JP2010283654A - Imaging apparatus and foreign matter removing program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus that efficiently removes a foreign matter on a main subject. <P>SOLUTION: A camera (1) includes: an imaging means (4); an optical member (5); vibrating means (6, 8) for vibrating the optical member; a storage means (12) for storing information on a plurality of vibration modes with different vibration waveforms; a feature region recognizing means (9) for recognizing a preset feature region from a subject image captured by the imaging means; a feature region specifying means (9) for specifying a position of the feature region; a vibration mode selecting means (9) for selecting a vibration mode that includes a peak of the vibration waveform at the position of the feature region, from among the plurality of vibration modes with the different vibration waveforms; a vibration mode change means (9) for changing a vibration condition of the vibration mode selected; and a vibration control means (9) for vibrating the optical member by controlling the vibration means in accordance with each of the plurality of vibration modes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a function of removing foreign matter reflected on an imaging element by vibration, and a foreign matter removal program thereof.

Conventionally, in an interchangeable lens digital single-lens reflex camera, dust that intrudes when the lens is replaced and abrasion powder (hereinafter referred to as foreign matter) generated when the drive parts inside the camera operate are referred to as an image sensor. There is a problem in that it adheres to the surface of the optical member arranged on the front surface of the lens and appears in the image taken by the image sensor.
Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which foreign matters appearing on the image sensor are removed by vibrating an optical member disposed in front of the image sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-293097 A

  In the prior art in which the optical member as described above is vibrated by a piezoelectric element, a method of vibrating by combining a plurality of vibration modes having different resonance frequencies is the mainstream. According to this, since the whole optical member can be vibrated uniformly, a fixed effect can be acquired in the removal of a foreign material. However, for example, even if the user wants to prevent foreign objects from appearing on the face portion of the person who is the main subject, the foreign objects at the face position are not necessarily removed. As described above, in the prior art, it has been difficult for the user to efficiently remove the foreign matter adhering to the portion that the user wants to have the foreign matter.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and a foreign matter removal program capable of efficiently removing foreign matter in a portion where a main subject exists.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image pickup means (4) for picking up a subject image, an optical member (5) provided in front of the image pickup means, and a vibration means (6, 8) for vibrating the optical member. And storage means (12) for storing information on a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms, and feature area recognition means for recognizing a preset feature area from the subject image picked up by the image pickup means ( 9), a feature area specifying means (9) for specifying the position of the feature area recognized by the feature area recognition means on the optical member, and a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms, Vibration mode selection means (9) for selecting a vibration mode in which a peak of a vibration waveform exists at the position of the characteristic area specified by the characteristic area specifying means; and the vibration mode selected by the vibration mode selection means Vibration mode changing means (9) for changing vibration conditions, and vibration control means (9) for vibrating the optical member by controlling the vibration means according to a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms. This is an imaging apparatus (1) characterized by the above.
Invention of Claim 2 is an imaging device (1) of Claim 1, Comprising: The said vibration mode change means (9) is resonance of the said vibration mode as vibration conditions of the said selected vibration mode. It is characterized in that at least one of the number of times of driving and the driving voltage depending on the frequency is changed.
The invention described in claim 3 is the imaging apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration mode changing means (9) is specified by the feature region specifying means (9). Based on the position of the region, the vibration condition of the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the feature region is changed, and the vibration condition of the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform does not exist at the position of the feature region. It is characterized by not changing.
The invention according to claim 4 is an image pickup means (4) for picking up a subject image, an optical member (5) provided in front of the image pickup means, and a vibration means (6, 8) for vibrating the optical member. And a foreign matter removal program of the imaging device (1) including storage means (12) for storing information relating to a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms, and a control unit (9). A feature region recognition step for recognizing a preset feature region from the subject image obtained, and a feature region specification for specifying a position on the optical member of the feature region recognized by the feature region recognition step Vibration mode selection for selecting a vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the feature region recognized by the feature region recognition step from a plurality of vibration modes having different steps and vibration waveforms. A step of changing the vibration mode of the vibration mode selected in the vibration mode selection step; and a step of controlling the vibration means according to each of a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms. And a vibration control step for causing the control unit to vibrate.
Note that the configuration described with reference numerals may be improved as appropriate, or at least a part thereof may be replaced with another component.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can remove efficiently the foreign material of the part in which a main subject exists, and its foreign material removal program can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera concerning embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a vibration unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows a vibration waveform when an optical member resonates. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a face recognition area | region and a vibration waveform. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of foreign matter removal processing in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of foreign matter removal processing in the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an imaging apparatus and a foreign matter removal program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described.
(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera 1 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, each part will be described.
The photographing lens 2 is an optical system that refracts incident subject light and emits it to the imaging unit 3 side, and the amount of subject light is adjusted by a diaphragm unit (not shown).

  The imaging unit 3 is a part that images the subject light emitted from the photographing lens 2, exposes the subject light, converts it into an electrical image signal, and outputs it to the image processing unit 7. The imaging unit 3 includes an imaging element 4, an optical member 5, and a vibration unit 6.

  The image pickup device 4 is an image pickup unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image on a photoelectric conversion surface, and includes a photodiode, a CCD, a CMOS, or the like. The optical member 5 is provided on the front surface of the image sensor 4 and forms a subject image on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 4. The optical member 5 has spectral characteristics and filtering characteristics of the subject light. The optical member 5 is composed of a plurality of stacked quartz plates, filters, and the like.

  The vibration unit 6 is a vibration generating unit that vibrates the optical member 5 by applying a voltage. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vibration unit 6. In the vibration unit 6 of the present embodiment, a pair of piezoelectric elements 61 and 62 are installed as vibration elements for vibrating the optical member 5 at both left and right ends on the front side of the optical member 5. Each piezoelectric element is formed in a plate shape, and is attached to both left and right ends of the optical member 5 outside the effective photographing region by adhesion.

  In addition, flexible printed boards 63 and 64 are connected to the ends of the piezoelectric elements 61 and 62. These flexible printed boards 63 and 64 are electrically connected to the piezoelectric element driving circuit 8 (FIG. 1), and an AC voltage having a resonance frequency corresponding to the vibration mode is applied from the piezoelectric element driving circuit 8.

  When an AC voltage having a specific frequency (resonance frequency of the optical member 5) is applied to the piezoelectric elements 61 and 62, the optical member 5 resonates with the vibration of the piezoelectric elements 61 and 62, and vibration of the optical member 5 is generated. Due to this vibration, foreign matter adhering to the surface of the optical member 5 is removed. The vibration mode and the vibration waveform will be described later.

  The image processing unit 7 performs analog and digital image processing such as noise removal, A / D conversion, color correction processing, size change, and encoding on the image signal output from the imaging unit 3, and finally Create image data. This image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 12.

  The piezoelectric element drive circuit 8 applies a voltage having a frequency corresponding to each vibration mode to the vibration unit 6 described above. The piezoelectric element drive circuit 8 and the vibration unit 6 function as vibration means for vibrating the optical member 5.

  The control unit 9 is a circuit for controlling the operation of the entire camera 1 and is constituted by a microprocessor. The control unit 9 reads out and executes a control program stored in a storage unit 12 described later, thereby realizing various functions described later according to the present invention in cooperation with each hardware element of the camera 1. .

  The control unit 9 calculates a lens driving amount for focus adjustment based on distance measurement information detected by a distance measuring unit (not shown) and moves a part of the photographing lens 2 in the optical axis direction (not shown). The in-lens motor or the in-body motor is driven to adjust the focus. In addition to the luminance of the subject light detected by a photometric unit (not shown), lens information such as the type of the taking lens 2, the open F value, and the focal length, the control unit 9 also sets the shooting mode set by the user, An appropriate exposure value is calculated based on the sensitivity information input from the sensitivity setting unit shown in the figure. Then, the control unit 9 selects an aperture value and a shutter speed value corresponding to the exposure value, and performs exposure control by driving an aperture unit and a shutter unit (not shown).

  The control unit 9 executes processing as a feature area recognition unit that recognizes a feature area set in advance as a main subject from the subject image picked up by the image pickup unit 3. In the present embodiment, when a foreign substance removal process (to be described later) is instructed by the user, a face recognition process for recognizing an area where a human face exists as a feature area as a face recognition area is executed. As the face recognition processing, for example, the eyes, nose, mouth, and the like of a person's face included in the captured subject image are extracted as feature points, and the person's face existing in the subject image is recognized based on these feature points. Etc. can be used. However, the face recognition method is not limited to this, and various methods can be employed.

In addition, the control unit 9 executes processing as a feature region specifying unit that specifies the position of the face recognition region recognized in the face recognition processing on the optical member 5.
The face recognition process as described above is normally executed at the time of shooting when the face recognition mode is set in advance. In this embodiment, when the foreign substance removal process is started, the face recognition process is executed to recognize the face recognition area, and the position of the face recognition area specified by the process as the specific area specifying unit on the optical member 5 The vibration mode is selected according to the condition.

  The control unit 9 has a peak portion of the vibration waveform at a position on the optical member 5 in the face recognition area from among a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms stored as data in the storage unit 12 described later. Processing as vibration mode selection means for selecting a vibration mode to be performed is executed. In this embodiment, the vibration mode in which the range of the face recognition region and the range of the peak portion of the vibration waveform substantially match (for example, match 80% or more) is selected. However, the relationship between the range of the face recognition area and the range of the peak portion of the vibration waveform is not limited to this. For example, you may make it select the vibration mode in which the range of a face recognition area | region and the range of the peak part of a vibration waveform correspond 60% or more. Thus, when the ratio of the face recognition area range and the peak range of the vibration waveform is set to be low, there is a high possibility that a plurality of vibration modes are selected. Therefore, the drive condition is changed for each selected vibration mode.

  The control unit 9 executes processing as vibration mode changing means for changing the vibration condition of the vibration mode selected by the above-described vibration mode selection. In the present embodiment, as the vibration condition of the vibration mode, the number of times of driving the vibration unit 6 is changed in the first embodiment, and the drive voltage is changed in the second embodiment described later. In any of the embodiments, only the vibration condition of the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the characteristic region is changed, and the vibration condition is not changed for the other vibration modes.

  The control unit 9 controls the piezoelectric element driving circuit 8 according to each of a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms to drive the vibration unit 6, thereby executing processing as vibration control means for vibrating the optical member 5. .

The operation unit 10 is an operation input unit for a user to input various commands and setting information to the control unit 9, and includes a dial, a button, a lever, a switch, and the like (not shown).
The display unit 11 is a display device that displays a captured image (a moving image including a reproduction image and a live view image) captured by the imaging unit 3, a menu screen for performing various settings, a mode setting screen, and the like.

  The storage unit 12 stores a control program and setting data necessary for the operation of the camera 1 as well as image data obtained by imaging, and data necessary when the image processing unit 7 and the control unit 9 perform processing. Device. In addition, the storage unit 12 stores information on a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms, that is, vibration conditions for each vibration mode. In the first embodiment, the reference drive times NA0, NB0, and NC0 and the actual drive times NA, NB, and NC are stored. In the second embodiment, which will be described later, reference drive voltages VA0, VB0, and VC0 and actual drive voltages VA, VB, and VC are stored.

  The memory card I / F (interface) unit 13 records the image data stored in the storage unit 12 in the memory card 14 and also has a write / read function having a function of reading the image data recorded in the memory card 14. Device. A memory card 14 is detachably attached to a memory card slot (not shown) of the memory card I / F unit 13.

  Next, the vibration mode and vibration waveform in the vibration unit 6 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a vibration waveform when the optical member 5 resonates. FIG. 3 schematically shows a vibration waveform when the optical member 5 is resonated at different resonance frequencies in each vibration mode. In each vibration waveform, one shape of the amplitude motion is indicated by a solid line, and the other shape is indicated by a two-dot chain line. That is, two symmetrical amplitude shapes are periodically generated according to the cycle of the alternating voltage applied to the piezoelectric elements 61 and 62.

  As the resonance frequency applied to the piezoelectric elements 61 and 62 is increased, the amplitude period of the vibration waveform is shortened, and the number of peak portions of the vibration waveform is increased. Further, as the resonance frequency is lowered, the amplitude period of the vibration waveform is also increased, and the number of peak portions of the vibration waveform is reduced. Here, vibration mode A, vibration mode B, and vibration mode C are set in ascending order of the number of peaks. In the present embodiment, three vibration modes are taken as an example to simplify the description, but the number of vibration modes may be further increased. Further, the “peak portion” of the vibration waveform refers to a section having the maximum amplitude in the vibration waveform, and the “node” refers to a section having the minimum amplitude between the adjacent peak portions.

  When removing the foreign matter adhering to the surface of the optical member 5, vibrations with different resonance frequencies are generated in the order of vibration mode A, vibration mode B, and vibration mode C. According to this, in the effective shooting area (horizontal width direction) of the optical member 5, the amplitude due to the peak of the vibration waveform of any of the vibration modes A to C is generated. It is possible to vibrate almost entirely including it.

  In each vibration mode, the vibration time and the number of times of the vibration unit 6 are set as the standard number of times of driving. For example, if 5 seconds × 3 times is set as the reference driving number in the vibration mode A, the vibration mode A is driven for 5 seconds × 3 times every time the foreign matter removal process is executed. For vibration mode B and vibration mode C, a predetermined driving time and the number of times of driving are set, respectively. However, the number of times of driving can be changed. In the first embodiment to be described later, the number of times of driving in the selected vibration mode is controlled to be one more than the standard number of times of driving. In the second embodiment to be described later, the drive voltage in the selected vibration mode is controlled to be 10 (V) higher than the reference drive voltage.

Next, a specific example in which the control unit 9 selects a region identified as a face recognition region and a vibration mode in which a peak portion of a vibration waveform exists in this region will be specifically described.
4A to 4D are explanatory views showing the relationship between the face recognition area and the vibration waveform. In the foreign matter removal process of the present embodiment, as described above, the face recognition process for recognizing the face recognition area from the captured subject image is executed.

  First, the control unit 9 recognizes a face recognition area as a main subject from the subject image. FIG. 4A shows a case where the face recognition area 101 of the subject image is recognized in the effective shooting area 100. Next, the control unit 9 specifies the position of the recognized face recognition area 101 on the optical member 5. Here, position information (coordinate information) indicating the range of the face recognition area 101 in the effective shooting area 100 is specified.

  Next, the control unit 9 selects a vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the specified position of the face recognition region 101. 4B to 4D, the peak portions of the vibration modes A to C shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 4B shows the peak portion of the vibration mode A, FIG. 4C shows the peak portion of the vibration mode B, and FIG. 4D shows the peak portion of the vibration mode C. A vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area 101 shown in FIG. For this reason, the control part 9 memorize | stores the vibration mode C in the predetermined storage area of the memory | storage part 12 as a vibration mode which changes a vibration condition.

  In addition, when the vibration mode in which the range of the face recognition area 101 and the range of the peak portion of the vibration waveform coincide with each other by 60% or more is selected, the vibration modes B and C are selected. For this reason, the control part 9 memorize | stores the vibration mode B and the vibration mode C in the predetermined storage area of the memory | storage part 12 as a vibration mode which changes vibration conditions.

  Next, the control procedure of the foreign matter removal process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the number of times of driving in the vibration mode in which a foreign object exists in the peak portion of the vibration waveform is changed. In FIG. 5, NA0, NB0, and NC0 are reference drive times, and a predetermined number is set as an initial value. NA, NB, and NC are the actual driving times. If the number of driving times NA, NB, and NC is not changed, NA = NA0, NB = NB0, and NC = NC0. This foreign matter removal processing routine is executed by starting the foreign matter removal processing program stored in the storage unit 12 when the user operates the operation unit 10 to instruct the foreign matter removal processing.

  First, the control unit 9 resets the driving times NA, NB, and NC stored in the storage unit 12 to initial values (step S101), and recognizes a face recognition area from the subject image captured by the imaging unit 3. The face recognition process to be performed is executed (step S102). Subsequently, the control unit 9 specifies the position of the recognized face recognition area on the optical member 5 (step S103). Note that data such as image data of the captured subject image and position information of the recognized face recognition area is stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 12. Next, the control unit 9 selects a vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the identified face recognition region (step S104).

  Next, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the selected vibration mode is A (step S105). If this determination is No, the process proceeds to step S107, and if Yes, the number of times of driving NA = NA0 + 1 is set (step S106). Subsequently, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the selected vibration mode B (step S107). If this determination is No, the process proceeds to step S109, and if Yes, the number of times of driving NB = NB0 + 1 is set (step S108). Subsequently, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the selected vibration mode is C (step S109). If “No” here, the process proceeds to step S111, and if “Yes”, the number of times of driving NC = NC0 + 1 is set (step S110).

  Here, if the face recognition area 101 as shown in FIG. 4 described above is specified, the vibration mode C is selected, so that the number of driving times of the vibration mode A and the vibration mode B is the initial value NA0. The number of times C is driven is set to be one more than the initial value. That is, the control unit 9 changes only the number of times of driving the NC among the number of times of driving NA, NB, and NC stored in the storage unit 12.

  Next, the control unit 9 deletes data (image data, position information, etc.) related to the face recognition area stored in the storage unit 12 (step S111). Then, the piezoelectric element driving circuit 8 is controlled to execute each vibration mode based on the driving times NA, NB, and NC stored in the storage unit 12 (step S112).

If the determinations in steps S105, S107, and S109 are all No, the drive counts NA, NB, and NC remain the reference drive counts NA0, NB0, and NC0. That is, even if the position of the face recognition area is specified, if there is no vibration mode in which the peak of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area, each of the reference driving times NA0, NB0, NC0 The vibration mode is executed.
In the face recognition process in step S102, if the face recognition area cannot be recognized, the process proceeds to step S111, and each vibration mode is executed based on the reference driving times NA0, NB0, and NC0.

  According to the first embodiment, the face recognition area is specified from the subject image, and the number of times of driving in the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area is increased. Of the member 5, the part corresponding to the human face region can be vibrated more than usual. Therefore, it is possible for a user who wants to prevent foreign objects from appearing on the face portion of the person, and efficiently remove the foreign objects at the portions where the foreign objects are not desired.

In the first embodiment, when the face recognition area is not specified, each vibration mode is executed by the reference driving times NA0, NB0, and NC0. it can.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, if the initial values of the reference driving times NA0, NB0, and NC0 are set to zero, only the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area is executed. Therefore, the time required for the foreign substance removal process can be shortened.

  Next, the control procedure of the foreign substance removal process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the driving voltage in the vibration mode in which the foreign object exists in the peak portion of the vibration waveform is changed. In FIG. 6, VA0, VB0, and VC0 are reference drive voltages (maximum values of AC voltages), and predetermined voltage values are set as initial values. VA, VB, and VC are actual drive voltages. If the drive voltages VA, VB, and VC are not changed, VA = VA0, VB = VB0, and VC = VC0. This foreign matter removal processing routine is executed by starting the foreign matter removal processing program stored in the storage unit 12 when the user operates the operation unit 10 to instruct the foreign matter removal processing.

  First, the control unit 9 resets the drive voltages VA, VB, and VC stored in the storage unit 12 to initial values (step S201), and recognizes a face recognition area from the subject image captured by the imaging unit 3. A face recognition process is executed (step S202). Subsequently, the control unit 9 specifies the position of the recognized face recognition area on the optical member 5 (step S203). Next, the control unit 9 selects a vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the identified face recognition area (step S204).

  Next, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the selected vibration mode is A (step S205). If this determination is No, the process proceeds to step S207, and if Yes, the drive voltage VA = VA0 + 10 (V) is set (step S206). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the selected mode is vibration mode B (step S207). If this determination is No, the process proceeds to step S209, and if Yes, the drive voltage VB = VB0 + 10 (V) is set (step S208). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the selected mode is the vibration mode C (step S209). If No here, the process proceeds to step S211, and if Yes, the drive voltage VC = VC0 + 10 (V) is set (step S210).

  Here, if the face recognition area 101 as shown in FIG. 4 is specified, the vibration mode C is selected, so that the drive voltages in the vibration mode A and the vibration mode B have initial values VA0 and VB0, respectively. The driving voltage in the vibration mode C is set to a voltage 10 (V) higher than the initial value. That is, the control unit 9 changes only the drive voltage of VC among the drive voltages VA, VB, and VC stored in the storage unit 12.

  Next, the control unit 9 deletes data (image data, position information, etc.) related to the face recognition area stored in the storage unit 12 (step S211). Then, the piezoelectric element drive circuit 8 is controlled to execute each vibration mode based on the drive voltages VA, VB, and VC stored in the storage unit 12 (step S212).

If the determinations in steps S205, S207, and S209 are all No, the drive voltages VA, VB, and VC remain the reference drive voltages VA0, VB0, and VC0. That is, even when the position of the face recognition area is specified, if there is no vibration mode in which the peak of the vibration waveform is present at the position of the face recognition area, each of the reference recognition voltages VA0, VB0, and VC0 is used. The vibration mode will be executed.
If the face recognition area cannot be recognized in the face recognition process in step S202, the process proceeds to step S211 and each vibration mode is executed by the reference driving times NA0, NB0, and NC0.

  According to the second embodiment, the face recognition area is specified from the subject image, and the driving voltage in the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area is increased. A portion of the member 5 corresponding to the human face region can be vibrated with a larger amplitude than usual. Therefore, it is possible for a user who wants to prevent foreign objects from appearing on the face portion of a person, and to efficiently remove the foreign objects in the portions that do not want to have the most foreign objects. In particular, in the present embodiment, the number of times of driving in the vibration mode is not changed, so that the time required for the foreign substance removal processing can be made the same as in normal times.

In the second embodiment, when the face recognition area is not specified, each vibration mode is executed with the reference drive voltages VA0, VB0, and VC0. Therefore, the effect of removing foreign matters by a normal drive voltage can be expected. it can.
Furthermore, in the second embodiment, if the initial values of the reference drive voltages NA0, NB0, and NC0 are set to zero, only the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area is executed. Therefore, the time required for the foreign substance removal process can be shortened.

  In another embodiment, both the number of times of driving and the driving voltage may be changed in a vibration mode in which a foreign object exists in a peak portion of a vibration waveform. That is, the control unit 9 performs control so that the number of times of driving in the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area is greater than the reference and the drive voltage is higher than the reference. As described above, when both the number of times of driving and the driving voltage are changed, the optical member 5 can be vibrated with a larger amplitude and a larger amplitude than usual. Foreign substances can be removed more efficiently.

In the embodiment in which both the number of times of driving and the driving voltage are changed, if the reference driving voltage and the reference driving voltage are each set to zero, only the vibration mode in which the foreign matter exists in the peak portion of the vibration waveform is executed. As a result, the time required for the foreign substance removal process can be further shortened.
(Deformation)

Without being limited to the embodiment described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed as described below, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.
(1) After the foreign matter removal processing is completed, the position information of the face recognition area is stored in the storage unit 12 and the same number of times is determined when the same region is specified in the next foreign matter removal processing. It may be controlled so that becomes larger. According to this, it is possible to give more concentrated vibration to an area where the main subject is often located.
(2) In the first embodiment, the example in which the number of times of driving in the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition area is increased by one more than the reference number of times of driving is not limited to this example. It may be changed to a larger number of times. Further, the number of times of increase may be different depending on the vibration mode.
(3) In the second embodiment, the example in which the drive voltage in the vibration mode in which the peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the face recognition region is 10 (V) higher than the reference drive voltage has been described. However, the voltage value may be further increased. Further, the voltage value to be increased may be different depending on the vibration mode.
(4) In the face recognition process, when a plurality of faces are recognized, a person existing closest to the camera 1 is identified based on the distance measurement information, and the vibration waveform is displayed at the position of the person's face recognition area. You may make it select the vibration mode in which a mountain part exists. In this way, since the person who is closest to the camera 1 is most noticeable among the subjects, by changing the driving condition of the face recognition area of this person and vibrating it, an image in which foreign matter is not as conspicuous as possible Can be taken.
Further, when a plurality of faces are recognized, the position is specified for each face recognition area, the corresponding vibration mode is selected, and the foreign substance removal process is repeatedly executed for the number of recognized face recognition areas. Good. According to this, it is possible to apply vibration to all areas recognized as face recognition areas.
Further, when a plurality of faces are recognized, a face recognition area located near the center of the screen may be specified with priority. According to this, it is possible to apply vibration to the face recognition area that exists at a position where foreign objects are most noticeable on the screen.
Furthermore, when a plurality of faces are registered when a plurality of faces are recognized, the face recognition area of the person may be specified with priority. According to this, even if a foreign object existing in another area cannot be removed, only a foreign object present on the face of the registrant who does not want the user to have the most foreign object can be efficiently removed.
(5) As an example of the feature area, an area where a human face exists is used as the face recognition area. However, a face such as an animal other than a person may be used as the feature area, or a white image area where foreign objects are easily noticeable. You may make it recognize as a characteristic area. In addition, as described above, different types of feature regions may be recognized, and the position of the most recognized feature region may be specified.
(6) The member to be vibrated for removing the foreign matter is not limited to the optical member 5, and a dust filter (not shown) provided on the front surface of the optical member 5 may be vibrated.
(7) In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the foreign matter removal processing is executed by starting the foreign matter removal processing program stored in the storage unit 12 has been described. When selected, the foreign matter removal processing program may be executed while the user determines the composition or at the timing when the user operates the operation unit 10 to instruct imaging.
(8) A storage medium on which a program corresponding to a part or all of the foreign matter removal processing program executed by the control unit 9 is recorded is prepared, and the recording medium is attached to the camera 1 and recorded therein as necessary. You may make it read the program currently performed.
Moreover, although the said embodiment and modification can be used in combination suitably, since the structure of each embodiment is clear by illustration and description, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment described above.

  4: imaging element, 5: optical member, 6: vibration unit, 8: piezoelectric element drive circuit, 9: control unit, 10: operation unit, 12: storage unit, 61, 62: piezoelectric element

Claims (4)

Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
An optical member provided in front of the imaging means;
Vibration means for vibrating the optical member;
Storage means for storing information on a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms;
A feature area recognition means for recognizing a preset feature area from the subject image imaged by the imaging means;
Feature region specifying means for specifying the position of the feature region recognized by the feature region recognition means on the optical member;
Vibration mode selection means for selecting a vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform is present at the position of the feature region specified by the feature region specification means from among the plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms;
Vibration mode changing means for changing a vibration condition of the vibration mode selected by the vibration mode selecting means;
Vibration control means for vibrating the optical member by controlling the vibration means according to a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
The vibration mode changing means includes
As a vibration condition of the selected vibration mode, changing at least one of the number of times of driving and the driving voltage depending on the resonance frequency of the vibration mode,
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The vibration mode changing means includes
Based on the position of the feature region specified by the feature region specifying means, the vibration condition of the vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the feature region is changed, and the vibration waveform is changed to the position of the feature region. Do not change the vibration condition of the vibration mode where there is no peak.
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. Imaging means for capturing a subject image, an optical member provided in front of the imaging means, vibration means for vibrating the optical member, storage means for storing information on a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms, and control A foreign matter removal program for an imaging apparatus comprising:
A feature region recognition step for recognizing a preset feature region from the subject image imaged by the imaging means;
A feature region specifying step for specifying a position on the optical member of the feature region recognized by the feature region recognition step;
A vibration mode selection step of selecting a vibration mode in which a peak portion of the vibration waveform exists at the position of the feature region recognized by the feature region recognition step from a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms;
A vibration mode changing step for changing a vibration condition of the vibration mode selected by the vibration mode selecting step;
A vibration control step of vibrating the optical member by controlling the vibration means according to a plurality of vibration modes having different vibration waveforms;
Is executed by the control unit.

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