JP2011221148A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of securely transmitting information to users with a simple and inexpensive constitution.SOLUTION: The camera comprises a vibration control device for driving a vibration control optical device in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis to suppress image shake depending on the amount and direction of camera shake applied to the photographing optical system, release operation means for performing exposure operation by the photographing optical system, and drive control means for driving the vibration control optical device by the vibration control divice to generate vibration for transmission of error information when the release operation means is operated in a state in which the photographing preparation is not done.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera provided with information transmission means to a user.

  In the camera system of Patent Document 1, the light emitting mode of the light emitting unit provided in the finder optical system is changed in accordance with a predetermined operation related to photographing such as focus preset position setting to make the user recognize the operation state.

JP 2004-294932 A

  In the type in which a light emitting unit for displaying information is provided in the finder as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to observe the inside of the finder in order to check the operation state of the camera, and the scene where information can be transmitted is limited. In addition, the number of parts increases because an additional light emitting unit for displaying information is provided.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of reliably transmitting information to a user with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  The camera of the present invention drives a vibration-proof optical element in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis according to the magnitude and direction of camera shake applied to the photographing optical system, and a vibration-proof device that suppresses image shake on the imaging surface. When the release operation means for performing an exposure operation by the photographing optical system and the release operation means are operated in a state where the photographing preparation is not completed, the vibration isolating optical element is driven by the vibration isolating device to generate vibration for error information transmission. It is characterized by having drive control means for generating it.

  As an example of a state in which shooting preparation is not completed, the movement of the focus lens constituting the shooting optical system to the in-focus position is not completed, or from the start of data writing to the recording medium for recording electronic image data to the completion of writing There is an interval. When the release operation means is operated in these states, the drive control means may cause the vibration isolator to vibrate for error information transmission. Further, when the writing of the electronic image data to the recording medium is completed, the drive control means uses the vibration isolator so as to generate vibration for operation completion information transmission having a vibration pattern different from the vibration for error information transmission. It may be.

  As another example of the state in which the imaging preparation is not completed, there is a state in which the preparation for the image stabilization control by the image stabilization apparatus is not completed. When the release operation means is operated in this state, the drive control means may cause vibration for transmitting error information to the image stabilizer after the photographing operation.

  The camera of the present invention also drives an image stabilization optical element in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis in accordance with the magnitude and direction of camera shake applied to the imaging optical system, and suppresses image blur on the imaging surface. And a focus lens driving means for moving the focus lens that constitutes the photographing optical system and is movable in the optical axis direction to the in-focus position, and the anti-vibration optical element by the anti-vibration device when the movement of the focus lens to the in-focus position is completed And a drive control means for generating vibration for transmitting operation completion information.

  In this camera, when the release operation means is operated in a state where the movement of the focus lens to the in-focus position by the focus lens driving means is incomplete, the drive control means uses an anti-vibration device to transmit operation completion information. You may make it produce the vibration for error information transmission which consists of a vibration pattern different from a vibration.

  The vibration isolator has a movable block that holds the vibration isolating element, and a support member that supports the movable block so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The drive control means applies the movable block to the support member. It can comprise so that a vibration may be produced by moving to the mechanical moving end which touches.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably transmit information to a camera user through vibration. In addition, since a vibration isolator for correcting camera shake is used for generation of vibration, a simple and inexpensive configuration that does not require the addition of special parts can be achieved.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the optical system of the camera to which this invention is applied. The relationship between the base member and the moving stage in the camera vibration isolator is shown, (A) is a view seen from the rear in the optical axis direction, (B), (C) and (D) are the arrows V1 and (A), respectively. It is the figure seen along V2 and V3. FIG. 2 shows a vibration isolator including an electromagnetic actuator, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view in the optical axis direction, and (B) is a view as seen from the rear in the optical axis direction with a part taken along line V4-V4. It is the figure which showed notionally the aspect of the vibration generation in a vibration isolator. It is the block diagram which showed the principal part of the electric circuit in the camera of FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of the information transmission control using the vibration by a vibration isolator. It is a figure which shows different embodiment of the optical system of the camera to which this invention is applied.

  A camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a lens barrel 11 and a camera body 12 to which the lens barrel 11 can be attached and detached. A photographic optical system is configured by a photographic lens system built in the lens barrel 11 and an image pickup device 15 built in the camera body 12, and a subject image formed by the photographic lens system is connected on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 15. Image. A part of the photographic lens system is a focus lens FL that performs a focusing operation by moving in a direction along the optical axis O. Inside the lens barrel 11, a lens driving unit 41 that drives the focus lens FL and its control. A lens CPU 42 for performing the above is provided.

  The camera body 12 incorporates a camera body CPU 43 that performs overall control of the camera 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the camera body 12 includes a release button 45, a preset button 46, and an image stabilization mode selection switch 47 as operation members that can be operated from the outside. The release button 45 is pressed halfway to perform photometry by the photometry device and the focusing operation of the focus lens FL, and is fully pressed to perform a photographing (exposure) operation. In the photographing operation, an image formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 15 is converted into electronic image data through photoelectric conversion and image processing, and this electronic image data is recorded on the recording medium 48. Further, by operating the preset button 46, any state of the focus adjustment state by the focus lens FL can be stored as a preset position, and the focus lens FL can be moved to this preset position.

  The camera 10 causes the camera shake by driving the image sensor 15 in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis O according to the magnitude and direction of the camera shake detected by the angular velocity sensor 44 provided in the camera body 12. A camera shake (image blur) correction function is provided that cancels the position variation of the image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 15. The camera shake correction function can be turned on and off by operating the image stabilization mode selection switch 47.

  2 and 3 show the vibration isolator 14 that supports the image sensor 15. In the following description, the horizontal direction in a plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis O is called the X direction or the X axis, and the vertical direction is called the Y direction or the Y axis. A base member (support member) 20 is provided in the camera body 12 as a fixing member. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the base member 20 has a pair of Y bearing portions 22 in which guide grooves 22a facing the Y direction are formed with a substantially rectangular stage moving opening 21 interposed therebetween. And a Y guide portion 23 having a long hole 23a in the Y direction. A U-shaped guide frame 25 having a pair of X guide shafts 25 a and a Y guide shaft 25 b connecting the pair of X guide shafts 25 a is provided, and the Y guide shafts 25 b are formed in the guide grooves 22 a of the pair of Y bearing portions 22. It is slidably supported. Each of the pair of X guide shafts 25a is inserted into the long hole 23a of the Y guide portion 23 while allowing movement in the Y direction. Accordingly, the guide frame 25 is supported so as to be movable in the Y direction with respect to the base member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the image sensor 15 is fixed on a base substrate 26, and the base substrate 26 is fixed to a moving stage 27. The moving stage 27 has a box portion 27a located inside the stage moving opening 21, and a pair of X bearing portions 28 having a through hole 28a in the X direction on one side portion of the box portion 27a in the Y direction. And one X bearing portion 29 having a through groove 29a in the X direction on the other side portion in the Y direction. One of the pair of X guide shafts 25a of the guide frame 25 is slidably inserted in the X direction with respect to the through hole 28a of the X bearing portion 28, and the guide frame 25 is inserted into the through groove 29a of the X bearing portion 29. The other of the pair of X guide shafts 25a is slidably inserted in the X direction. Thereby, the moving stage 27 is supported so as to be movable in the X direction with respect to the guide frame 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the box portion 27a has a photographing aperture 27b formed in front of the image sensor 15, and a low-pass filter 30 is supported between the photographing aperture 27b and the image sensor 15. A holding member 31 is inserted between the imaging elements 15. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a coil substrate 34 is fixed to the rear portion of the base substrate 26. The coil substrate 34 includes a first coil portion 34X for driving in the X direction and a second coil portion 34Y for driving in the Y direction.

  The image pickup element 15, the base substrate 26, the moving stage 27, the low-pass filter 30, the suppression member 31, and the coil substrate 34 constitute a vibration isolation block (movable block) 33 that is integrally driven during camera shake correction. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the base member 20 includes a yoke 35X and a yoke 35Y having a U-shaped cross section sandwiching the first coil portion 34X and the second coil portion 34Y in the front-rear direction. The magnet 36X is fixed inside the yoke 35X in front of the first coil portion 34X, and the magnet 36Y is fixed in front of the second coil portion 34Y inside the yoke 35Y. The The coil portions 34X and 34Y, the yokes 35X and 35Y, and the magnets 36X and 36Y constitute an electromagnetic actuator that drives the vibration isolation block 33 in the X and Y directions. When the first coil portion 34X located in the magnetic field formed by the yoke 35X and the magnet 36X is energized, a driving force in the X direction is generated, and the anti-vibration block 33 including the coil substrate 34 is connected to the X guide shaft 25a of the guide frame 25. Is moved in the X direction. The direction and speed of movement in the X direction can be controlled (changed) by energizing the first coil portion 34X. Similarly, when the second coil portion 34Y located in the magnetic field formed by the yoke 35Y and the magnet 36Y is energized, a driving force in the Y direction is generated, and the Y guide shaft 25b of the guide frame 25 becomes the guide groove of the Y bearing portion 22. The anti-vibration block 33 is moved in the Y direction. At this time, the guide frame 25 moves together with the vibration isolation block 33. The direction and speed of movement in the Y direction can be controlled (changed) by energizing the second coil portion 34Y.

  The anti-vibration block 33 is restricted from moving in the X direction and the Y direction by reaching the inner surface of the stage moving opening 21 by the box portion 27a of the moving stage 27 (reach the mechanical moving end). The box portion 27a is provided with a movement restricting protrusion 27c that protrudes in the Y direction. When the anti-vibration block 33 moves downward in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), the movement restricting protrusion 27c. Is in contact with the lower side portion of the stage moving opening 21, whereby further movement of the image stabilizing block 33 is restricted. Regarding the movement of the image stabilizer block 33 in directions other than the downward direction, the movement of the image stabilizer block 33 is restricted by the side surfaces of the box portion 27a coming into contact with the sides of the opposing stage moving opening 21.

  When the camera shake correction function is turned on by operating the image stabilization mode selection switch 47, the magnitude of the camera shake applied to the camera 10 is detected by the angular velocity sensor 44, and the camera body CPU 43 corrects the camera shake according to the sensor output. For this purpose, the drive amount of the image sensor 15 in the X direction and the Y direction is calculated, and the anti-vibration block 33 is moved by energizing the first coil unit 34X and the second coil unit 34Y. In the camera shake correction control, the camera body CPU 43 limits the maximum movement amount by software so that the image stabilization block 33 does not reach the mechanical movement end described above. In addition, the speed (acceleration) and the amount of movement of the image stabilization block 33 at the time of camera shake correction are controlled so that the person holding the camera 10 is not perceived as vibration.

  The camera 10 further has an information transmission function that allows the user to recognize the state of operation and control by driving the image stabilization block 33 in the image stabilization apparatus 14 in a mode different from that during camera shake correction. For example, by moving the anti-vibration block 33 to the mechanical movement end described above, the movement stage 27 (box part 27a and movement restriction protrusion 27c) and the base member 20 (inner side surface of the stage movement opening 21) abut. Cause vibration. This vibration is transmitted to the housing of the camera 10 and can be sensed with the camera 10 held. Since normal vibration correction control does not cause such vibration, the vibration can be recognized by the user as indicating a predetermined state of the camera. Further, different information can be transmitted to the user by changing the timing and number of times of contact of the moving stage 27 with the base member 20, that is, the vibration pattern. The mode of contact of the moving stage 27 with the base member 20 can be arbitrarily set, and FIGS. 4A to 4D show a simplified box without the movement restricting protrusion 27c. Four examples of how the portion 27a and the stage moving opening 21 are brought into contact with each other are illustrated. 4A is a mode in which the moving stage 27 is repeatedly brought into contact with one side of the stage moving opening 21, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing two opposite sides of the stage moving opening 21. 4 (C) is a mode in which the moving stage 27 is simultaneously brought into contact with two adjacent sides of the stage moving opening 21, and FIG. (D) is a mode in which the moving stage 27 is brought into contact with all four sides of the stage moving opening 21 in order. By using these contact modes alone or in combination, various vibration patterns can be set. When vibration is generated by the vibration isolator 14, it is possible to generate vibration without causing the moving stage 27 to directly contact the base member 20 (without moving it to the mechanical moving end). Also in this case, the image stabilization block 33 is driven at a speed (acceleration) and a movement amount different from those of normal camera shake correction control.

  An aspect of information transmission using the image stabilizer 14 will be described along the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a case where the preset button 46 is operated prior to shooting. When the preset button 46 is operated, communication is performed between the lens CPU 42 and the camera body CPU 43 (S1), and the focus lens FL is driven by the lens driving unit 41 to a preset in-focus position (S2). . When the release button 45 is pressed halfway or fully during the driving of the focus lens FL (YES in S3), the camera body CPU 43 drives the vibration isolation block 33 of the vibration isolation device 14 with the first vibration pattern ( S4). This first vibration pattern is a vibration for transmitting error information indicating an error state. When the camera 10 vibrates in the first vibration pattern in S4, the driving of the focus lens FL has not been completed, and photographing is performed. The user can recognize that the preparation is not completed and the operation of the release button 45 is not accepted.

  When the driving of the focus lens FL is completed (YES in S5), the camera body CPU 43 drives the vibration isolation block 33 of the vibration isolation device 14 with a second vibration pattern different from the first vibration pattern in S4 (S6). . The second vibration pattern is vibration for transmitting operation completion information indicating completion of a predetermined operation in the camera 10, and the focus lens FL reaches the preset position when the camera 10 vibrates in the second vibration pattern in S6. The user can recognize that Here, when the release button 45 is fully pressed (YES in S7), a photographing (exposure) operation is performed (S8). Then, the subject image formed by the photographing lens system is received by the image sensor 15 and subjected to photoelectric conversion, and writing of the generated image data to the recording medium 48 is started (S9). When the camera shake correction function is turned on during the shooting operation in S8, the image stabilization block 33 is appropriately driven in the X and Y directions according to the output of the angular velocity sensor 44 under the control of the camera body CPU 43. It is possible to shoot with the image stabilization function in effect. In the driving of the image stabilizing block 33 at this time, vibrations that can be recognized by the person holding the camera 10 are not applied to the housing.

  When the release button 45 is pressed halfway or fully after the shooting operation in S8 (YES in S10), the next shooting operation is not permitted, for example, the writing of image data to the recording medium 48 is incomplete. (NO in S11), the camera body CPU 43 drives the image stabilization block 33 with the first vibration pattern indicating the error state (S12), and informs the user that the preparation for shooting is not completed (shooting is not possible). When the writing of the image data to the recording medium 48 is completed (YES in S13), the camera body CPU 43 drives the image stabilization block 33 with the second vibration pattern. Thus, the user can recognize that a series of shooting operations has been completed.

  As described above, in the camera 10 according to the present embodiment, vibration is applied by driving the image stabilization block 33 constituting the image stabilization device 14 in a mode different from that for driving for correcting camera shake, and the camera uses the vibration pattern. Ten states are recognized by the user. According to this configuration, even if the user is not in a state of observing the viewfinder or the image display unit, information can be reliably transmitted. Moreover, since information transmission is performed using the vibration isolator 14, a new member is not required for information transmission, and a simple and inexpensive configuration can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, when the vibration isolation block 33 is driven with the first vibration pattern, the release operation when the focus lens FL has not been driven and when the image data has not been written to the recording medium 48 has been completed. However, it is also possible to perform error transmission using the first vibration pattern under other conditions. For example, when it is out of the proper exposure range, when the electrical system is in the preparatory stage immediately after turning on the camera (such as waiting for stability of the gyro sensor or initializing the circuit), during strobe charging in strobe shooting, during image processing after shooting (Noise reduction processing, magnification chromatic aberration correction, distortion correction, etc.), when the recording medium 48 is not inserted, and the like. When the release operation is performed in these states, the vibration isolating block 33 may be vibrated with the first vibration pattern. In addition, when a release operation is performed before the image stabilization function by the image stabilization device 14 is activated effectively (the fact that the image stabilization function has been activated is displayed in the finder, for example, When a release operation is performed), error transmission using the first vibration pattern may be performed after the shooting operation. The error transmission after the photographing operation is for informing the user that the effect of camera shake correction is not sufficient. The above cases in which the image stabilization block 33 is driven with the first vibration pattern can be summarized as a case where preparation for photographing is not completed. That is, the first vibration pattern of the image stabilization block 33 is used when the release operation is performed without completing the preparation for photographing. Note that the shooting preparation here refers to both the type of processing (such as driving the focus lens FL) performed before shooting and the type of processing (such as image processing and writing of image data to the recording medium 48) performed after shooting. Is included. In the latter case, preparation is made for the next shooting performed after one shooting.

  In the above embodiment, the vibration isolator 14 is provided in the camera body 12, but a camera of the type provided with the vibration isolator 114 in the lens barrel 11 as in the camera 110 shown in FIG. 7. In addition, the present invention is applicable. In the camera 110, the image sensor 115 is held at a fixed position in the camera body 12. The anti-vibration device 114 in the lens barrel 11 supports the anti-vibration lens SL constituting a part of the photographing lens system so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis O, and the driving thereof is performed with the camera body CPU 143. Controlled by the lens CPU 142. At the time of camera shake correction, a user holding the camera 110 is caused to perform an operation at a level that is not recognized as vibration by the image stabilization lens SL, and at the time of information transmission to the user, the image stabilization device 114 is driven in a different manner to generate vibration. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Camera 11 Lens barrel 12 Camera body 14 Vibration isolator 15 Image pick-up element 20 Base member (support member)
21 Stage opening 27 Moving stage 33 Anti-vibration block (movable block)
34 Coil substrate 34X 1st coil part 34Y 2nd coil part 35X 35Y Yoke 36X 36Y Magnet 41 Lens drive part (focus lens drive means)
42 Lens CPU
43 Camera body CPU (drive control means)
44 Angular velocity sensor 45 Release button (release operation means)
46 Preset button 47 Anti-vibration mode selection switch 48 Recording medium (recording medium)
110 Camera 114 Anti-Vibration Device 115 Image Sensor 142 Lens CPU (Drive Control Unit)
143 Camera body CPU (drive control means)
FL Focus lens SL Anti-vibration lens

Claims (8)

An anti-vibration device that drives an anti-vibration optical element in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis in accordance with the magnitude and direction of camera shake applied to the imaging optical system, and suppresses image blur on the imaging surface;
A release operation means for performing an exposure operation by the photographing optical system; and a vibration for transmitting error information by driving the vibration-proof optical element by the vibration-proof device when the release operation means is operated in a state in which the photographing preparation is not completed. Drive control means for producing
A camera characterized by comprising 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising focus lens driving means for moving a focus lens that constitutes the photographing optical system and is movable in an optical axis direction to a focus position, and the drive control means is based on the focus lens driving means. A camera that causes the vibration isolator to generate vibration for transmitting the error information when the release operating means is operated in a state where the movement of the focus lens to the in-focus position is incomplete. 3. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a recording medium for recording electronic image data obtained by the photographing optical system, wherein the drive control means is from start of writing electronic image data to the recording medium until completion of writing. A camera that causes vibration for transmitting the error information by the vibration isolator when the release operating means is operated between the two. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein when the writing of the electronic image data to the recording medium is completed, the drive control means generates vibration for transmitting operation completion information having a vibration pattern different from the vibration for transmitting error information. A camera produced by the above vibration isolator. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit performs a shooting operation when the release operation unit is operated in a state where preparation for the image stabilization control by the image stabilization apparatus is not completed. A camera that causes vibration for transmitting the error information in the vibration isolator later. An anti-vibration device that drives an anti-vibration optical element in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis in accordance with the magnitude and direction of camera shake applied to the imaging optical system, and suppresses image blur on the imaging surface;
A focus lens driving unit configured to move a focus lens that constitutes the photographing optical system and is movable in the optical axis direction to a focus position; and when the movement of the focus lens to the focus position is completed, the vibration isolation device uses the vibration isolation optical Drive control means for driving the element to generate vibration for transmitting operation completion information;
A camera characterized by comprising 7. The camera according to claim 6, further comprising a release operation means for performing an exposure operation by the photographing optical system, wherein the release operation means is in a state where the movement of the focus lens to the in-focus position by the focus lens driving means is incomplete. When operated, the drive control means causes the vibration isolator to generate a vibration for error information transmission having a vibration pattern different from the vibration for the operation completion information transmission. 8. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the vibration isolator includes a movable block that holds the vibration isolating element, and a support that supports the movable block so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. Having a member,
The drive control means is a camera that generates the vibration by moving the movable block to a mechanical moving end that contacts the support member.

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