JP2013026681A - Blurring correction device, imaging apparatus, blurring correction method, and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize photographing of a high quality image while improving usability.SOLUTION: A blurring correction device includes: a holding part that rotatably holds a photographing part for photographing a subject; a detection part that detects an inclination angle of an optical axis in the photographing part to a ground surface and the amount of blurring of the holding part; and a correction part that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis to the ground surface constant on the basis of a detection result of the detection part, and performs blurring correction so as to reduce the amount of blurring. When the blurring correction device is used in an inclined situation, a high quality image can be photographed, while improving usability with a wide use mode at the time of photographing.

Description

  The present technology relates to a technical field regarding a shake correction device, an imaging device, a shake correction method, and an imaging method. Specifically, a detector that detects the tilt angle and shake amount of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface is provided to correct the shake when the optical axis is tilted with respect to the ground surface and improve usability. The present invention relates to a technical field that enables photography.

  Some imaging devices such as a video camera and a still camera are provided with a shake correction device that corrects image blur during shooting.

  In such a shake correction apparatus, the camera body that functions as a photographing unit can be rotated in two orthogonal directions, the shake is detected by a sensor, and the camera body is moved in the above two directions based on the detection result of the sensor. There is one that is rotated to perform shake correction (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 61-192178 A

  By the way, photographing using an imaging device is performed in various modes according to the surrounding environment and situation.

  For example, when there is an obstacle or obstacle on the subject side, in order to take a picture while avoiding the obstacle or obstacle, the obstacle is extended with the arm extended and the imaging device facing obliquely downward from above. There is a use mode in which a subject existing ahead of an obstacle is photographed. Such a use mode occurs, for example, when there is a crowd in front of a school event such as an athletic meet or a school performance, and photographing is performed from behind.

  Also, there is a usage mode in which a subject existing below or above is photographed in a state where the imaging device is directed obliquely downward or obliquely upward. Such a mode of use occurs, for example, when shooting a subject that exists near the surface of the earth, such as an animal or a plant, or a subject that exists in the sky, such as a celestial body.

  Shooting in the above-described usage mode is often performed while holding the imaging device at the same angle for a certain period of time while tilting the imaging device at a certain angle.

  However, the image pickup apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is not configured to perform shake correction in an inclined state with respect to the ground surface, and is used in an inclined state. In addition, there is a possibility that a high-quality image cannot be taken. In particular, when the shooting time is long, camera shake is likely to occur, so that there is a high possibility that image quality will be degraded.

  In addition, if shake correction is not performed in a state where the imaging device is tilted, there is a problem in that the usage mode during shooting of the imaging device is narrowed and the usability of the imaging device is reduced.

  In view of the above, it is an object of the present technology to provide a camera shake correction apparatus and an imaging apparatus that can overcome the above-described problems and improve usability and that can capture a high-quality image.

  First, in order to solve the above-described problem, the shake correction apparatus includes a holding unit that rotatably holds an imaging unit that captures a subject, an inclination angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the ground surface, and the holding unit. A detection unit that detects a shake amount, and a correction unit that performs a shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces the shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit. Shake correction device.

  Therefore, in the shake correction apparatus, shake correction is performed so that the tilt angle of the optical axis detected by the detection unit is kept constant.

  Second, in the above-described shake correction device, the holding unit includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the imaging unit and a base unit that supports the rotation mechanism, and the imaging unit is used as the rotation mechanism. In the first direction with the first support shaft as a fulcrum, and the second direction with the imaging unit as a fulcrum and the second support shaft orthogonal to the first support shaft It is desirable to provide a second rotating part that rotates to the right.

  As a rotation mechanism, a first rotation unit that rotates the imaging unit with a first support shaft as a fulcrum, and a second rotation unit that rotates the imaging unit with a second support shaft orthogonal to the first support shaft as a fulcrum. By providing the two rotation units, the photographing unit can be rotated in two directions at the time of blur correction.

  Thirdly, in the above-described shake correction apparatus, it is desirable to use an acceleration sensor that detects the tilt angle and the shake amount as the detection unit.

  By using an acceleration sensor that detects the tilt angle and the shake amount as the detection unit, the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in the photographing unit and the shake amount of the holding unit are detected by the acceleration sensor.

  Fourthly, in the above-described shake correction apparatus, it is preferable to use an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor that detect the shake amount as the detection unit.

  By using an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor that detect the shake amount as the detection unit, the shake amount of the holding unit is detected by the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor.

  Fifthly, in the above-described shake correction apparatus, it is desirable to provide a drive motor and a potentiometer that detects the rotational position of the output shaft of the drive motor as the correction unit.

  By providing a drive motor and a potentiometer that detects the rotational position of the output shaft of the drive motor as a correction unit, shake correction is performed based on the detection result of the rotational position of the output shaft of the potentiometer when the drive motor is operated. .

  Sixthly, in the above-described shake correction device, it is preferable that a grip functioning as a handle is provided as the holding portion, and the detection portion is disposed on the grip.

  By providing a grip functioning as a handle as the holding portion and arranging the detection portion on the grip, the detection portion is tilted integrally with the grip.

  Seventhly, in the above-described shake correction apparatus, a power switch for inputting and stopping power is provided, and when the power is operated and the power is input, the first rotating unit and the second It is desirable that each of the rotating parts is held at the center in the rotation range.

  When the power switch is operated and power is input, the first rotation unit and the second rotation unit are held at the center of the rotation range, respectively, so that the first at the time of blur correction. The pivoting operation of the second pivoting unit and the second pivoting unit are performed in substantially the same range on the opposite sides of the pivoting range.

  Eighth, in the above-described shake correction device, a grip functioning as a handle is provided as the holding portion, a power switch for inputting and stopping power is provided, and power is input by operating the power switch. In addition, it is desirable that the optical axis of the photographing unit is held at a certain angle with respect to the grip.

  When the power switch is operated and the power is input, the optical axis of the imaging unit is held at a fixed angle with respect to the grip, so that at the start of the image stabilization operation, The angle to the grip is made the same.

  Ninth, in the above-described shake correction apparatus, a start switch for starting the shake correction control is provided, and the shake correction control is started by the operation of the start switch and the photographing of the subject in the photographing unit is started. It is desirable to do so.

  The start switch is operated by providing a start switch for starting blur correction control, and starting the blur correction control by operating the start switch and starting shooting of the subject in the shooting unit. At the same time, blur correction control and photographing of the subject by the photographing unit are started simultaneously.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging device includes a shake correction device that corrects a shake of a captured image and a housing in which the shake correction device is disposed. The shake correction device detects a subject. An imaging unit for imaging, a holding unit for rotatably holding the imaging unit, a detection unit for detecting an inclination angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the ground surface, and a shake amount of the holding unit, And a correction unit that performs a shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result.

  Therefore, in the imaging apparatus, shake correction is performed so that the inclination angle of the optical axis detected by the detection unit is kept constant.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the shake correction method detects the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface and the amount of shake of the holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit in the imaging unit that captures the subject by the detection unit. Then, based on the detection result of the detection unit, the correction unit performs shake correction for keeping the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reducing the shake amount.

  Therefore, in the shake correction method, shake correction is performed so that the tilt angle of the optical axis detected by the detection unit is kept constant.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging method includes an inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in an imaging unit that captures a subject and an amount of shake of a holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit inside the housing. The shake correction apparatus detects a shake correction that is detected by a detection unit of an arranged shake correction apparatus, and that maintains a constant inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit. This is performed by the correction unit.

  Therefore, in the imaging method, the camera shake is corrected and photographing is performed so that the inclination angle of the optical axis detected by the detection unit is kept constant.

  A shake correction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a holding unit that rotatably holds an imaging unit that captures a subject, a detection unit that detects an inclination angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the ground surface, and a shake amount of the holding unit, And a correction unit that performs a shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit.

  Accordingly, when the shake correction device is used in an inclined state, it is possible to take a high-quality image and to use a wide range of usage modes for taking a picture, and to take a high-quality image with improved usability. be able to.

  In the technique according to claim 2, the holding unit includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the imaging unit and a base unit that supports the rotation mechanism, and the imaging unit is configured as the rotation mechanism. In the first direction with the first support shaft as a fulcrum, and the second direction with the imaging unit as a fulcrum and the second support shaft orthogonal to the first support shaft And a second rotating portion that rotates to the right.

  Therefore, the accuracy of blur correction can be improved.

  In the technique described in claim 3, an acceleration sensor that detects the tilt angle and the amount of shake is used as the detection unit.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the shake correction device by simplifying the mechanism.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor that detect the shake amount are used as the detection unit.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy when detecting a shake.

  In the technique described in claim 5, a drive motor and a potentiometer for detecting the rotational position of the output shaft of the drive motor are provided as the correction unit.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of shake correction while simplifying the mechanism.

  In the technique described in claim 6, a grip functioning as a handle is provided as the holding portion, and the detection portion is disposed on the grip.

  Therefore, the generation of detection errors can be reduced.

  In the technique described in claim 7, a power switch for inputting and stopping power is provided, and when the power is input by operating the power switch, the first rotating unit and the second The rotating portions are respectively held at the center in the rotation range.

  Therefore, since the rotation operation of the first rotation unit and the second rotation unit at the time of shake correction is performed in substantially the same range on the opposite side of the rotation range, the shake correction is performed in a wide control range and the control is performed. It is possible to optimize the operation.

  In the technique described in claim 8, when a grip functioning as a handle is provided as the holding portion, a power switch for inputting and stopping power is provided, and when the power is operated by operating the power switch In addition, the optical axis of the photographing unit is held at a constant angle with respect to the grip.

  Therefore, since the angle of the photographing unit with respect to the grip is always the same at the start of the shake correction operation and the control start position is constant, the shake correction control is easy and the reliability of the shake correction operation is reliable. Therefore, it is possible to improve the position accuracy of the photographing unit during blur correction.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a start switch for starting blur correction control is provided, and the blur correction control is started by an operation on the start switch, and the photographing of the subject by the photographing unit is started. To be.

  Therefore, when the start switch is operated, the blur correction control is started and the photographing of the subject by the photographing unit is started, so that the operability can be improved.

  An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a shake correction device that corrects shake of a captured image, and a housing in which the shake correction device is disposed. The shake correction device includes a photographing unit that captures a subject, A holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit, a detection unit that detects an inclination angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the ground surface, and a shake amount of the holding unit, and the light based on a detection result of the detection unit A correction unit that performs a shake correction that maintains a constant inclination angle of the shaft with respect to the ground surface and reduces a shake amount.

  Therefore, when the image pickup apparatus is used in a tilted state, a high-quality image can be taken, and the use mode for taking a picture is wide, so that a high-quality image can be taken while improving usability. Can do.

  In the image blur correction method of the present technology, the detection unit detects the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in the imaging unit that captures the subject and the shake amount of the holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit, and the detection unit detects Based on the result, the correction unit performs shake correction for keeping the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reducing the shake amount.

  Accordingly, when the shake correction device is used in an inclined state, it is possible to take a high-quality image and to use a wide range of usage modes for taking a picture, and to take a high-quality image with improved usability. be able to.

  In the image pickup method of the present technology, an inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in a photographing unit that photographs a subject and a shake amount of a holding unit that rotatably holds the photographing unit are provided in a shake correction device that is disposed inside a casing. Based on the detection result of the detection unit, the correction unit of the shake correction device performs the shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces the shake amount based on the detection result of the detection unit. ing.

  Therefore, when the image pickup apparatus is used in a tilted state, a high-quality image can be taken, and the use mode for taking a picture is wide, so that a high-quality image can be taken while improving usability. Can do.

  The best mode for carrying out the image blur correction apparatus and the imaging apparatus according to the present technology will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the best mode described below, the imaging device of the present technology is applied to a video camera, and the blur correction device of the present technology is applied to a blur correction device incorporated in the video camera.

  Note that the application ranges of the imaging device and the shake correction device of the present technology are not limited to the video camera and the shake correction device incorporated in the video camera, respectively. The imaging apparatus and the shake correction apparatus of the present technology are widely applied to, for example, a still camera, an imaging apparatus incorporated in various devices such as a mobile phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a blur correction apparatus incorporated in these imaging apparatuses. be able to.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right directions are shown as viewed from the photographer when the video camera is photographed. Therefore, the subject side is the front and the photographer side is the rear.

  In addition, the following directions of front and rear, up, down, left, and right shown below are for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

  Moreover, the lens shown below is meant to include both a lens constituted by a single lens and a lens group constituted by a plurality of lenses.

[Configuration of image stabilizer]
First, the configuration of the shake correction apparatus will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

  The shake correction apparatus 1 includes a grip 2, a first rotation unit 3, a second rotation unit 4, and a photographing unit 5. The grip 2, the first rotation unit 3, and the second rotation unit 4 function as a holding unit that holds the photographing unit 5 in a rotatable manner. The first rotating unit 3 and the second rotating unit 4 function as a rotating mechanism that rotates the photographing unit 5, and the grip 2 functions as a base unit that supports the rotating mechanism.

  The grip 2 includes a handle 6 formed in a vertically long shape that is gripped by a photographer and a support base 7 provided on the upper side of the handle 6.

  A power switch 8 and a start switch 9 are arranged on the handle 6. The power switch 8 is a switch for inputting and stopping power, and the start switch 9 stores the posture of the shake correction device 1 when the power switch 8 is input and starts and ends shake correction control described later. It is a switch to do.

  An acceleration sensor 10 and an angular velocity sensor 11 are disposed inside the grip 2. The acceleration sensor 10 and the angular velocity sensor 11 function as a detection unit that detects predetermined matters. The acceleration sensor 10 functions as a tilt angle detection sensor that detects the tilt angle of the optical axis P (see FIG. 4) with respect to the ground surface 100 in the photographing unit 5, and the angular velocity sensor 11 detects a shake amount of the grip 2 due to camera shake. Function as. The acceleration sensor 10 also functions as a shake detection sensor.

  Note that the acceleration sensor 10 and the angular velocity sensor 11 that function as a shake detection sensor can be arranged in the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4 that are movable parts. The detection sensor may move with the movable part, and there is a risk that a shake amount detection error may occur.

  Therefore, as described above, by disposing the acceleration sensor 10 and the angular velocity sensor 11 that function as a shake detection sensor inside the grip 2 that is the detection target of the shake amount, occurrence of a detection error can be prevented and detected. The generation of errors can be reduced.

  In the shake correction apparatus 1, it is possible to use only the acceleration sensor 10 as the tilt angle sensor and the shake detection sensor without providing the angular velocity sensor 11.

  Thus, by using only the acceleration sensor 10 as the tilt angle sensor and the shake detection sensor, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the shake correction apparatus 1 by simplifying the mechanism. Further, since the angular velocity sensor 11 is not provided, the shake correction apparatus 1 can be downsized.

  However, the acceleration sensor 10 detects the gravitational acceleration when the shake correction apparatus 1 moves. In particular, when the speed of movement is high, the detection accuracy may be reduced. However, the angular velocity sensor 11 is used per unit time. It is possible to obtain high detection accuracy even in the case where the angular velocity is detected.

  Therefore, by providing the angular velocity sensor 11 in addition to the acceleration sensor 10, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy when detecting the shake amount.

  The support base 7 is composed of a bottom plate portion 12 facing in the vertical direction and support plate portions 13 and 13 protruding upward from the left and right side edges of the bottom plate portion 12, respectively. The support plate portions 13 and 13 have support holes 13a and 13a, respectively. Is formed.

  The first rotation unit 3 is supported on the support base 7 so as to be rotatable about a shaft (first support shaft) extending in the left-right direction, for example. The rotation direction of the first rotation unit 3 is a pitching direction in which the optical axis P is inclined upward and downward.

  The first rotating unit 3 has a frame 14.

  The frame 14 includes a connecting surface portion 16 facing in the left-right direction and support surface portions 17 and 17 projecting sideways from both front and rear side edges of the connecting surface portion 16, and an insertion hole 16 a is formed in the connecting surface portion 16. , 17 are formed with support holes 17a, 17a, respectively. The support surface portions 17 and 17 have a length in the vertical direction longer than the length in the vertical direction of the connection surface portion 16 so that the upper ends thereof are located above the upper end of the connection surface portion 16.

  A first drive motor 15 is attached to the frame 14.

  The first drive motor 15 is provided with a supported shaft 15b that protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the output shaft 15a protrudes. A potentiometer 18 is disposed inside the first drive motor 15. The potentiometer 18 has a function of detecting the rotational position of the output shaft 15 a of the first drive motor 15. The first drive motor 15 and the potentiometer 18 function as a correction unit that rotates the first rotation unit 3 to perform shake correction when camera shake occurs in the imaging apparatus 1.

  The first drive motor 15 is fixed to the connecting surface portion 16 with the output shaft 15a being inserted through the insertion hole 16a. In the first drive motor 15, the output shaft 15a and the supported shaft 15b are inserted into the support holes 13a and 13a from the inner surface side in a state where the spacer 19 is fixed to the output shaft 15a inserted through the insertion hole 16a. 7 is supported. The spacer 19 is disposed between the one support plate portion 13 of the support base 7 and the connection surface portion 16 of the frame 14, and maintains a constant distance between the one support plate portion 13 and the connection surface portion 16, and the first drive motor. It has a function of preventing the 15 frames 14 from dropping off.

  The first rotating unit 3 includes the output shaft 15a and the supported shaft 15a and the supported shaft 15b inserted into the support holes 13a and 13a and supported by the support base 7, respectively. It is supported by the grip 2 so as to be rotatable in the pitching direction with a shaft (first support shaft) extending in the left-right direction connecting the shaft 15b as a fulcrum.

  The second rotating unit 4 is supported by the frame 14 of the first rotating unit 3 so as to be rotatable about an axis (second supporting shaft) extending in the front-rear direction, for example. The rotation direction of the second rotation unit 4 is a rolling direction that is a direction around the optical axis P.

  The second rotating unit 4 has a supported plate 20.

  The supported plate 20 is composed of a coupling plate portion 22 facing in the vertical direction and connecting plate portions 23 and 23 protruding downward from both front and rear side edges of the connecting plate portion 22. 23a and 23a are formed.

  A second drive motor 21 is attached to the supported plate 20.

  The second drive motor 21 is provided with a supported shaft 21b that protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the output shaft 21a protrudes. A potentiometer 24 is disposed inside the second drive motor 21. The potentiometer 24 has a function of detecting the rotational position of the output shaft 21 a of the second drive motor 21. The second drive motor 21 and the potentiometer 24 function as a correction unit that rotates the second rotation unit 4 to perform shake correction when camera shake occurs in the imaging apparatus 1.

  The second drive motor 21 is fixed to the supported plate 20 in a state where the output shaft 21 a is inserted through the support hole 17 a of the one support surface portion 17. In the second drive motor 21, the output shaft 21 a inserted through the support hole 17 a and fixed with the spacer 25 is inserted into the connection hole 23 a of one connection plate portion 23 from the inner surface side and fixed. The spacer 25 is disposed between the one support surface portion 17 and the one connection plate portion 23, and maintains a constant distance between the one support surface portion 17 and the one connection plate portion 23, and the second drive motor 21. It has a function of preventing dropping from the supported plate 20.

  In the second drive motor 21, a supported shaft 21 b inserted through the connection hole 23 a of the other connection surface portion 23 from the inner surface side and attached with the spacer 26 is inserted into the support hole 17 a of the other support surface portion 17 from the inner surface side and supported. Supported by the base 7. The spacer 26 is disposed between the other support surface portion 17 and the other connecting plate portion 23, and has a function of maintaining a constant distance between the other support surface portion 17 and the other connecting plate portion 23.

  The second rotating unit 4 includes the output shaft 21a and the supported shaft 21b of the second drive motor 21 inserted into the support holes 17a and 17a from the inner surface side and supported by the support base 7, respectively. And a shaft (second support shaft) extending in the front-rear direction connecting the support shaft 21b and the supported shaft 21b, and supported by the grip 2 via the first rotation portion 3 so as to be rotatable in the rolling direction.

  The coupled plate portion 22 of the supported plate portion 20 is coupled to the lower surface of the imaging unit 5 by an attachment screw 27.

  The imaging unit 5 includes a main body unit 28 and a lens barrel unit 29, and an imaging lens 30 is disposed inside the lens barrel unit 29.

  In the above description, the first rotation unit 3 is positioned below the second rotation unit 4, the first rotation unit 3 is supported by the grip 2, and the second rotation unit 4 is the imaging unit 5. The example supported by the 1st rotation part 3 in the state couple | bonded with was shown. However, conversely, as shown in FIG. 5, the first rotating unit 3 that rotates in the pitching direction is positioned above the second rotating unit 4 and rotates in the rolling direction. It is also possible to configure so that 4 is supported by the grip 2 and the first rotating part 3 is supported by the second rotating part 4 in a state of being coupled to the photographing part 5.

[Example of circuit configuration of shake correction device]
Hereinafter, an example of the circuit configuration and the like of the imaging device 1 is shown (see FIG. 6).

  The first drive motor 15 is provided with a drive circuit 31 for rotating the output shaft 15a and has a built-in potentiometer 18. The potentiometer 18 detects the rotational position of the output shaft 15a as described above. It has a function to do.

  The second drive motor 21 is provided with a drive circuit 32 for rotating the output shaft 21a and has a built-in potentiometer 24. As described above, the potentiometer 24 detects the rotational position of the output shaft 21a. It has a function to do.

  The drive circuits 31 and 32 may be incorporated in the grip 2, for example.

  The operations of the drive circuits 31 and 32 and the potentiometers 18 and 24 are controlled by the control circuit 33, respectively. The control circuit 33 is, for example, a microprocessor that is disposed inside the handle 6 of the grip 2 and is configured by an arithmetic device, a volatile or nonvolatile storage device, or the like.

  The operations of the acceleration sensor 10 and the angular velocity sensor 11 arranged inside the grip 2 are controlled by the control circuit 33. The acceleration sensor 10 is a three-axis sensor. The angular velocity sensor 11 is desirably a sensor corresponding to three axes, but may be a sensor corresponding to two axes.

  As described above, the acceleration sensor 10 functions as an inclination angle detection sensor that detects an inclination angle of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100 in the photographing unit 5. As described above, the angular velocity sensor 11 functions as a shake detection sensor that detects the amount of shake of the grip 2 due to camera shake. The acceleration sensor 10 also functions as a shake detection sensor.

[Operation of image stabilizer]
The operation when camera shake occurs in the camera shake correction apparatus 1 will be described below (see FIGS. 7 to 12). The following operation procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  (S1) When shooting using the shake correction apparatus 1 is started, the power switch 8 is operated to turn on and power is input.

  (S2) When power is input, the optical axis P of the photographing unit 5 is controlled to be perpendicular to the axial direction L of the grip 2 in both the pitching direction and the rolling direction, and the photographing unit 5 is attached to the grip 2. On the other hand, it is held (locked) in a certain state (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In this control, the rotational position of the output shaft 15a of the first drive motor 15 and the rotational position of the output shaft 21a of the second drive motor 21 are detected by the potentiometers 18 and 24, respectively, and according to the detection results of the potentiometers 18 and 24. This is performed by operating the first drive motor 15 and the second drive motor 21, respectively.

  The respective rotation positions of the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4 when the optical axis P is perpendicular to the axial direction L of the grip 2 are neutral positions. The neutral position is a central position in the rotation range of the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4, respectively.

  (S3) It is detected whether or not the start switch 9 has been operated. When it is detected that the start switch 9 is not operated, the process proceeds to (S2), and the state in which the optical axis P of the photographing unit 5 is perpendicular to the axial direction L of the grip 2 is maintained. When it is detected that the start switch 9 has been operated, the process proceeds to (S4).

  (S4) When the start switch 9 is operated and turned ON, the inclination angle θ (see FIG. 8) with respect to the ground surface 100 in the pitching direction of the optical axis P is detected. The inclination angle θ is stored in the storage device (or storage medium) of the control circuit 33. The inclination angle θ is an angle of the optical axis P with respect to the plane H parallel to the ground surface 100. In the shake correction apparatus 1, as described above, the optical axis P is controlled to be perpendicular to the axial direction L of the grip 2 when the power switch 8 is operated. Therefore, the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100 is detected by detecting the inclination angle of the grip 2 with respect to the ground surface 100. In the shake correction apparatus 1, the ground surface of the grip 2 detected by the acceleration sensor 10 is detected. The tilt angle θ is detected by replacing the tilt angle with respect to 100 with the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100.

  (S5) The acceleration sensor 9 and the angular velocity sensor 10 detect the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P and the amount of shake of the grip 2 due to camera shake. When the grip 2 is not provided with the angular velocity sensor 10 and only the acceleration sensor 9 is provided, the shake amount of the grip 2 due to camera shake is detected only by the acceleration sensor 9. The detection result of the shake amount due to the camera shake is sent to the control circuit 33 at any time, the sent detection result, the tilt angle of the grip 2 with respect to the ground surface 100, and the tilt angle of the optical axis P stored in the storage device with respect to the ground surface 100 Based on the difference with θ, a command signal for canceling the shake amount and the inclination of the grip 2 is sent from the control circuit 33 to the drive circuit 31 and the drive circuit 32, respectively. The command signal includes a shake amount detected in a direction opposite to the shake direction of the output shaft 15a of the first drive motor 15 and the output shaft 21a of the second drive motor 21, and a grip when the start switch 9 is operated. This is a signal for rotating the tilt angle of 2 with respect to the ground surface and the amount of difference between the tilt angle of the current grip 2 with respect to the ground surface by an amount.

  (S6) Based on the command signal sent from the control circuit 33, the drive voltage is supplied from the drive circuit 31 and the drive circuit 32 to the first drive motor 15 and the second drive motor 21, respectively, and the first rotation is performed. The part 3 and the second rotating part 4 are rotated to perform shake correction. Accordingly, the angle of the optical axis P is corrected by the rotation operation of the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4, and correction for shake is also performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the operator changes the tilt of the grip 2 from L to L1 after the start switch 9 is operated and turned on (S3), the first rotating unit 3 rotates. By the operation, the photographing unit 5 is tilted backward by an angle α1 between the axial direction L and the axial direction L1, and the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the first rotation unit 3 is rotated so as to cancel the detected amount of shake.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the tilt of the grip 2 is changed from L to L2 by the operator after the start switch 9 is operated and turned on (S3), the rotation of the first rotation unit 3 is performed. By the operation, the photographing unit 5 is tilted forward by an angle β1 between the axial direction L and the axial direction L1, and the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the first rotation unit 3 is rotated so as to cancel the detected amount of shake.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the operator changes the tilt of the grip 2 from L to L3 after the start switch 9 is operated and turned on (S3), the second rotating unit 4 By the rotation operation, the imaging unit 5 is tilted in the opposite direction by the angle γ1 between the axial direction L and the axial direction L3, and the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the second rotating unit 4 is rotated so as to cancel the detected amount of shake.

  In addition to the above example, it is also assumed that the grip 2 is inclined in directions other than the front, rear, and side directions. The moving operation is performed, and the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4 are rotated so as to cancel the detected shake amount.

  At this time, the rotation position of the output shaft 15a of the first drive motor 15 is detected by the potentiometer 18, and the rotation position of the output shaft 21a of the second drive motor 21 is detected by the potentiometer 24. Feedback.

  (S7) It is detected whether or not the start switch 9 has been operated. When it is detected that the start switch 9 is not operated and is turned on, the process proceeds to (S5), and the operations of (S5) and (S6) are repeated until it is detected that the start switch 9 is turned off. When it is detected that the start switch 9 has been turned off by operating the switch, the process proceeds to (S8).

  (S8) When it is detected that the start switch 9 is turned off, the optical axis P of the photographing unit 5 is controlled to be perpendicular to the axial direction L of the grip 2 in both the pitching direction and the rolling direction. (See FIGS. 8 and 9). This control is performed by operating the first drive motor 15 and the second drive motor 21 in accordance with the detection results of the potentiometers 18 and 24, respectively, similarly to the operation of (S2). Therefore, the 1st rotation part 3 and the 2nd rotation part 4 return to a neutral position.

  (S9) It is detected whether or not the power switch 8 has been operated. When it is detected that the power switch 8 is not operated and is ON, the process proceeds to (S8), and the state of (S8) is maintained and the state of (S8) is detected until it is detected that the power switch 8 is OFF. Is retained. When it is detected that the power switch 8 is turned off by operating the power switch 8, the operation ends.

  As described above, in the shake correction apparatus 1, when the power switch 8 is operated and power is input in (S2), the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4 are It is controlled to be held in a neutral position that is the center in the rotation range.

  Therefore, since the rotation operations of the first rotation unit 3 and the second rotation unit 4 at the time of shake correction are performed in substantially the same range on the opposite sides of the rotation range, the shake correction is performed in a wide control range. It is possible to optimize the crack control operation.

  In (S2), when the power switch 8 is operated and power is input, the optical axis P of the photographing unit 5 is controlled to be held at a constant angle with respect to the grip 2.

  Therefore, since the angle of the photographing unit 5 with respect to the grip 2 is always the same at the start of the shake correction operation, and the control start position is constant, the shake correction control is easy and the shake correction operation is performed. The position accuracy of the photographing unit 5 at the time of blur correction can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the correction unit is constituted by the first drive motor 15, the second drive motor 21, the potentiometer 18, and the potentiometer 24, it is possible to improve the accuracy of shake correction while simplifying the mechanism. it can.

  Note that the shake correction apparatus 1 is provided with a shooting switch (recording switch) (not shown) for starting or ending shooting of the subject, but this shooting switch may be provided separately from the start switch 9 or the start switch 9. Can be provided as a photographing switch.

  By providing the start switch 9 for starting the shake correction control as a shooting switch, the shake correction control is started when the start switch 9 is operated, and the shooting of the subject by the shooting unit 5 is started. The operability can be improved.

  In addition, by providing the start switch 9 as a photographing switch, a shake correction operation is always performed during photographing by the photographing unit 5 and the image quality of the photographed image can be improved.

[Imaging device]
Next, the configuration of the imaging device incorporating the shake correction device will be described (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

  The imaging device 50 includes a box-shaped housing 51 and a shake correction device 52 incorporated in the housing 51. The shake correction device 52 includes a base bracket 53, a first rotating unit 54, and a second rotation device. Rotating section 55 and photographing section 56. The base bracket 53, the first rotating unit 54, and the second rotating unit 55 function as a holding unit that holds the photographing unit 56 in a rotatable manner. Further, the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55 function as a rotation mechanism that rotates the photographing unit 56, and the base bracket 53 functions as a base unit that supports the rotation mechanism.

  A power switch 57 and a start switch 58 are arranged in the casing 51. The power switch 57 is a switch for inputting and stopping power to the imaging device 50, and the start switch 58 stores the posture of the shake correction device 52 (the posture of the imaging device 50) when the power switch 57 is input. In addition, it is a switch for starting and ending shake correction control, which will be described later.

  The base bracket 53 is fixed to the casing 51 and is formed in a rectangular frame shape penetrating in the front-rear direction.

  An acceleration sensor 59 and an angular velocity sensor 60 are disposed on the base bracket 53. The acceleration sensor 59 and the angular velocity sensor 60 function as a detection unit that detects predetermined matters. The acceleration sensor 59 functions as a tilt angle detection sensor that detects the tilt angle of the optical axis P (see FIG. 14) with respect to the ground surface 100 in the photographing unit 56, and the angular velocity sensor 60 detects the amount of shake of the base bracket 53 due to camera shake. Functions as a sensor. The acceleration sensor 59 also functions as a shake detection sensor.

  Note that the acceleration sensor 59 and the angular velocity sensor 60 functioning as a shake detection sensor can be arranged in the first turning portion 54 and the second turning portion 55 that are movable parts. The detection sensor may move with the movable part, and there is a risk that a shake amount detection error may occur.

  Therefore, as described above, by arranging the acceleration sensor 59 and the angular velocity sensor 60 that function as a shake detection sensor on the base bracket 53 that is the detection target of the shake amount, occurrence of detection errors can be prevented.

  In the imaging apparatus 50, it is also possible to use only the acceleration sensor 59 as the tilt angle sensor and the shake detection sensor without providing the angular velocity sensor 60.

  In this way, by using only the acceleration sensor 59 as the tilt angle sensor and the shake detection sensor, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the imaging device 50 by simplifying the mechanism. In addition, since the angular velocity sensor 60 is not provided, the imaging device 50 can be downsized.

  However, the acceleration sensor 59 detects the gravitational acceleration when the imaging device 50 moves, and the detection accuracy may decrease particularly when the speed of movement is fast. Even when the angular velocity is detected and the speed of movement is high, it is possible to obtain high detection accuracy.

  Therefore, by providing the angular velocity sensor 60 in addition to the acceleration sensor 59, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy when detecting the shake amount.

  The first rotating portion 54 is supported by the base bracket 53 so as to be rotatable about an axis (first supporting shaft) extending in the left-right direction, for example. The rotation direction of the first rotation unit 54 is a pitching direction in which the optical axis P is inclined upward and downward.

  The first rotating portion 54 has an inner bracket 61.

  The inner bracket 61 is formed in a rectangular frame shape penetrating forward and backward. A motor shaft fixing portion 61a and a rotation support portion 61b are provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right sides of the inner bracket 61, respectively.

  A first drive motor 62 is attached to the inner bracket 61.

  The output shaft 62a of the first drive motor 62 is fixed to the motor shaft fixing portion 61a. A potentiometer 63 is disposed inside the first drive motor 62. The potentiometer 63 has a function of detecting the rotational position of the output shaft 62 a of the first drive motor 62. The first drive motor 62 and the potentiometer 63 function as a correction unit that rotates the first rotation unit 54 to perform shake correction when camera shake occurs in the imaging device 50.

  The first rotation portion 54 rotates in the pitching direction with respect to the base bracket 53 with a shaft (first support shaft) extending in the left-right direction connecting the output shaft 62a of the first drive motor 62 and the rotation support portion 61b as a fulcrum. It is supported freely.

  The second rotating portion 55 is supported by the inner bracket 61 of the first rotating portion 54 so as to be rotatable about an axis (second supporting shaft) extending in the vertical direction, for example. The rotation direction of the second rotation unit 55 is a yawing direction in which the optical axis P is inclined to the left and right.

  The second rotating part 55 has a holder 64.

  The holder 64 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape extending forward and backward. A motor shaft fixing portion 64a and a rotation support portion 64b are provided on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower sides of the holder 64, respectively.

  A second drive motor 65 is attached to the holder 64.

  The output shaft 65a of the second drive motor 65 is fixed to the motor shaft fixing portion 64a. A potentiometer 66 is disposed inside the second drive motor 65. The potentiometer 66 has a function of detecting the rotational position of the output shaft 65 a of the second drive motor 65. The second drive motor 65 and the potentiometer 66 function as a correction unit that rotates the second rotation unit 55 to perform shake correction when camera shake occurs in the imaging device 50.

  The second rotation part 55 is located inside the first rotation part 54 with a shaft (second support shaft) extending in the vertical direction connecting the output shaft 65a of the second drive motor 65 and the rotation support part 64b as a fulcrum. The bracket 61 is supported so as to be rotatable in the yawing direction.

  The imaging unit 56 has an imaging lens 67 and is held by a holder 64 of the second rotating unit 55. Accordingly, the photographing unit 56 is rotated in the yawing direction together with the second rotating unit 55.

  In the above description, the second rotating unit 55 is positioned inside the first rotating unit 54, the first rotating unit 54 is supported by the base bracket 53, and the second rotating unit 55 has an imaging unit. An example in which 56 is held is shown. However, conversely, the first rotating portion 54 is positioned inside the second rotating portion 55, the second rotating portion 55 is supported by the base bracket 53, and the photographing portion 56 is supported by the first rotating portion 54. It is also possible to configure so that

[Example of circuit configuration of imaging apparatus]
Hereinafter, an example of a circuit configuration and the like of the imaging device 50 is shown (see FIG. 15).

  The first drive motor 62 is provided with a drive circuit 68 for rotating the output shaft 62a and has a built-in potentiometer 63. The potentiometer 63 detects the rotational position of the output shaft 62a as described above. It has a function to do.

  The second drive motor 65 is provided with a drive circuit 69 for rotating the output shaft 65a and has a built-in potentiometer 66. The potentiometer 66 detects the rotational position of the output shaft 65a as described above. It has a function to do.

  The operation of the drive circuits 68 and 69 and the potentiometers 63 and 66 are controlled by the control circuit 70, respectively. The control circuit 70 is a microprocessor that includes an arithmetic device, a volatile or nonvolatile storage device, or the like.

  The operation of the acceleration sensor 59 and the angular velocity sensor 60 arranged on the base bracket 53 is controlled by the control circuit 70. The acceleration sensor 59 is a three-axis sensor. The angular velocity sensor 60 is preferably a sensor corresponding to three axes, but may be a sensor corresponding to two axes.

  As described above, the acceleration sensor 59 functions as a tilt angle detection sensor that detects the tilt angle of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100 in the photographing unit 56. As described above, the angular velocity sensor 60 functions as a shake detection sensor that detects the amount of shake of the base bracket 53 due to camera shake. The acceleration sensor 59 also functions as a shake detection sensor.

[Operation of imaging device]
Hereinafter, an operation when camera shake occurs in the imaging device 50 will be described (see FIGS. 16 to 20). The following operation procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  (S11) When shooting using the image pickup apparatus 50 is started, the power switch 57 is operated and turned on to input power.

  (S12) When power is input, the optical axis P of the photographing unit 56 is controlled so as to coincide with the axial direction M of the base bracket 53, that is, the front-rear direction, in both the pitching direction and the yawing direction. The base bracket 53 is held (locked) in a fixed state (see FIG. 17). In this control, the rotational position of the output shaft 62a of the first drive motor 62 and the rotational position of the output shaft 65a of the second drive motor 65 are detected by the potentiometers 63 and 66, respectively, and according to the detection results of the potentiometers 63 and 66. This is done by operating the first drive motor 62 and the second drive motor 65, respectively.

  Each rotation position of the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55 when the optical axis P is aligned with the axial direction M of the base bracket 53 is a neutral position. The neutral position is a central position in the rotation range of the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55, respectively.

  (S13) It is detected whether or not the start switch 58 has been operated. When it is detected that the start switch 58 is not operated, the process proceeds to (S12), and the state where the optical axis P of the photographing unit 56 is matched with the axial direction M of the base bracket 53 is maintained. When it is detected that the start switch 58 is operated, the process proceeds to (S14).

  (S14) When the start switch 58 is operated and turned ON, the inclination angle θ with respect to the ground surface 100 in the pitching direction of the optical axis P is detected. The inclination angle θ is stored in the storage device (or storage medium) of the control circuit 70. In the imaging device 50, as described above, the optical axis P is controlled to coincide with the axial direction M of the base bracket 53 when the power switch 57 is operated. Therefore, the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100 is detected by detecting the inclination angle of the base bracket 53 with respect to the ground surface 100. In the imaging apparatus 50, the base bracket 53 detected by the acceleration sensor 59 is detected. The inclination angle θ is detected by replacing the inclination angle with respect to the ground surface 100 with the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100.

  (S15) The acceleration sensor 59 and the angular velocity sensor 60 detect the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P and the amount of shake of the base bracket 53 due to camera shake. When the angular velocity sensor 60 is not provided on the base bracket 53 and only the acceleration sensor 59 is provided, the amount of shake of the base bracket 53 due to camera shake is detected only by the acceleration sensor 59. The detection result of the camera shake amount is sent to the control circuit 70 at any time. The sent detection result, the inclination angle of the base bracket 53 with respect to the ground surface 100, and the inclination of the optical axis P stored in the storage device with respect to the ground surface 100 are stored. Based on the difference from the angle θ, a command signal for canceling the shake amount and the inclination of the base bracket 53 is sent from the control circuit 70 to the drive circuit 68 and the drive circuit 69, respectively. The command signal includes a shake amount detected in a direction opposite to the shake direction of the output shaft 62a of the first drive motor 62 and the output shaft 65a of the second drive motor 65, and a base when the start switch 58 is operated. This is a signal for rotating the tilt angle of the bracket 53 with respect to the ground surface and the amount of difference between the current tilt angle of the base bracket 53 with respect to the ground surface.

  (S16) Based on the command signal sent from the control circuit 70, a drive voltage is applied from the drive circuit 68 and the drive circuit 69 to the first drive motor 62 and the second drive motor 65, respectively, and the first rotation is performed. The part 3 and the second rotating part 4 are rotated to perform shake correction. Therefore, the angle of the optical axis P is corrected by the rotation operation of the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55, and the correction for the shake is also performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the tilt of the base bracket 53 is changed from M to M1 after the start switch 58 is operated and turned on (S13), the rotation of the first rotating portion 54 is performed. The photographing section 56 is tilted backward by the angle α2 between the axial direction M and the axial direction M1 by the moving operation, and the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the first rotation unit 54 is rotated so as to cancel the detected amount of shake.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when the tilt of the base bracket 53 is changed from M to M2 after the start switch 58 is operated and turned on (S13), the rotation of the first rotating portion 54 is performed. The photographing unit 56 is tilted forward by an angle β2 between the axial direction M and the axial direction M2 by the moving operation, and the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the first rotation unit 54 is rotated so as to cancel the detected amount of shake.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, when the tilt of the base bracket 53 is changed from L to L3 after the start switch 58 is operated and turned on (S13), the second rotating portion 55 is provided. With this rotation operation, the photographing unit 56 is tilted in the opposite direction by the angle γ2 between the axial direction M and the axial direction M3, and the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the second rotation unit 55 is rotated so as to cancel the detected amount of shake.

  Not limited to the above example, it is also assumed that the base bracket 53 is inclined in directions other than the front, rear, and side. In that case, the rotation portion is rotated in the direction opposite to the angle of the direction in which the directions are combined. A rotation operation is performed, and the inclination angle θ of the optical axis P is maintained. At the same time, the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55 are rotated so as to cancel the detected shake amount.

  At this time, the rotational position of the output shaft 62a of the first drive motor 62 is detected by the potentiometer 63, the rotational position of the output shaft 65a of the second drive motor 65 is detected by the potentiometer 66, and the respective detection results are detected by the control circuit 70. Feedback.

  (S17) It is detected whether or not the start switch 58 has been operated. When it is detected that the start switch 58 is not operated and is turned on, the process proceeds to (S15), and the operations of (S15) and (S16) are repeated until it is detected that the start switch 58 is turned off. When it is detected that the start switch 58 has been turned off by operating the switch, the process proceeds to (S18).

  (S18) When it is detected that the start switch 58 is turned off, the optical axis P of the photographing unit 56 is controlled to coincide with the axial direction M of the base bracket 53 in both the pitching direction and the yawing direction ( FIG. 17). This control is performed by operating the first drive motor 62 and the second drive motor 65, respectively, according to the detection results of the potentiometers 63 and 66, as in the operation of (S12). Therefore, the 1st rotation part 54 and the 2nd rotation part 55 return to a neutral position.

  (S19) It is detected whether or not the power switch 57 has been operated. When it is detected that the power switch 57 is not operated and is turned on, the process proceeds to (S18), and the state of (S18) is maintained and the state of (S18) is detected until it is detected that the power switch 57 is turned off. Is retained. When it is detected that the power switch 57 is turned off by operating the power switch 57, the operation ends.

  As described above, in the imaging device 50, when the power switch 57 is operated and power is input in (S12), the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55 are rotated. It is controlled to be held in a neutral position that is the center of the moving range.

  Accordingly, since the rotation operations of the first rotation unit 54 and the second rotation unit 55 at the time of shake correction are performed in substantially the same range on the opposite sides of the rotation range, the shake correction is performed in a wide control range. It is possible to optimize the crack control operation.

  In (S12), when the power switch 57 is operated and power is input, the optical axis P of the photographing unit 56 is controlled to be held at a constant inclination angle θ with respect to the base bracket 53. .

  Therefore, since the angle of the photographing unit 56 with respect to the base bracket 53 is always the same at the start of the shake correction operation and the control start position is constant, the shake correction control is easy and the shake correction is performed. The reliability of the operation is high, and it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the imaging unit 56 during blur correction.

  Further, since the correction unit includes the first drive motor 62, the second drive motor 65, the potentiometer 63, and the potentiometer 66, it is possible to improve the accuracy of shake correction after simplifying the mechanism. it can.

  The imaging device 50 is provided with a shooting switch (recording switch) (not shown) for starting or ending shooting of the subject. However, this shooting switch may be provided separately from the start switch 58. It can also be provided as a photographing switch.

  By providing a start switch 58 for starting blur correction control as a shooting switch, blur correction control is started when the start switch 58 is operated, and shooting of a subject by the shooting unit 56 is started. The operability can be improved.

  Further, by providing the start switch 58 as a photographing switch, a shake correction operation is always performed during photographing by the photographing unit 56, and the image quality of the photographed image can be improved.

[Summary]
As described above, in the shake correction apparatus 1 and the imaging apparatus 50, the inclination angle θ and the shake amount of the optical axis P with respect to the ground surface 100 are detected, and the photographing units 5 and 56 are rotated based on the detection results. The camera shake correction is performed to make the tilt angle θ of the optical axis P constant and the camera shake correction to reduce the camera shake amount.

  Therefore, when the shake correction apparatus 1 or the imaging apparatus 50 is used in an inclined state, a high-quality image can be taken and the usage mode for taking a picture is wide, and the usability is improved and the quality is improved. Images can be taken.

  In addition, since the first rotation units 3 and 54 and the second rotation units 4 and 55 that rotate the imaging units 5 and 56 in directions orthogonal to each other are provided as a rotation mechanism, the accuracy of shake correction is improved. Improvements can be made.

  In the above description, in the shake correction apparatus 1 and the imaging apparatus 50, the example in which the photographing units 5 and 56 are rotated in two directions orthogonal to each other has been shown. For example, the photographing units 5 and 56 are rotated in one direction. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which blur correction is performed.

[Others]
In the above, an example in which the shake amount of the base portion (grip 2 or base bracket 53) due to camera shake is detected by the shake detection sensor has been described. For example, the entire shake correction device 1 or the imaging device 50, or the imaging units 5 and 56 are used. You may make it detect with a blur detection sensor.

  Further, in the above-described shake correction apparatus 1, the photographing unit 5 is configured to be rotatable in the pitching direction and the rolling direction. However, the rotation direction is not limited to this, and the photographing unit 5 is configured to rotate in the pitching direction and the rolling direction. It can be configured to be rotatable in any two of the direction and the yawing direction.

  Furthermore, in the imaging device 50 described above, the photographing unit 56 is configured to be rotatable in the pitching direction and the yawing direction. However, the rotation direction is not limited to this, and the photographing unit 56 is configured to be in the pitching direction and the rolling direction. And the yawing direction can be configured to be rotatable in any two directions.

  Furthermore, the example in which the first drive motors 15 and 62 and the second drive motors 21 and 65 are provided as the correction unit has been described above, but the correction unit is not limited to the drive motor, and the correction unit For example, other driving means such as a piezoelectric element can be used.

[Technology]
The present technology may be configured as follows.

  (1) A holding unit that rotatably holds an imaging unit that captures a subject, a detection unit that detects an inclination angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the ground surface, and a shake amount of the holding unit, A shake correction apparatus comprising: a correction unit that performs a shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result.

  (2) The holding unit includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the imaging unit and a base unit that supports the rotation mechanism, and the imaging unit is a first support shaft as a fulcrum as the rotation mechanism. A first rotation unit configured to rotate in a first direction; and a second rotation configured to rotate the imaging unit in a second direction with a second support shaft orthogonal to the first support shaft as a fulcrum. The shake correction apparatus according to (1), further including a unit.

  (3) The shake correction apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein an acceleration sensor that detects the tilt angle and the shake amount is used as the detection unit.

  (4) The shake correction apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor that detect the shake amount are used as the detection unit.

  (5) The shake correction apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the correction unit includes a drive motor and a potentiometer that detects a rotational position of an output shaft of the drive motor.

  (6) The shake correction apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein a grip functioning as a handle is provided as the holding portion, and the detection portion is disposed on the grip.

  (7) A power switch for inputting and stopping power supply is provided, and when the power switch is operated and power is input, the first rotating part and the second rotating part are each in a rotation range. The blur correction device according to any one of (2) to (6), wherein the blur correction device is held at the center of the lens.

  (8) A grip functioning as a handle is provided as the holding unit, a power switch for inputting and stopping power is provided, and when the power is input by operating the power switch, the optical axis of the photographing unit is The camera shake correction apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the camera is held at a constant angle with respect to the grip.

  (9) The start switch for starting the shake correction control is provided, and the shake correction control is started by the operation of the start switch, and the photographing of the subject in the photographing unit is started (1) To (8).

  (10) A shake correction device that corrects shake of a captured image and a housing in which the shake correction device is arranged, and the shake correction device includes a shooting unit that takes a subject and the shooting unit. A holding unit that is rotatably held, a detection unit that detects an inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in the photographing unit, and a shake amount of the holding unit, and the optical axis based on a detection result of the detection unit An image pickup apparatus comprising: a correction unit that performs shake correction that maintains the inclination angle with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces a shake amount.

  (11) The detection unit detects an inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface and a shake amount of the holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit in the imaging unit that captures the subject, and based on the detection result of the detection unit A shake correction method in which a correction unit performs shake correction that maintains a constant inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface and reduces a shake amount.

  (12) An inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in an imaging unit that captures an object and a shake amount of a holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit are detected by a detection unit of a shake correction device disposed inside the housing. An imaging method in which the correction unit of the shake correction device detects and performs shake correction that maintains a constant inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit.

  The specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the best mode described above are merely examples of the implementation of the present technology, and the technical scope of the present technology is limited by these. It should not be interpreted in a general way.

2 to 12 show an embodiment of a shake correction apparatus of the present technology, and this figure is a perspective view. It is a disassembled perspective view. It is a front view. It is a side view. It is a perspective view which shows the example from which the position of the 1st rotation part and the 2nd rotation part was changed. It is a block diagram which shows a circuit structure etc. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the shake correction apparatus together with FIGS. It is a side view which shows the state by which the optical axis was made perpendicular to the axial direction of a grip when a power switch was operated. It is a front view which shows the state by which the optical axis was made perpendicular to the axial direction of a grip when a power switch was operated. It is a side view which shows the state in which shake correction was performed when the grip tilted forward. It is a side view which shows the state by which shake correction was performed when a grip inclined backward. It is a side view which shows the state by which blurring correction was performed when a grip inclined to the side. 14 to 20 show an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present technology, and this figure is a schematic front view. It is a schematic side view. It is a block diagram which shows a circuit structure etc. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the imaging apparatus together with FIGS. 17 to 20. It is a schematic side view which shows the state by which the optical axis was made perpendicular | vertical to the axial direction of the base bracket when the power switch was operated. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which shake correction is performed when the base bracket is tilted forward. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which shake correction is performed when the base bracket is tilted backward. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which shake correction is performed when the base bracket is tilted to the side.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shake correction apparatus, 2 ... Grip (base part), 3 ... 1st rotation part, 4 ... 2nd rotation part, 5 ... Imaging | photography part, 8 ... Power switch, 9 ... Start switch, 10 ... Acceleration Sensor, 11 ... Angular velocity sensor, 15 ... First drive motor, 15a ... Output shaft, 18 ... Potentiometer, 21 ... Second drive motor, 21a ... Output shaft, 24 ... Potentiometer, 50 ... Imaging device, 51 ... Housing 52 ... Shake correction device, 53 ... Base bracket (base part), 54 ... First rotating part, 55 ... Second rotating part, 56 ... Shooting part, 57 ... Power switch, 58 ... Start switch, 59 ... acceleration sensor, 60 ... angular velocity sensor, 62 ... first drive motor, 62a ... output shaft, 63 ... potentiometer, 65 ... second drive motor, 65a ... output shaft, 66 ... potentiometer Tha

Claims (12)

A holding unit that rotatably holds a photographing unit that photographs a subject;
A detection unit for detecting an inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in the photographing unit and a shake amount of the holding unit;
A shake correction apparatus comprising: a correction unit that performs a shake correction that maintains a constant inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface based on a detection result of the detection unit and reduces a shake amount. The holding unit includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the photographing unit and a base unit that supports the rotation mechanism,
As the rotation mechanism, a first rotation unit that rotates the imaging unit in a first direction with a first support shaft as a fulcrum, and a second rotation unit that is orthogonal to the first support shaft. The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second rotating portion that rotates in the second direction about the support shaft. The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an acceleration sensor that detects the tilt angle and the shake amount is used as the detection unit. The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor that detect the shake amount are used as the detection unit. The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit includes a drive motor and a potentiometer that detects a rotational position of an output shaft of the drive motor. Provide a grip functioning as a handle as the holding part,
The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is disposed on the grip. Provide a power switch to input and stop power,
The said 1st rotation part and the said 2nd rotation part were each hold | maintained in the center in a rotation range, when the said power switch is operated and a power supply is input. Blur correction device. Provide a grip functioning as a handle as the holding part,
Provide a power switch to input and stop power,
The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power switch is operated and power is input, the optical axis of the imaging unit is held at a constant angle with respect to the grip. A start switch is provided to start blur correction control.
The shake correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control of shake correction is started by an operation on the start switch, and shooting of a subject by the shooting unit is started. A shake correction device that corrects shake of a captured image and a housing in which the shake correction device is disposed;
The blur correction device is
A shooting section for shooting the subject;
A holding unit for rotatably holding the photographing unit;
A detection unit for detecting an inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in the photographing unit and a shake amount of the holding unit;
An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a correction unit that performs a shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit. The detection unit detects the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in the imaging unit that captures the subject and the amount of shake of the holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit,
The shake correction method, wherein the correction unit performs shake correction for keeping the tilt angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reducing a shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit. An inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface in an imaging unit that captures a subject and a shake amount of a holding unit that rotatably holds the imaging unit are detected by a detection unit of a shake correction device disposed inside the housing,
An imaging method in which the shake correction device of the shake correction apparatus performs shake correction that keeps the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground surface constant and reduces a shake amount based on a detection result of the detection unit.

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