JP2013037325A - Imaging apparatus capable of performing underwater imaging - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus having a release switch capable of using the same button without hindering a release operation under water.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus which can be used under water, comprises: focus means; underwater detection means for detecting whether or not the imaging apparatus is under water; release means having a first switch which outputs a first signal by displacement of a displacement button displaced by hand pressing operation and a second switch which outputs a second signal by greater displacement of the displacement button than the displacement; and control means for, when the underwater detection means determines that the imaging apparatus is not under water, causing the focus means to perform automatic focus by the first signal, and then causing the imaging apparatus to perform an exposure operation by the second signal, and for, when the underwater detection means determines that the imaging apparatus is under water, causing the focus means to perform the automatic focus by using only the second signal, and then when the second signal is not detected and is detected again, causing the imaging apparatus to perform the exposure operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical device, an imaging device, and the like that can perform underwater photography. More particularly, the present invention relates to a camera that can shoot on land and in water.

  In recent years, cameras as optical devices have been commercialized so that they can be easily enjoyed underwater. Accordingly, further improvement in shooting operability in deep water has been demanded.

  In relation to this, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of ignoring the function of the push button when the push button provided on the camera remains pressed by the water pressure. Further, in Patent Document 2, a seesaw type member or the like is provided on a pair of switch members such as a zoom switch so that the underwater switch is not turned on and off by the water pressure to prevent the water pressure from being pressed.

JP 2001-100270 A JP 2006-156114 A

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-100270, “Ignore the function of this push button when it remains pressed by water pressure”, the function must be converted to another button. The original function will be lost at that time, and the button operation may be confused in some cases, and the operability is not always good. Further, use of a member such as a seesaw type member in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-100270 requires an extra space, and may be inappropriate for use in a small camera or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if the switch button is pressed and turned on with a relatively weak force due to water pressure, the switch button that is turned on for the first time with a force greater than the weak force is used. On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus having a release switch system that effectively uses the remaining functions while sacrificing the original functions and does not deteriorate the operability.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an imaging device that can be used in water according to the present invention includes a focusing unit, an underwater detection unit that detects whether the imaging device is in water, and a displacement that is displaced in a pressing direction by a manual pressing operation. A first switch that outputs a first signal by being displaced by a button, a first force applied to the displacement button, and a second switch that is further displaced by a second force greater than the first force applied to the displacement button. When the imaging device is determined not to be underwater by the underwater detection unit, the focusing unit performs automatic focusing by the focusing unit according to the first signal. Then, the exposure operation is performed by the second signal, and when the imaging device is determined to be underwater by the underwater detection unit, the automatic focusing is performed using only the second signal. It said second signal is not detected, comprising a control means for causing the exposure operation if there is again the second signal after.

  In the imaging device of the present invention, when the imaging device is determined to be underwater by the underwater detection means, and the signal output is maintained for a certain period after the first second signal is output. The above focusing is performed again.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the underwater detection means determines that the imaging apparatus is underwater, and the signal output is lost within a certain period after the first second signal is output. When the signal output is generated again, the exposure operation is performed.

  According to the present invention, the same release button can be used without taking up space unnecessarily and eliminating the influence of water pressure in shooting underwater (imaging) as well as in underwater shooting and without affecting the release operation in water. It is possible to provide an imaging device having a release switch that can be used.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the camera which is an imaging device carrying this invention. 1 is a rear external view of a camera which is an imaging device equipped with the present invention. It is an electrical block diagram which shows the outline of the electrical structure of the camera of this invention. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating this invention which is a 1st Example. The display screen displayed on the display device at the time of unfocusing in the first embodiment and the display screen displayed on the display device before focusing and photographing in the second embodiment are shown. The display screen displayed on the display apparatus at the time of focusing of a 1st Example is shown. The display screen displayed on the display apparatus before focusing and imaging | photography of a 1st Example is shown. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating this invention which is a 2nd Example. The display screen displayed on the display apparatus at the time of the out-of-focus of 2nd Example is shown. The display screen displayed on the display apparatus at the time of focusing of a 2nd Example is shown.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera which is an imaging device (optical device) equipped with the present invention, FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the camera of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a first embodiment. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating this invention which is a form.

  The camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a release button (release switch button, displacement button) 1a constituting the elements of the release means and a main switch button 1c as a power switch of the camera 1 on the upper surface. In addition, a photographing window 1b is provided in front of the camera for photographing (imaging) a subject so that a subject luminous flux enters.

  Inside the camera 1, there is provided a photographing optical system that takes in the subject luminous flux that has entered through the photographing window 1b and forms a subject image on the image sensor. In addition, this photographing optical system naturally includes a focusing optical system for focusing, and together with the focusing optical system, an electric circuit system inside the camera is included to constitute known focusing means.

  FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the camera 1. The rear surface has a display screen 1d of an image display device composed of a liquid crystal display screen, and displays the current subject image captured by the image sensor as a captured image or moving image. Further, an AF release switch button 80 for operating an AF release switch 80a described later is disposed on the side of the display screen 1d on the rear side of the camera.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the camera 1 for achieving the present invention. The block diagram is for driving a CPU as a control means and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 10 including a peripheral device, a main switch 20, and a focus motor 30a constituting a focusing means together with a photographing program. Motor driver 30, an image processing circuit 40 for processing an image signal from the image sensor 40a, an external memory 50 storing a photographing program, a water pressure sensor 60 as an element constituting an underwater detection means, and an element of a release means The first switch 70a configured to output the first signal, the second switch 70b configured as an element of the release means to output the second signal, and the AF release switch button 80 are actuated by pressing. Display for driving an AF release switch 80a for outputting a signal and an image display device 90a for displaying an image outside the camera. It includes a sense circuit 90, and each of which is electrically connected to the ASIC 10.

  The main switch 20 is a switch for starting up the CPU in the ASIC 10, and when this switch is turned on, the CPU starts up (starts up) from the HALT or sleep state and enters the operating state.

  The motor driver 30 is a circuit for driving the focus motor 30a to perform focusing which is one of various functions of the camera.

  The image processing circuit 40 is a circuit for processing an image signal from the image sensor 40a.

  The external memory 50 stores a program for controlling the camera.

  The water pressure sensor 60 is a sensor for detecting whether the camera 1 is in water by detecting water pressure. This sensor does not necessarily need to be a pressure detection sensor, and may simply use means capable of detecting water and seawater.

  The first switch is a switch for performing the focusing of the camera. The release button 1a is pushed and displaced by the camera operator, and the switch member built in the camera 1 at the initial stage of the displacement is the first switch. The switch is turned on with a constant pressing force, which is the amount of force, to form a switch closure from a switch opening.

  The second switch is a switch that is turned on with a second force amount larger than the first force amount when the release button (switch) 1a is continuously pressed after the first switch is turned on by the camera operator and is further displaced. . This switch is also composed of a switch member that forms a switch opening from a switch opening with a second force amount.

  The electric circuit according to the configuration of the above electric block diagram controls the camera 1 as the first embodiment according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described below together with FIGS.

  First, when the main switch 20 is turned on, a program stored in the external memory 50 is started, and step S10 is entered. In step S10, it is determined whether the camera 1 is underwater.

  If it is determined that the subject is underwater, the process proceeds to step S10aa, and the display screen 1d of the image display device 90a displaying the subject image on the back of the camera via the display processing circuit 90 is not matched as shown in FIG. The operations of “unfocused” display 1faa for displaying the focused state together with the subject 1g in focus, the focusing frame 1e (ranging frame, AF frame), and “releasing the release button deeply → focusing” are performed. The auxiliary and instructing display is superimposed and displayed, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  With this display in step S10aa, it is displayed whether or not the subject is in focus, and what should be done next can be understood well by the photographing operator from the above display. That is, if the release button is pressed deeply, the focusing operation can be started. Here, “deep press” is to turn on a second switch described later.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not the second switch (2nd release) that is turned on when pressed down is turned on by the photographing operator. Usually, the power to turn on the first switch is much lighter than the power to turn on the second switch, and may be turned on by the water pressure in water. Only the operation of the second switch is detected without reading the ON operation. That is, turning on the first release is ignored.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the second switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S12, where the camera 1 outputs the output of the focusing sensor (not shown) or the contrast evaluation value of the subject image formed on the image sensor, The motor 30a is driven by known driving means. As a result, a focusing operation (AF) is started on the subject 1g superimposed on the focusing frame 1e of the display screen 1d, and the operation is completed.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the second switch remains off, the process proceeds to step S18 described later.

  When the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12a, the display screen 1d, as shown in FIG. 6, a "focus" display 1fba for displaying the focused state together with the focused subject 1g, and a focusing frame 1e (ranging) Frame, AF frame), and a display for assisting and instructing the operation, “Refocus → Release the release button and press the AF release switch. Shooting → Release the release button and press it deeply.” It is displayed superimposed on the screen.

  As will be described later, if the photographing operator looks at this display and wants to focus again on the subject, the current focusing state is ignored, the finger is released from the release button, and the AF release switch button 80 (AF After pressing the release key), the release button can be pressed again to focus again, or if you want to shoot (exposure) in the current focus state as described later, Can be released and deeply pressed again to take a picture (exposure).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, it is determined whether or not the second switch is turned off. If not turned off, step S13 is repeated and the process waits until the second switch is turned off. The repetition of step S13 means that the photographing operator has pressed the release button 1a.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the second switch has been turned off, the photographing operator has released his / her finger from the release button 1a or is in a state where the finger has been put on the release button 1a with an amount of lighter than the second amount of force. It will be judged.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S13a. As shown in FIG. 7, the display screen 1d has an "in-focus" display 1fca for displaying the in-focus state together with the in-focus subject 1g, and an in-focus frame 1e (ranging frame, AF Frame) and a display for assisting and instructing the operation of “refocusing → press the AF release switch and press the release button deeply.

  From here, the process proceeds to step S14, and it is determined again in step S14 whether or not the photographing operator holds the in-focus state performed in step S12. That is, for example, if there is no operation of the AF release switch button 80 for the AF release operation on the camera 1, it is assumed that the photographing operator has an intention to hold the focus result performed in step S12, and the process proceeds to step S15. .

  In step S14, if the AF release switch button 80 is operated, the process returns to step S10aa, and in step S12, the previously focused state is ignored and refocusing is performed. The process of returning from step S14 to step S10aa and step S12 is to execute the display “refocus (for)” → press the AF release switch and press the release button deeply ”in FIG. .

  If it is determined in step S14 that the AF release switch button 80 has not been operated, the process jumps to step S15. In step S15, it is determined again whether or not the second switch is turned on. That is, if the second switch is not turned on, the process waits for the second switch to be turned on again through step S14.

If the second switch is turned on in step S15, the process proceeds to step S16, and the subject light flux that has passed through the shutter forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 40a. That is, shooting is performed. That is, Steps S15 to S16 are intended to execute “shooting → press release button deeply”. In step S17, the post-exposure processing is completed by performing other necessary processing such as capturing of image processing via the image processing circuit 40 or the like and writing to a recording medium. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S18 to detect whether or not the main switch 20 is off. If the main switch 20 is off, the ASIC 10 enters a HALT or sleep state.
If it is determined in step S18 that the main switch 20 remains ON, the process returns to step S10. If it is determined in step S10 that the camera is not underwater, that is, the camera is operated on land, the process jumps to step S10a, and the camera is controlled so as to normally operate on land as normally used. That is, in step S10a, it is detected whether or not the first release switch is on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S10b to perform a focusing operation and complete.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10c, where it is detected whether or not the second switch is on. If there is no on-detection, the process jumps to step S10a again. If the second switch is detected to be turned on in step S10c, the process jumps to step S16 and exposure is started, and the subsequent processing is performed as described above. If the first switch remains off in step S10a, the process jumps to step S18. The subsequent steps are as described above.

  As described above, according to the configuration and control used in the first embodiment of the present invention, the first release switch (1st release) as the first switch and the second release switch (2nd as the second switch). Release) is a publicly known and publicly used configuration on land, that is, the first switch starts and completes the focusing operation, and the second switch exposes the subject light to be recorded on the image sensor. Control is performed.

  Once the camera is used underwater (in the case), the water pressure sensor detects this, ignores the on / off of the first switch, and based on the signal detected from the on of the second switch. An in-focus operation is performed to complete the process. After the second switch is turned on and off, the second switch is turned on and exposure is performed.

Further, after the in-focus operation, the in-focus operation can be performed again and again for any subject by operating the AF release switch. According to this, it is possible to replace the functions of the conventional first and second releases with only the second release without using the first release that is turned on with a weak force. As a result, what the imaging operator should do next can be instructed on the image display screen, and the imaging operator can concentrate on shooting without hesitation.

5, 9, and 10, the electrical circuit having the above-described electrical configuration can control the camera 1 described below as a second embodiment according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 described below. it can. The camera body will be described using the same configuration as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same components will be described with the same numbers (symbols).

  When the main switch 20 is turned on, the program stored in the external memory 50 is started, and the process enters step S21. In step S21, it is determined whether the camera is underwater.

  If it is determined that the subject is underwater, the process proceeds to step S22, and the display screen 1d of the image display device 90a displaying the subject image on the back of the camera is displayed on the display screen 1d via the display processing circuit 90 as shown in FIG. A focusing frame 1e is displayed together with the focused subject 1g, an “unfocused” display 1faa for displaying the in-focus state, and a display for assisting or instructing an operation such as “pressing the release button deeply into focus”. Is done. With this display, it is displayed whether or not the subject is in focus, and the photographing operator can understand well what to do next. In other words, if the release button is pressed deeply with the display of “pressing the release button deeply → focusing”, the focusing operation can be started. Next, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not the second switch (2nd release) that is deeply pressed is turned on by the photographing operator. If it is determined in step S23 that the second switch is turned on, the camera 1 outputs the output of the focusing sensor (not shown) or the contrast evaluation value of the subject image formed on the image sensor in step S24, and a known value. The motor 30a is driven by the driving means, and a focusing operation (AF) is started on the subject 1g superimposed and displayed on the focusing frame 1e of the display screen 1d, and the operation is completed.

  If the second switch (2nd release) is OFF in step S23, the process proceeds to step S36 described later.

  When the process proceeds from step S23 to step S25, the display screen 1d, as shown in FIG. 9, a "focus" display 1fba for displaying the focused state together with the focused subject 1g, and a focusing frame 1e (ranging) Frame, AF frame), “automatic refocus after a certain period of time”, “shooting → release the release button and press the release button deeply”, and the camera operation and the display to assist and instruct the operation It is displayed superimposed on the inside. The camera operator looks at this display and, as will be described later, if the release button is kept pressed down, the camera automatically enters the focusing operation again after a certain time (from Step S26 to Step S29, Step S29a, which will be described later). Step S29b, step S23, and step S24).

  Then, as described below, if you want to shoot (exposure) in the current in-focus state, either release your finger from the release button or drop your finger pressing force to the first force level and press it again to shoot ( Exposure).

  When the process of step S25 is completed, the process proceeds to step S26 to start the first time measurement. This first timekeeping is a step of starting timekeeping for measuring the “predetermined time” of “automatic refocusing after a predetermined time” in the display of FIG. 9 to be described later. For example, it measures 3 seconds. .

  Next, the process proceeds to step S27 to start the second time measurement. This second timing is for performing “automatic refocusing after a predetermined time” in FIG. 10 described later, and for measuring whether or not the release button is pressed deeply for a certain time for photographing. It is.

  If there is no deep press for shooting within this timed time, this is a step of starting the time for entering the automatic focusing operation of the camera again. For example, 6 seconds which is longer than the first timed time is set. It shall be timed.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S28 to start the third time measurement. As will be described later, this third time measurement detects whether or not the release button has been pressed deeply within a certain period of time after focusing has been completed in order to execute “shooting → press release button deeply” in FIG. Is to do. For example, it is assumed that 9 seconds are counted.

  In step S29, it is determined whether or not the second switch that is deeply pressed is turned off by the photographing operator. That is, it is determined whether the operator's finger is away from the release button 1a or not, but only the first switch is turned on.

  If the second switch is turned off by the photographing operator, the process proceeds to step S30, and the ASIC 10 performs display as shown in FIG. 10 on the image display device via the display processing circuit. That is, on the display screen 1d, the subject 1g, the focusing frame 1e, the “focusing” display 1fca for displaying the focusing state, “automatic refocusing after a certain time”, and “shooting → release button deeply pressed” are displayed. ”And a display for assisting and instructing the operation are superimposed on the screen.

  This “automatic refocusing after a certain time” indicates to the operator that the camera automatically performs refocusing when a certain time elapses from the completion of the focusing operation performed in step S24. . In addition, “shooting → press release button deeply” means that the shooting operation starts when the operator presses the release button deeply.

  If the second switch is still fully pressed in step S29, the process jumps to step S29a, and it is determined whether the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step S26.

  If the first time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S29b to execute the display “automatic refocusing after a fixed time” in FIG. 9, and the first, second, and third times are stopped, and these times are counted. Clear (reset) the state. Then, returning to step S23 and step S24, the focusing operation is performed again. If it is determined in step S29a that the first time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S29.

  From step S30, the process proceeds to step S31, where the state of the second release (deep pressing of the release button) is determined, and if it remains off, the process proceeds to step S31a for performing the second timing, and from step S27 to the second timing time. Determine if has passed.

  If this second timing has not elapsed, the process returns to step S31. If it is determined in step S31a that this second timing has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S29b, and the subsequent steps are as described above.

  If it is determined in step S31 that the 2nd release (deep pressing of the release button) is on, the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether the third time measurement has elapsed. If it is determined that the third timing has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S29b, and the subsequent steps are as described above. If the third timekeeping time has not yet elapsed in step S32, the first, second, and third timekeeping are stopped in step S33, and these timekeeping states are cleared (reset). In the next step S34, exposure is started.

  In step S34, the subject luminous flux that has passed through the shutter forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging device 40a. That is, shooting is performed. That is, Steps S31 to S34 are intended to execute “shooting with the release button pressed deep”, which means the display “shooting → release button pressed down”.

  In step S35, other necessary processes such as capturing of image processes and writing to a recording medium are performed via the image processing circuit 40, and the post-exposure process is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S36 to detect whether or not the main switch 20 is off. If the main switch 20 is off, the ASIC 10 enters a HALT or sleep state.

  If it is determined in step S36 that the main switch 20 remains ON, the process returns to step S21.

  If it is determined in step S21 that the camera is not underwater, that is, the camera is being operated on land, the process jumps to step S21a, and the camera is controlled so as to normally operate on land as normally used. That is, in step S21a, it is detected whether or not the first switch is on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S21b to perform a focusing operation and complete.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S21c, where it is detected whether or not the release button is pressed down to turn on the second switch. If there is no ON detection, the process jumps to step S21a again. If it is detected in step S21c that the second switch is turned on, the process jumps to step S34 to start exposure, and the subsequent processing is performed as described above.

    If the first switch remains off in step S21a, the process jumps to step S36. The subsequent steps are as described above.

  During the first timekeeping, if the second release switch is turned on, that is, the release button is kept pressed down, the camera repeats focusing every certain time (for example, every 3 seconds).

  Further, the second time measurement time is measured when the operator's finger is separated from the release button or only the first release switch is turned on, and the composition of the subject is changed by this time measurement. Since there is a possibility that there is a possibility, the camera also gives an opportunity to automatically focus.

  In the third time measurement, since the time is longer than the first time measurement time and the second time measurement time, there is a possibility that the focus on the subject is shifted due to the movement of the subject. This gives an opportunity to perform the focusing operation. Thus, in the second embodiment, no button operation other than the release button is required in the water, and the operability can be improved.

  The first time t1, the second time t2, and the third time t3 may be set as appropriate, or each time can be set according to the preference of the operator. I do not care. Alternatively, t1 = t2 = t3 may be set. Further, the third timing may be omitted.

  And 1st time measurement is performed by the loop in the flowchart formed by step S26 and step S29 and step S29a, and comprises a 1st time measuring means.

  The second time measurement is performed in step S27 and a loop in the flowchart formed by step S31 and step S31a, and constitutes a second time measuring means.

  The third time measurement measures the time from step S28 to step S32 and constitutes a third time measuring means.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the description has been made by omitting the steps which are other elements of the flowchart for controlling the camera, but naturally, each step in the present invention is in the actual flowchart. It will be incorporated as appropriate. The character display in the image display screen may be displayed as a lighting mark in a part of the screen instead. Further, the character display itself may be blinked.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications and applications can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above-described embodiment, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect of the invention can be obtained, this constituent requirement is deleted. The configured structure can be extracted as an invention.

1 ... Camera,
1a ... Release button,
1b ... shooting window,
1c ... main switch button,
1d: image display screen (display screen),
1e AF frame (focusing frame),
1f: Operation status display (instruction display),
1g ... subject,
10 ... ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit),
20 ... Main switch,
30 ... Motor driver,
30a: Motor (focusing motor, AF motor),
40: Image processing circuit,
40a ... Image sensor,
50 ... External memory,
60 ... Water pressure sensor,
70 ... Release means (2 stage switch for release),
70a, first release switch 70b, second release switch 80, AF release switch button (AF release means),
80a... AF release switch (AF release means)
90 ... Image display processing circuit,
90a: Image display device.

Claims (3)

In imaging equipment that can be used underwater,
Focusing means;
Underwater detection means for detecting whether the imaging device is in water,
A displacement button that is displaced in the pressing direction by a manual pressing operation;
Release means having a first switch that outputs a first signal by being displaced by the displacement of the displacement button, and a second switch that outputs a second signal by being displaced by a further displacement than the displacement of the displacement button. When,
When it is determined by the underwater detection means that the imaging device is not underwater, automatic focusing is performed by the focusing means based on the first signal, and then an exposure operation is performed based on the second signal. When the detection means determines that the imaging device is underwater, the automatic focusing is performed using only the second signal, and then the second signal is not detected and the second signal is detected again. Control means for performing an exposure operation if there is a signal;
An imaging device that can be used underwater. When the imaging device is determined to be underwater by the underwater detection means, and the signal output is maintained for a certain period after the first second signal is output, the focusing is performed again. The imaging device according to claim 1. When the underwater detection means determines that the imaging device is underwater, the signal output disappears within a certain period after the first second signal is output, and then the signal output occurs again. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure operation is performed.

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