaning attachment described in Patent Document 2 and the lens interchangeable digital camera cleaner described in Patent Document 3, it is possible to remove dust attached to the imaging element or the optical filter front surface during cleaning. However, since dust and the like attached to other portions cannot be removed, there is a possibility that these dust and the like may adhere to the image sensor and the optical filter. Also, there is a problem that dust or the like enters the camera body by exchanging the lens after cleaning.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an interchangeable lens camera that can prevent dust and the like from entering the camera body by exchanging the lens.

  In order to achieve the object, the interchangeable lens camera according to claim 1 includes a lens unit including a lens unit having a lens that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor and a camera body on which the lens unit is mounted. In the camera, the camera body is provided on the front of a mirror box, a mount for making the lens unit detachable, detection means for detecting that the lens unit is attached to the mount, and the interior of the camera body A cover capable of sealing a space; a determination means for determining opening and closing of the cover; a dust removal means for removing dust mixed in a space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover; and the lens unit by the detection means. Is attached to the mount, and the cover is closed by the discriminating means. When bets are determined, characterized by comprising a controller that controls to drive the dust removing means.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of claim 1, when the lens unit is attached to the mount and the cover capable of sealing the internal space of the camera body is closed, the space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover is Remove contaminated debris. Accordingly, it is possible to remove dust in a space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover, which is a space in which dust can be mixed when the lens unit is attached to the camera body.

  The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 2 is the lens interchangeable camera according to claim 1, further comprising a cover opening / closing means for opening and closing the cover, and the control means removes dust by the dust removal means. After being broken, the cover opening / closing means is operated to open the cover.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of claim 2, by removing dust mixed in the space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover and then opening the cover, when the cover is opened, the inside of the camera body is opened. It is possible to prevent dust from entering.

  The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 3 is an interchangeable lens camera according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an input unit that inputs a driving instruction for the dust removing unit, and the control unit is provided with the input unit. The dust removing means is driven in accordance with an input drive instruction.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of the third aspect, the dust removal means is driven in accordance with the input drive instruction so that the dust can be manually removed when the user desires.

  The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 4 is the lens interchangeable camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mount is determined when the determination unit determines that the cover is open. The lens unit is provided with locking means for locking the lens unit so that it cannot be detached from the lens.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of claim 4, when the cover is open, the lens unit is locked so that the lens unit cannot be removed from the mount, so that dust or the like is mixed inside the camera body. Can be prevented. .

  The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 5 is the interchangeable lens camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lens unit includes lens moving means for moving the lens, and the camera body includes: A motor for driving the lens moving means; and a switching means for switching a transmission destination of the driving force of the motor between the lens moving means and at least one of the cover opening / closing means and the dust removing means. It is characterized by that.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of claim 5, since the focus lens moving means, the cover opening / closing means, the dust removing means, etc. are driven using the motor for driving the focus lens moving means, the number of parts is reduced. , Space can be saved. .

  The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 6 is the interchangeable lens camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dust removing means is configured to remove air in a space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover. Injecting means for injecting, and exhaust means for exhausting air in a space formed between the lens unit and the cover to the outside of the camera body when air is injected by the injecting means. It is characterized by.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of claim 6, the air is injected into the space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover, and the air is exhausted to the outside of the camera body, so that the lens unit and the cover surround the air. Can be discharged from the inside of the camera body to the outside.

  The interchangeable-lens camera according to claim 7 is the interchangeable-lens camera according to claim 6, wherein the dust removing unit includes a filtering unit that filters dust, and an external part of the camera body through the filtering unit. And supplying means for generating clean air by sucking air and supplying the clean air to the ejection means.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of the seventh aspect, the filtered air is sucked to generate compressed air, and the compressed air is injected into a space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover. Thereby, clean air can be acquired from the outside of the camera and used for dust removal.

  The interchangeable-lens camera according to claim 8 is the interchangeable-lens camera according to claim 6 or 7, wherein an integration unit that integrates the operation time of the compressed air generation unit, and an operation time that is integrated by the integration unit. And determining means for determining whether or not the filtering means needs to be replaced, and output means for outputting a determination result by the determining means.

  According to the interchangeable lens camera of claim 8, by outputting the determination result as to whether or not the replacement of the filtering means determined based on the integrated value of the operating time of the compressed air generating means is necessary, the filtering means It is possible to inform the user that the lifetime has been reached.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the camera body by exchanging the lenses.

  The best mode for carrying out the interchangeable lens camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 with the lens unit 20 removed, and FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 includes a camera body 10 and a lens unit 20. The lens unit 20 is detachably provided on the camera body 10 via a mount 12 provided on the front surface of the camera body 10.

  The camera body 10 mainly includes a camera casing 11 that is an exterior, a mount 12, a release button 13, a mode dial 14, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a mount 12 and the like are mainly provided on the front surface of the camera housing 11, and a release button 13, a mode dial 14 and the like are provided on the upper surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, various operation buttons (not shown) such as an optical viewfinder 15, a monitor 16, a power button, a zoom button, a cross button, and a MENU / OK button are mainly provided on the rear surface of the camera housing 11. Is provided. Also, a battery cover is provided on the bottom surface (not shown) of the camera housing 11, and when the battery cover is opened, a battery storage chamber for mounting a battery and a memory for mounting a memory card are provided. A card slot is provided.

  The mount 12 detachably attaches the lens unit 20 to the camera body 10 by a bayonet mechanism or the like. The mount 12 includes a lens lock mechanism 152 (see FIG. 5, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and can be locked so that the lens unit 20 cannot be removed from the mount 12 and can be unlocked. The mount 12 is provided with an electrical contact (not shown), and when the camera body 10 and the lens unit 20 are connected, electrical connection between the two is established by contact between the electrical contacts. In this embodiment, a bayonet-type mount is used. However, the present invention is not limited to the bayonet system, and a screw system, a magnet system, or the like can also be used.

  The release button 13 functions as a button for inputting a shooting instruction, and is constituted by a two-stage system of so-called “half press” and “full press”. In the interchangeable lens digital camera 1, AE (Automatic Exposure) and AF (Auto Focus) function when the release button 13 is half-pressed, and shooting is performed when the release button 13 is fully pressed.

  The mode dial 14 is composed of a rotary dial, and functions as a means for switching the mode of the lens interchangeable digital camera 1. The interchangeable-lens digital camera 1 is switched to “shooting mode”, “reproduction mode”, and “cleaning mode” which is a feature of the present invention by rotating the mode dial 14.

  The optical viewfinder 15 can see the subject image from the lens unit 20 as it is.

  The monitor 16 can display a subject image and a reproduced image of a recorded image. In addition, information on the currently set mode, image compression rate information, date / time information, frame number, and the like are also displayed. Furthermore, it is also used as a user interface display screen when the user performs various setting operations and the like, and menu information such as setting items is displayed as necessary.

  Inside the camera body 10, as shown in FIG. 2, a quick return mirror 31, a focus plate 32, a condenser lens 33, a pentaprism 34 for bending the subject luminous flux transmitted through the lens unit 20 and guiding it to the optical viewfinder 15. An eyepiece 35, a shutter 36, an image sensor unit 37, and the like are disposed.

  The quick return mirror 31 is provided inside a mirror box (not shown), and retracts to the position (oblique position) for guiding the subject light from the lens unit 20 to the optical path system to the optical viewfinder 15 and out of the photographing optical path. It is provided movably between a position (retracted position) for guiding the subject light from the lens unit 20 to the image sensor unit 37 (so-called mirror down and mirror up). In a normal state, the optical axis is arranged on the optical axis and at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis, for example, an angle of 45 degrees. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the quick return mirror 31 is in the oblique position where the mirror is lowered. In FIG. 2, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the optical axis.

  The focus plate 32 forms an image of subject light bent by the quick return mirror 31, and guides the subject light to the condenser lens 33.

  The condenser lens 33 improves the visibility of the optical viewfinder 15 with the imaged light flux, and guides the subject light to the pentaprism 34.

  The pentaprism 34 guides the light beam to the eyepiece lens 35 after reflecting the light beam so as to be an erect image.

  The eyepiece 35 expands the subject light so that the photographer can observe an optimum image.

  The shutter 36 is a fall-plane shutter type shutter that can be opened and closed in the vertical direction, and is provided behind the quick return mirror 31. FIG. 2 shows a state where the shutter 36 is opened.

  The image sensor unit 37 is provided behind the shutter 36, and includes an image sensor 38 on which subject light from the lens unit 20 is imaged, a cover glass 39 that protects the front surface of the image sensor, and the like. The image sensor 38 has a large number of photodiodes (not shown) arranged in a plane and has a honeycomb array, a Bayer array, and other predetermined color filter array structures. The cover glass 39 includes various optical filters disposed on the front surface of the image sensor, for example, a low-pass filter for reducing moire.

  The lens unit 20 mainly includes a lens barrel 21 and a lens mount 22.

  The lens barrel 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of photographing lenses such as a zoom lens 23, a focus lens 24, and a photographing lens 25, an aperture mechanism (not shown), and the like are disposed therein.

  The lens mount 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape at the base end portion of the lens barrel 21. The lens mount 22 is provided with an electrical contact (not shown), and when the camera body 10 and the lens unit 20 are connected, the electrical connection between the two is established by the contact between the electrical contacts.

  Now, the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 has dust removal means for preventing dust from entering the camera body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the dust removing means mainly includes a cover 40, an air filter 41, a compressor 42, an AF motor unit 43, clutch / gear boxes 44 and 45, a cover opening / closing mechanism 46, an air duct. 47, an air injection unit 48, and an exhaust unit 49.

  The cover 40 is a plate-like member larger than the size of the opening of the mount 12, and is provided on the front surface of the mirror box and adjacent to the mount 12. The cover 40 is laterally moved between a closed state (see FIG. 3) that covers the opening on the inner peripheral side of the mount 12 and an open state (see FIG. 4) in which the opening on the inner peripheral side of the mount 12 is opened. It can be freely opened and closed. The cover 40 can be opened only when the lens unit 20 is attached to the mount 12.

  When the present embodiment is not applied, when the lens unit 20 is not attached to the mount 12, the mirror box communicates with the external space via the mount 12, and therefore, dust or the like floating in the atmosphere is mounted on the mount 12. May enter the mirror box. However, in the closed state shown in FIG. 3, the cover 40 seals the internal space of the camera body 10 such as a mirror box. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust, dust, and the like from entering the internal space of the camera body 10 from the outside.

  The air filter 41 removes dust, dust, and the like from the air to obtain clean air, and various types of filters such as a HEPA filter and a ULPA filter can be used.

  The compressor 42 is an ultra-compact compressor that takes in clean air that has passed through the air filter 41 from the outside of the camera body 10 and compresses it to generate compressed air. The compressed air generated by the compressor 42 is supplied to the air injection unit 48 through the air duct 47.

  The AF motor unit 43 supplies a driving force to a focus lens driving mechanism 121 (see FIG. 5, not shown in FIG. 2) that moves a focus lens 24 provided in the lens barrel 21. And drive mechanism. The output from the AF motor unit 43 is normally transmitted to the focus lens driving mechanism 121 via the cover opening / closing mechanism 46.

  The clutch / gear box 44 switches the supply destination of the driving force output from the AF motor unit 43 between the focus lens driving mechanism 121 and the compressor 42.

  The clutch / gear box 45 switches the supply destination of the driving force output from the AF motor unit 43 between the focus lens driving mechanism 121 and the cover opening / closing mechanism 46.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover opening / closing mechanism 46 includes a rotating shaft provided on the back side of the cover 40, and the cover 40 is closed by rotating the rotating shaft in a predetermined direction by the driving force of the AF motor unit 43. The cover 40 is changed from the closed state to the open state by changing from the state to the open state and rotating in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

  The air duct 47 is a passage for the compressed air output from the compressor 42 and connects the compressor 42 and the air injection unit 48. The air duct 47 is formed so as to bypass the central portion of the camera body 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air duct 47 extends from the vicinity of the lower end of the camera casing 11 to the vicinity of the upper end through the vicinity of the right side surface of the camera casing 11, and near the upper end of the camera casing 11. Thus, it is formed so as to extend from the vicinity of the right side surface of the camera housing 11 to substantially the center.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air injection unit 48 is output from the compressor 42 and supplied through the air duct 47 to the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 (shaded portion in FIG. 2). The compressed air is injected, and is provided in front of the cover 40 and in the vicinity of the upper end of the mount 12.

  The exhaust unit 49 is mainly composed of an exhaust valve and a dust sensor. The exhaust valve detects the air pressure in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22. When the air pressure in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 becomes higher than the air pressure outside the camera body 10, the exhaust valve By opening, the air in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 is discharged to the outside of the camera body 10. The dust sensor detects the amount of dust contained in the air discharged from the exhaust valve.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the digital camera 1 includes a CPU 110, an AE / AWB detection unit 112, an AF detection unit 114, a flash ROM 116, a RAM 118, a VRAM 120, a drive unit (including a focus lens drive mechanism 121) 122, a photographing optical system ( Zoom lens 23, focus lens 24, photographing lens 25, aperture, etc.) 124, image sensor 38, timing generator 130, analog signal processing unit 132, A / D converter 134, image input controller 136, image signal processing unit 138, compression / decompression Processing unit 140, display control unit 142, media controller 146, camera operation unit (release button 13, mode dial 14, power button, zoom button, cross button, MENU / OK button, etc.) 148, lens mounting detection mechanism 150, lens lock mechanism 52, the filter replacement detecting mechanism 154, the operation time calculation database 156, the motor control unit 158, and a cover closing state determination mechanism 160 and the like.

  The CPU 110 functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the entire operation of the digital camera 1 and also functions as a calculation unit that performs various types of calculation processing. The digital camera 1 is operated according to a predetermined control program based on input from the camera operation unit 148. Control each part.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 112 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AE control and AWB control from the input image signal in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. For example, as a physical quantity required for AE control, one screen is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16), and an integrated value of R, G, and B image signals is calculated for each divided area. The CPU 110 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE / AWB detection circuit 112, and calculates an exposure value (shooting EV value) suitable for shooting. Then, an aperture value and a shutter speed are determined from the calculated photographing EV value and a predetermined program diagram. Further, as a physical quantity necessary for AWB control, one screen is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16), and an average integrated value for each color of R, G, and B image signals is calculated for each divided area. . The CPU 110 obtains the ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area from the obtained R accumulated value, B accumulated value, and G accumulated value, and R of the obtained R / G and B / G values. The light source type is discriminated based on the distribution in the color space of / G and B / G. Then, according to the white balance adjustment value suitable for the determined light source type, for example, the value of each ratio is approximately 1 (that is, the RGB integration ratio is R: G: B≈1: 1: 1 in one screen). Then, a gain value (white balance correction value) for the R, G, and B signals of the white balance adjustment circuit is determined.

  The AF detection circuit 114 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AF control from the input image signal in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, AF control is performed based on the contrast of the image obtained from the image sensor 38 (so-called contrast AF), and the AF detection circuit 114 is a focal point indicating the sharpness of the image from the input image signal. An evaluation value is calculated. The CPU 110 detects a position where the focus evaluation value calculated by the AF detection circuit 114 is maximized, and moves the focus lens group to the position via the focus lens driving mechanism 121. That is, the CPU 110 operates the focus lens driving mechanism 121 to move the focus lens group from a close distance to infinity in a predetermined step, and the AF detection circuit 114 acquires a focus evaluation value at each position, and the obtained focus evaluation value The position where is the maximum is the in-focus position. The CPU 110 moves the focus lens group to the in-focus position via the focus lens driving mechanism 121.

  The flash ROM 116 stores firmware, which is a control program executed by the CPU 110, various data necessary for control, camera setting values, captured image data, and the like. As will be described later, the captured image data is normally recorded on the memory card, but if the user selects it, the memory card is not loaded, the memory card is insufficient, etc. Recorded in the ROM 116.

  The RAM 118 is used as a work area for the CPU 110 and is used as a temporary storage area for image data, and the VRAM 120 is used as a temporary storage area dedicated for display image data.

  The timing generator (TG) 130 outputs a timing signal for driving the image sensor 38 in response to a command from the CPU 110.

  The analog signal processing unit 132 is for the purpose of reducing correlated double sampling processing (noise (particularly thermal noise) included in the output signal of the image sensor) and the like for the image signal output from the image sensor 38. The process of obtaining accurate pixel data by taking the difference between the feed-through component level and the pixel signal component level included in the output signal for each pixel is amplified, and output.

  The A / D converter 134 converts the R, G, and B analog image signals output from the analog signal processing unit 132 into digital image signals.

  The image input controller 136 has a built-in line buffer with a predetermined capacity, accumulates an image signal for one image output from the A / D converter 134 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, and records it in the RAM 118.

  The image signal processing unit 138 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that interpolates a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD and converts the color signal into a simultaneous expression), a white balance correction circuit, and a gamma correction. Circuit, contour correction circuit, luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, etc., and according to a command from the CPU 110, the input image signal is subjected to necessary signal processing to obtain luminance data (Y data) and color difference data (Cr, Cb data). ) Is generated.

  The compression / decompression processing unit 140 performs compression processing in a predetermined format on the input image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 110 to generate compressed image data. Further, in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, the input compressed image data is subjected to a decompression process in a predetermined format to generate uncompressed image data.

  The display control unit 142 controls display on the monitor 16 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. That is, in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, the input image signal is converted into a video signal (for example, NTSC signal, PAL signal, SCAM signal) for display on the monitor 16 and output to the monitor 16, and predetermined characters, The graphic information is output to the monitor 16.

  The media controller 146 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the memory card 144 loaded in the memory card slot in accordance with a command from the CPU 110.

  The lens mounting detection mechanism 150 detects whether or not the lens unit 20 is mounted on the mount 12 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 110.

  The lens lock mechanism 152 locks the lens unit 20 so that the lens unit 20 cannot be removed from the mount 12 based on a command from the CPU 110, and various mechanical and magnet methods can be used. .

  The filter replacement detection mechanism 154 includes, for example, a non-contact sensor, and detects whether or not the air filter 41 has been replaced.

  The operation time calculation database 156 stores the result of the CPU 110 integrating the drive time of the compressor 42. The driving time of the compressor 42 is obtained, for example, by integrating the number of times that dust removal operation (detailed later) is performed and the driving time required for one dust removal.

  The motor control unit 158 controls driving of the AF motor unit 43 based on a command from the CPU 110.

  The cover open / close state determination mechanism 160 includes a sensor or the like and determines whether the cover 40 is in an open state or a closed state. The cover open / close state determination mechanism 160 outputs the determination result to the CPU 110.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the interchangeable lens digital camera 1, the lens unit 20 is replaced by the user as necessary. At this time, when the cover 40 is in the open state, external dust or the like enters the camera body 10 from the opening of the camera body 10. The interchangeable lens digital camera 1 performs a dust removal operation before the photographing operation in order to prevent such a foreign matter from appearing in the photographed image due to, for example, adhesion of the foreign matter to the image sensor unit 37.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process flow when the lens is mounted.

  The user attaches the lens unit 20 to the mount 12 (step S10), and operates the power button to turn on the power of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 (step S11). Then, the CPU 110 issues a command to the lens attachment detection mechanism 150 and the cover open / close state determination mechanism 160 to confirm that the lens unit 20 is attached to the mount 12 and the cover 40 is closed, and the lens exchange type. The digital camera 1 is operated in the “cleaning mode”.

  The CPU 110 issues a command to the lens lock mechanism 152, and the lens lock mechanism 152 locks the lens unit 20 so that the lens unit 20 cannot be removed from the mount 12 (step S12). As a result, the lens unit 20 cannot be removed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from being mixed into the lens body 10 by removing the lens unit 20 with the cover 40 open.

  The CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the compressor 42 via the clutch / gear box 44 (step S13), and performs cleaning as follows (step S14).

  The CPU 110 issues a command to the motor control unit 158, and the motor control unit 158 drives the AF motor unit 43 to operate the compressor 42 for a predetermined time. The compressor 42 generates compressed air using the air supplied through the air filter 41 and supplies the generated compressed air to the air injection unit 48 through the air duct 47. Since air from which foreign matter such as external dust has been removed by the air filter 41 is supplied to the compressor 42, the generated compressed air does not include dust or the like.

  The air injection unit 48 injects the supplied clean compressed air into the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22. Thereby, dust or the like attached to the inside of the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 can be blown away.

  The exhaust unit 49 detects an increase in pressure due to the injection of compressed air and opens the exhaust valve. Thereby, the air in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 is discharged to the outside of the camera body 10. At this time, the dust blown off by the compressed air is discharged together, so that the dust etc. in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 can be removed.

  When the cleaning (step S14) is completed, the CPU 110 reads the driving time of the compressor 42 stored in the operating time calculation database 156, and outputs the result of adding the driving time for one cleaning to the operating time calculation database 156. The operation time calculation database 156 stores the input result as a new accumulated time (step S15). As a result, the accumulated time stored in the operation time calculation database 156 is updated.

  CPU 110 reads the updated accumulated time from operation time calculation database 156 and determines whether the accumulated time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, when the integration time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that filter replacement is necessary, and when the integration time is less than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that filter replacement is not necessary (step S16).

  If it is determined that filter replacement is necessary (YES in step S16), CPU 110 outputs a message prompting filter replacement to monitor 16 via display control unit 142 (step S17). Thereby, it can be notified to the user that the air filter 41 has reached the end of its life.

  The user sees the message displayed on the monitor 16 and replaces the filter, and the OK button is pressed. Then, a signal indicating that the OK button has been pressed is input from the camera operation unit 148 to the CPU 110 (step S18).

  When a signal indicating that the OK button has been pressed is input, the CPU 110 issues a command to the filter replacement detection mechanism 154. The filter replacement detection mechanism 154 detects whether or not the air filter 41 has been replaced, and the detection result is sent to the CPU 110. Input (step S19).

  If the air filter 41 has not been replaced (NO in step S19), the process returns to the step (step S17) for displaying a message for prompting filter replacement, and steps S17 to S19 are performed again.

  When it is determined that the filter replacement of the air filter 41 is not necessary (NO in step S16) or when the air filter 41 is replaced (YES in step S19), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the exhaust gas is clean. To detect. That is, the CPU 110 acquires the detection result detected by the dust sensor of the exhaust unit 49, and detects whether or not the detection result is smaller than a predetermined threshold value (step S20).

  If the exhaust is not clean (NO in step S20), the process returns to the cleaning step (step S14), and steps S14 to S20 are performed again.

  If the exhaust is clean (YES in step S20), the CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the cover opening / closing mechanism 46 via the clutch / gear box 45 (step S21). The CPU 110 drives the AF motor unit 43 via the motor control unit 158, and the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 is transmitted to the cover opening / closing mechanism 46. The cover opening / closing mechanism 46 removes the cover 40 from the closed state shown in FIG. The open state shown in FIG. 4 is set (step S22). Thereby, the subject light from the lens unit 20 can be imaged on the image sensor 38. Further, since dust and the like in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 are removed in step S14, dust and the like do not enter the camera body 10 even when the cover 40 is opened.

  Then, the CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the focus lens driving mechanism 121 via the clutch / gearbox 45 so that the photographing operation can be performed (step S23).

  CPU110 displays a menu screen on the monitor 16 via the display control part 142 (step S24). Thereby, it is possible to notify the user that the photographing operation is possible.

  When the user operates the camera operation unit 148 to input an instruction to change to the shooting mode to the CPU 110 (step S25), the CPU 110 sets the operation mode of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 to “cleaning mode”. Is switched to “shooting mode” and a shooting operation as shown below is started (step S26).

  The CPU 110 continuously captures images with the image sensor 38, continuously processes the image signals, and generates image data for a through image. The generated image data is sequentially added to the display control unit 148 via the VRAM 120, converted into a signal format for display, and output to the monitor 14. As a result, the image captured by the image sensor 38 is displayed through on the monitor 14. The user looks at the through image displayed on the monitor 14 and determines the composition by zooming.

  When the zoom operation is performed by the user operating the zoom button, the CPU 110 controls the drive unit 122 according to the operation, and performs the zoom operation by driving the zoom lens.

  When the composition is determined, the user presses the release button 13 halfway. When the release button 13 is half-pressed, an S1 ON signal is input to the CPU 110. In response to the S1 ON signal, the CPU 110 executes shooting preparation processing, that is, AE, AF, and AWB processing.

  First, an image signal output from the image sensor 38 is taken into the RAM 118 via the analog signal processing unit 132, the A / D converter 134, and the image input controller 136, and added to the AE / AWB detection unit 112 and the AF detection unit 114.

  The AE / AWB detection unit 112 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AE control and AWB control from the input image signal, and outputs it to the CPU 110. Based on the output from the AE / AWB detection unit 112, the CPU 110 determines an aperture value and a shutter speed and also determines a white balance correction value.

  The AF detection unit 114 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AF control from the input image signal, and outputs it to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 drives the AF motor unit 43 through the motor control unit 158 based on the output from the AF detection unit 114, controls the movement of the focus lens and the like through the focus lens drive mechanism 121, and the lens mirror. The tube 10 is focused on the main subject.

  The user views the through image displayed on the monitor 16 and fully presses the release button 13. When the release button 13 is fully pressed, an S2 ON signal is input to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 executes photographing and recording processing in response to the S2ON signal.

  First, the image sensor 38 is exposed with the aperture value and shutter speed obtained in the above AE process, and a recording image is captured.

  The recording image signal output from the image sensor 38 is taken into the image input controller 136 via the analog signal processing unit 132 and the A / D converter 134 and stored in the RAM 118. The image signal stored in the RAM 118 is added to the image signal processing unit 138 under the control of the CPU 110. The image signal processing unit 138 performs predetermined signal processing on the input image signal to generate image data (YUV data) including luminance data and color difference data.

  The image data generated by the image signal processing unit 138 is temporarily stored in the RAM 118 and then added to the compression / decompression processing unit 140. The compression / decompression processing unit 140 performs a predetermined compression process on the input image data to generate compressed image data.

  The compressed image data is stored in the RAM 118 and recorded on the memory card 144 via the media controller 146 as a still image file (for example, Exif) in a predetermined format. If there is no free space in the memory card 144 where the image file can be stored, or if the operator selects it, the image data stored in the RAM 118 is stored as a still image file (eg, Exif) in a predetermined format. It is stored in the flash ROM 116. When the saving is completed, shooting of the through image is started again.

  The user operates the camera operation unit 148 to determine whether an instruction to end the shooting operation is input to the CPU 110 (step S27). If the shooting operation end instruction has not been input (NO in step S27), the shooting operation (step S26) is repeated, and if the shooting operation end instruction has been input (YES in step S27), processing is performed. Exit.

  Thereby, by opening the cover 40 without cleaning, it is possible to prevent problems such as dust entering the camera body 10.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which the process is started from the stage where the lens unit 20 is attached to the camera body 10, but when the lens unit 20 is attached to the camera body 10, the process starts from step S11. do it.

  In FIG. 6, the automatic cleaning (step S <b> 14) after the power is turned on and before the start of photographing has been described. However, the user can also perform cleaning at an arbitrary timing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process of performing manual cleaning when the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 is started in the flow shown in FIG. 6 and is operating in the shooting mode or the reproduction mode. . In addition, about the part same as FIG. 6, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  CPU110 displays a menu screen on the monitor 16 via the display control part 142 (step S30). When a user operates the camera operation unit 148 to input an instruction indicating that cleaning is to be performed from the camera operation unit 148 to the CPU 110, the CPU 110 issues a command to the lens attachment detection mechanism 150 and the cover open / close state determination mechanism 160. After confirming that the lens unit 20 is mounted on the mount 12 and the cover 40 is closed, the operation mode of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 is switched from the “shooting mode” to the “cleaning mode” (step) S31).

  The CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the cover opening / closing mechanism 46 via the clutch / gear box 45 (step S32), and closes the open cover 40 (step S33). Note that the lens unit 20 remains locked by the lens lock mechanism 152.

  The CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the compressor 42 via the clutch / gear box 44 (step S13) and performs cleaning (step S14).

  The CPU 110 updates the driving time of the compressor 42 stored in the operation time calculation database 156 (step S15), reads the updated accumulated time from the operation time calculation database 156, and whether the filter needs to be replaced based on the accumulated time. It is determined whether or not (step S16).

  If it is determined that filter replacement is necessary (YES in step S16), CPU 110 outputs a message prompting filter replacement to monitor 16 via display control unit 142 (step S17).

  The user sees the message displayed on the monitor 16 and replaces the filter, and the OK button is pressed. Then, a signal indicating that the OK button has been pressed is input from the camera operation unit 148 to the CPU 110 (step S18).

  When a signal indicating that the OK button has been pressed is input, the CPU 110 issues a command to the filter replacement detection mechanism 154. The filter replacement detection mechanism 154 detects whether or not the air filter 41 has been replaced, and the detection result is sent to the CPU 110. Input (step S19).

  If the air filter 41 has not been replaced (NO in step S19), the process returns to the step (step S17) for displaying a message for prompting filter replacement, and steps S17 to S19 are performed again.

  When it is determined that the filter replacement is not necessary (NO in step S16) or when the air filter 41 is replaced (YES in step S19), the CPU 110 detects whether the exhaust is clean (step S19). S20).

  If the exhaust is not clean (NO in step S20), the process returns to the cleaning step (step S14), and steps S14 to S20 are performed again.

  If the exhaust is clean (YES in step S20), the CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the cover opening / closing mechanism 46 via the clutch / gear box 45 (step S21). The CPU 110 drives the AF motor unit 43 via the motor control unit 158, and the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 is transmitted to the cover opening / closing mechanism 46. The cover opening / closing mechanism 46 removes the cover 40 from the closed state shown in FIG. The open state shown in FIG. 4 is set (step S22).

  Then, the CPU 110 switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the AF motor unit 43 to the focus lens driving mechanism 121 via the clutch / gearbox 45 so that the photographing operation can be performed (step S23).

  CPU110 returns an operation mode to the operation mode before starting the process shown in FIG. 7 from cleaning mode (step S34), and complete | finishes a process.

  As a result, it is possible to meet the user's needs to remove dust and the like before shooting.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for removing the lens unit 20 when the lens of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 is replaced. The same parts as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  CPU110 displays a menu screen on the monitor 16 via the display control part 142 (step S41). When the user operates the camera operation unit 148 to input an instruction indicating removal of the lens unit 20 to the CPU 110 (step S42), the CPU 110 drives the AF motor unit 43 via the clutch / gear box 45. The transmission destination of the force is switched to the cover opening / closing mechanism 46 (step S32), and the cover 40 in the open state is closed (step S33). Thereby, even if the lens unit 22 is removed, dust or the like does not enter the camera body 10.

  Since the lens unit 20 remains locked by the lens lock mechanism 152 in step S12, the CPU 110 issues a command to the lens lock mechanism 152, and the lens lock mechanism 152 unlocks the lens unit 20 (step S43). ). Thereby, the lens unit 20 becomes removable.

  CPU110 outputs the message which shows that the lens unit 20 became removable via the display control part 142 to the monitor 16 (step S44). Thereby, the user can remove the lens unit 20 from the mount 12.

  When the lens unit 20 is removed from the mount 12, the lens attachment detection mechanism 150 detects this and outputs the detection result to the CPU 110 (step S45). When a signal indicating that the lens unit 20 has been removed from the mount 12 is input from the lens mounting detection mechanism 150, the CPU 110 turns off the power of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 (step S46).

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the camera body due to lens replacement.

  In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the exhaust gas is clean based on the detection result of the dust sensor in the exhaust unit 49 (step S20). However, the method for determining whether or not the exhaust gas is clean is not limited to this. Absent. For example, when the operation of the compressor 42 is performed for a certain time or more, it may be determined that the exhaust is clean.

  In the present embodiment, the air in the space surrounded by the cover 40 and the lens mount 22 is exhausted using an exhaust valve that automatically opens and closes according to the air pressure. However, the exhaust method is not limited to this. Absent. For example, an opening that can be opened and closed by a motor or the like may be provided in the exhaust unit 49, and the opening may be opened simultaneously with the driving of the air injection unit 48 according to a command from the CPU 110. In addition, as a motor for opening and closing the opening, a dedicated motor may be provided, or an AF motor may also be used. When the AF motor is also used, the transmission destination of the driving force of the AFM motor unit 45 may be switched by the clutch / gear box 45.

  In this embodiment, the AF motor unit 43 is also used as a drive source for the compressor 42, the cover opening / closing mechanism 46, and the focus lens drive mechanism 121. However, the focus lens drive mechanism 121, the compressor 42, and the focus lens drive mechanism 121 are also used. And the cover opening / closing mechanism 46 may be used as a driving source, or each of the compressor 42, the cover opening / closing mechanism 46, and the focus lens driving mechanism 121 may have its own driving source.

  In the present embodiment, the supply destination of the driving force output from the AF motor unit 43 is switched between the focus lens driving mechanism 121 and the compressor 42 using the clutch / gear box 44. Not limited to. For example, when the zoom motor unit is built in the camera body 10, the drive power supply destination of the zoom motor unit may be switched between the zoom lens driving mechanism and the compressor 42.

  In the present embodiment, the compressor 42 is operated for a predetermined time in the cleaning step (step S14), but whether or not the exhaust is clean based on the detection result detected by the dust sensor of the exhaust unit 49. (Step S20), and if it is insufficient, cleaning is performed again (step S14). In the cleaning step (step S14), compressed air is injected, the exhaust valve is opened, and exhaust is performed. Detection may be performed by a sensor, and the compressor 42 may be stopped when it is determined that the crane is a detection result.

  In the present embodiment, the clean air that has passed through the air filter 41 from the outside of the camera body 10 is compressed by the compressor 42 and supplied to the air injection unit 48. However, the method of supplying clean air to the air injection unit 48 is as follows. Not limited to this. For example, the air inside the camera body 10 may be compressed by the compressor 42 and supplied to the air injection unit 48. Further, a detachable small cylinder may be provided instead of the compressor 42, and air from the small cylinder may be supplied to the air injection unit 48.

  The application of the present invention is not limited to an interchangeable lens digital camera, and can be applied to various interchangeable lens cameras such as a silver salt camera and a video camera capable of exchanging lenses. It can also be provided as a program applied to an interchangeable lens camera.

1 is a perspective view of a state where a photographic lens unit is removed, showing an interchangeable lens digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the inside of the said lens interchangeable digital camera 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the inside of the said lens interchangeable digital camera 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the inside of the said lens interchangeable digital camera 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the lens interchangeable digital camera 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the lens of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 is mounted. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for manually cleaning the lens interchangeable digital camera 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the lens of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 is removed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Lens interchangeable digital camera, 10: Camera main body, 11: Camera housing, 12: Mount, 13: Release button, 14: Mode dial, 20: Lens unit, 21: Lens barrel, 22: Lens mount, 23 : Zoom lens, 24: focus lens, 25: photographing lens, 31: quick return mirror, 34: pentaprism, 35: eyepiece lens, 36: shutter, 37; image sensor unit, 38: image sensor, 40: cover, 41 : Air filter, 42: Compressor, 43: AF motor unit, 44, 45: Clutch / gearbox, 46: Cover opening / closing mechanism, 47: Air duct, 48: Air injection unit, 49: Exhaust unit, 110: CPU, 121 : AF operation mechanism, 150: Lens mounting detection mechanism, 152: Lens lock Mechanism, 154: filter change detection mechanism, 156: operation time calculation database, 158: motor control unit, 160: cover closing state determination mechanism

Claims (8)

In an interchangeable lens camera comprising a lens unit having a lens for forming a subject image on an image sensor and a camera body to which the lens unit is attached.
The camera body is
A mount for detachably attaching the lens unit;
Detecting means for detecting that the lens unit is attached to the mount;
A cover provided on the front side of the mirror box and capable of sealing the internal space of the camera body;
Discriminating means for discriminating opening and closing of the cover;
Dust removal means for removing dust mixed in the space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover;
Control means for controlling to drive the dust removal means when the detection means detects that the lens unit is attached to the mount and the determination means determines that the cover is closed. When,
An interchangeable lens camera characterized by comprising: A cover opening / closing means for opening and closing the cover;
2. The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 1, wherein after the dust is removed by the dust removing unit, the control unit operates the cover opening / closing unit to open the cover. 3. Input means for inputting a driving instruction for the dust removing means;
3. The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the dust removal unit in accordance with a drive instruction input from the input unit.   4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock unit that locks the lens unit so that the lens unit cannot be removed from the mount when the determination unit determines that the cover is open. The interchangeable lens camera described in 1. The lens unit includes lens moving means for moving the lens,
The camera body includes a motor for driving the lens moving means;
Switching means for switching a transmission destination of the driving force of the motor between the lens moving means and at least one of the cover opening / closing means and the dust removing means;
The lens interchangeable camera according to claim 1, further comprising: The dust removing means includes
Injection means for injecting air into a space surrounded by the lens unit and the cover;
An exhaust means for exhausting the air in the space formed between the lens unit and the cover to the outside of the camera body when air is ejected by the ejecting means;
The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 1, comprising: The dust removing means includes
Filtration means for filtering trash,
Supply means for sucking air outside the camera body through the filtering means to generate clean air, and supplying the clean air to the ejection means;
The interchangeable lens camera according to claim 6, further comprising: Integrating means for integrating the operating time of the compressed air generating means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the filtration means needs to be replaced based on the operating time accumulated by the accumulation means;
Output means for outputting a determination result by the determination means;
The lens interchangeable camera according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

Images