JP2013055566A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which accurately detects occurrence of a flare.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 1 comprises: detection means which detects an angle generated by the light axis of a photographic lens 2 and the direction of a light source having a predetermined brightness or more or detects information for identifying the angle; storage means 11 for storing flare occurrence condition information indicating a flare occurrence condition with at least the angle generated by the light axis of the photographic lens 2 and the direction of the light source or the information for identifying the angle, as a parameter; and determination means which determines whether a flare has occurred, by comparing the angle or the information detected by the detection means with the flare occurrence condition information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228667 discloses an imaging apparatus that electrically corrects flare generated in an imaging optical system.

  That is, in Patent Document 1 below, in an imaging camera, a flare generated by a light source whose photographing result has a predetermined brightness according to at least a predetermined aperture value and a focal length parameter of the optical system is stored in advance as a storage flare. , Detecting a video portion having a value larger than the predetermined value from the video signal, estimating the brightness thereof, and predicting a flare generated when a light source having the estimated brightness exists using the stored flare An image pickup apparatus that generates a flare in a pseudo manner and subtracts it from the video signal is disclosed.

JP-A-11-355636

  In the conventional imaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a video portion having a value larger than a predetermined value is detected from the video signal and the brightness is estimated, if there is a light source having a predetermined brightness or higher, It is assumed that flare occurs regardless of the angle formed by the direction of the light source and the optical axis of the photographing optical system.

  However, in an imaging device, flare does not always occur if there is a light source with a predetermined brightness or higher, and even if there is a light source with a predetermined brightness or higher, the direction of the light source and the optical axis of the imaging optical system form. Depending on the angle, it has been confirmed by experiments that flare occurs or does not occur.

  Therefore, in the conventional imaging apparatus, it is often considered that flare is generated even though flare does not actually occur, and the detection accuracy of flare generation is low.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus with high flare detection accuracy.

  The following aspects are presented as means for solving the problems. An imaging apparatus according to a first aspect includes an angle formed by an optical axis of a photographing optical system and a direction of a light source having a predetermined brightness or more, or detection means for detecting information for specifying the angle, and the photographing optical system Storage means storing flare generation condition information indicating a flare generation condition having at least a parameter of an angle formed by the optical axis of the light source and the direction of the light source or information for specifying this angle, and the detection means Determining means for determining the presence or absence of flare by comparing the angle or the information with the flare occurrence condition information.

  The image pickup apparatus according to a second aspect is the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the detection means acquires a position of the light source in the image from the picked-up image and an attitude detection that detects an attitude of the image pickup apparatus. And means for acquiring the angle or the information based on the position in the image and the posture.

  In the imaging device according to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the photographing optical system is a zoom lens, and the flare generation condition uses the focal length information of the photographing optical system as another parameter, and the determination The means determines whether or not flare has occurred by comparing current focal length information of the photographing optical system with the flare occurrence condition information.

  In the imaging device according to a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the photographing optical system is replaceable, and the flare generation condition uses information regarding the photographing optical system as another parameter, The determination means determines whether or not flare has occurred by checking information regarding the currently installed photographing optical system with the flare generation condition information.

  In the imaging device according to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the information regarding the photographing optical system is information indicating a type of the photographing optical system.

  In the imaging device according to a sixth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the information regarding the photographing optical system is one or more of a lens configuration, an exit pupil distance, and a focal length of the photographing optical system.

  In any one of the first to sixth aspects, an imaging apparatus according to a seventh aspect includes an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the determination unit determines that flare has occurred.

  In the imaging device according to the eighth aspect, in any of the first to seventh aspects, when the determination unit determines that flare is generated, the angle or the information that is a basis for the determination Is recorded in association with an image captured in a state where it is determined that the flare has occurred.

  In the imaging device according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the determination unit determines that the flare is generated, the influence of the flare is reduced on the captured image. In this way, an image processing unit for processing is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus with high flare detection accuracy.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the example of the positional relationship of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1, and a light source. It is a figure which shows an example of flare generation conditions typically. It is a schematic flowchart which shows operation | movement of the predetermined mode of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 6 is another schematic flowchart showing the operation of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 in the predetermined mode. It is a schematic flowchart which shows operation | movement of the predetermined mode of the electronic camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is another schematic flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said predetermined mode of the electronic camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an imaging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an electronic camera 1 as an imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a so-called digital camera. However, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, but other imaging apparatuses such as a video camera, and imaging mounted on a mobile phone. The present invention can be applied to various imaging devices such as a device.

  The electronic camera 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a photographing lens 2 as a photographing optical system. The photographing lens 2 is driven by the lens control unit 4 to focus and stop. In the present embodiment, the photographing lens 2 is detachable and replaceable with respect to the main body of the electronic camera 1 and can be replaced with a zoom lens or a fixed focus lens. However, in the present invention, the photographic lens 2 may be attached to the main body so that it cannot be replaced. Also in this case, the photographing lens 2 may be a zoom lens or a fixed focus lens.

  In the present embodiment, the photographic lens 2 has a storage unit (not shown) such as a nonvolatile memory that stores lens information (information about itself) including a model as information indicating its type. The lens information stored in the storage unit can be acquired by the CPU 10 via a terminal or the like provided at a portion where the photographing lens 2 and the main body are in contact, and further via a bus 9 described later. . When the photographing lens 2 is a zoom lens, the focal length in the current adjustment state of the photographing lens 2 is supplied from the photographing lens 2 to the CPU 10 as a part of lens information.

  In the image space of the photographic lens 2, the imaging surface of the imaging element 3 is arranged. The imaging device 3 is driven by a control signal output from the imaging control unit 5 and outputs an image signal. For example, a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor is used as the imaging element 3. A signal output from the image sensor 3 is processed through the signal processing unit 6 and the A / D conversion unit 7 that perform amplification and the like, and then temporarily stored in the memory 8. The memory 8 is connected to the bus 9. The bus 9 includes a lens control unit 4, an imaging control unit 5, a CPU 10, a memory 11, a recording unit 12, an image processing unit 13, an image compression unit 14, a display unit 15 such as a rear liquid crystal panel and / or an electronic viewfinder, and An attitude detection unit 16 that detects the attitude of the electronic camera 1 is also connected. An operation unit 17 such as a release button is connected to the CPU 10. A recording medium 12a is detachably attached to the recording unit 12. The signal processing unit 6 and the A / D conversion unit 7 may be mounted on the image sensor 3.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the electronic camera 1 and the light source 100. FIG. 2 shows an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other with the electronic camera 1 as a reference. The Z axis coincides with the direction of the optical axis O of the electronic camera 1, the X axis coincides with the horizontal direction of the electronic camera 1, and the Y axis coincides with the vertical direction of the electronic camera 1. The rotation direction and rotation angle around the X axis are called a pitch direction and a pitch angle, respectively, and the rotation direction and rotation angle around the Y axis are called a yaw direction and a yaw angle, respectively.

  In FIG. 2A, the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 of the electronic camera 1 and the direction A of the light source 100 from the electronic camera 1 coincide with each other, and the light source 100 is positioned on the optical axis O. FIG. 2B shows a state in which the electronic camera 1 is rotated by the pitch angle θp in the pitch direction from the state shown in FIG. 2B, the electronic camera 1 is not rotated in the yaw direction from the state shown in FIG. 2A, the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 of the electronic camera 1, and the light source 100 from the electronic camera 1. The angle θ formed by the direction A is equal to the pitch angle θp with respect to the direction A.

  Flares may occur if the brightness of the light source 100 is greater than or equal to a predetermined brightness, but if the angle θ formed by the optical axis O and the direction A is 0 ° as shown in FIG. Since the light incident on the image sensor 3 enters the image sensor 3 along the optical axis O and does not enter the image sensor 3 at an angle, flare does not occur. This was also confirmed by experiments.

  When the brightness of the light source 100 is equal to or higher than the predetermined brightness, the electronic camera 1 is rotated in one or both of the pitch direction and the yaw direction with reference to the direction A, thereby FIG. ), When the angle θ formed by the optical axis O and the direction A is set to a certain angle, the light incident on the image sensor 3 from the light source 100 is along the direction inclined by the angle θ from the optical axis O. Is incident on the image pickup device 3 at an angle, and flare occurs. However, it has been confirmed by experiments that flare does not occur if the angle θ is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, but occurs only when the angle θ is within a relatively narrow angle range. The range of the angle θ at which flare occurs when the brightness of the light source 100 is greater than or equal to the predetermined brightness is referred to as a flare generation angle range. The flare generation angle range varies depending on the type (for example, model) of the photographic lens 2 mounted on the same camera body, and typically, the lens configuration of the photographic lens 2 (spherical lens / aspheric lens) It has been experimentally confirmed that if any one of the number of lenses, the number of coatings, and the like, the exit pupil distance (PO value), and the focal length are different, the flare generation angle range is different. Further, when the photographing lens 2 is a zoom lens, even if the photographing lens 2 is the same, the flare generation angle range varies depending on the focal length adjustment state (the adjusted current focal length). confirmed.

  In the present embodiment, the light of the photographing lens 2 is obtained by obtaining the flare generation angle range by experiment for the photographing lens 2 of each type (each type in the present embodiment) that is replaceably attached to the electronic camera 1. A flare occurrence condition having at least an angle θ formed by the axis O and the direction A of the light source 100 having a predetermined brightness or more as a parameter is acquired, and flare occurrence condition information indicating the flare occurrence condition is stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 in advance. Remember. Note that the memory 11 that stores the flare occurrence condition information is not limited to a memory external to the CPU 10 but may be an internal memory (not shown) of the CPU 10.

  In the experiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a light source 100 having a predetermined brightness or more is prepared, and the light of the photographing lens 2 is changed by changing the pitch angle θp and yaw angle θy of the electronic camera 1 with reference to the direction A. This can be done by changing the angle θ formed by the axis O and the direction A of the light source 100 while taking an image with the electronic camera 1 and checking whether flare occurs in the image.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of flare generation conditions. In FIG. 3, f1 to f4 are values of the focal length, and θ1 to θ10 are values of the angle θ formed by the optical axis O and the direction A, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the photographing lens 2 that is replaceably attached to the electronic camera 1 has three kinds of photographing lenses (models “XXX”, “XXX”, “ΔΔ”). The shooting lens 2 of the model “XXX” is a zoom lens that can change the focal length in the range from f1 to f4, and the shooting of the model “XXXXXX”. Each of the lens and the photographing lens of the type “ΔΔΔΔ” is a fixed focus lens. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the flare generation conditions are parameters of the type of the taking lens 2, the focal length (focal length in the adjusted state) F of the taking lens 2, and the angle θ formed by the optical axis O and the direction A. It is said. For example, condition no. 1 is that when an imaging lens of the model “XXX” is mounted and its focal length F is adjusted to a value greater than or equal to f1 and smaller than f2, the angle θ is greater than or equal to θ1 and less than or equal to θ2. In this case, flare occurs, and flare does not occur when the angle θ is any other angle. In addition, Condition No. No. 4 shows that when a photographic lens of the model “xxxx” is attached, flare occurs when the angle θ is not less than θ7 and not more than θ8, and flare occurs when the angle θ is other than that. It indicates that it does not occur. Condition No. 4 and condition no. In FIG. 5, “−” indicates that the focal length F is not necessary because the photographing lens of the type “xxxx” and the photographing lens of the type “ΔΔΔΔ” are respectively fixed focus lenses. .

  In the present embodiment, the posture detection unit 16 is configured by using, for example, a gyro sensor, and detects the pitch angle and yaw angle of the electronic camera 1 with respect to a reference direction appropriately designated. As the gyro sensor, for example, a gyro sensor for camera shake detection may be used. In addition, the attitude | position detection part 16 can also be comprised using an acceleration sensor.

  4 and 5 are schematic flowcharts showing the operation in the predetermined mode of the electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment. This mode is an operation mode in which flare occurrence is detected in advance during still image shooting and an alarm is issued upon detection.

  When this operation mode is started by a command from the operation unit 17 or the like, the CPU 10 resets the flare detection flag stored in the memory 8 to OFF (step S1). The flare detection flag indicates whether or not a flare occurrence is detected. When the flare detection flag is off, the flare occurrence is not detected, and when the flare detection flag is on, the flare occurrence is detected.

  Next, the CPU 10 controls the imaging control unit 5, the display unit 15 and the like to cause the imaging device 3 to capture a through image by thinning-out reading or the like at a predetermined time interval (for example, a frame rate of 1/30 seconds). The operation for displaying the through image on the display unit 15 is started (step S2). The through image read as an analog signal from the image sensor 3 is amplified by the signal processing unit 6, converted to a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 7, and further stored in the memory 8, and then the moving image. Is displayed on the display unit 15. This through-image capture / display is repeated during the main operation mode except during the capture of the main image in step S7 described later.

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a release button (not shown) in the operation unit 17 has been half-pressed (step S3). If not, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S4, the CPU 10 performs automatic focus adjustment, automatic exposure control, and the like, and sets shooting conditions used for shooting the main image. Subsequently, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the release button is fully pressed (step S5). If the release button is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S7. If the release button is fully pressed, the CPU 10 fully presses until a predetermined time-out time elapses. The process waits (NO in step S6), and when a predetermined time-out period elapses without being fully pressed (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S <b> 7, the CPU 10 controls the imaging control unit 5 to cause the imaging device 3 to capture the main image. The main image read out from the image sensor 3 as an analog signal is amplified by the signal processing unit 6, converted to a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 7, and temporarily stored in the memory 8.

  Next, the CPU 10 causes the recording unit 12 to record the main image read in step S7 and stored in the memory 8 on the recording medium 12a (step S8).

  Thereafter, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the current flare detection flag is on (step S9). If the flare detection flag is on, the basic information of flare detection (in this embodiment, the latest flare detection is performed). The lens information and angle θ obtained in steps S22 and S24 immediately after step S26 with the flag turned on are associated with the main image recorded in step S8 and recorded on the recording medium 12a by the recording unit 12 ( After step S10), the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined in step S9 that the flare detection flag is not on, the process immediately proceeds to step S11 without going through step S10. In step S10, only the angle θ in the basic information of flare detection may be recorded in association with the main image. Further, in step S10, instead of the angle θ, the pitch angle θp and the yaw angle θy acquired in step S23 described later, which is information for specifying the angle θ, may be recorded in association with the main image.

  In step S <b> 11, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a mode end command (for example, a command to switch to another operation mode, a power-off command, or the like) is received from the operation unit 17 to end this operation mode. If the CPU 10 determines that the mode end command has not been received, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the CPU 10 determines that the mode end command has been received, the flare alarm described later is turned off (that is, the flare alarm has not been generated). Later, this operation mode is terminated.

  In step S13, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the present time is the flare detection timing. If the present is not the flare detection timing, the process proceeds to step S11. If the present is the flare detection timing, the process proceeds to step S14. For example, a time point at which a through image of one frame is obtained may be set as a flare detection timing, a time point at which a plurality of through images of a predetermined number of frames are obtained may be set as a flare detection timing, or a timing of a predetermined period May be the flare detection timing.

  In step S <b> 14, the CPU 10 determines whether there is a saturated luminance region in the latest acquired through image. If it is determined in step S14 that there is no saturated luminance region, the CPU 10 turns off the flare detection flag (step S17), and then proceeds to step S28. In the present embodiment, the aperture state when acquiring the through image to be determined in step S14 is that the non-saturated luminance region in the through image is not equal to or higher than the predetermined brightness (brightness that generates flare). Is not).

  If it is determined in step S14 that there is a saturated luminance area, the CPU 10 once stops the aperture of the photographing lens 2 via the lens control unit 4, and the signal level of the through image acquired in the reduced state, in particular, step The signal level of the area corresponding to the saturated luminance area determined to be in S14 is acquired (step S15). Note that after obtaining the through image in the narrowed state, the aperture of the taking lens 2 is returned to the original position.

  Next, based on the state of the aperture of the taking lens 2 stopped in step S15 and the signal level acquired in step S15, the saturated luminance region determined to be in step S14 has a light source (flare) with a predetermined brightness or higher. (Hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a high-intensity light source) is determined (step S16).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the sensitivity of the through image is changed by changing the aperture in order to determine whether the brightness is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. In addition, for example, the sensitivity of the through image may be changed by changing the frame rate of the through image.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the light source does not correspond to a high luminance light source (NO in step S16), the CPU 10 turns off the flare detection flag (step S17), and then proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the light source corresponds to a high-intensity light source (YES in step S16), the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, the CPU 10 determines the position information of the high-luminance light source in the through image (that is, the position information of the saturated luminance area determined to be in step S14 or the saturated luminance area determined to be in step S14). The position information of the area corresponding to the high-intensity light source is acquired.

  Next, the CPU 10 obtains the type and the focal length of the current adjustment state from the mounted photographic lens 2 if the photographic lens 2 is a zoom lens among the lens information (step S22).

  Next, the CPU 10 acquires the pitch angle θp and the yaw angle θy based on the direction A of the high-intensity light source based on the position information of the high-intensity light source acquired in Step S21 from the attitude detection unit 16 (Step S23). .

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 calculates an angle θ formed by the direction A of the high brightness light source and the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 from the pitch angle θp and the yaw angle θy acquired in step S23 (step S24).

  Thereafter, the CPU 10 obtains the lens information acquired in step S22 (in this embodiment, the model and the focal length of the current adjustment state if the photographic lens 2 is a zoom lens) and the angle θ acquired in step S24. By checking against the flare occurrence condition information in the memory 11, the presence or absence of flare occurrence is determined (step S25). That is, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the lens information acquired in step S22 and the angle θ acquired in step S24 satisfy the flare generation condition indicated by the flare generation condition information in the memory 11, and if so, the occurrence of flare. On the other hand, if it is not satisfied, it is determined that there is no flare (NO in step S25). For example, if the model acquired in step S22 is “XXX” and the current focal length F acquired in step S22 is greater than or equal to f2 and less than f3, the CPU 10 determines whether the condition number in FIG. 2, whether or not the flare generation condition is satisfied is determined by determining whether or not the angle θ acquired in step S24 is within the angle range (flare generation angle range) of θ3 ≦ θ ≦ θ4. For example, when the model acquired in step S22 is “ΔΔΔΔ”, the CPU 10 determines whether the condition No. in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the flare generation condition is satisfied by determining whether or not the angle θ acquired in step S24 is within an angle range (flare generation angle range) of θ9 ≦ θ ≦ θ10.

  If it determines with YES by step S25, CPU10 will transfer to step S28, after setting a flare detection flag to ON (step S26). On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S25, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S28 after turning off the flare detection flag (step S27).

  In the present embodiment, the above-described steps S14 to S17 and S21 to S27 correspond to a flare detection process for detecting in advance a flare (a state in which a flare will occur strictly speaking). In the present embodiment, the functions of steps S14 to S16, S21, S23, and S24 are detection means for detecting an angle θ formed by the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 and the direction A of the light source having a predetermined brightness or more. It corresponds. However, the detection means for detecting the angle θ is not limited to this. For example, in the present embodiment, whether or not the brightness is equal to or higher than the predetermined brightness (whether or not the light source has a brightness that generates flare) is detected using a through image as in step S16. You may detect using the light quantity sensor etc. different from an image pick-up element.

  In step S28, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the current flare detection flag is on. If it is determined in step S28 that the current flare detection flag is on, the CPU 10 turns on the flare alarm in step S29 (that is, sets the flare alarm to be generated), and then proceeds to step S11. To do. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that the current flare detection flag is not ON (OFF), the CPU 10 turns off the flare alarm in step S29 (that is, the flare alarm is not generated). Later, the process proceeds to step S11.

  The flare alarm is an alarm indicating that the current state is a state in which flare will occur in the captured image (main image). This alarm may be, for example, an alarm by display or an alarm by sound or sound. That is, when a flare alarm is generated, specifically, for example, a mark or a character to that effect is displayed on the display unit 15, or instead of or in addition to that, an alarm sound to that effect is generated by a speaker or the like. It may be generated in a part (not shown). When the flare alarm prompts the user to change the shooting angle of the electronic camera 1 to avoid the occurrence of flare, or when the shooting angle of the electronic camera 1 is not changed, the flare alarm allows the occurrence of flare. You will be prompted to take an image.

  An appropriate step among the steps performed by the CPU 10 described above may be performed by, for example, a DPS (digital signal processing circuit).

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the angle θ formed by the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 and the direction A of the light source having a predetermined brightness or more is detected, and the detected angle θ is used as the light of the photographing lens 2. The presence / absence of flare generation is determined by collating with flare generation condition information indicating the flare generation condition using the angle θ formed by the axis O and the direction A of the light source having a predetermined brightness or more as a parameter. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if there is a light source of a predetermined value or more, if the angle θ is an angle that does not generate flare, it is not detected as flare occurrence, and therefore flare occurrence detection accuracy is improved.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, since the flare occurrence detection accuracy is high, a flare alarm can be issued more accurately.

  In the present embodiment, when the main image is picked up despite the flare alarm (YES in step S9), the basic information for flare detection is recorded in association with the main image (step S10). ). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the basic information (particularly, the information on the angle θ) associated with the main image when the retouch or the like that makes the flare inconspicuous is performed later on the main image. ), It is possible to perform such retouching more easily.

  In the present embodiment, the process proceeds to step S11 immediately after step S10. However, for example, after step S10, the CPU 10 causes the image processing unit 13 to perform processing (flare reduction processing) that reduces the influence of flare on the main image captured in step S7, and reduces the flare. After the processed image is recorded on the recording medium 12a by the recording unit 12 separately from the main image, the process may proceed to step S11. The flare reduction processing is not limited, but, for example, in accordance with the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a predicted flare is generated in a pseudo manner using a storage flare and a predicted flare is generated from the main image. You may employ | adopt the process which subtracts. When an image after the flare reduction process is recorded, the main image before the flare reduction process is not necessarily recorded.

  By the way, when the photographic lens 2 is attached to the main body of the electronic camera 1 in a non-replaceable manner, if the photographic lens 2 is a fixed focus lens, the flare generation condition is that the optical axis O of the photographic lens 2 and a predetermined brightness. It is also possible to use a condition that uses only the angle θ formed by the direction A of the light source 100 as a parameter. For example, in the case where the photographing lens of the above-described type “xxx” is mounted on the main body in a non-replaceable manner, the flare generation condition is set to “θ7 ≦ θ without using the lens type and focal length F as parameters. <= Θ8 ”only. In this case, step S22 is unnecessary.

  Further, when the photographing lens 2 is attached to the main body of the electronic camera 1 in a non-replaceable manner, if the photographing lens 2 is a zoom lens, the flare generation condition is the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 and a predetermined brightness. Only the angle θ formed by the direction A of the light source 100 and the focal length F of the photographing lens 2 may be used as parameters, and the model of the photographing lens 2 may not be used as parameters. For example, when the photographing lens of the model “XXXXX” described above is mounted on the main body in a non-replaceable manner, the flare generation condition is the condition No. that excludes the lens model from the parameter. It may be only 1 to 3. In this case, the model need not be acquired in step S22.

  Further, even if the photographing lens 2 that is replaceable or non-replaceable in the main body of the electronic camera 1 is a zoom lens, the flare generation condition is not necessarily the focal length (focal length in the adjusted state) F of the photographing lens 2. It does not have to be a parameter. For example, condition no. The entire angle range obtained by taking the OR of the flare generation angle ranges of 1 to 3 is defined as the flare generation angle range for the photographic lens 2 of the above-mentioned type “XXX” (the angle range common to all focal lengths F). Also good. In this case, the focal length F does not have to be acquired in step S22. In this case, although the flare occurrence detection accuracy is not as high as in the present embodiment, even in this case, the flare occurrence detection accuracy can be increased as such.

  Further, as described above, the flare generation angle range varies depending on the type (for example, model) of the photographing lens 2 attached to the same camera body, and typically, the lens configuration of the photographing lens 2 (One or more of a spherical lens / aspheric lens, the number of lenses, a coating, etc. The same applies hereinafter.) If any of the exit pupil distance (PO value) and the focal distance is different, the flare generation angle range is different. Therefore, when the photographic lens 2 is replaceable with the main body of the electronic camera 1, the flare generation condition is that the lens configuration of the photographic lens 2, the exit pupil distance (instead of using the model of the photographic lens 2 as a parameter). Any one or more of (PO value) and focal length may be used as parameters. When the flare generation condition uses one or more of the lens configuration, exit pupil distance (PO value), and focal length of the photographic lens 2 as parameters, the CPU 10 obtains lens information corresponding to them in step S22. 2 and step S24 is checked against the flare occurrence condition. Here, the focal length is the fixed focal length in the case of a fixed focus lens, and the focal length in the current adjustment state in the case of a zoom lens. Instead of using the model of the photographic lens 2 as a parameter, if the flare generation condition is any one or more of the lens configuration, exit pupil distance (PO value), and focal length of the photographic lens 2, all of them are parameters. It is preferable to further improve the detection accuracy of flare occurrence. However, even if one or two of them are used as parameters, the flare occurrence detection accuracy can be improved accordingly.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the flare generation condition uses the angle θ formed by the optical axis O of the photographing lens 2 and the direction A of the light source 100 having a predetermined brightness or more as a parameter, but instead of using the angle θ as a parameter. In addition, information for specifying the angle θ may be used as a parameter. Specifically, for example, the flare generation condition may use the pitch angle θp and the yaw angle θy from which the angle θ is calculated as parameters instead of the angle θ. In this case, step S24 is unnecessary, and the pitch angle θp and yaw angle θy acquired in step S23 are collated with the flare occurrence condition in step S25. At this time, the basic information recorded in step S10 is the pitch angle θp and the yaw angle θy instead of the angle θ.

  A modification similar to the modification of the present embodiment described above can also be applied to the second embodiment described below.

[Second Embodiment]
6 and 7 are schematic flowcharts showing an operation in a predetermined mode of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and correspond to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 and 7, steps that are the same as or correspond to steps in FIGS. 4 and 5 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The electronic camera according to the present embodiment differs from the electronic camera according to the first embodiment in that the operation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed instead of the operation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the predetermined mode. It is.

  The operation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the first embodiment is different from the operation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the present embodiment, mainly in the operation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is that the flare detection process is performed after the release button is half-pressed and before the release button is fully pressed.

  In the present embodiment, if NO in step S3, the process proceeds to step S11. If YES in step S3, the process proceeds to step S14. After step S29 and after step S30, the process proceeds to step S4. If NO in step S11, the flare alarm is turned off in step S41, and then the process returns to step S3.

  Also in this embodiment, the same advantages as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Note that the main image may not be captured when the occurrence of flare is detected. In this case, for example, after step S29, the process may proceed to step S11 without proceeding to step S4.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment and modification of this invention were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to these.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, flare occurrence is detected in advance using a through image, but flare occurrence may be detected in advance using any captured image instead of the through image. Good.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example in which the detection of the occurrence of flare is used for still image shooting, but in the present invention, the detection of the occurrence of flare can also be used for moving image shooting.

1 Electronic Camera 3 Image Sensor 10 CPU
11 Memory 16 Attitude detection unit

Claims (9)

An angle formed by the optical axis of the imaging optical system and the direction of the light source having a predetermined brightness or more, or detection means for detecting information for specifying this angle;
Storage means for storing flare generation condition information indicating a flare generation condition having at least a parameter as an angle formed by the optical axis of the photographing optical system and the direction of the light source or information for specifying the angle;
Determining means for determining the presence or absence of flare by comparing the angle or the information detected by the detecting means with the flare occurrence condition information;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The detection means is based on the means for acquiring the position of the light source in the image from the captured image, the attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the imaging device, and the position and attitude in the image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an angle or a unit that acquires the information. The photographing optical system is a zoom lens;
The flare generation condition uses the focal length information of the photographing optical system as another parameter,
The determination means determines whether or not flare has occurred by comparing current focal length information of the photographing optical system with the flare generation condition information.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The photographing optical system is replaceable,
The flare generation condition is information about the imaging optical system as another parameter,
The determination means determines whether or not flare has occurred by checking information on the currently installed photographing optical system with the flare occurrence condition information.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information related to the photographing optical system is information indicating a type of the photographing optical system.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information related to the photographing optical system is one or more of a lens configuration, an exit pupil distance, and a focal length of the photographing optical system.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that issues a warning when the determination unit determines that flare is generated.   When it is determined that the flare is generated by the determination unit, the angle or the information that is the basis of the determination is recorded in association with an image captured in a state where it is determined that the flare is generated. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit configured to perform recording.   The image processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an image processing unit configured to process a captured image so as to reduce the influence of flare when the determination unit determines that flare is generated. The imaging device according to any one of the above.

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