JP2011065012A - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily control photographing operation by intuitive and intelligible acting operation by a photographer. <P>SOLUTION: When photographing a still image and when the still image is photographed through a photographic lens 6a in an imaging part 6, a control part 1 performs still image photographing operation when the photographic lens 6a is shielded and then shielding the photographic lens 6a is released. Also, when photographing a moving image, the control part 1 stops moving image photographing operation while the photographic lens 6a is shielded, and performs the moving image photographing operation while shielding the photographic lens 6a is released. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a program that perform still image shooting and moving image shooting through a shooting lens.

In general, in a digital camera device, if a tripod is not prepared when performing timer shooting, the composition may be misaligned or the camera may be tilted when the composition is determined and the shutter is pressed. It may be difficult to take the picture you want.
As a countermeasure, conventionally, a technique has been disclosed that recognizes the number and movement (action operation) of a photographer's finger that also serves as a subject and controls the start and end instructions of shooting and the size of the shooting area. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-28046 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, even if it is effective when the subject and the photographer are the same person, it is not suitable for, for example, landscape photography, and image recognition processing It is necessary to perform a relatively heavy process that requires a long processing time, and it is also necessary for the photographer to remember a complicated operation (action operation) in order to recognize the image.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily control a photographing operation by an intuitive and easy-to-understand action operation by a photographer.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an imaging apparatus that captures a still image through a photographing lens, and includes a shielding determination unit that determines whether the photographing lens is shielded, and the shielding. After determining that the photographing lens is shielded by the determining means, it is determined that the shielding to the photographing lens is released by the release determining means for determining whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens is released. And a photographing control means for starting a still image photographing operation.

  The invention according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying that when the photographing lens is determined to be shielded by the shielding determination means. It may be an invention.

  The invention according to claim 1 is characterized by further comprising notifying means for notifying that when the release determining means determines that the shielding of the taking lens is released. The described invention may be used.

  The invention according to claim 1 further includes lock determining means for determining whether at least one of the focus adjustment function and the exposure adjustment function is in a function locked state, wherein the photographing control means is controlled by the lock determining means. When it is determined that the function is locked, the shooting operation is started in the function lock state. When it is determined that the function is not locked, the still image shooting operation is started with the function operated. The invention according to claim 4 may be provided.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, the shielding determination unit is configured to determine whether the photographing lens is shielded based on whether a shielding object is present within a predetermined distance with reference to a central portion of the photographing lens. The release determining means determines whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens has been released based on whether or not a shielding object is present within a predetermined distance with reference to an end portion of the photographing lens. The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that it is determined.

  As an invention dependent on claim 1, the shielding determining means further determines a shielding start direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is started, and the photographing control means is determined by the shielding determining means. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the timing for starting the still image shooting operation is further controlled based on the shielding start direction of the shooting lens.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, after the shooting lens is determined to be blocked by the shielding determining means, the stationary control is performed by the shooting control means based on a shielding start direction from which direction the shielding is started. The invention according to claim 7, further comprising notification means for notifying a timing for starting the image capturing operation.

  As an invention dependent on claim 1, the shielding determining means further determines a shielding start direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is started, and the photographing control means is determined by the shielding determining means. 9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein a still image shooting operation is started by changing preset settings related to shooting control based on the shielding start direction of the shooting lens. Also good.

  As an invention dependent on claim 1, the release determining means further determines a shielding release direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is released, and the photographing control means is determined by the shielding determining means. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the timing for starting the still image shooting operation is further controlled based on the shielding release direction of the shooting lens.

  As an invention dependent on claim 9, after it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determining means, the stationary control is performed by the photographing control means based on the direction from which the shielding is released. The invention according to claim 10, further comprising guide means for guiding timing for starting the image photographing operation.

  As an invention dependent on claim 1, the release determining means further determines a shielding release direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is released, and the photographing control means is determined by the shielding determining means. 12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein a still image shooting operation is started by changing a setting content relating to shooting control set in advance based on the shielding release direction of the shooting lens. Also good.

  As an invention dependent on claim 11, after it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determining means, the photographing is controlled by the photographing control means on the basis of the direction from which the shielding is released. The invention according to claim 12, further comprising guide means for guiding setting contents related to control.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, when the photographing lens is shielded, the shielding determination unit further determines a color of the shielding object, and the photographing control unit determines the shielding object determined by the shielding determination unit. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the still image shooting operation is started by changing the setting content related to shooting control set in advance based on the color of the image.

  As an invention dependent on any one of claims 8 and 13, a notification means for notifying a setting content related to photographing control controlled by the photographing control means after it is judged that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding judgment means. The invention according to claim 14 may be further provided.

  As an invention dependent on claim 1, the release determining means further determines a shielding time from when the photographing lens is shielded until the shielding is released, and the photographing control means is judged by the shielding determining means. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the timing for starting the still image shooting operation is further controlled based on the shielding time.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the shielding time determined by the shielding determination unit is within a predetermined time, the imaging control unit is stationary when the cancellation determination unit determines that the shielding is released. The image capturing operation is started immediately, and when the predetermined time is exceeded, the still image capturing operation is started when the shielding time elapses after the shielding is released. Item 16 may be the invention.

  As an invention dependent on claim 1, it further comprises operation means for performing a photographing start operation for instructing start of still image photographing, and the shielding determination means determines whether or not the photographing lens is shielded during the photographing start operation by the operating means. The photographing control means suspends the start of a still image photographing operation when the photographing lens is judged to be shielded by the shielding judgment means during the photographing start operation by the operation means, and the release The invention according to claim 17, wherein the still image shooting operation is started when it is determined by the determination means that the shielding of the photographing lens is released.

  As an invention dependent on any one of claims 1 to 17, the shielding determination means and the release determination means determine whether the photographing lens is shielded or unshielded using an autofocus function. The invention according to claim 18 may be provided.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 19 is an imaging device that captures a moving image through a photographing lens, and includes a shielding determination unit that determines whether or not the photographing lens is shielded; After it is determined that the photographic lens is shielded by the shielding determination means, it is determined that the photographic lens is shielded by the shielding determination means and a release determination means for determining whether or not the shielding to the photographic lens is released. And a shooting control means for stopping the moving image shooting operation while starting the moving image shooting operation while it is determined by the release determining means that the shielding to the shooting lens is released. Features.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes an operation unit that performs a shooting operation to instruct moving image shooting, and the shielding determination unit determines whether or not the shooting lens is shielded during the shooting operation by the operation unit, The shooting control means suspends the start of the moving image shooting operation while it is determined that the shooting lens is shielded by the shielding determination means during the shooting operation by the operation means, and the release determination means applies the shooting lens to the shooting lens. The invention according to claim 20, wherein the moving image shooting operation is started while it is determined that the shielding is released.

  As an invention dependent on any one of claims 19 and 20, the shielding determination means and the release determination means determine whether the photographing lens is shielded or unshielded using an autofocus function. According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the invention may be configured as described above.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 22 is directed to a computer for determining whether or not the photographing lens is shielded, and after determining that the photographing lens is shielded. A program for realizing a function for determining whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens has been released and a function to start a still image photographing operation when it is determined that the shielding to the photographing lens has been released. Features.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 23 is directed to a computer for determining whether or not the photographing lens is shielded, and after determining that the photographing lens is shielded. A function for determining whether or not the shielding to the photographic lens is released, and while the photographic lens is determined to be shielded, the moving image shooting operation is stopped and the shielding to the photographic lens is released. And a program for realizing a function of starting a moving image shooting operation.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily control a photographing operation by an intuitive and easy-to-understand action operation by a photographer, and it is possible to improve convenience.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating basic components of the imaging apparatus. A distance measuring point for detecting which position (area) in the photographing lens 6a is shielded or unshielded while measuring the distance from the photographing lens 6a to the subject by the AF function which is the shielding detection unit 7. The figure shown on the screen (finder screen). (1)-(5) is a figure for demonstrating the shielding start direction table T1, the shielding cancellation | release direction table T2, the shielding start control table T3, the shielding cancellation | release control table T4, and the shielding color control table T5. . (1)-(4) is a figure for demonstrating the digital release flag F1, the focus lock flag F2, the AE lock flag F3, and the shielding start direction determined flag F4. . The flowchart which showed the operation | movement outline | summary of the characteristic part of this embodiment among the whole operation | movement of the imaging device started execution according to power-on. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement following FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the shielding start process (step A24 in FIG. 6). 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the shielding cancellation process (step A33 in FIG. 6). (1) shows the notification content of “shooting control setting” displayed in response to the start of shielding, (2) shows the notification content in the modification of the first embodiment, and (3) shows the shield release. The guidance content of “shooting control setting” displayed accordingly is shown, and (2) is a diagram showing the guidance content in a modification of the first embodiment. (1), (2) is a figure for demonstrating the shielding start control table T3 and the shielding cancellation | release control table T4 in a 1st modification. The figure for demonstrating the shielding cancellation | release control table T4 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart in place of FIG. 6 in the second embodiment, that is, a flowchart following FIG. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement outline | summary of the characteristic part of 3rd Embodiment among the whole operation | movement of the imaging device started execution according to power activation in 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement outline | summary of the characteristic part of 4th Embodiment among the whole operation | movement of the imaging device started execution according to power activation in 4th Embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating basic components of the imaging apparatus.
The imaging device constitutes a digital camera device (compact camera device, single-lens reflex camera device). The control unit 1 operates by supplying power from a power source unit 2 including a secondary battery, and the storage unit 3 The control unit 1 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like. The storage unit 3 is an internal memory such as a ROM or a RAM, and has a program area and a data area. In this program area, the present embodiment is realized in accordance with operation procedures shown in FIGS. A program is stored for this purpose.

  Further, in the data area of the storage unit 3, flag information (a digital release flag F1, a focus lock flag F2, an AE lock flag F3, a shielding start direction determined flag F4, etc., which will be described later), timer information (described in the second embodiment). In addition to temporarily storing various kinds of information necessary for the operation of the imaging apparatus, the captured image is recorded and saved. The data area of the storage unit 3 includes a shielding start direction table T1, a shielding release direction table T2, a shielding start control table T3, a shielding release control table T4, a shielding color control table T5, and the like. The operation unit 4 includes various push button type keys such as a shutter key and a reproduction key, and the control unit 1 performs processing according to an operation signal from the operation unit 4. The display unit 5 uses, for example, a high-definition liquid crystal or an organic EL, and is used as a monitor screen (finder screen) when taking an image.

  The imaging unit 6 constitutes a digital camera, and is configured to be able to shoot moving images in addition to still image shooting. The imaging unit 6 includes an imaging lens 6a, an aperture mechanism 6b, an imaging element 6c such as a CCD or CMOS, an optical system driving unit 6d, and the like, but also an illumination flash, an analog processing circuit, and a signal processing circuit. A compression / expansion circuit is provided to control an autofocus function (AF function), an exposure adjustment function (AE function), an optical zoom function, and the like. The AF function is an automatic focusing function that performs focusing by measuring the distance from the photographing lens 6a to the subject. The optical system driving unit 6d controls the position of the photographing lens 6a according to the measured distance and performs focusing. I do.

  In addition, the AF function is not limited to an active method that irradiates infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, and the like, but a phase difference detection method that detects a phase difference based on image data from the image sensor 6c, a contrast detection method that detects a contrast ratio, and the like. Although any method may be used, this embodiment employs a contrast detection method. In this contrast detection method, the lens position is adjusted while focusing on the lens position where the contrast is the highest. At this time, the distance to the subject is obtained according to the focused lens position. Yes. Further, in this embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily switch whether the AF function is in an operable state or a non-operating state (locked state) by an operation by a photographer.

  The exposure adjustment function (AE function) adjusts the exposure value by adjusting the aperture and shutter speed according to the set contents, and is not limited to the method of detecting the ambient brightness by the light amount sensor, but the image sensor 6c. However, in this embodiment, a luminance detection method is adopted. In this embodiment, the AE function can be arbitrarily switched between an operable state and a non-operating state (locked state) by an operation by the photographer.

  The shielding detection unit 7 detects whether or not the front of the photographic lens 6a is obscured (shielded) by a shielding object such as a photographer's palm, or whether or not the shielding to the photographic lens 6a is released. The distance from the photographing lens 6a to the subject is also measured by using the AF function to detect whether or not the front of the photographing lens 6a is shielded, or whether or not the shielding is released. And so on. In this case, it is detected whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded based on whether or not a shielding object exists within a predetermined distance with reference to the central portion of the photographing lens 6a. Whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens 6a has been released is detected based on whether or not a shielding object is present within a predetermined distance with the end portion as a reference.

  During still image shooting, the control unit 1 performs shooting control (shutter control) that starts a still image shooting operation when the blocking detection unit 7 detects that the blocking of the shooting lens 6a is released. Yes. In addition, when the moving image is shot, the control unit 1 stops the moving image shooting operation while the blocking detection unit 7 detects that the shooting lens 6a is blocked, and the blocking of the shooting lens 6a is released. When it is detected that the moving image is detected, the moving image shooting operation is started to control the start / stop of the moving image shooting. The notification unit 8 is a buzzer for notifying that when the photographing lens 6a is shielded by the shielding detection unit 7, and for notifying that when the shielding to the photographing lens 6a is released. . In addition, the alerting | reporting part 8 may have not only a buzzer but LED (light emitting diode) vibration motor etc.

  The shielding color detection unit 9 detects the color of the shielding object when it is detected by the shielding detection unit 7 that the photographing lens 6a is shielded. The main color is detected if it is a color board, color handkerchief, clothing or the like. The control unit 1 selects a shooting mode based on the color of the shielding object detected by the shielding color detection unit 9, and performs shooting control according to the shooting mode. That is, for each shooting scene, shooting is performed based on the color of the shield from various shooting modes suitable for shooting the scene (for example, a person mode suitable for portrait shooting, a landscape mode suitable for landscape shooting, etc.). When a mode is selected, shooting parameters corresponding to the shooting mode (exposure value, white balance, saturation, sharpness, contrast, etc.) are read out and set as shooting information in the imaging unit 6 to perform shooting control according to the shooting mode. Like to do.

FIG. 2 shows a measurement for detecting which position (area) in the photographic lens 6a is shielded or unshielded while measuring the distance from the photographic lens 6a to the subject by the AF function which is the shielding detection unit 7. It is the figure which showed the distance point on the monitor screen (finder screen).
In the figure, PT1 to PT5 indicate corresponding distance measuring points on the monitor screen, and are shielding detection points for detecting which position (area) on the photographing lens 6a is shielded. The distance measuring points PT1 to PT4 are points corresponding to the four corners on the monitor screen, and are the four points at the end within the effective diameter of the photographing lens 6a. The distance measurement point PT1 is the upper left corner point, the distance measurement point PT2 is the lower left corner point, the distance measurement point PT3 is the lower right corner point, and the distance measurement point PT4 is the upper right corner point. Yes. A distance measuring point PT5 is a point on the photographing lens 6a corresponding to the center portion on the monitor screen, and indicates a distance measuring point in the center portion.

  Here, the focus point is moved in time-division manner to the four points at the end of the photographing lens 6a, that is, the distance measuring points PT1 to PT4 corresponding to the four corners on the monitor screen. To measure the distance. That is, the distance is measured at each point while sequentially moving the focus point to the distance measurement points PT1 to PT4, and based on whether or not the measurement distance is within a predetermined distance (for example, within 10 cm). The presence or absence of shielding is sequentially detected. In this case, for example, the focus point is sequentially moved to the distance measurement point PT1 in the upper left corner, the distance measurement point PT2 in the lower left corner, the distance measurement point PT3 in the lower right corner, and the distance measurement point PT4 in the upper right corner. I am trying to measure.

  Thereafter, the focus point is moved to a point corresponding to the central portion on the monitor screen, that is, the distance measuring point PT5 in the center of the photographing lens 6a, the distance from the distance measuring point PT5 to the subject is measured, and the measured distance Whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded is detected based on whether or not is within a predetermined distance (for example, within 10 cm). After the distance measurement at the five distance measuring points PT1 to PT5 is completed in this way, after moving to the first point, that is, the distance measuring point PT1 in the upper left corner, the same operation is repeated thereafter. ing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the shielding start direction table T1, the shielding release direction table T2, the shielding start control table T3, the shielding release control table T4, and the shielding color control table T5. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the contents of the shielding start direction table T1.
The shielding start direction table T1 is a table for determining a shielding start direction indicating from which direction the shielding is performed when the shielding to the photographing lens 6a is detected. The “distance measuring point number” and the “direction” are set. It is the composition which has.

  The “ranging point number” is a number for specifying the ranging points PT1 to PT5 shown in FIG. 2, and the ranging points PT1 to PT5 correspond to “1” to “5”, and the ranging point PT1. When the shielding is sequentially detected by PT5, the detection order is indicated, and “direction” indicates from which direction the shielding is started according to the order indicated by the “ranging point number”. Yes. For example, if the order indicated by the “ranging point number” is “1 → 4 → 5” or “4 → 1 → 5”, it indicates that the shielding start direction is “from the top”, and “2 → 3 → 5 ”or“ 3 → 2 → 5 ”indicates that the shielding start direction is“ from the bottom ”, and“ 1 → 2 → 5 ”or“ 2 → 1 → 5 ”indicates the shielding start direction. Indicates “from left”, and “4 → 3 → 5” or “3 → 4 → 5” indicates that the shielding start direction is “from right”.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the contents of the shielding release direction table T2.
This shielding release direction table T2 is a table for determining the shielding release direction indicating from which direction the shielding is released when the shielding release to the photographing lens 6a is detected. “Direction”. The “ranging point number” indicates the detection order when the release of shielding is sequentially detected by the ranging points PT1 to PT5, and the “direction” indicates the order indicated by the “ranging point number”. , Which direction of the upper, lower, left and right directions indicates that the shield release has started. For example, if the order indicated by the “ranging point number” is “5 → 4 → 1” or “5 → 1 → 4”, it indicates that the shielding release direction is “from the top” and “5 → 3 → If “2” or “5 → 2 → 3”, the shield release direction is “from the bottom”, and if “5 → 2 → 1” or “5 → 1 → 2”, the shield release direction. Indicates “from left”, and “5 → 4 → 3” or “5 → 3 → 4” indicates that the shielding release direction is “from right”.

FIG. 3 (3) is a diagram showing the contents of the shielding start control table T3.
The shielding start control table T3 changes the control content (image size) relating to photographing that is set in advance based on the shielding start direction determined by referring to the shielding start direction table T1 described above, and performs the photographing operation. The table for starting is configured to have “direction” and “imaging control setting”. “Direction” indicates the shielding start direction determined by referring to the shielding start direction table T1. “Shooting control setting” indicates the setting contents related to shooting control. In the example shown in the figure, the shooting size for each application is shown. × 1536 pixels), if “from the bottom”, the maximum size (eg, 3264 × 2448 pixels), if “from the right”, wide size (eg, 2560 × 1836 pixels), “from the left” The image size is the mail size (for example, 640 × 480 pixels).

FIG. 3 (4) is a diagram showing the contents of the shielding release control table T4.
This shielding cancellation control table T4 changes the control content (shutter control) relating to imaging that is set in advance based on the shielding cancellation direction determined by referring to the above-described shielding cancellation direction table T2, and performs an imaging operation. The table for starting is configured to have “direction” and “imaging control setting”. “Direction” indicates the shielding release direction determined by referring to the shielding release direction table T2. “Shooting control setting” indicates setting contents related to shooting control (shutter control). In the illustrated example, if “direction” is “from the top”, normal shooting (immediate shooting), and “from the bottom” , 10 seconds self-timer shooting that releases the shutter 10 seconds after the shutter operation, 5 seconds if “from right”, 5 seconds continuous shooting that performs high-speed continuous shooting (continuous shooting), and “if left” is appropriate This is a three-exposure bracket shooting for shooting with the exposure value and the exposure values before and after the exposure value.

FIG. 3 (5) is a diagram showing the contents of the shielding color control table T5.
The shielding color control table T5 is a table for changing the control content (imaging mode) relating to photographing that is set in advance based on the color of the shielding object detected by the shielding color detection unit 9 to start the photographing operation. Thus, the configuration has “color” and “shooting control setting”. The “color” is the color of the shielding object detected by the shielding color detection unit 9 and is “yellow”, “red”, “green”, “others” in the illustrated example. “Shooting control setting” indicates setting contents related to shooting control (shooting mode according to the shooting scene). In the example shown in the drawing, if “color” is “yellow”, shooting suitable for shooting scenes (portrait shooting) If the mode is “red”, the shooting mode is suitable for the shooting scene (landscape shooting), if it is “green”, the shooting mode is suitable for the shooting scene (night view), if it is “other”, the shooting scene (normal) The shooting mode is suitable for shooting.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the digital release flag F1, the focus lock flag F2, the AE lock flag F3, and the shielding start direction determined flag F4.
FIG. 4 (1) shows a digital release flag F1, which is a flag indicating whether or not to release the shutter in response to the release of the shielding to the photographing lens 6a, that is, after the photographing lens 6a is shielded. Is a flag indicating whether or not to turn on the shutter release function (hereinafter referred to as a digital release function) at the timing of releasing the shutter, and when the value is “0”, it is used to block or release the photographing lens 6a. In response, the shutter is not released (the digital release function is turned off). When “1”, the shutter is released in response to the shielding to the photographing lens 6a and the release thereof (the digital release function is turned on). It can be arbitrarily switched by the photographer's operation.

  FIG. 4 (2) shows a focus lock flag F2. This flag F2 indicates whether the AF function is in an operable state or a non-operating state (focus lock state). “0” indicates a state where the focus is not locked, and “1” indicates a state where the focus is locked, which can be arbitrarily switched by a photographer operation. FIG. 4 (3) shows an AE lock flag F3, and this flag F3 is a flag indicating whether the AE function is in an operable state or a non-operating state (AE locked state). When “0” is “0”, it indicates a state where the AE is not locked, and when “1”, it indicates a state where the AE is locked, and can be arbitrarily switched by a photographer's operation. FIG. 4 (4) shows a shielding start direction determined flag F4. This flag F4 indicates whether or not the above-described shielding release direction has been determined. When the value is “0”, it is not determined. When the value is “1”, it has been determined.

  Next, the operation concept of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. Moreover, the operation | movement according to the above-mentioned program code transmitted via transmission media, such as a network, can also be performed sequentially. The same applies to other embodiments described later. In addition to the recording medium, an operation peculiar to the present embodiment can be executed using a program / data supplied externally via a transmission medium.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing an outline of the operation of the characteristic part of the present embodiment, out of the overall operation of the imaging apparatus that is started when the power is turned on.
First, the control unit 1 performs initial setting such as clearing a predetermined memory in response to a power-on operation (step A1 in FIG. 5), and then checks whether a shutter operation has been performed (step A2), or focus. It is checked whether the lock operation has been performed (step A10), whether the AE lock operation has been performed (step A13), or whether the shielding to the photographing lens 6a has been detected by the shielding detection unit 7 (FIG. 6). Step A16), it is checked whether other operations have been performed (Step A40 in FIG. 6).

When another operation is performed (YES in step A40), the process proceeds to a process corresponding to the operation (step A41). For example, when a shooting mode selection operation, image size selection operation, 10-second self-timer function start-up operation, zoom adjustment operation, telephoto / wide-angle switching operation, etc. are performed, the shooting mode setting corresponding to the operation is performed. Processing, image size setting processing, 10-second self-timer function activation processing, zoom adjustment processing, telephoto / wide-angle switching processing, and the like are performed.
On the other hand, when the focus lock operation is performed (YES in step A10 in FIG. 5), the current focus position is held (step A11), the focus lock flag F2 is set to “1” (step A12), and then the above-described operation. Return to step A2. When the AE lock operation is performed (YES in step A13), the current exposure value setting is retained (step A14), the AE lock flag F3 is set to “1” (step A15), and the above-described operation is performed. Return to Step A2.

  When the shutter operation is performed (YES in step A2), the digital release flag F1 is referred to and it is checked whether the value is “1” (whether the digital release function is turned on) (step A3). If the flag F1 is “1”, the process proceeds to step A2 to ignore the shutter operation, but if the digital release flag F1 is “0” (NO in step A3), it is currently set. The process proceeds to a still image shooting process based on shooting parameters (focus position, exposure value, image size, shooting mode, etc.).

  That is, if the focus lock flag F2 is “0” (NO in step A4), AF processing is performed to set the focus position (step A5), and if the AE lock flag F3 is “0” (step A5) After the exposure value is set by performing AE processing (step A7), still image shooting processing based on the setting parameters (focus position, exposure value, image size, shooting mode, etc.) is performed (step A8). ). After shooting, the focus lock flag F2 and the AE lock flag F3 are returned to “0” (step A9), and the process returns to step A2.

  On the other hand, when there is a change in the detection result of the shielding detection unit 7, that is, in a state where the focus point is moved to any one of the distance measuring points PT1 to PT5, the photographing lens 6a is shielded or released. Is detected (YES in step A16 in FIG. 6), the digital release flag F1 is referred to, and it is checked whether the value is “1” (whether the digital release function is turned on) (step A17). . If the digital release flag F1 is “0” (NO in step A17), the process returns to step A2 in FIG. 5 to invalidate the current shielding detection, but if the digital release flag F1 is “1”. If (YES in step A17), the shielding start direction determined flag F4 is referred to and it is checked whether or not the flag F4 is “1 (determined)” (step A18).

  If the shielding start direction determined flag F4 is “0” (undecided) (NO in step A18), the current detection is whether any one of the distance measuring points PT1 to PT4 at the corner is shielded. Check (step A19), if it is not the shielding detection at the corner (NO at step A19), the process proceeds to step A21 described later, but if it is the shielding detection at any corner (YES at step A19), The distance measuring point number is temporarily stored (step A20). For example, when shielding is detected with the focus point positioned at the distance measurement point PT1, “1” is stored as the distance measurement point number. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A21, where it is checked whether there are a plurality (for example, two) of distance measurement point numbers temporarily stored. If a plurality of distance measurement point numbers are not stored, the number of distance measurement point numbers is obtained. Until step A2 in FIG. 5 is returned (NO in step A21), if a plurality of distance measurement point numbers are stored (YES in step A21), the current detection is performed at distance measurement point PT5 in the center. A check is made to determine whether the detection is occlusion (step A22).

  Here, when shielding is detected at any one of the distance measuring points PT1 to PT4 (NO in step A22), the process returns to step A2 in FIG. 5 to invalidate the current shielding detection. If this is the shielding detection at the distance measuring point PT5 (YES in step A22), that is, the number of the shielding detections at the corners temporarily stored is 2, and the current shielding detection is the distance measuring point PT5 at the center. Then, since the shielding start direction can be specified, the notification unit 8 is driven to notify that the shielding start has been detected (step A23). And it moves to execution of a shielding start process (step A24).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the shielding start process (step A24 in FIG. 6) in detail.
First, the control unit 1 refers to the shielding start direction table T1 based on the combination number of each distance measuring point number at the corner stored temporarily and the distance measuring point number at the center detected this time (step B1). ) After determining the “direction” corresponding to the combination number as the blocking start direction (step B2), the shielding start control table T3 is referred to based on the “direction” (step B3), and the corresponding “imaging control setting” is set. "Image size" is acquired as (Step B4). Further, the color of the shielding object is detected by the shielding color detection unit 9 (step B5), and the shielding color control table T5 is referred to based on the color of the shielding object (step B6). The “shooting mode according to the shooting scene” is acquired (step B7).

  Then, the “shooting control setting” acquired in step B4 and step A7 described above is displayed (notified) on the display unit 5 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) (step B8). FIG. 9A shows the notification content of “shooting control setting” displayed in response to the start of shielding. For example, the user is notified that “maximum size” is set as the image size and “landscape” is set as the shooting scene. Be notified. After the “shooting control setting” is displayed in accordance with the start of shielding in this way, the screen shifts to the guidance display at the time of shielding release (step B9). In other words, in the state where the photographing lens 6a is blocked, in order to guide what “shooting control setting” should be performed in which direction when the shielding is released, It moves to the process which reads the content of the shielding cancellation | release control table T4, and displays it on the display part 5. FIG. FIG. 9 (3) shows the guidance content of “shooting control setting” displayed in response to the release of the shielding. In the figure, the four arrows indicate the direction of the shielding release. For example, if the release is upward, If set to “Normal Shooting” and released downward, it is set to “10-second self-timer”. If released to the left, it is set to “3-exposure bracket shooting” and if released to the right, A guide is displayed to indicate that “5 continuous shooting” is set.

When the shielding start process (step A24 in FIG. 6) is completed, the shielding start direction determined flag F4 is set to “1” (step A25), and the distance measurement point numbers at the corners temporarily stored are cleared. (Step A26), the process returns to Step A2 in FIG.
When there is a change in the detection result of the shielding detection unit 7 in the state where the photographing lens 6a is shielded in this way, that is, when the shielding of any of the distance measuring points PT1 to PT5 is released. (YES in step A16 in FIG. 6) On condition that the digital release flag F1 is “1” (YES in step A17), the process proceeds to the next step A18, but now the shielding start direction determined flag F4 is “ Since it is 1 ″ (already determined) (YES in step A18), it is checked whether or not the current detection of the shielding cancellation is the shielding cancellation at the distance measuring point PT5 in the center (step A27).

  If the shielding is canceled at the center (YES at step A27), the distance measuring point number “5” is temporarily stored (step A28), and then the process returns to step A2 of FIG. If the shielding is not cancelled (NO in step A27), it is checked whether or not the central distance measuring point number “5” is temporarily stored, that is, whether the shielding cancellation at the central distance measuring point PT5 has been detected. (Step A29). If the distance measuring point number “5” at the center is not temporarily stored (NO in step A29), the process returns to step A2 in FIG. 5 to invalidate the current shielding cancellation. In the state where the distance measurement point number “5” in the center is temporarily stored (YES in step A29), if the current detection is the detection of the release of shielding at the corner, the distance measurement stored temporarily It is checked whether the number of point numbers is plural (for example, two) (step A30).

  When only the distance measuring point number “5” in the center is stored (NO in step A30), the distance measuring point number in the corner where the current shielding release is detected is temporarily stored (step A31). 5), but returns to step A2 in FIG. 5. If the number of distance measurement point numbers stored in the temporary storage is plural (two) (YES in step A30), it is possible to specify the shielding release direction, so that the notification unit 8 To notify that the release of shielding has been detected (step A32). Then, the process proceeds to execution of the shielding release process (step A33).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the shielding cancellation process (step A33 in FIG. 6) in detail.
First, the control unit 1 searches the shielding release direction table T2 based on a combination number of each distance measurement point number temporarily stored and the distance measurement point number detected this time (step C1). After determining the “direction” corresponding to this combination number as the cutoff release direction (step C2), referring to the shielding release control table T4 based on this “direction” (step C3), the corresponding “imaging control setting” "Shutter control" is acquired (step C4).

  When the shielding cancellation process (step A33 in FIG. 6) is completed, if the focus lock flag F2 is “0” (NO in step A34) as another shooting control setting, an AF process for adjusting the focus point is performed. (Step A35), and if the AE lock flag F3 is “0” (NO in step A36), after performing the AE process for adjusting the exposure value (step A37), the set focus position, exposure value, Still image shooting processing based on the image size, shooting mode, and the like is performed (step A38). That is, if the AF function and the AE function are locked, the shooting operation is performed in the locked state. If the AF function and the AE function are not locked, the shooting operation is performed after performing the AF adjustment and the AE adjustment by operating the function. Make it. After shooting, the shielding start direction determined flag F4 is returned to “0” (step A39), and the process returns to step A2 in FIG.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the control unit 1 performs still image shooting through the photographing lens 6a in the imaging unit 6, the shielding of the photographing lens 6a is released after the photographing lens 6a is shielded. Since the still image shooting operation is performed at the time, the shooting operation can be controlled by shielding or releasing the shooting lens 6a, and it is possible to prevent blurring at the time of taking a picture and the imaging device toppling over. In addition, it is possible to enhance the convenience, such as easily controlling the shooting operation by an intuitive and easy-to-understand action operation by the photographer.

  Since the fact that the photographing lens 6a has been shielded is notified, it is possible to make the photographer recognize that the shutter is ready to be released.

  Since the fact that the shielding of the photographing lens 6a has been released is notified, it is possible to make the photographer recognize that the shutter has been released.

  If the AF function and the AE function are locked when the photographing lens 6a is shielded, the photographing operation is performed in the locked state. If not, the function is activated to perform AF adjustment and AE adjustment. Since the still image shooting operation is performed in the performed state, focus adjustment and exposure adjustment can be performed as intended by the photographer.

  Whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded is detected based on whether or not a shielding object is present within a predetermined distance with reference to the central portion of the photographing lens 6a, and the end portion of the photographing lens 6a is detected. As a reference, it is detected whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens 6a is released based on whether or not the shielding object is present within a predetermined distance. There is no need to mount a process, and it is possible to detect shielding and its release with a simple process.

  Based on the shielding start direction of the direction from which the photographing lens 6a is shielded, the setting content related to the photographing control set in advance is changed to perform the photographing operation. Shooting control settings (image size) can be changed.

  Since the timing of performing the photographing operation is controlled based on the direction in which the photographing lens 6a has been unshielded, the timing for performing the photographing operation is controlled by simple action operations such as normal photographing and self-timer photographing. Switching is possible.

  When the photographing lens 6a is shielded, the photographing operation is performed by changing the preset setting related to the photographing control based on the color of the shielding object, so that the photographing control is performed by a simple action operation. Setting (shooting mode according to the shooting scene) can be changed.

  Since the auto-focus function is used to determine whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded or unshielded, it is possible to determine whether the photographing lens 6a is shielded or released without adding a special processing device. Cost increase and size increase can be suppressed.

  Since the setting contents regarding the shooting control are notified after the shooting lens 6a is shielded, the user can easily know what shooting control has been performed. In this case, the content of the imaging control can be displayed instead of the meaningless display where the imaging lens 6a is shielded.

  Since the timing for starting the still image shooting operation is displayed based on the direction from which the shielding is released after the photographing lens 6a is shielded, the direction for the user is determined. When the shield is released, it is possible to easily know at what timing shooting is started. In this case, the shooting start timing can be displayed instead of the meaningless display in which the shooting lens 6a is shielded.

  In the first embodiment described above, the shielding start control table T3 stores “image size” at the time of photographing as “imaging control setting” corresponding to the shielding start direction as shown in FIG. 3 (3). Thus, the image size is changed in accordance with the shielding start direction. However, the “shooting control setting” in the shielding start control table T3 is not limited to “image size”, and is arbitrary and is “shutter control”. Also good.

  FIG. 10A illustrates the case where “shutter control” is stored as “imaging control setting” in the shielding start control table T3. In the illustrated example, if “direction” is “from the top”, Normal shooting (immediate shooting), “from bottom”, 10-second self-timer shooting that releases the shutter 10 seconds after the shutter operation, and “from right”, high-speed continuous shooting (continuous shooting) for 5 seconds If it is a continuous shooting for 5 seconds and “from the left”, it is a three-exposure bracket shooting in which an appropriate exposure value and exposure values before and after the appropriate exposure value are taken. In this way, if the timing for starting the shooting operation is controlled based on the shielding start direction from which direction the shooting lens 6a is shielded, for example, normal shooting and self-timer shooting can be performed by a simple action operation. Etc. can be switched.

9B is a screen example in which “shutter control” is used instead of “image size” in FIG. 9A as the screen displayed in step B8 of FIG. When the start direction is from the right, “5 continuous shooting” is notified (displayed) as “shooting control setting”.
If the timing for starting the still image shooting operation is notified after the shooting lens 6a is thus shielded, the user can start shooting at any timing from which direction the shielding starts. You can easily know when it will start. In this case, the shooting start timing can be displayed instead of the meaningless display in which the shooting lens 6a is shielded.

  In the first embodiment described above, the shielding cancellation control table T4 stores “shutter control” as “imaging control setting” corresponding to the shielding cancellation direction as shown in FIG. The shutter control is changed accordingly, but the “shooting control setting” in the shielding release control table T4 is not limited to “shutter control”, and may be “image size”.

FIG. 9 (2) illustrates a case where “image size” is stored as “shooting control setting” in the shielding release control table T4. In the illustrated example, the image size to be shot for each application is shown. If “Direction” is “from top”, normal size; if “From bottom”, maximum size “from right” is wide size; if “from left”, image size is mail size It has become. As described above, the shooting operation is started by changing the setting content related to the shooting control that is set in advance based on the direction from which the shielding is released from which direction the shooting lens 6a is released. The shooting control setting (image size) can be changed by an action operation.

FIG. 9 (4) shows a screen example in which “image size” is used instead of “shutter control” in FIG. 9 (3) as the screen displayed in step B9 in FIG. In association with the release direction, “image size” is guided and displayed as “shooting control setting”.
In this way, after the photographing lens 6a is shielded, the setting content related to photographing control is guided based on the shielding release direction of which direction the shielding is released. The user can easily know in what direction the shooting control is performed when the shielding is released. In this case, the content of the imaging control can be displayed instead of the meaningless display where the imaging lens 6a is shielded.

  In the first embodiment described above, in the state in which the shielding to the photographing lens 6a is detected, when the release of the shielding is detected, control is performed so that the shutter is immediately released. Control may be performed so that the shutter is released one second or two seconds after the detection.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment described above, the timing at which the photographing operation is started is controlled based on the direction in which the shielding of the photographing lens 6a is released from the shielding release direction. In the embodiment, the time during which the photographing lens 6a is shielded is measured, and the timing for starting the photographing operation is controlled according to the shielding time.
Here, in both the embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the second embodiment. .

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 1 starts the timer operation when detecting the start of shielding to the photographing lens 6a, and stops the timer operation when the release of the shielding is detected. Is obtained as a shielding time, and based on this shielding time, “shielding control setting” corresponding to the shielding time is acquired by referring to the shielding cancellation control table T4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the shielding release control table T4 according to the second embodiment.
The shielding cancellation control table T4 is configured to store “imaging control setting” corresponding to “shielding time” from shielding start to shielding cancellation. This “shooting control setting” indicates the setting contents related to shooting control (shutter control). In the example shown in the figure, if “shielding time” is “0 to 2 seconds”, immediate shooting is performed, and “2 to 10 seconds”. If there is, the self-timer shooting for releasing the shutter after the shielding time has elapsed, and the self-timer shooting for releasing the shutter after 10 seconds if “10 seconds or more”.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart instead of FIG. 6, that is, a flowchart following FIG. 5, and the operation shown in FIG. 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
First, when there is a change in the detection result of the shielding detection unit 7, that is, when the focus point is moved to any one of the distance measuring points PT1 to PT5, the control unit 1 shields the photographing lens 6a. Alternatively, when the release of shielding is detected (YES in step A100 in FIG. 12), the digital release flag F1 is referred to and it is checked whether the value is “1” (whether the digital release function is turned on) (step A101). If the digital release flag F1 is “0” (NO in step A101), the process returns to step A2 in FIG. 5 to invalidate the current detection, but if the digital release flag F1 is “1” ( If YES in step A101), it is checked whether or not shielding detection is performed at the distance measuring point PT5 in the center (step A102).

  Here, if the shielding is detected at the center (YES in step A102), it is determined that the shielding is started and the timer measurement operation is started (step A103), and then the process returns to step A2 in FIG. If the shielding is not detected at the center (NO in step A102), it is determined whether the timer is being measured (whether being shielded) (step A104). If the timer is not being measured (NO in step A104). 5), in order to invalidate the current detection, the process returns to step A2 in FIG. 5. However, if the timer is being measured (YES in step A104), it is checked whether or not all the distance measurement points PT1 to PT5 have been shielded. (Step A105). Here, if any one is being shielded (NO in step A105), the process returns to step A2 in FIG. 5 to continue the timer measurement operation, but when all shielding is released (YES in step A105). Then, the timer measurement operation is stopped (step A106).

  Then, after acquiring the measurement time of this timer as the shielding time from the shielding start to the shielding cancellation (step A107), the shielding cancellation control table T4 is referred to based on the shielding time (step A108). Thus, after acquiring “shutter control” as “shooting control setting” corresponding to the shielding time (step A109), a still image shooting process based on the set shutter control and the like is performed (step A110). Then, it returns to step A2 of FIG. If there is no change in the detection result of the shielding detection unit 7 (NO in step A100), it is checked whether other operations have been performed (step A112). When other operations have been performed (YES in step A112), Similar to the first embodiment described above, the process proceeds to a process corresponding to the operation (step A113).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the shielding time from when the photographing lens 6a is shielded until the shielding is released is measured, and the timing for starting the photographing operation is controlled based on the shielding time. Thus, for example, the time of the self-timer can be controlled by a simple operation, and it becomes possible to take a picture at a timing intended by the photographer.

  When the shielding time is within the predetermined time, the still image shooting operation is started immediately when the shielding is released, and when the shielding time is exceeded, when the shielding time elapses after the shielding is released Since the image shooting operation is started, self-timer shooting according to the shielding time becomes possible.

  Since the auto-focus function is used to determine whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded or unshielded, it is possible to determine whether the photographing lens 6a is shielded or released without adding a special processing device. Cost increase and size increase can be suppressed.

  In the second embodiment described above, it may be notified that the photographing lens 6a is shielded or that the shielding is released. In this case, this can be realized by inserting a shielding notification process subsequent to step A102 in FIG. 12 and inserting a shielding cancellation notification process subsequent to step A105. Also in the second embodiment, focus lock control and AE control may be performed. In this case, following step A109 in FIG. 12, if the focus lock flag F2 is “0”, AF processing for adjusting the focus point is performed, and if the AE lock flag F3 is “0”, the exposure value is adjusted. It is sufficient to perform AE processing for adjusting.

(Embodiment 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the shutter release timing is controlled in response to the shielding to the photographing lens 6a and the release thereof in place of the shotter operation. In the third embodiment, the shottater is controlled. The timing at which the shutter is released is controlled according to whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded when an operation is performed.
Here, in the first and third embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the third embodiment. It shall be.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the operation of the characteristic part of the third embodiment among the overall operations of the imaging apparatus that are started in response to power-on in the third embodiment.
First, the control unit 1 performs an initial setting such as clearing a predetermined memory in response to a power-on operation (step D1 in FIG. 13), checks whether a shutter operation has been performed (step D2), and others. Is checked (step D7). When another operation is performed (YES in step D7), the process proceeds to a process corresponding to the operation (step D8), as in the first embodiment described above.

  Now, when the shutter operation is performed (YES in step D2), the digital release flag F1 is referred to, and it is checked whether the value is “1” (whether the digital release function is turned on) (step D3). If the digital release flag F1 is “0” (NO in step D32), still image shooting processing based on the set focus position, exposure value, image size, shooting mode, etc. is performed (step D6).

  If the digital release flag F1 is “1” (YES in step D3), it is checked whether any of the distance measurement points PT1 to PT5 is blocked (step D4), and the shutter is operated. If none of them is blocked (NO in step D4), a still image shooting operation is performed in response to the shutter operation (step D6). If any of them is blocked (YES in step D4), all of them are taken. It is checked whether or not the shielding has been released (step D5). If any one of the shielding is in progress (NO in step D5), a standby state is entered until all of the shielding is released. Now, on the condition that all shielding is released (YES in step D5), a still image shooting operation is performed (step D6).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, if the photographing lens 6a is shielded during the shutter operation, the photographing operation is suspended, and the photographing operation is performed when the shielding is released. Even without performing an operation such as changing the operation mode, the shutter can be released by a simple action operation of releasing the shielding on the photographing lens 6a.

  Since the auto-focus function is used to determine whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded or unshielded, it is possible to determine whether the photographing lens 6a is shielded or released without adding a special processing device. Cost increase and size increase can be suppressed.

  In the third embodiment described above, it may be notified that the photographing lens 6a is shielded or that the shielding is released. In this case, this can be realized by inserting a shielding notification process after step D4 in FIG. 13 and inserting a shielding cancellation notification process after step D5. Also in the third embodiment, focus lock control and AE control may be performed. In this case, following step D5 in FIG. 13, if the focus lock flag F2 is “0”, AF processing for adjusting the focus point is performed, and if the AE lock flag F3 is “0”, the exposure value is set. It is sufficient to perform AE processing for adjusting. Further, as shown in the first embodiment, the shielding start direction and the shielding release direction may be detected, and control according to the directions may be performed in the third embodiment. In this case, it can be realized by inserting a control process corresponding to the direction following step D5 in FIG.

(Embodiment 4)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the case where still image shooting is performed is illustrated, but in the fourth embodiment, the case where moving image shooting is performed is illustrated. Here, in the first and fourth embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the fourth embodiment. It shall be.
In the fourth embodiment, the moving image shooting operation is stopped while the photographing lens 6a is shielded by a palm or the like, and the moving image shooting operation is controlled to be started while the shielding is released. Is.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the characteristic part of the fourth embodiment out of the overall operation of the imaging apparatus that is started in response to power-on in the fourth embodiment.
First, after performing initial setting such as clearing a predetermined memory in response to a power-on operation (step E1 in FIG. 14), the control unit 1 checks whether a start operation for instructing the start of moving image shooting has been performed. (Step E2), whether or not an end operation for instructing the end of moving image shooting has been performed (step E7), whether or not moving image shooting is in progress (step E9), or whether moving image shooting is paused (Step E13), or whether other operations have been performed (step E16). If another operation is performed (YES in step E16), for example, a zoom adjustment operation is performed as a process corresponding to the operation (step E17).

  Now, when the moving image shooting start operation is performed (YES in step E2), the digital release flag F1 is referred to, and it is checked whether the value is “1” (whether the digital release function is turned on) (step E3). If the digital release flag F1 is “0” (NO in step E3), the moving image shooting operation is started based on the set focus position, exposure value, image size, shooting mode, and the like (step E6). If the digital release flag F1 is “1” (YES in step E3), it is checked whether any distance measuring point among the distance measuring points PT1 to PT5 is blocked (step E4). If not (NO in step E4), the moving image shooting operation is started (step E6). If any one is blocked (YES in step E4), all the distance measurement points PT1 to PT5 are blocked. It is checked whether it has been released (step E5). If any one of them is being shielded, all of them are in a standby state until the release of the shielding is detected. Now, when all of them detect the release of shielding (YES in step E5), the moving image shooting operation is started (step E6).

  After starting the moving image shooting operation in this manner, since it is detected that the moving image is being shot in the above-described step E9, the process proceeds to the next step E10 to check whether any distance measuring point is blocked. If neither is blocked (NO in step E10), the process returns to step E2 in order to continue the moving image shooting operation. If either one is shielded (YES in step E10), the digital release flag F1 is referred to, and it is checked whether the value is “1” (step E11), and the digital release flag F1 is “0”. If there is (NO in step E11), the process proceeds to step E2 to continue the moving image shooting operation as it is, but if “1” (YES in step E11), the moving image shooting operation is temporarily stopped (step E12). Then, the process returns to step E2.

After the moving image shooting operation is paused in this way, since it is detected that it is stopped in the above-described step E13 (YES in step E13), the process proceeds to the next step E14 and each distance measurement point PT1 to PT1. It is checked whether or not all the shields of PT5 are released. If any one of them is being shielded, all of them are in a standby state until the release of the shield is detected, but when all the shields are released ( After resuming the moving image shooting operation (step E15), the process returns to the above-described step E2. When resuming shooting, the video is returned to the location where the start of the shielding is recognized so that the shielding object is not photographed. That is, if the photographing lens 6a is shielded during moving image photographing, the shielding object is reflected until the photographing is temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the subsequent photographing is resumed, the shielding object is reflected at the photographing recording position. I'm going to do overwrite shooting back to the part.
Next, when the moving image shooting end operation is performed (YES in step E7), after moving image shooting end processing is performed (step E8), the process returns to step E2.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the moving image shooting operation is stopped while the photographing lens 6a is shielded, and the moving image photographing operation is performed while the shielding to the photographing lens 6a is released. Therefore, even during video shooting, it is possible to prevent camera shake and toppling of the imaging device, and to intuitively understand that the shooting operation is continued only while the shielding to the shooting lens 6a is released. It is possible to control moving image shooting with easy operation.

  Since the start of the moving image shooting operation is suspended while the shooting lens 6a is shielded during the moving image shooting start operation, and the shooting operation is performed when the shielding is released, for example, the operation mode is changed. Even if the operation is not performed, the moving image shooting can be started by a simple action operation of releasing the shielding on the photographing lens 6a.

  Since the auto-focus function is used to determine whether or not the photographing lens 6a is shielded or unshielded, it is possible to determine whether the photographing lens 6a is shielded or released without adding a special processing device. Cost increase and size increase can be suppressed.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, it may be notified that the photographing lens 6a is shielded or that the shielding is released. In this case, this can be realized by inserting a shielding notification process following step E4 of FIG. 14 and inserting a shielding cancellation notification process subsequent to step E5.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the shielding detection unit 7 measures the distance to the subject at each of the distance measurement points PT1 to PT5, and determines whether or not the measurement distance is within a predetermined distance (for example, within 10 cm). Based on this, the presence or absence of shielding at the point is detected. However, the distance within the predetermined distance is arbitrary, and may be arbitrarily set by a photographer's operation.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the contrast detection AF function is also used as the shielding detection unit 7. However, as described above, the phase difference detection method and the active method may be employed. When the active method is adopted, the focus point is changed to the focus point PT1 in the upper left corner, the distance measurement point PT2 in the lower left corner, the distance measurement point PT3 in the lower right corner, and the upper right corner The distance measurement point PT4 is sequentially moved, and then moved to the distance measurement point PT5 in the center, and then returned to the first position, that is, the distance measurement point PT1 in the upper left corner. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the AF function is also used as the shielding detection unit 7, but a dedicated shielding detection unit 7 may be provided. Moreover, you may make it provide the dedicated shielding detection part 7 in the position corresponded to each ranging point PT1-PT5 separately.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera as an imaging device has been described. However, any device such as a mobile phone with a camera function, a personal computer, a PDA, a music player, or a multifunction device thereof may be used. Good.

  The “apparatus” and “machine” shown in each of the above-described embodiments may be separated into a plurality of cases by function, and are not limited to a single case. In addition, each step described in the above-described flowchart is not limited to time-series processing, and a plurality of steps may be processed in parallel or separately.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 3 Memory | storage part 4 Operation part 6 Imaging part 6a Shooting lens 7 Shielding detection part 8 Notification part 9 Shielding color detection part F1 Digital release flag F2 Focus lock flag F3 AE lock flag F4 Shielding start direction determined flag T1 Shielding start direction Table T2 Shield release direction table T3 Shield start control table T4 Shield release control table T5 Shield color control table

Claims (23)

An imaging device for taking a still image through a taking lens,
Shielding determining means for determining whether or not the photographing lens is shielded;
After determining that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determining means, a release determining means for determining whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens is released,
Shooting control means for starting a still image shooting operation when it is determined by the release determination means that the shielding to the shooting lens has been released;
An imaging apparatus comprising: When it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determination means, the information further includes a notification means for notifying that effect.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. When it is determined that the shielding of the photographing lens has been released by the release determination unit, the notification unit further notifies the fact.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. A lock determining means for determining whether at least one of the focus adjustment function and the exposure adjustment function is in a function lock state;
When the lock determining unit determines that the function is locked, the shooting control unit starts the shooting operation in the function locked state, and when it is determined that the function is not locked, the shooting control unit performs the function. Start still image shooting operation in the activated state.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The shielding determining means determines whether or not the photographing lens is shielded based on whether or not a shielding object exists within a predetermined distance with reference to a central portion of the photographing lens,
The release determining means determines whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens has been released based on whether or not a shielding object is present within a predetermined distance with reference to an end portion of the photographing lens.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The shielding determination unit further determines a shielding start direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is started,
The photographing control means further controls the timing for starting the still image photographing operation based on the shielding start direction of the photographing lens determined by the shielding determination means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. After it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determination unit, a timing for starting a still image photographing operation controlled by the photographing control unit based on a shielding start direction from which direction the shielding is started is notified. Further comprising notification means for
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, which is configured as described above. The shielding determination unit further determines a shielding start direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is started,
The photographing control means changes a preset setting related to the photographing control based on the shielding start direction of the photographing lens determined by the shielding determination means, and starts a still image photographing operation.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The release determining means further determines a shielding release direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is released,
The photographing control means further controls timing for starting a still image photographing operation based on the shielding release direction of the photographing lens determined by the shielding determination means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. After it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determining means, the timing for starting the still image photographing operation controlled by the photographing control means based on the shielding release direction from which direction the shielding is released is guided. Further comprising guiding means for
The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, which is configured as described above. The release determining means further determines a shielding release direction from which direction the shielding of the photographing lens is released,
The photographing control means changes a setting content related to photographing control set in advance based on the shielding release direction of the photographing lens determined by the shielding determination means, and starts a still image photographing operation.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. Guidance means for guiding setting contents related to photographing control controlled by the photographing control means based on a shielding release direction from which direction the shielding is released after it is judged that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding judgment means. Further comprising
The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, which is configured as described above. The shielding determining means further determines the color of the shielding object when the photographing lens is shielded,
The photographing control means changes a setting content related to photographing control set in advance based on the color of the shielding object determined by the shielding determination means, and starts a still image photographing operation.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. And a notification means for notifying a setting content related to the imaging control controlled by the imaging control means after it is determined that the imaging lens is shielded by the shielding determination means.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured as described above. The release determining means further determines a shielding time from when the photographing lens is shielded until the shielding is released,
The photographing control means further controls the timing for starting the still image photographing operation based on the shielding time determined by the shielding determination means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. When the shielding time determined by the shielding determining means is within a predetermined time, the photographing control means immediately starts a still image photographing operation when it is determined that the shielding is released by the release determining means, If the predetermined time is exceeded, a still image shooting operation is started when the shielding time has elapsed since the shielding was released.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 15, which is configured as described above. It further comprises operation means for performing a shooting start operation instructing the start of still image shooting,
The shielding determination means determines whether or not the photographing lens is shielded at the time of the photographing start operation by the operation means,
The photographing control means suspends the start of a still image photographing operation when it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determining means during a photographing start operation by the operating means, and the photographing lens is suspended by the release determining means. When it is determined that the shield is released, the still image shooting operation is started.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The shielding determination means and the release determination means determine whether the photographing lens is shielded or unshielded using an autofocus function,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured as described above. An imaging device that takes a moving image through a taking lens,
Shielding determining means for determining whether or not the photographing lens is shielded;
After determining that the photographing lens is shielded by the shielding determining means, a release determining means for determining whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens is released,
While it is determined that the photographic lens is shielded by the shielding determining means, the moving image shooting operation is stopped, and while it is determined that the shielding to the photographic lens is released by the release determining means, moving image shooting is performed. Photographing control means for starting operation;
An imaging apparatus comprising: It further comprises an operation means for performing a shooting operation for instructing video shooting,
The shielding determining means determines whether or not the photographing lens is shielded during the photographing operation by the operation means,
The shooting control means suspends the start of the moving image shooting operation while it is determined that the shooting lens is shielded by the shielding determination means during the shooting operation by the operation means, and the release determination means applies the shooting lens to the shooting lens. While it is determined that the shielding has been released, the video shooting operation is started.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 19, which is configured as described above. The shielding determination means and the release determination means determine whether the photographing lens is shielded or unshielded using an autofocus function,
21. The imaging apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured as described above. Against the computer,
A function for determining whether the taking lens is shielded;
A function of determining whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens is released after it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded;
A function to start a still image shooting operation when it is determined that the shielding to the shooting lens has been released;
A program to realize Against the computer,
A function for determining whether the taking lens is shielded;
A function of determining whether or not the shielding to the photographing lens is released after it is determined that the photographing lens is shielded;
A function of stopping the moving image shooting operation while it is determined that the shooting lens is shielded, and starting a moving image shooting operation while it is determined that the shielding to the shooting lens is released;
A program to realize

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