JP2011137916A - Imaging apparatus, fault detection method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily detect a defect of an internal component such as a diaphragm. <P>SOLUTION: After starting defect detection processing, the diaphragm 12 is driven to intercept light taken in by a lens 11. Brightness of an image obtained based on output from an imaging device 13 after the diaphragm 12 is driven is detected. Based on the detected brightness, it is determined whether the diaphragm 12 breaks down. When the brightness of the image is 0 (pitch-dark), it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is driven normally, and when predetermined light quantity of a value other than 0 is detected, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 breaks down. The invention is applied to an imaging apparatus such as a digital video camera and a digital still camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device, a failure detection method, and a program, and more particularly, to an imaging device, a failure detection method, and a program that can easily detect a failure of an internal component such as an aperture.

  Conventionally, in order to detect a failure of mechanically driven parts such as an aperture, a mechanical shutter, and a mirror provided in a digital video camera or a digital still camera, a failure detection sensor for monitoring the driving state is required.

  A sensor for detecting a failure is expensive and is not mounted on many image pickup apparatuses. Therefore, a failure detection such as a diaphragm is not often performed. The reason why the failure detection sensor is not installed is not only a problem of cost but also a negative effect of the downsizing design of the set.

  Therefore, various techniques for detecting a failure without mounting a dedicated sensor have been proposed (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2005-143083 A JP-A-8-240833 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-122569

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the function of exposure control by controlling the shutter speed. Of course, depending on this technique, only an abnormality in the function of exposure control is determined. I can't. Since the shutter speed control is performed electrically, abnormalities are unlikely to occur, and the need to detect these abnormalities is to detect abnormalities such as diaphragms that are mechanically driven parts that are prone to failure and abnormalities. Small compared to the need to do.

  As described in Patent Document 1, if the shutter speed is changed during imaging or standby for abnormality detection, a change occurs in the captured image of the subject. It is not appropriate to do it during or on standby. Furthermore, since it is assumed that the brightness of the subject during abnormality detection is constant, erroneous detection may occur when the brightness of the subject changes greatly.

  Patent Document 2 describes a technique for determining whether there is an abnormality in the function of exposure control by adjusting the aperture and shutter speed and increasing / decreasing the exposure amount. It is not realistic to make a proper adjustment. For example, since the captured image changes by adjusting the aperture and shutter speed, if the user does not know that the abnormality is being detected, the user thinks that the imaging device has failed. End up. Further, there is a possibility that erroneous detection occurs when the luminance of the subject changes.

  Patent Document 3 describes a technique for detecting a failure of a movable barrier for lens protection from the brightness of a captured image, but the barrier is usually attached to the front of the camera body, and the user It can be judged visually whether it is a failure or not. The technique described in Patent Document 3 does not detect a failure of an internal component such as a diaphragm.

  As described above, there is no conventional technique for detecting a failure of an internal component such as a diaphragm without mounting a failure detection sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily detect a failure of an internal component such as a diaphragm.

  An imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lens that captures light from a subject, an image sensor that photoelectrically converts light captured by the lens, and an image obtained based on a signal output from the image sensor. Based on the brightness of the image detected by the detecting means for detecting the brightness and the image detected by the detecting means, the image sensor is irradiated with light that is provided between the lens and the image sensor. Control means for determining whether or not the component that adjusts is normally driven.

  When the component is an aperture or a mechanical shutter, the control means has a value representing the brightness of the image obtained based on a signal output from the image sensor after being driven to close the aperture or the mechanical shutter. When the value is other than 0, it can be determined that the component is not normally driven.

  When the component is a quick return mirror that adjusts whether the light captured by the lens is guided to the finder or the image sensor, the control unit guides the light captured by the lens to the finder. When the value representing the brightness of the image obtained based on the signal output from the image sensor after driving the quick return mirror is a value other than 0, the component is normally driven. It can be judged that there is not.

  When it is determined that the component is not normally driven, display means for displaying information indicating that the component is not normally driven can be further provided.

  The control means can determine that the component is not normally driven when a value representing the brightness of the image is higher than a threshold value set as a value corresponding to a characteristic of the image sensor.

  The failure detection method according to one aspect of the present invention detects brightness of an image obtained based on a signal output from an image sensor that photoelectrically converts light from a subject captured by a lens, and detects the detected image. Determining whether or not a component provided between the lens and the image sensor and adjusting the irradiation of light captured by the lens to the image sensor is normally driven based on brightness. .

  A program according to one aspect of the present invention detects brightness of an image obtained based on a signal output from an image sensor that photoelectrically converts light from a subject captured by a lens, and the detected brightness of the image. And a process including a step of determining whether or not a component provided between the lens and the image sensor and adjusting the irradiation of the light captured by the lens to the image sensor is normally driven. Let the computer run.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the brightness of an image obtained based on a signal output from an image sensor that photoelectrically converts light from a subject captured by a lens is detected, and the detected brightness of the image is detected. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not a component that is provided between the lens and the image sensor and adjusts irradiation of the light captured by the lens to the image sensor is normally driven.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily detect a failure of an internal component such as a diaphragm.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of an imaging device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for describing failure detection processing of the imaging apparatus in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another failure detection process of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1. 12 is a flowchart for explaining still another failure detection process of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for describing failure detection processing of the imaging apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the imaging device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 7 is a flowchart for explaining failure detection processing of the imaging apparatus in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart for describing another failure detection process of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 6. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a computer.

<First Embodiment>
[Configuration example of imaging device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging device 1 is, for example, a digital video camera having a still image imaging function and a moving image imaging function. In the imaging apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not the diaphragm 12 provided in the imaging apparatus 1 is normally driven based on the brightness of the image captured by the imaging element 13.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 includes a lens 11 that is a configuration of an optical system, a diaphragm 12, an imaging device 13, and a signal processing unit 1A that is configured to perform signal processing.

  The amount of light from the subject condensed by the lens 11 is adjusted by the diaphragm 12 and irradiates the imaging surface of the imaging element 13. The diaphragm 12 is provided on a position between the lens 11 and the image sensor 13 on the optical path, and is a component that adjusts irradiation of the light captured by the lens 11 to the image sensor 13. The same applies to a mechanical shutter and a quick return mirror described later.

  The imaging device 13 is a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The image sensor 13 performs photoelectric conversion according to a timing signal output from a TG (timing generator) 22 and outputs an image signal that is a signal representing an optical image formed on the image pickup surface.

  That is, the image sensor 13 is configured by arranging pixels in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel is provided with a photodiode (photogate), a transfer gate (shutter transistor), a switching transistor (address transistor), an amplification transistor, and a reset transistor (reset gate). The imaging device 13 is provided with a vertical scanning circuit, a horizontal scanning circuit, and a video signal output circuit for driving the pixels, and signals obtained by photoelectric conversion are output from each pixel in the order of raster scanning. The image sensor 13 is also provided with a complementary color or primary color filter in each pixel, thereby outputting an image signal that is a complementary or primary color signal.

  The analog signal processing unit 14 performs correlated double sampling of the imaging signal supplied from the imaging device 13 and then corrects and outputs the signal level as an automatic gain control function.

  The A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion unit 15 performs A / D conversion processing on the signal supplied from the analog signal processing unit 14 and outputs image data.

  The digital signal processing unit 16 is configured by, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and performs various processes such as white balance adjustment, gamma adjustment, and compression processing on the image data supplied from the A / D conversion unit 15. .

  The digital signal processing unit 16 outputs the image data subjected to white balance adjustment and gamma adjustment to an image display unit 17 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) to display an image. Further, the digital signal processing unit 16 stores compressed data obtained by performing compression processing on image data subjected to white balance adjustment and gamma adjustment as an image storage composed of a flash memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a memory card, and the like. Store in the unit 18.

  Further, the digital signal processing unit 16 displays information other than the captured image on the image display unit 17 according to control by the system controller 19. For example, when a failure of the diaphragm 12 is detected by the system controller 19, the digital signal processing unit 16 causes the image display unit 17 to display information such as a message notifying the user of this.

  The digital signal processing unit 16 is provided with a brightness detection unit 31. The brightness detection unit 31 detects the brightness of an image that has been subjected to, for example, white balance adjustment and gamma adjustment, and outputs brightness information that is information representing the detected brightness to the system controller 19. For example, the sum of the luminance values of each pixel constituting one frame is obtained and output as brightness information.

  The system controller 19 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The system controller 19 executes a program stored in the ROM and controls the overall operation of the imaging apparatus 1.

  For example, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the diaphragm 12 has failed based on the brightness information supplied from the brightness detection unit 31. As will be described in detail later, when a predetermined brightness is detected by the brightness detection unit 31 in spite of driving the diaphragm 12 so as to block the light transmitted through the lens 11, the diaphragm 12 The system controller 19 determines that a failure has occurred.

  The operation unit 20 includes a power switch, a shutter button, a zoom button, a determination button, and the like, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the user to the system controller 19 when operated by the user.

  The lens driver 21 drives the actuator according to control by the system controller 19 to adjust the magnification of the lens 11 that is a zoom lens and the opening / closing of the diaphragm 12 (the diaphragm blades of the diaphragm 12). The lens driver 21 closes the aperture 12 for a predetermined time when the shutter button is pressed by the user when the mode for capturing a still image is selected as the imaging mode. To function as.

  The TG 22 outputs a timing signal to the image sensor 13 according to control by the system controller 19. The exposure time (electronic shutter speed) of the image sensor 13 and the like are controlled by the timing signal output from the TG 22.

[Operation Example 1 of Imaging Device]
With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2, processing of the imaging apparatus 1 that detects a failure of the diaphragm 12 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 2, the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 after being driven to close the diaphragm 12 is detected. When the predetermined brightness is detected, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is broken.

  The process in FIG. 2 is started immediately after the power switch of the imaging apparatus 1 is operated and the power is turned on, for example. Immediately after the power is turned on, the diaphragm 12 is not necessarily in a unique state, and may be in an open state so as to have an opening of an arbitrary size due to vibration or impact while the power is off.

  In step S1, the system controller 19 controls the TG 22 to fix the shutter speed (electronic shutter speed), and also controls the analog signal processing unit 14 to fix the gain control amount used for level correction. Thereby, the change in the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the imaging device 13 is due to the change in the aperture 12 or the change in the brightness of the subject.

  In step S <b> 2, the system controller 19 instructs the lens driver 21 to drive the diaphragm 12 so that the light from the lens 11 can be blocked. In response to a signal representing the contents of this instruction being supplied from the system controller 19, the lens driver 21 closes the aperture 12 and initializes it.

  After the diaphragm 12 is driven to close, the image sensor 13 performs photoelectric conversion, the analog signal processing unit 14 performs analog signal processing on the image signal that is the result of the photoelectric conversion, and A / D conversion is performed. A / D conversion is performed by the unit 15. Image data obtained by the A / D conversion is supplied to the digital signal processing unit 16 and subjected to digital signal processing such as white balance adjustment.

  In step S <b> 3, the brightness detection unit 31 detects the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 after the driving of the diaphragm 12 is finished, and outputs the brightness information to the system controller 19.

  In step S <b> 4, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the diaphragm 12 has failed based on the brightness of the image after the driving of the diaphragm 12 is completed. Since an instruction is given to block the light in step S2, when the diaphragm 12 is driven normally, the brightness value detected by the brightness detection unit 31 becomes 0 (becomes completely dark).

  When the brightness information supplied from the brightness detection unit 31 indicates that the brightness of the image is 0, the system controller 19 determines that the diaphragm 12 is driven normally, and other than 0. If the predetermined amount of light is represented, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 has failed.

  If it is determined that the diaphragm 12 has failed, in step S5, the system controller 19 controls the digital signal processing unit 16, and the image display unit 17 provides information notifying the user that the diaphragm 12 has failed. To display. Notification that the diaphragm 12 is broken may be made by outputting sound from a speaker (not shown) or by displaying a predetermined image on a finder (not shown). It may be. After notification that the diaphragm 12 is broken, the process ends.

[Operation Example 2 of Imaging Device]
With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, another process of the imaging device 1 that detects a failure of the diaphragm 12 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 3, the brightness of a plurality of images obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 while the diaphragm 12 is driven so as to block light is detected. If the brightness does not change as expected, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is broken.

  3 is also started immediately after the power switch of the imaging apparatus 1 is operated and the power is turned on, for example. Immediately after the power is turned on, the diaphragm 12 is not necessarily in a unique state, and may be in an open state so as to have an opening of an arbitrary size due to vibration or impact while the power is off.

  In step S11, the system controller 19 controls the TG 22 to fix the shutter speed, and also controls the analog signal processing unit 14 to fix the gain control amount used for level correction.

  In step S <b> 12, the system controller 19 instructs the lens driver 21 to drive the diaphragm 12 so that the light from the lens 11 can be blocked. In response to a signal representing the contents of this instruction being supplied from the system controller 19, the lens driver 21 closes the aperture 12 and initializes it.

  Until the aperture 12 is closed, the image sensor 13 performs photoelectric conversion, the analog signal processing unit 14 performs analog signal processing on the image pickup signal as a result of the photoelectric conversion, and the A / D conversion unit 15 A / D conversion is performed. Image data obtained by the A / D conversion is supplied to the digital signal processing unit 16 and subjected to digital signal processing such as white balance adjustment.

  In step S <b> 13, the brightness detection unit 31 detects the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 while the diaphragm 12 is being driven to be closed, and the brightness information is obtained from the system controller. 19 output.

  In step S <b> 14, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the diaphragm 12 has failed based on a change in image brightness while the diaphragm 12 is being driven. For example, when the light amount detected by the brightness detection unit 31 is relatively decreased as the diaphragm 12 is closed, the system controller 19 determines that the diaphragm 12 is normally driven, and the light amount is relatively If it does not decrease, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 has failed.

  If it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is broken, in step S15, the system controller 19 controls the digital signal processing unit 16, and the image display unit 17 provides information notifying the user that the diaphragm 12 is broken. To display. After notification that the diaphragm 12 is broken, the process ends.

[Operation Example 3 of Imaging Device]
With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, still another process of the imaging apparatus 1 that detects a failure of the diaphragm 12 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 4, the brightness of a plurality of images obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 while the diaphragm 12 is closed and then driven to open to the standby state. Is detected. If the brightness does not change as expected, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is broken. During standby, the diaphragm 12 is in an open state (an imaging state) with an opening of a predetermined size so that imaging can be started.

  The processing in FIG. 4 is also started immediately after the power switch of the imaging apparatus 1 is operated and the power is turned on, for example. Immediately after the power is turned on, the diaphragm 12 is not necessarily in a unique state, and may be in an open state so as to have an opening of an arbitrary size due to vibration or impact while the power is off.

  In step S21, the system controller 19 controls the TG 22 to fix the shutter speed, and also controls the analog signal processing unit 14 to fix the gain control amount used for level correction.

  In step S22, the system controller 19 instructs the lens driver 21 to drive the diaphragm 12 so that the light from the lens 11 can be blocked. In response to a signal representing the contents of this instruction being supplied from the system controller 19, the lens driver 21 closes the aperture 12 and initializes it.

  After the iris 12 is closed, in step S23, the system controller 19 instructs the lens driver 21 to drive the iris 12 until the imaging state is reached. In response to a signal representing the content of this instruction being supplied from the system controller 19, the lens driver 21 drives the diaphragm 12 (opens the diaphragm 12) until the imaging state is reached.

  While the diaphragm 12 is driven until the imaging state is obtained, the image sensor 13 performs photoelectric conversion, and the analog signal processing unit 14 performs analog signal processing on the image pickup signal that is the result of the photoelectric conversion. Then, A / D conversion is performed by the A / D conversion unit 15. Image data obtained by the A / D conversion is supplied to the digital signal processing unit 16 and subjected to digital signal processing such as white balance adjustment.

  In step S <b> 24, the brightness detection unit 31 detects the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 while the diaphragm 12 is being driven from the closed state to the imaging state. Then, the brightness information is output to the system controller 19.

  In step S <b> 25, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the diaphragm 12 has failed based on a change in image brightness while the diaphragm 12 is being driven. For example, when the light amount detected by the brightness detection unit 31 is relatively increased as the aperture 12 is opened, the system controller 19 determines that the aperture 12 is normally driven and the light amount is relatively If it does not increase, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is broken.

  If it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is broken, in step S26, the system controller 19 controls the digital signal processing unit 16, and the image display unit 17 notifies the user that the diaphragm 12 is broken. To display. After notification that the diaphragm 12 is broken, the process is terminated.

[Operation Example 4 of Imaging Device]
With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the process of the imaging device 1 that detects a failure of the diaphragm 12 as a mechanical shutter will be described.

  The processing in FIG. 5 is started when the shutter button is operated and the user instructs to capture a still image in a state in which the mode for capturing a still image is selected as the image capturing mode of the image capturing apparatus 1. As described above, when the mode for capturing a still image is selected, the diaphragm 12 functions as a mechanical shutter.

  In step S31, the system controller 19 controls the lens driver 21 to drive the mechanical shutter so as to capture a still image.

  In step S32, the system controller 19 controls the lens driver 21 to fix the mechanical shutter in the closed state.

  After the mechanical shutter is fixed in the closed state, photoelectric conversion is performed in the image sensor 13, and analog signal processing is performed by the analog signal processing unit 14 on the imaging signal as a result of the photoelectric conversion, and the A / D conversion unit. 15 performs A / D conversion. Image data obtained by the A / D conversion is supplied to the digital signal processing unit 16 and subjected to digital signal processing such as white balance adjustment.

  In step S <b> 33, the brightness detection unit 31 detects the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 after fixing the mechanical shutter in the closed state, and outputs brightness information to the system controller 19.

  In step S34, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the mechanical shutter has failed based on the brightness of the image after the mechanical shutter is fixed in the closed state. When the brightness information supplied from the brightness detection unit 31 indicates that the brightness of the image is 0, the system controller 19 determines that the mechanical shutter is operating normally, and determines a predetermined value other than 0. If the amount of light is represented, it is determined that the mechanical shutter has failed.

  If it is determined that the mechanical shutter has failed, in step S35, the system controller 19 controls the digital signal processing unit 16 to display information for notifying the user that the mechanical shutter has failed on the image display unit 17. Let After the notification that the mechanical shutter has failed is issued, the process ends.

  When a mechanical shutter is provided in front of the image sensor 13 (subject side) separately from the aperture 12, a failure of the mechanical shutter may be detected by a process similar to the process of FIG.

  With the above processing, the failure of the diaphragm 12 can be detected from the output of the image sensor 13 without preparing a sensor for failure detection. Thereby, compared with the case where a sensor for detecting a failure is prepared, the cost can be reduced, and the device can be easily downsized.

  Furthermore, it is possible to detect a failure of the diaphragm 12 even in a situation where the user is using the device after the device is shipped.

  When the power is turned on, the diaphragm 12 is usually closed once as one of the processes for initializing the apparatus. In the imaging apparatus 1, since failure detection is performed at that time, the time required for normal initialization does not increase due to the failure detection of the diaphragm 12.

  In particular, in the processing of FIGS. 2 and 5, when the light from the lens 11 can be completely blocked, failure detection is performed based on whether or not the light is actually achieved. It becomes possible to detect the failure of the diaphragm 12 without depending on the above. If a failure is detected based on a change in the amount of light, the amount of light changes depending on the brightness of the subject, which may cause false detection, but this can be prevented. .

  In the processing of FIGS. 2 and 5, whether or not the diaphragm 12 is broken is determined according to whether or not the brightness of the image when the diaphragm 12 is closed is 0. The determination may be made by comparing with one or more predetermined thresholds.

  That is, the characteristics of the image sensor 13 vary depending on the material, the manufacturing process, and the like. Even when the aperture 12 is completely closed, the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 is 0 due to noise or the like. It may not be. A value other than 0 corresponding to the characteristics of the image sensor 13 is set as a threshold value after the manufacture of the image pickup apparatus 1 is completed, and a determination is made as to whether or not the diaphragm 12 has failed using the threshold value. It is also possible to do so.

  In this case, when the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 13 when the diaphragm 12 is closed is lower than the threshold, it is determined that the diaphragm 12 is normally driven. 12 is determined to have failed.

<Second Embodiment>
[Configuration example of imaging device]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in the body of the imaging apparatus 1 applied to a digital single-lens reflex camera.

  In addition to the configuration of the optical system indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6, a signal processing unit 1 </ b> A having the same configuration as the configuration of FIG. The lens 11 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the lens in the lens unit attached to the mount unit 110 in FIG. 6, and the diaphragm 12 corresponds to the diaphragm in the lens unit. The image sensor 13 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the image sensor 109 in FIG. An imaging signal obtained by photoelectric conversion by the imaging element 109 is supplied to the analog signal processing unit 14 of the signal processing unit 1A.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the body has a viewfinder device 101 for confirming the composition and focus of the subject, the image sensor 109, and a light guide destination from the subject device 101 side and the image sensor 109 side. A quick return mirror 106 to be switched at is provided. The driving of the quick return mirror 106 is also controlled by the system controller 19 of the signal processing unit 1A.

  When the user looks into the viewfinder device 101 and confirms the composition and then presses the shutter button, the quick return mirror 106 jumps up and light from the subject incident through the lens passes through the shutter unit 107 and the low-pass filter 108. It passes through and is guided to the image sensor 109.

  The viewfinder device 101 is provided with a subject optical system 102, a display optical system 103, a synthesis device 104, and a viewfinder optical system 105. The subject optical system 102 includes a finder screen 121, a lens 122, and a pentaprism 123, and guides light reflected by the quick return mirror 106 to the synthesis device 104.

  The display optical system 103 includes a display device 131, a lens 132, and a mirror 133, generates an image that displays predetermined contents such as a focus area, and emits the light of the generated image to the synthesizing device 104.

  The synthesizer 104 synthesizes the light incident from the subject optical system 102 (subject light) and the light incident from the display optical system 103 (display light) and guides them to the finder optical system 105.

  The viewfinder optical system 105 includes eyepieces 151, 152, and 153, and guides the light combined by the combining device 104 to the eye point EP.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the brightness of an image captured by the imaging element 109 is detected, and it is determined whether the quick return mirror 106 is normally driven based on the brightness of the image. Is done.

[Operation Example 1 of Imaging Device in FIG. 6]
With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the process of the imaging device 1 for detecting a failure of the quick return mirror 106 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 7, the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 109 when the quick return mirror 106 is in a state of guiding all the light to the viewfinder device 101 side is detected. When the predetermined brightness is detected, it is determined that the quick return mirror 106 is broken.

  The process in FIG. 7 is started immediately after the power switch of the imaging apparatus 1 is operated and the power is turned on, for example.

  In step S <b> 101, the system controller 19 drives the quick return mirror 106 so as to guide all the light from the subject captured by the lens to the viewfinder device 101. The quick return mirror 106 is lowered as shown in FIG.

  After driving the quick return mirror 106, the image sensor 109 performs photoelectric conversion, and the analog signal processing unit 14 of the signal processing unit 1A performs analog signal processing on the image pickup signal that is the result of the photoelectric conversion. A / D conversion is performed by the A / D converter 15. Image data obtained by the A / D conversion is supplied to the digital signal processing unit 16 and subjected to digital signal processing such as white balance adjustment.

  In step S <b> 102, the brightness detection unit 31 detects the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 109 and outputs brightness information to the system controller 19.

  In step S103, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the quick return mirror 106 has failed based on the brightness of the image. In step S101, the light from the subject is driven so as to be guided to the finder device 101. Therefore, when the quick return mirror 106 is driven normally, the brightness value detected by the brightness detector 31 is 0. (Becomes dark).

  When the brightness information supplied from the brightness detection unit 31 indicates that the image brightness is 0, the system controller 19 determines that the quick return mirror 106 is normally driven. On the other hand, when the brightness information supplied from the brightness detection unit 31 represents a predetermined light amount other than 0, the system controller 19 determines that the quick return mirror 106 has failed.

  If it is determined that the quick return mirror 106 is broken, in step S104, the system controller 19 controls the digital signal processing unit 16 to display information notifying the user on the image display unit 17. An image display unit 17 is also provided at a predetermined position of the body of the imaging device 1.

  Notification that the quick return mirror 106 is broken may be made by outputting sound from a speaker (not shown), or a predetermined image is displayed on the finder by the display optical system 103. May be performed. After the notification that the quick return mirror 106 is broken is performed, the process ends.

[Operation Example 2 of Imaging Device in FIG. 6]
With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, another process of the imaging apparatus 1 that detects a failure of the quick return mirror 106 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 8, when the quick return mirror 106 is in a state of guiding all light to the image sensor 109, light detection is performed by a sensor (not shown) provided in the finder device 101. When light is detected by a sensor provided in the viewfinder device 101, it is determined that the quick return mirror 106 is broken.

  The finder device 101 is provided with a sensor that detects light taken in by a lens, such as a photometric sensor. When an image sensor for live view is provided in the finder apparatus 101, the image sensor may be used as a sensor. 8 is performed immediately after the power switch of the imaging apparatus 1 is operated and the power is turned on, for example.

  In step S <b> 111, the system controller 19 drives the quick return mirror 106 so that all light from the subject captured by the lens is guided to the image sensor 109. The state of the quick return mirror 106 is a state where it jumps up as shown by a solid line arrow in FIG.

  In step S <b> 112, the sensor provided in the finder apparatus 101 detects light and outputs a signal representing the detection result to the system controller 19.

  In step S <b> 113, the system controller 19 determines whether or not the quick return mirror 106 has failed based on the detection result by the sensor provided in the finder apparatus 101. Since all the light from the subject is guided to the image sensor 109 in step S111, no light is detected by the sensor in the finder apparatus 101 when the quick return mirror 106 is driven normally.

  The system controller 19 determines that the quick return mirror 106 is normally driven when light is not detected by the sensor in the finder apparatus 101. If the light is detected, the quick return mirror 106 is broken. Judge that

  If it is determined that the quick return mirror 106 is broken, in step S114, the system controller 19 controls the digital signal processing unit 16 to display information notifying the user on the image display unit 17. After the notification that the quick return mirror 106 is broken is performed, the process ends.

  With the above processing, a failure of the quick return mirror 106 can be detected from the output of the image sensor 109 without preparing a sensor for failure detection. Thereby, compared with the case where a sensor for detecting a failure is prepared, the cost can be reduced, and the device can be easily downsized.

  A value other than 0 corresponding to the characteristics of the image sensor 109 is set as a threshold value after the manufacture of the imaging device 1 is completed, and the threshold value is used to determine whether or not the quick return mirror 106 has failed. It is also possible to do so.

  In this case, when the brightness of the image obtained based on the output of the image sensor 109 when the quick return mirror 106 is driven so as to guide all the light from the subject to the viewfinder device 101 is lower than the threshold, the quick return mirror It is determined that 106 is normally driven. If the brightness of the image is higher than the threshold value, it is determined that the quick return mirror 106 has failed.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a general-purpose personal computer.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 are connected to each other via a bus 204.

  An input / output interface 205 is further connected to the bus 204. To the input / output interface 205, an input unit 206 such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output unit 207 such as a display and a speaker are connected. The input / output interface 205 is connected to a storage unit 208 made up of a hard disk, nonvolatile memory, etc., a communication unit 209 made up of a network interface, etc., and a drive 210 that drives the removable medium 211.

  In the computer configured as described above, for example, the CPU 201 loads the program stored in the storage unit 208 to the RAM 203 via the input / output interface 205 and the bus 204 and executes it, thereby executing the above-described series of processing. Is done.

  The program executed by the CPU 201 is recorded in the removable medium 211 or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting, and is installed in the storage unit 208.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up device, 11 Lens, 12 Aperture, 13 Image pick-up element, 14 Analog signal processing part, 15 A / D conversion part, 16 Digital signal processing part, 17 Image display part, 18 Image storage part, 19 System controller, 20 Operation part , 21 Lens driver, 22 TG

Claims (7)

A lens that captures light from the subject,
An image sensor that photoelectrically converts light captured by the lens;
Detecting means for detecting brightness of an image obtained based on a signal output from the image sensor;
Based on the brightness of the image detected by the detection means, a component that is provided between the lens and the image sensor and adjusts irradiation of the light captured by the lens to the image sensor is driven normally. An imaging device comprising: control means for determining whether or not If the part is a diaphragm or mechanical shutter,
When the value representing the brightness of the image obtained based on the signal output from the image sensor after driving the diaphragm or the mechanical shutter to close is a value other than 0, the control means The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is determined not to be driven normally. When the component is a quick return mirror that adjusts whether the light captured by the lens is guided to the finder or the imaging device,
The control means has a value representing the brightness of the image obtained based on a signal output from the image sensor after driving the quick return mirror so as to guide the light captured by the lens to a finder. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the value is other than 0, it is determined that the component is not normally driven. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying information indicating that the component is not normally driven when it is determined that the component is not normally driven. The control unit determines that the component is not normally driven when a value representing the brightness of the image is higher than a threshold value set as a value corresponding to a characteristic of the imaging element. Imaging device. Detect the brightness of the image obtained based on the signal output from the image sensor that photoelectrically converts the light from the subject captured by the lens,
Based on the detected brightness of the image, it is determined whether or not a component that is provided between the lens and the image sensor and adjusts irradiation of the light captured by the lens to the image sensor is normally driven. A failure detection method including a determining step. Detect the brightness of the image obtained based on the signal output from the image sensor that photoelectrically converts the light from the subject captured by the lens,
Based on the detected brightness of the image, it is determined whether or not a component that is provided between the lens and the image sensor and adjusts irradiation of the light captured by the lens to the image sensor is normally driven. Judgment A program that causes a computer to execute processing including steps.

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