JP2010217446A - Imaging apparatus and method for controlling drive of shutter of the imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which automatically restores a shutter blade to an open state even if the shutter blade is in a closed state due to a shock or the like by unintended external force. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 1 includes: an imaging device 21a; the shutter blade 36 moving between a first position where it gives subject luminous flux to the imaging device and a second position where it intercepts the subject luminous flux; a shutter driving means 37 driving the shutter blade to the first position where the shutter blade is allowed to retreat from the front of the imaging surface of the imaging device and the second position where it is located in front of the imaging surface of the imaging device; an image display means 5 displaying an output image from the imaging device; external input detection means 28a, 28b, 29a and 29b detecting input operation from the external; and a control means 10 controlling the shutter driving means to drive the shutter blade to the first position when receiving output from the external input detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus provided with a shutter mechanism that opens and closes an opening provided in an optical path of a subject light beam, and relates to drive control of the shutter mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a lens barrel having a photographing optical system composed of a plurality of optical elements (optical lenses) is provided, and an optical image of a subject (referred to as a subject image) formed through the photographing optical system is converted into a photoelectric sensor such as an imaging device. An optical image of a desired subject is obtained as an electrical image signal by performing photoelectric conversion processing by a conversion element, and this image signal and related information accompanying the image signal are converted into digital data to generate image data. An imaging device such as a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) configured to be able to store data in a storage medium is generally widely used.

  In the conventional camera having such a configuration, a shutter mechanism for adjusting the amount of light flux from a subject that passes through the photographing optical system and reaches the image sensor or the like, that is, opens and closes an opening through which the subject light flux passes. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-113256 has proposed various types of shutter blades including a shutter unit including a shutter blade and a shutter driving mechanism for opening and closing the shutter blade. , Has also been put to practical use.

  Some shutter units applied to conventional cameras are configured to open and close the shutter blades by electromagnetic driving, for example.

  In addition, the conventional camera having such a configuration is designed to be compact in consideration of portability so that it can be easily used whenever desired.

JP 2006-113256 A

  The situation when the user carries the conventional camera having the above-described form is, for example, in the state of holding in the hand, in the pocket of clothes or in the bag, or using the strap. Various situations can be considered, such as a state suspended from the neck or wrist.

  Under such usage conditions, there is a possibility that an unintended external force may be applied to the camera, such as accidentally colliding the camera with a wall or a fixed object, or dropping the camera unintentionally. .

  For example, when a camera in a power-on state is being carried under the above-described circumstances, if an unintended external force is applied to the camera and receives an impact, the shutter of a shutter unit provided inside the camera (lens barrel) The blade may be displaced from the open state to the closed state. If the shutter blades are closed when the camera is turned on, the aperture through which the subject luminous flux passes is blocked. As a result, the light beam incident on the photographing optical system is blocked by the shutter blades. Then, the light beam cannot reach the imaging surface (imaging surface) of the image sensor.

  In a normal case, when the camera is in a power-on state, an operation based on an image signal obtained by the image sensor is continuously displayed on the display device of the camera. This display image is used as a monitor image for observation.

  As described above, when the shutter blade is in a closed state due to an external force applied to the camera when the camera is in the power-on state, the observation monitor image being displayed on the display device disappears. There is a possibility that the image display surface becomes dark. As a result, there is a possibility that the user may determine that the camera has failed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to close the shutter blade due to an impact caused by an unintended external force on the imaging apparatus in use. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus capable of automatically returning the shutter blades to the open state and returning the monitor image.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging device, a shutter blade that moves to a first position that applies a subject light beam to the imaging device, and a second position that blocks the subject light beam, Shutter driving means for driving the shutter blade to the first position where the shutter blade is retracted from the front of the imaging surface of the image sensor and the second position located in front of the imaging surface of the image sensor; An image display means for displaying an image based on an output from the element, an external input detection means for detecting an input operation from the outside, and the shutter blade by the shutter driving means upon receiving an output from the external input detection means And a control means for driving to the first position.

  According to the present invention, even when the shutter blades are closed due to an impact caused by an unintended external force on the imaging apparatus in use, the shutter blades are automatically returned to the open state to display a monitor image. An imaging device that can be returned can be provided.

1 is an external perspective view mainly showing a front side of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view mainly showing a back side of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1. The block block diagram which shows the outline of an electrical structure mainly in the internal structure of the imaging device of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing an outline of a configuration of a lens barrel in the imaging apparatus of FIG. Sectional drawing when the lens barrel of FIG. 4 is in a retracted state. Sectional drawing when the lens barrel of FIG. 4 is in a photography preparation state. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a main part extracted from a shutter unit and a second group zoom frame in the lens barrel of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the shutter unit of FIG. 7, showing the shutter blades in a closed state and the diaphragm blades in an open state. FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the shutter unit of FIG. 7, showing the shutter blades in the open state and the aperture blades in the open state. FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the shutter unit of FIG. 7, showing the shutter blades in an open state and the aperture blades in a small aperture state. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, an optical image of a subject formed by a light beam from a subject that has passed through a lens barrel configured by a photographing optical system composed of a plurality of optical lenses or the like is photoelectrically generated using a solid-state imaging device. And converting the image signal obtained thereby into digital image data representing a still image or moving image, and then recording the generated digital image data and accompanying information of the digital image data on a recording medium. An image pickup apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) configured to be able to reproduce and display a still image or a moving image on a display device based on the digital image data recorded in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the surface facing the subject when the camera is used is referred to as the front surface of the camera. The surface that the user faces when using the camera is called the back of the camera. Further, a surface of the operation member on which the release button is disposed is referred to as an upper surface. A surface facing the upper surface of the camera is referred to as a bottom surface. Further, the surfaces disposed on both sides in the normal use state of the camera are referred to as the left side surface and the right side surface. In this case, the left / right determination is made by distinguishing the left side or the right side when viewed from the subject side toward the front of the camera as left or right, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the optical axis of the photographing optical system in the lens barrel is denoted by reference symbol O. In the direction along the optical axis O, the side with the subject facing the front surface of the camera is referred to as the front side, and the side with the imaging surface (imaging surface) of the imaging device disposed on the back side of the camera is the rear side. Let's say.

  First, a schematic configuration of a camera 1 that is an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera 1 according to this embodiment includes an exterior member 2 having a flat rectangular shape, a plurality of operation members respectively disposed at predetermined positions on the outer surface of the exterior member 2, and an exterior It is comprised by the various structural members accommodated in the inside of the member 2. FIG.

  An opening of the lens barrel 3 and an irradiation window of a flash light emitting device (hereinafter referred to as a strobe device) 4 are bored in front of the exterior member 2.

  On the upper surface of the exterior member 2, operation members such as a release button 14a, a zoom lever 14b, and a power button 14c are arranged.

  On the rear surface of the exterior member 2, operation members such as a playback button 14d, a photographing button 14e, an OK button 14f, a cross button 14g, a menu button 14h, an erasing button 14i, a mode dial 14j, and the like are disposed. 5 openings are formed (see FIG. 2).

  The image display device 5 receives an image signal generated based on the image signal (output image signal from the imaging device) generated by the camera 1 or an image signal based on image data recorded on a recording medium (not shown) and outputs an image to the outside. An image display means for displaying on an image display using liquid crystal or the like.

  Inside the exterior member 2, various structural units such as a lens barrel 3, a strobe device 4, and an image display device 5 and various electric circuits (see FIG. 3) for electrically controlling the operation of the camera 1 are provided. A plurality of mounted electric boards (not shown) and the like are arranged. In FIG. 3, the electrical connection between the constituent blocks is shown using solid lines, while the mechanical interlock is shown using dotted lines.

  The lens barrel 3 mainly includes a plurality of optical lenses (indicated by reference numeral 3a in FIG. 3) constituting a photographing optical system, and a plurality of lens frame members respectively holding the plurality of optical lenses 3a. Each of the plurality of lens frame members is constituted by a driving motor 3b for zooming driving that moves forward and backward in a direction along the optical axis O at a predetermined timing, and a lens driving mechanism 3c linked thereto. In addition to these configurations, the lens barrel 3 includes an image pickup unit 21 having an image pickup device 21a or the like that is a solid-state image pickup device, and a shutter unit 30 that includes a shutter mechanism or the like that is a light amount adjustment mechanism. It is configured. The schematic configuration of the lens barrel 3 itself will be further described later.

  Various electrical circuits as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a control circuit such as a CPU (referred to as CPU in FIG. 3) 10, a video signal processing circuit 22, a lens driving circuit 23, a lens movement, etc. Various electric circuits such as the state detection circuit 24, the shutter control circuit 25, the display control circuit 26, the strobe circuit 27 and the like, a plurality of electric components constituting these, and the various operation members that operate in conjunction with the various operation members. Switches, that is, an external input detecting means for detecting an input operation from the outside is mounted.

  Examples of the external input detection means include a first (1st.) Release detection switch 28a and a second (2nd.) Release detection switch 28b (release switch), a zoom-up drive detection switch 29a, and a zoom-down drive detection switch 29b (zoom switch). Etc.

  The first release detection switch 28a and the second release detection switch 28b are switch members that are interlocked with the pressing operation of the release button 14a.

  In other words, the first release detection switch 28a is interlocked with the first-stage pressing operation of the release button 14a to generate a first release signal. This signal is transmitted to the CPU 10. This first release signal starts execution of various operations that are performed prior to performing an image acquisition operation among the shooting operations, such as an automatic exposure control (AE) operation and an automatic focus adjustment (AF) operation. It is a signal to make it.

  Further, the second release detection switch 28b is interlocked with the second-stage pressing operation of the release button 14a to generate a second release signal. This signal is transmitted to the CPU 10. This second release signal is a variety of operations for obtaining an image in the photographing operation, for example, an operation for controlling the shutter mechanism based on the set exposure value and driving the image sensor 21a to obtain an image signal, etc. It is a signal for starting execution of a series of operations.

  The zoom-up drive detection switch 29a and the zoom-down drive detection switch 29b are switch members that interlock with the turning operation of the zoom lever 14b.

  That is, when the zoom lever 14b is rotated in the direction of the arrow T shown in FIG. 3, the zoom-up drive detection switch 29a is interlocked to generate a zoom-up signal. This zoom-up signal is transmitted to the CPU 10 so that a predetermined zoom-up operation is executed.

  When the zoom lever 14b is rotated in the direction of arrow W shown in FIG. 3, the zoom down drive detection switch 29b is interlocked to generate a zoom down signal. This zoom-down signal is transmitted to the CPU 10 so that a predetermined zoom-down operation is executed.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the lens barrel 3 in the camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the lens barrel 3 includes, in order from the rear, the imaging unit 21, the fourth group frame 49, the fixed frame 41, the rotating frame 42, the moving frame 43, the cam frame 44, the rectilinear guide frame 45, and the third. It is mainly configured by a group unit 46, a second group frame 47, a first group frame 48, and the like. The third group unit 46 includes the third group frame 50 and the shutter unit 30.

  The first group frame 48 is a cylindrical member having a first group lens frame member 48 a for holding the first group lens 31 therein. The second group frame 47 is a first group lens frame member that holds the second group lens 32. The third group frame 50 is a first group lens frame member that holds the third group lens 33. The third group frame 50 is a retractable lens frame configured to be retractable from the optical axis O. The fourth group frame 49 is a first group lens frame member that holds the fourth group lens 34 that is a focusing lens group. The first group lens 31, the second group lens 32, the third group lens 33, and the fourth group lens 34 are formed by a plurality of optical elements (optical lenses) and constitute a photographing optical system in the camera 1. ing.

  The fixed frame 41 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member that is fixed to the fixed portion of the camera 1.

  The rotating frame 42 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member that is supported with respect to the fixed frame 41 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis O as a center of rotation and to be movable back and forth along the optical axis O. As a result, the rotating frame 42 advances and retreats in the direction of the optical axis O while rotating by receiving a driving force of a zoom motor (not shown) disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed frame 41 during a zoom operation or a retracting operation. It is like that.

  The moving frame 43 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the rotating frame 42 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotating frame 42. In addition, the rotation of the moving frame 43 is restricted by the fixed frame 41. Therefore, the moving frame 43 is movable in the direction along the optical axis O while allowing the rotating frame 42 to rotate.

  The cam frame 44 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the moving frame 43. The cam frame 44 rotates with the rotating frame 42 and is supported by the rotating frame 42 so as to be movable in the direction along the optical axis O relative to the rotating frame 42.

  The rectilinear guide frame 45 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member that is bayonet-coupled to the cam frame 44. The rectilinear guide frame 45 is restricted in rotation by the moving frame 43. Therefore, the rectilinear guide frame 45 is movable in the direction along the optical axis O with respect to the moving frame 43.

  The third group unit 46 is movable in a direction along the optical axis O in a state in which the rotation is restricted by the moving frame 43.

  Both the first group frame 48 and the second group frame 47 are restricted in rotation by a rectilinear guide frame 45, and are moved forward and backward in the direction along the optical axis O by the cam frame 44.

  An imaging unit 21 is disposed behind the lens barrel 3 in which the above-described cylindrical members, frame members, and the like are incorporated. The imaging unit 21 includes an electrical substrate on which an imaging element 21a such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is mounted. It is a constituent unit.

  As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 7, the third group unit 46 is mainly configured by a support member including a rear frame member 46 a and a front frame member 46 b, a third group frame 50, and the shutter unit 30. . The third group frame 50 and the shutter unit 30 are disposed in a space formed between the rear frame member 46a and the front frame member 46b.

  In this case, the third group frame 50 is rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis O with a shaft 46c suspended between the rear frame member 46a and the front frame member 46b as a rotation center. Is arranged. Thus, when the lens barrel 3 is in the retracted state (the state shown in FIG. 5), the third group frame 50 is disposed at the retracted position where the third group lens 33 is retracted from the optical axis O. When the lens barrel 3 is in a photographing preparation state (the state shown in FIG. 6 or the like), the center of the third group lens 33 is arranged at a position that matches the optical axis O.

  In addition, the shutter unit 30 is supported in a direction along the support shaft 46d by a support shaft 46d protruding in a direction parallel to the direction along the optical axis O from the rear frame member 46a to the front, that is, with the optical axis O. It is slidably supported in the parallel direction. An extensible biasing spring 46e is wound around the support shaft 46d so as to bias the shutter unit 30 forward in a direction parallel to the optical axis O. The urging force by the urging spring 46e is regulated by a part of the outer peripheral edge of the shutter unit 30 coming into contact with the front frame member 46b. Therefore, the shutter unit 30 can advance and retreat in the direction along the support shaft 46d between the rear frame member 46a and the front frame member 46b. As a result, when the lens barrel 3 is in the retracted state (the state shown in FIG. 5), the shutter unit 30 receives the urging force of the urging spring 46e by the second group frame 47 that retreats in the direction along the optical axis O. On the other hand, when the lens barrel 3 is placed in a predetermined retracted position near the rear frame member 46a and pushed rearward, while the lens barrel 3 is in the shooting preparation state (the state shown in FIG. 6 and the like), the second When the group frame 47 moves forward, it moves forward in the direction parallel to the optical axis O by the biasing force of the biasing spring 46e, and is arranged at a position where it abuts on the front frame member 46b.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the shutter unit 30 includes a unit main body 30c having an opening 30a, a pair of shutter blades 36, a shutter actuator 37 that drives the pair of shutter blades 36, a diaphragm blade 38, A diaphragm blade actuator 39 for driving the diaphragm blade 38, a shutter actuator 37, a flexible printed board 30b electrically connected to the diaphragm blade actuator 39, the two actuators 37, 39, the shutter blade 36, and the diaphragm blade 38 The lid member 30d is attached to the unit main body 30c so as to cover it.

  The unit main body 30c is a support base formed in a substantially circular shape, and an opening 30a is formed in a substantially central portion thereof. When assembled with the rear frame member 46a, the shutter unit 30 is arranged so that the center of the opening 30a coincides with the optical axis O of the photographing optical system.

  The shutter blade 36 is constituted by a pair of sector-shaped (fan-shaped) thin plate members. Each one end of the pair of shutter blades 36 is rotatably supported by shutter blade rotation shafts 36a and 36b that are planted at predetermined positions near the periphery of the unit main body 30c.

  The shutter blade 36 is driven by a driving force of a shutter actuator 37 that is driven and controlled at a predetermined timing. The shutter blade 36 retracts from the opening 30a and applies a subject light beam to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 21a, and the opening 30a. Is moved in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis O between the second position where the subject light flux is blocked.

  The shutter actuator 37 has a first position in which the shutter blade 36 is retracted from the front of the imaging surface of the image sensor 21a (the opening 30a), and the shutter blade 36 in front of the imaging surface of the image sensor 21a on the optical axis O ( The shutter driving means (shutter driving mechanism) is driven to a second position located in the opening 30a).

  The shutter actuator 37 is disposed at a predetermined portion near the periphery of the unit main body 30c. The shutter actuator 37 includes a yoke 37a that is a magnetic material, a coil 37b that is an electromagnetic coil, a rotor 37c that is magnetized with magnetic poles, and the like. The shutter actuator 37 is a rotary type electromagnetic drive unit that performs electromagnetic drive.

  The rotor 37 c is connected to one end of the shutter blade 36. When a current flows through the coil 37b, magnetism is generated. Due to this magnetism, the rotor 37c rotates in a predetermined direction. As a result, the shutter blade 36 is driven. The moving direction of the shutter blades 36 is defined by the rotation direction of the rotor 37c.

  When the shutter blades 36 are rotated in the opening direction, the shutter blades 36 are restricted by the stoppers 30sa and 30sb provided on the fixing portion of the unit body 30c. As a result, the position (first position) of the shutter blade 36 in the open state is defined. When the shutter actuator 37 is driven, the shutter blades 36 are driven to the open state and are electromagnetically held at the first position which is the open position.

  The diaphragm blades 38 are made of a thin plate member having a diaphragm opening 38b having a smaller diameter than the opening 30a. One end of the aperture blade 38 is rotatably supported by an aperture blade shutter rotating shaft 38a planted at a predetermined position near the periphery of the unit body 30c.

  The diaphragm blade 38 is driven by the driving force of the diaphragm blade actuator 39 that is driven and controlled at a predetermined timing, and the diaphragm opening 38b overlaps the position where the diaphragm blade 38 retracts from the opening 30a (the state shown in FIG. 9) and the opening 30a. It moves in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis O between the two positions (state shown in FIG. 10).

  The diaphragm blade actuator 39 is a diaphragm blade drive mechanism that drives the diaphragm blade 39. The diaphragm blade actuator 39 is a rotary type electromagnetic driving means constituted by a yoke 39a, a coil 39b, a rotor 39c, and the like, substantially the same as the shutter actuator 37.

  The rotor 39 c is connected to one end of the diaphragm blade 38. When the aperture blade 38 rotates in the direction of retreating from the opening 30a, the aperture blade 38 is restricted by a stopper 30sc provided at a fixed portion of the unit body 30c.

  The operation of the thus configured camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is assumed that the camera 1 is in a power-off state. In this state, when the user presses the power button 14c, for example, the camera 1 executes a power-on process sequence (photographing sequence) shown in FIG.

  When the power button 14c is pressed as described above, a power switch (not shown) linked to the power button 14c is turned on, and a power on signal is generated. This power-on signal is transmitted to the CPU 10 which is a control means.

In step S <b> 1, the CPU 10 receives the above power-on signal and executes a predetermined shooting preparation operation. Here, as the shooting preparation operation, for example, activation control of the imaging unit 21 including the imaging element 21a,
The lens driving circuit 23, the lens movement state detection circuit 24, etc. are controlled to set the lens barrel 3 in the retracted position to a predetermined initial setting position (for example, a wide position) in the photographing preparation state, and focus reset processing, etc. Performing motion control,
Operation control for controlling the shutter control circuit 25 to open the shutter blades 36 of the shutter unit 30;
Operation control for starting the image display device 5 by controlling the display control circuit 26 and the like, and displaying an image based on the image signal acquired by the image sensor 21a on the image display;
The various operation controls are performed simultaneously or sequentially.

  Next, in step S2, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the user has performed a zoom operation. This confirmation of the zoom operation is determined by whether or not an output signal from the zoom switch (zoom-up drive detection switch 29a or zoom-down drive detection switch 29b) of the external input detection means has been detected.

  If the zoom operation has not been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, when the zoom operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the CPU 10 executes a shutter opening operation process for controlling the shutter control circuit 25 to open the shutter blades 36 of the shutter unit 30. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the CPU 10 controls the lens driving circuit 23, the lens movement state detection circuit 24, and the like to drive the driving motor 3b and the lens driving mechanism 3c of the lens barrel 3, and receives them in the processing in step S2 described above. A zoom drive process based on the zoom instruction signal is executed. Thereby, the photographing optical system of the lens barrel 3 is set to a zoom state according to the zoom instruction signal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the CPU 10 determines that the 1st. It is confirmed whether or not an output signal from the release detection switch 28a has been detected. Thus, it is confirmed whether or not the user has performed the first stage operation (1st. Release operation) of the release button 14a.

  Here, 1st. If the release operation is not confirmed, the process returns to the above-described step S2, and the processes after step S2 are repeated. On the other hand, 1st. If the release operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S6.

  In step S6, the CPU 10 executes a shutter opening operation process similar to the process in step S3 described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the CPU 10 executes predetermined AE operation processing and AF operation processing. The AE operation processing and AF operation processing executed here are the same as the processing performed in the conventional camera, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the CPU 10 determines that the 2nd. It is confirmed whether or not an output signal from the release detection switch 28b has been detected. Thereby, it is confirmed whether or not the user has performed the second-stage operation (2nd. Release operation) of the release button 14a.

  Here, 2nd. If the release operation has not been confirmed, the process returns to step S2 described above, and the process of step S2 is repeated. On the other hand, 2nd. If the release operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S9.

  In step S9, the CPU 10 controls the drive of the image sensor 21a, the video signal processing circuit 22 and the like, and executes a shooting operation process (exposure process). The photographing operation process (exposure process) executed here is also assumed to be the same as the process performed in the conventional camera, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the CPU 10 executes a predetermined recording operation process. The recording operation process executed here is a data transfer process or a medium writing process for recording the image data acquired by the photographing operation process (exposure process) in step S9 described above on a recording medium (not shown). is there. As for the recording operation process, the same process as that performed in the conventional camera is performed, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the CPU 10 confirms whether an off signal from the power switch is detected. Thereby, it is confirmed whether or not the user has performed an off operation of the power button 14c.

  Here, when the power-off operation is not confirmed, the process returns to the above-described step S2, and the processes after step S2 are repeated. On the other hand, when the power-off operation is confirmed, the CPU 10 executes a series of power-off processing (details are omitted), sets the camera 1 in the power-off state, and ends the series of processing sequences (shooting sequence). To do.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when an impact due to an unintended external force is applied to the camera 1, the shutter blade 36 of the shutter unit 30 is displaced from the open state to the closed state, and the image display device 5. Even if the displayed monitor image disappears, the instruction signal (the output signal of the external input detection means) generated when the user operates any operation member (release button 14a or zoom lever 14b in this embodiment) is received. The CPU 10 (control means) performs drive control for displacing the shutter blades 36 to the first position where the shutter blades 36 are opened via the shutter actuator 37 (shutter drive means).

  Therefore, the user can automatically restore the shutter blade 36 that has been unintentionally closed to the open state every time without being aware of it, and can restore the display of the monitor image. Therefore, the photographer (user) does not feel inconvenience.

In the processing sequence (FIG. 11) shown in the above-described embodiment, the shutter opening operation processing (each processing in steps S3 and S6 in FIG.
An output from the zoom switch (zoom-up drive detection switch 29a or zoom-down drive detection switch 29b) generated by the operation of the zoom lever 14b (the process in step S2 in FIG. 11);
1st. Generated by operating the release button 14a. The output from the release detection switch 28a (step S5 in FIG. 11);
However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to the operations shown in the processing sequence of the above-described embodiment, when the output of the external input detection unit according to an operation that may be normally operated when the camera 1 is used in a power-on state is confirmed. Processing steps for executing the shutter opening operation processing can be added as appropriate.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an imaging apparatus provided with a so-called lens shutter type shutter unit, in which a shutter unit is provided inside the lens barrel, and the photographing opening is opened and closed by sector-shaped shutter blades. However, the type of the shutter unit of the imaging apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this. For example, a shutter unit is provided on the main body side of the imaging device, and the shooting aperture is configured to be opened and closed by a shutter curtain member that moves in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis on the front surface of the imaging surface. The present invention can be applied to an image pickup apparatus including a so-called focal plane shutter type shutter unit.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above-described embodiment, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect of the invention can be obtained, this constituent requirement is deleted. The configured structure can be extracted as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera 3 ... Lens barrel 5 ... Image display apparatus 10 ... Control means (CPU)
14a ... Release button 14b ... Zoom lever 21 ... Imaging unit 21a ... Imaging device 23 ... Lens drive circuit 24 ... Lens movement state detection circuit 25 ... Shutter control circuit 26 ... Display control circuit 28a ... Fast Release detection switch 28b …… Second release detection switch 29a …… Zoom-up drive detection switch 29b …… Zoom-down drive detection switch 30 …… Shutter unit 30a …… Aperture 31 …… First group lens 32 …… Second group lens 33 3rd group lens 34 4th group lens 36 Shutter blades 36a and 36b Shutter blade rotation shaft 37 Shutter actuator 37a Yoke 37b Coil 37c Rotor 38 ...... Fixed frame 42 ...... Rotating frame 43 ...... Moving frame 44 ...... Cam frame 45 ... Straight guide frame 46 ...... third group unit 46a ....... rear frame member 46b..front frame member 47 ....... second group frame 48 .... first group frame 48a .... first group lens frame member 49 ....... fourth group Frame 50 ... Third group frame

Claims (8)

In the imaging device,
An image sensor;
A shutter blade that moves to a first position that applies a subject luminous flux to the image sensor and a second position that blocks the subject luminous flux;
Shutter driving means for driving the shutter blade to the first position where the shutter blade is retracted from the front of the imaging surface of the imaging element and the second position which is positioned ahead of the imaging surface of the imaging element;
Image display means for displaying an image based on the output from the image sensor;
An external input detection means for detecting an input operation from the outside;
Control means for driving the shutter blades to the first position by the shutter driving means upon receiving an output from the external input detecting means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external input detection unit includes a release switch.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external input detection unit includes a zoom switch.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter driving unit includes an electromagnetic driving unit that performs electromagnetic driving.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter driving unit is a rotary electromagnetic driving unit including an electromagnetic coil and a magnet.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic driving unit electromagnetically holds the shutter blade at the first position.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a lens barrel, and the shutter blade and the shutter driving unit are included in the lens barrel. In the shutter drive control method of the imaging device,
An external input detection step for detecting an output from the external input detection means;
A shutter opening operation step in which when the output from the external input detection means is detected, the control means drives the shutter blades to the open position via the shutter drive means;
A shutter drive control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

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