JP2016090990A - Imaging system, illumination device, and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the operation of an illumination device, according to the state of an optical member.SOLUTION: An imaging system including the illumination device capable of changing the radiation direction of light by automatically driving a movable part including a light-emitting part and an imaging apparatus, includes the optical member which is movable between a use position where the optical member is projected from the inside of the movable part, to be illuminated with the light radiated from the light-emitting part and a non-use position where the optical member is stored inside the movable part, not to be illuminated with the light radiated from the light-emitting part, optical member detection means which detects whether or not the optical member is in the use position, face detection means which detects a face, and drive control means which controls the drive of the movable part, according to the detection results of the optical member detection means and the face detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to light emission photographing control in which a lighting device emits light.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, flash photography (hereinafter referred to as bounce flash photography) is known in which light from an illumination device is directed toward a ceiling or the like and a subject is irradiated with diffusely reflected light from the ceiling or the like. According to the bounce flash photography, the subject can be indirectly irradiated with the light from the illumination device, so that the subject can be illuminated with soft light.

  Furthermore, a technique for automatically determining the optimum irradiation direction in bounce flash photography has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a bounce irradiation angle is calculated based on distance information between a light emitting unit and a subject and distance information between a light emitting unit and a reflector, and light is automatically emitted based on the calculated irradiation angle. A technique for driving the unit is disclosed.

JP 2013-178354 A

  Here, generally, the illumination device is provided with a panel-like optical member (so-called catchlight sheet) used for catchlight photography in which light is projected into a human eye. The optical member described above can move between a position housed inside the lighting device (hereinafter referred to as a non-use position) and a position protruding from the inside of the lighting device (hereinafter referred to as a use position). Even when the optical member is in the use position (when in use), bounce flash photography can be performed.

  However, Patent Document 1 does not mention driving the light emitting unit based on the calculated irradiation angle while the optical member described above is located at the use position.

  The objective of this invention is enabling it to control operation | movement of an illuminating device according to the state of an optical member.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging system of the present invention is an imaging system including an illuminating device that changes a light irradiation direction by automatically driving a movable portion including a light emitting portion, and an imaging device. The use position illuminated by the light emitted from the light emitting part by projecting from the inside of the movable part, and the non-use not illuminated by the light emitted from the light emitting part by storing in the movable part An optical member capable of moving between positions, an optical member detection means for detecting whether or not the optical member is in the use position, a face detection means for detecting a face, and the optical member detection means, Drive control means for controlling the drive of the movable part according to the detection result of the face detection means.

  According to the present invention, the operation of the illumination device can be controlled according to the state of the optical member.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera 100 that is an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining illustratively the inclination angle of the pitch direction of the main-body part 120a of the external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the inclination angle of a roll direction. It is a figure explaining driving angle of movable part 120b which is an illuminating device concerning an embodiment of the present invention exemplarily. It is a figure explaining the state in which the catchlight sheet | seat 212 of the external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention is located in a non-use position, and the state located in a use position. It is a figure explaining illustratively bounce light emission photography in the state where catchlight sheet 212 of external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device concerning an embodiment of the present invention is located in a use position. It is a flowchart which shows the bounce light emission imaging | photography control of the digital camera 100 which is an imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the bounce light emission imaging | photography control of the state which the catchlight sheet | seat 212 is located in a non-use position about the external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The bounce flash photographing control in the case where the catchlight sheet 212 of the external strobe 120 which is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention is located at the use position and the subject to be photographed does not include a face is shown. It is a flowchart. Bounce flash photographing control in the state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position and the subject to be photographed includes a face with respect to the external strobe 120 that is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart. It is a flowchart which shows the drive control of the movable part 120b of the external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining illustratively about the optimal illumination direction of the external strobe 120 which is an illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

(Configuration example of imaging device)
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) 100 that is an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a camera 100 that is an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The camera MPU 101 is a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the entire camera 100. The image sensor 102 is an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS that converts reflected light from a subject into an electrical signal. The timing signal generation circuit 103 generates a timing signal necessary for operating the image sensor 102. The A / D converter 104 converts analog image data read from the image sensor 102 into digital image data. The memory controller 105 controls reading / writing of the memory, refresh operation of the buffer memory 106, and the like. The image display unit 107 displays the image data stored in the buffer memory 106. The interface 108 is an interface for connection with a recording medium 109 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The motor control unit 110 controls a motor (not shown) in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 101 to raise and lower a mirror (not shown) in order to change the optical path of the light beam incident through the lens unit 300. When the mirror is up, the light beam incident through the lens unit 300 is guided to the image sensor 102 and the like, and when the mirror is down, the light beam incident through the lens unit 300 is guided to the photometric sensor 113 and the like. It is burned.

  The shutter control unit 111 controls a shutter (not shown) that is disposed in front of the image sensor 102 and switches the image sensor 102 between a light shielding state and an exposure state in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 101.

  The photometric unit 112 outputs a photometric value, which is a photometric result of each area, to the camera MPU 101 based on the output of the photometric sensor 113 that divides the imaging screen into a plurality of areas. The camera MPU 101 performs an exposure calculation for determining AV (aperture value), TV (shutter speed), and ISO (photographing sensitivity) that are exposure control values at the time of photographing based on the photometric value of each area.

  In addition, the camera MPU 101 uses the built-in flash 119 or the external strobe during flash photography based on the photometric value output from the photometry unit 112 when the built-in strobe 119 or the external strobe 120 emits preliminary (pre) light toward the subject. The calculation of 120 light emission amounts is also performed.

  Furthermore, the camera MPU 101 is a face detection unit that detects a face (or face area) included in the subject based on an output from the photometry unit 112. In the present embodiment, the face included in the subject is detected based on the photometric result obtained by the photometric sensor 113, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any known method can be used for detecting a face, such as detecting a face included in the subject by extracting facial features such as eyes, nose and mouth included in the subject. May be. In the present embodiment, the camera 100 side detects a face included in the subject, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image sensor may be provided in an external strobe 120 described later, and the strobe MPU 201 may detect a face included in the subject based on the output from the image sensor.

  The lens control unit 114 performs focus adjustment and aperture adjustment of the lens unit 300 by controlling a lens drive motor and an aperture drive motor (not shown) according to a signal from the camera MPU 101. The camera 100 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the camera body and the lens unit 300 are integrally provided, but a so-called lens interchangeable type in which the camera body and the lens unit are separately provided. It may be a digital camera.

  The focus detection unit 115 outputs the defocus amount of each distance measuring point to the camera MPU 101 based on the output of the focus detection sensor having a plurality of distance measuring points in the shooting screen. The camera MPU 101 instructs the lens control unit 114 to execute a focus adjustment operation based on the defocus amount output from the focus detection unit 115.

  The posture detection unit 116 includes an acceleration sensor or the like, and can detect the posture of the camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. As long as the posture of the camera 100 can be detected, any posture detecting unit 116 may be adopted.

  The operation unit 117 includes a power button, a release button for accepting a shooting preparation operation and a shooting operation start instruction. When SW1 is turned ON by the first stroke (half-press) of the release button, the camera MPU 101 starts a shooting preparation operation such as a focus detection operation or a photometry operation. Further, when SW2 is turned ON by the second stroke (full press) of the release button, the camera MPU 101 starts the photographing operation.

  The operation unit 117 also includes an auto bounce switch that switches whether to execute a function (hereinafter referred to as auto bounce) that automatically determines an optimal irradiation direction (angle) in bounce flash photography. It should be noted that the switching whether or not to execute the auto bounce may be performed in response to the above-described pressing operation of the release button.

  When the built-in strobe 119 is used, the light emission control unit 118 controls the light emission pattern such as pre-light emission and main light emission and the light emission amount according to the signal from the camera MPU 101.

  The light emission control unit 118 also performs switching control as to whether the control according to the signal from the camera MPU 101 is applied to the built-in strobe 119 or the external strobe 120. In addition, communication between the camera MPU 101 and the external strobe 120 is performed via the light emission control unit 118.

  In the present embodiment, a case where control according to a signal from the camera MPU 101 is applied to the external strobe 120 in an imaging system including the camera 100 and the external strobe 120 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 will be described.

(Configuration example of lighting device)
Next, the configuration of the external strobe 120, which is a lighting device, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the external strobe 120 that is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The external strobe 120 includes a main body portion 120a attached to the camera 100, and a movable portion 120b that is rotatably held in the vertical (vertical) and right / left (horizontal) directions with respect to the main body portion 120a. A known mechanism may be used as a mechanism for holding the movable portion 120b so as to be rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the main body portion 120a. For example, a mechanism described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 63-204238 and 2011-137960 may be used.

  The main body 120a includes a strobe MPU 201, a drive control unit 202, a strobe posture detection unit 203, an irradiation direction calculation unit 204, a strobe operation unit 205, a connection unit 206, and the like. On the other hand, the movable unit 120b includes a charging unit 207, a light emitting unit 208 (including the irradiation surface 209), a strobe photometry unit 210, a strobe angle detection unit 211, a catchlight sheet 212 (including the reflection surface 213), an extraction detection unit 214, and the like. have.

  The strobe MPU 201 is a microcontroller for controlling the entire operation of the external strobe 120 such as a charging sequence, a light emission control sequence, and an auto bounce sequence.

  The drive control unit (drive control means) 202 drives (rotates) the movable unit 120b in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the main body 120a by controlling a motor (not shown) according to a signal from the strobe MPU 201. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation direction in the bounce flash photography can be automatically changed by automatically driving (turning) the movable portion 120b. Details of this will be described later.

  Further, the drive control unit 202 outputs information such as a drive amount from the reference position of the movable unit 120b with respect to the main body unit 120a acquired by a strobe angle detection unit 211 described later to the strobe MPU 201. The reference position of the movable part 120b of the external strobe 120 will be described later.

  The strobe posture detection unit 203 includes an acceleration sensor (not shown) and the like, and is an inclination detection unit that detects information related to the posture of the main body 120a. The strobe posture detection unit 203 is, for example, information on the posture of the main body unit 120a. For example, the strobe posture detection unit 203 has the main unit 120a with respect to the gravitational direction with reference to the position (positive position) of the external strobe 120 with the connection unit 206 facing the gravity direction. Outputs the tilt angle in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the strobe posture detection unit 203 includes a main body 120a located at the normal position (solid line portion in FIG. 3), and a main body 120a at an inclined position ( An angle formed by the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 3 (hereinafter, an inclination angle) is detected. FIG. 3 is a diagram for exemplifying the pitch direction inclination angle γ and the roll direction inclination angle η of the main body 120a of the external strobe 120 which is the illumination apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the external strobe 120 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 shows a state in which the main body 120a is located at the normal position and the movable part 120b is located at the reference position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the connecting portion 206 of the main body 120a is located on the gravity direction side, the axis for driving (turning) the movable portion 120b in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) is the Y axis. (First axis). In addition, an axis for driving (turning) the movable portion 120b in the vertical direction (vertical direction) is defined as an X axis (second axis). Further, the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the movable part 120b is taken as the Z axis. The above-described X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are orthogonal to each other.

  The strobe posture detection unit 203 is a pitch direction formed by the posture of the main body 120a in the normal position (solid line portion in FIG. 3) and the posture of the main body 120a in the inclined state (two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 3). The tilt angle γ and the tilt angle η in the roll direction are detected. In this embodiment, the tilt angle γ in the pitch direction and the tilt angle η in the roll direction are positive in the clockwise direction and negative in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

  The irradiation direction calculation unit 204 calculates an optimal irradiation direction in bounce flash photography based on information acquired by the strobe posture detection unit 203 and information acquired by a strobe photometry unit 210 described later. Details of the calculation process of the irradiation direction will be described later.

  The strobe operation unit 205 includes a power switch and an auto bounce switch that switches whether to execute auto bounce. In addition, the strobe operation unit 205 includes an auto bounce button for instructing to start auto bounce in a state where auto bounce is set by the auto bounce switch. If different settings are made for the auto bounce switch of the operation unit 117 of the camera 100 and the auto bounce switch of the strobe operation unit 205 of the external strobe 120, either setting may be prioritized. Alternatively, the setting by the auto bounce switch of the operation unit 117 of the camera 100 and the setting by the auto bounce switch of the strobe operation unit 205 of the external strobe 120 may be linked. That is, when the setting of one auto bounce switch is changed, the setting of the other auto bounce switch may be automatically changed.

  The connection unit 206 is provided with an attachment unit for attachment to the imaging device, a contact unit provided with a communication contact with the imaging device, and the strobe MPU 201 is connected to the imaging device via the contact unit of the connection unit 206. Communicate.

  The charging unit 207 includes a capacitor that accumulates energy for causing the light emitting unit 208 described later to emit light, a booster circuit for charging the capacitor, and the like. Based on a charging instruction signal from the flash MPU 201, the charging unit 207 Perform charging control. Charging unit 207 measures the charging voltage of the capacitor and outputs the measurement result to strobe MPU 201.

  The light emitting unit 208 uses a flash discharge tube or LED as a light source, and includes an irradiation surface (described later in FIG. 5) 209 formed of resin or the like in front of the light source, and emits the light source based on the light emission signal from the strobe MPU 201. .

  The strobe photometry unit 210 is provided so that the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor faces the same direction as the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit 208, and outputs a signal corresponding to the light beam received by the light receiving sensor to the strobe MPU 201. The strobe MPU 201 emits light from the irradiation surface of the optical system of the light emitting unit 208 based on a signal output from the strobe photometry unit 210 that receives the reflected light beam reflected by the irradiation target when the light emitting unit 208 emits light. Calculate the distance to the target. The direction and position of the light receiving sensor are not limited to the above example, and reflection from the irradiation target is performed via a light guide member such as an optical fiber provided so that the incident surface faces the same direction as the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit 208. The structure which receives a light beam may be sufficient.

  The strobe angle detection unit 211 is a movable part angle detection unit that detects information related to the inclination of the movable part 120a with respect to the main body part 120a. The strobe angle detection unit 211 according to the present embodiment detects a relative angle (hereinafter referred to as a drive angle) of the movable unit 120b with respect to the main body unit 120a on the basis of the state where the movable unit 120a is at the reference position (no tilt). To do. Then, the strobe angle detection unit 211 outputs the detected drive angle to the strobe MPU 201 as the inclination of the movable unit 120a with respect to the main body unit 120a.

  The strobe angle detection unit 211 of the present embodiment is an encoder that includes a substrate provided with a phase pattern and a contact brush that slides on the substrate, but is not limited to this. As the strobe angle detection unit 211, any configuration may be adopted as long as it can detect the angle of the movable unit 120 b with respect to the main body unit 120 a. The strobe angle detection unit 211 may be configured to be provided in the main body 120a.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the drive angle of the movable part 120b detected in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for exemplarily explaining the drive angle of the movable portion 120b which is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4C is a projection view when the external strobe 120 is viewed from the photographer side. FIG. 4A is a top view of FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4B is FIG. The left side views are respectively shown. In addition, the position of the movable part 120b illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 4 is the reference position, and in this state, the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting part 208 and the front part 120c of the main body part 120a are directed in the same direction. Become. Further, in a state where the external strobe 120 is attached to the camera 100, the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 and the shooting direction of the camera 100 coincide with the movable unit 120b positioned at the reference position. In the state where the movable unit 120b is located at the reference position, the Z-axis of the movable unit 120b and the photographing optical axis of the camera 100 do not intersect.

  In the present embodiment, the angle of the movable part 120b in a state where the movable part 120b is located at the reference position is 0 ° in both the horizontal (left and right) direction and the vertical (up and down) direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal angle of the movable part 120b is negative when the irradiation surface 209 of the movable part 120b faces the left when viewed from the photographer, and positive when it faces the right. The vertical angle of the movable part 120b is positive when the longitudinal center axis of the movable part 120b is away from the photographing optical axis of the camera 100. The movable range of the movable portion 120b of the external strobe 120 in this embodiment is −180 ° to + 180 ° in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the irradiation surface 209 faces the photographer is ± 180 °), and 0 to +120 in the vertical direction. °. Note that the movable range of the movable portion 120b is not limited to the above-described range, and may be configured such that the movable portion 120b can be rotated to any range. Further, the movable range of the movable part 120b described above is a range when there is no restriction on the drive of the movable part 120b, and whether the catchlight sheet 212 is used or whether the subject to be photographed includes a face. Accordingly, the movable range changes. Details of this will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the strobe angle detection unit 211 of the present embodiment has the horizontal drive angle that is the rotation angle around the Y axis of the movable unit 120b with respect to the main body 120a as the drive angle described above. θ _A and a vertical drive angle θ _B which is a rotation angle around the X axis are detected. Note that the horizontal drive angle θ _A = 0 ° and the vertical drive angle θ _B = 0 ° of the movable portion 120b in a state where the movable portion 120b is at the reference position.

Note that the rotation angle of the catchlight sheet 212 in the horizontal direction (first direction) in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position and the movable portion 120b is located at the reference position. is horizontal drive angle theta _a. The rotation angle in the direction (second direction) perpendicular to the reflection surface 213 of the catchlight sheet 212 when the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position and the movable portion 120b is located at the reference position. Is the vertical drive angle θ _B. The first direction described above is a direction on the X axis or the Z axis of the movable portion 120b in a state where the movable portion 120b is located at the reference position. Further, the second direction is a direction on the Y axis of the movable part 120b in a state where the movable part 120b is located at the reference position.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the catch light sheet 212 reflects light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 by a reflection surface 213 that is an optical working surface, and reflects light into the eyes of a person. A panel-like optical member capable of obtaining a light effect. FIG. 5 is a diagram for exemplarily explaining a state where the catchlight sheet 212 of the external strobe 120 which is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention is located at the non-use position and a state where it is located at the use position.

  The catchlight sheet 212 of the present embodiment is provided so as to be able to be put in and out of the light emitting unit 208, and can move between a use position and a non-use position in accordance with a photographer's operation. The non-use position is a position where the catchlight sheet 212 is accommodated in the movable portion 120b as shown in FIG. In this state, most of the reflective surface 213 is housed inside the movable portion 120b, so that even if the light emitting portion 208 is caused to emit light, the catchlight sheet 212 is illuminated by the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting portion 208. There is nothing. That is, when the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the non-use position, the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 is not reflected on the reflection surface 213. The use position is a position where the catchlight sheet 212 protrudes from the inside of the movable portion 120b as shown in FIG. Note that the use position is a position that protrudes from the outer shape of the movable part 120b more than at least the non-use position described above, and is a position where the reflective surface 213 is spaced apart from the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208. In this state, most of the reflection surface 213 protrudes from the inside of the movable portion 120b. Therefore, the catchlight sheet 212 is illuminated by the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting portion 208 by causing the light emitting portion 208 to emit light. That is, when the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position, the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 is reflected on the reflection surface 213.

  The take-out detection unit 214 is a detection switch that detects the state of the catchlight sheet 212. In the present embodiment, the strobe MPU (optical member detection means) 201 detects whether or not the catchlight sheet 212 is in the use position based on the output from the take-out detection unit 214.

  The take-out detection unit 214 is a contact type detection switch that comes into contact with the catchlight sheet 212 in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the non-use position, and is released when the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position. It is not limited to this. For example, the take-out detection unit 214 may be a non-contact type detection sensor. Further, the take-out detection unit 214 may be a detection switch of a type that contacts the catchlight sheet 212 in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position. Further, in the present embodiment, the strobe MPU (optical member detection means) 201 detects whether or not the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position based on the output from the take-out detection unit 214. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the strobe MPU 201 may be configured to detect whether or not the catchlight sheet 212 is located at a non-use position based on the output of the take-out detection unit 214.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, bounce flash photography when using the catchlight sheet 212 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for exemplarily explaining bounce flash photography in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 of the external strobe 120 which is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention is located at the use position. FIG. 6A shows a state where the reflection surface 213 of the catchlight sheet 212 faces the person P that is the subject to be photographed. In FIG. 6A, the main body 120a of the camera 100 and the external strobe 120 is in the normal position, the vertical drive angle θ _B of the movable part 120b is + 90 °, and the vertical drive angle θ _A of the movable part 120b is approximately. A state of 0 ° is shown. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the reflection surface 213 of the catchlight sheet 212 faces the side opposite to the person P that is the subject to be photographed. That is, the reflection surface 213 of the catchlight sheet 212 shows a state facing the opposite side to the shooting direction of the camera 100. In FIG. 6B, the camera 100 and the main body 120a of the external strobe 120 are in the normal position, the vertical drive angle θ _B of the movable part 120b is + 90 °, and the vertical drive angle θ _A of the movable part 120b is approximately. A state of ± 180 ° is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the external strobe 120 causes the light emitting unit 208 to emit light when the reflecting surface 213 faces the person P side and the light emitting unit 208 is located on the person P side with respect to the reflecting surface 213. Thus, the reflected light R reflected by the reflecting surface 213 can be directed to the person P side. Moreover, the irradiation light S irradiated from the irradiation surface 209 can be reflected by the ceiling, and a part of the reflected light can be directed to the person P. That is, when the reflecting surface 213 faces the person side (shooting direction side) and the light emitting unit 208 is located on the person side (shooting direction side) with respect to the reflecting surface 213, the effect of the bounce flash shooting is obtained. Both catch light effects can be achieved.

  However, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the external strobe 120 reflects when the reflective surface 213 faces away from the person P side and the reflective surface 213 is positioned on the person P side relative to the light emitting unit 208. The reflected light R reflected by the surface 213 is directed toward the side opposite to the person P side. That is, when the reflection surface 213 faces away from the person P side (shooting direction side) and the reflection surface 213 is located on the person P side (shooting direction side) with respect to the light emitting unit 208, the reflected light R is reflected on the person P. The catchlight effect cannot be achieved. Furthermore, in this case, the shadow of the catchlight sheet 212 may be reflected on the person P because a part of the irradiation light S is blocked by the catchlight sheet 212. That is, when the reflective surface 213 is facing away from the person P side (photographing direction side) and the reflective surface 213 is located closer to the person P side (photographing direction side) than the light emitting unit 208, In some cases, an image that is illuminated unintended by the photographer is acquired.

  In addition, when the subject to be photographed includes a face (FIG. 6C) and when the subject to be photographed does not include a face (FIG. 6D), the light emitting unit 208 is optimal. Different irradiation directions are different.

As shown in FIG. 6C, when photographing a person P that is a subject including a face, at least when the light emitting unit 208 emits light, the reflected light R is directed toward the person P so that the reflected light R is directed toward the person P. It is desirable to set the irradiation direction (angle). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, when the light emitting unit 208 emits light by setting the vertical driving angle θ _B = + 90 ° and the horizontal driving angle θ _A = ± 30 ° of the movable unit 120 _b , the reflecting surface 213. The reflected light R reflected by can be directed toward the person P. On the other hand, when photographing the subject O (potted plant) as shown in FIG. 6D, it is necessary to set the irradiation direction (angle) of the movable portion 120b to the direction in which the reflected light R is directed toward the subject O. There is no. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6D, if the light emitting unit 208 emits light by setting the vertical driving angle θ _B = + 90 ° and the horizontal driving angle θ _A = ± 90 ° of the movable unit 120b, The sheet 212 does not block the irradiation light S irradiated from the light emitting unit 208. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a part of the irradiation light S emitted from the light emitting unit 208 from being blocked by the catchlight sheet 212. Then, the shadow of the catchlight sheet 212 can be prevented from appearing on the subject O.

  As described above, the optimum driving angle of the movable portion 120b differs depending on whether the catchlight sheet 212 is used and whether the subject to be photographed includes a face. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drive angle of the movable unit 120b is controlled according to information regarding whether or not the catchlight sheet 212 is used and whether or not the subject to be imaged includes a face.

(Bounce flash shooting control on the imaging device side)
Next, various processes of the camera 100 and the external strobe 120 in the imaging system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the bounce flash photographing control of the camera 100 which is the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, processing of the camera 100 will be described. When the power switch included in the operation unit 117 is turned on and the camera MPU 101 of the camera 100 becomes operable, the camera MPU 101 starts the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S701, the camera MPU 101 determines whether SW1 is ON by operating the operation unit 117. If ON, the process proceeds to step S702, and if OFF, step S701 is repeated.

  In step S702, the camera MPU 101 instructs the lens control unit 114 to execute a focus adjustment operation (AF), and instructs the photometry unit 112 to execute photometry. In addition, the camera MPU 101 performs exposure calculation based on a photometric value obtained by performing photometry, and determines an exposure control value at the time of shooting. Here, the exposure control value for light emission photography and the exposure control value for non-light emission photography are each determined according to a program diagram stored in advance in the memory of the camera MPU 101.

  In step S703, the camera MPU 101 detects a face included in the subject based on the output from the photometry unit 112, and temporarily stores the detection result in the internal memory of the camera MPU 101.

  In step S <b> 704, the camera MPU 101 instructs the light emission control unit 118 to transmit an execution instruction for an auto bounce operation to the external strobe 120. When the auto bounce operation by the built-in strobe 119 is possible, the camera MPU 101 may transmit an execution instruction for the auto bounce operation to the built-in strobe 119.

  In step S705, the camera MPU 101 determines whether or not an auto bounce operation end notification is received from the external strobe 120 side. If an end notification transmitted from the flash MPU 201 in step S1105 of FIG. 11 showing drive control of the movable unit 120b on the external strobe 120 described later is received, the process proceeds to step S706, and if not received, step S704 is performed. Return to. Note that the auto bounce operation end notification is transmitted from the external strobe 120 to the camera 100 only in steps S811, S826, and S836 of FIG. This point will be described later.

  In step S706, the camera MPU 101 determines whether SW2 is ON by operating the operation unit 117. If ON, the process proceeds to step S708. If OFF, the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, the camera MPU 101 determines whether SW1 is ON by operating the operation unit 117. If ON, the process returns to step S706, and if OFF, the process returns to step S701.

  In step S708, the camera MPU 101 performs bounce flash shooting. As a procedure for flash photography, first, the camera MPU 101 instructs the flash control unit 118 to perform pre-flash at a predetermined flash level, and causes the external strobe 120 to transmit a pre-flash execution instruction. The pre-emission is pre-emission for calculating the main emission amount, and is different from the pre-emission toward the ceiling or the front for determining the driving angle of the movable part 120b.

  As the external flash 120 performs pre-flash according to the pre-flash execution instruction, the camera MPU 101 instructs the photometry unit 112 to execute pre-flash photometry, and sets the acquired photometry value (pre-flash photometry value). Based on this, the light emission amount is calculated. Next, the camera MPU 101 instructs the light emission control unit 118 to perform main light emission with the calculated main light emission amount, and causes the external strobe 120 to transmit a main light emission execution instruction. The camera MPU 101 exposes the image sensor 102 using the exposure control value determined in step S702 as the external flash 120 performs the main flash according to the main flash execution instruction. In this way, bounce flash photography is performed. The camera MPU 101 performs the above-described various processing on the image data acquired by the bounce flash shooting, displays the image data on the image display unit 107, records it on the recording medium 109, and performs the bounce flash shooting operation on the camera 100 side. Exit. The above is the bounce flash photographing control on the camera 100 side according to the present embodiment.

(Bounce flash photography control on the lighting device side)
Next, various processes on the external strobe 120 side will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the bounce flash photographing control in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the non-use position for the external strobe 120 that is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, it is assumed that both the camera 100 and the external strobe 120 are powered on, and the auto bounce switch is set to execute auto bounce.

  In step S801, the strobe posture detection unit 203 acquires information related to the posture of the main body 120a. Specifically, in step S801, the strobe posture detecting unit 203 detects the tilt angle γ in the pitch direction and the tilt angle η in the roll direction of the main body 120a, and records the detection results in the built-in memory of the strobe MPU 201. Hereinafter, a case where the main body 120a of the external strobe 120 is not tilted will be described. That is, the case where the pitch direction inclination angle γ = 0 ° and the roll direction inclination angle η = 0 ° are detected in step S801 will be described. In addition, the case where the main-body part 120a inclines is mentioned later.

  In step S <b> 802, the flash MPU 201 determines whether an instruction to execute an auto bounce operation from the camera 100 has been received. If the execution instruction transmitted from the light emission control unit 118 is received in step S704 of FIG. 7 showing various processes on the camera 100 side, the process proceeds to step S803, and if not received, the process returns to step S801.

In step S803, the strobe MPU 201 detects the horizontal drive angle θ _A and the vertical drive angle θ _B of the movable unit 120b based on the output from the strobe angle detection unit 211.

  In step S804, the strobe MPU (optical member detection means) 201 detects whether or not the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position (taken out) based on the output of the takeout detection unit 214. In step S805, the flash MPU 201 determines whether the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position based on the detection result in step S804. If the strobe MPU 201 determines in step S805 that the catchlight sheet 212 is not in the use position, the process proceeds to step S806. If the strobe MPU 201 determines in step S805 that the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position, the process proceeds to step S814 in FIG.

In step S806, the strobe MPU (setting unit) 201 instructs the irradiation direction calculation unit 204 to set a target value (hereinafter referred to as a target angle) for controlling the driving angle of the movable unit 120b toward the ceiling. A horizontal direction target angle θ _X and a vertical direction target angle θ _Y are set. In the present embodiment, the target angle is set every time the movable portion 120b is driven. For example, in this embodiment, the target angle is set for each drive control of the movable portion 120b corresponding to each of the ceiling direction, the front direction, and the calculated optimum irradiation direction in one continuous bounce flash photography. In step S806, a target angle for drive control of the movable part 120b facing the ceiling direction is set.

  In this embodiment, the strobe MPU (setting unit) 201 includes information regarding whether or not the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position and information regarding whether or not the subject to be imaged includes a face. Accordingly, the target angle described above is set.

In step S806, since the catchlight sheet 212 is in the non-use position, the light emitted by the pre-emission of the light emitting unit 208 is not blocked by the catchlight sheet 212. Accordingly, in step S806, the strobe MPU 201 does not change the driving angle in the horizontal direction (first direction) of the movable part 120b as the target angle, but changes only the driving angle in the vertical direction (second direction). Set the value. In this embodiment, the strobe MPU 201 sets θ _X = θ _A and θ _Y = + 90 ° in step S806. In the present embodiment, the target angle at the time of pre-emission in the ceiling direction is set to θ _Y = + 90 °, but is not limited to this, and pre-emission is performed toward the ceiling direction. Any value can be set as long as the angle can be set.

In step S801 described above, when the tilt of the main body 120a is detected, the target angle of the movable portion 120b is set in consideration of the detected tilt angle. For example, in step S801, the pitch direction inclination angle γ = + 10 ° and the roll direction inclination angle η = 0 ° are detected. In step S803, the horizontal direction angle θ _A = + 180 °, and the vertical direction angle θ _B. A case where + 70 ° is detected will be described. In this case, the strobe MPU 201 sets the horizontal drive angle θ _A = + 180 ° and the vertical target angle to θ _Y = + 80 ° based on the above detection result in step S806. That is, the target angle of the movable part 120b is corrected in consideration of the inclination angle of the main body part 120a. In the case described above, if the movable part 120b is driven in the vertical direction by + 10 °, the vertical drive angle = the target angle.

  In the following steps S807 to S811, an optimum irradiation direction for bounce flash photography is determined, and an auto bounce operation is performed to drive the movable portion 120b so as to be the determined irradiation direction. In step S807, the strobe MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to drive the movable unit 120b so that the target angle set in step S806 is obtained. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing drive control of the movable portion 120b of the external strobe 120 that is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S1101, the strobe MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to control a motor (not shown) to start driving the movable unit 120b.

Strobe MPU201 In step S1102 instructs the flash angle detector 211, thereby detecting the horizontal driving angle theta _A vertical driving angle theta _B of the current of the movable portion 120b. Then, the strobe MPU 201 compares the detected horizontal drive angle θ _A with the target angle θ _{X, the} vertical drive angle θ _B and the target angle θ _Y, and determines whether or not they match. If the strobe MPU 201 determines that the current angle of the movable unit 120b matches the target angle, the process proceeds to step S1103, and if it does not match, step S1102 is repeated.

  In step S1103, the stroboscopic MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to control a motor (not shown) and finishes driving the movable unit 120b.

  In step S1104, the flash MPU 201 instructs the light emitting unit 208 to perform pre-flash. Then, the flash MPU 201 instructs the flash metering unit 210 to perform pre-flash photometry, and based on the obtained photometric value (pre-flash photometric value), the distance from the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 to the ceiling Is calculated. As for the distance from the irradiation surface 209 to the ceiling, for example, assuming a pre-light-emission photometric value when an irradiation target having a predetermined reflectance is at a predetermined distance, the assumed pre-emission photometric value and the actual pre-emission time A method of calculating the actual distance of the irradiation target from the difference from the photometric value may be used. At this time, since the light beam received by the strobe photometry unit 210 is a light beam emitted from the light emitting unit 208 and reflected by the irradiation target, the optical path length of the light beam received by the strobe photometry unit 210 and the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 It does not match twice the distance to the ceiling. However, the difference in position between the light receiving sensor of the flash metering unit 210 and the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 has little influence on the determination of the irradiation direction in bounce flash photography. Therefore, in the present embodiment, calculation is performed assuming that the positions of the light receiving sensor of the strobe photometry unit 210 and the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 are substantially equal.

  Note that step S1104 is performed only by driving control of the movable portion 120b during pre-light emission in the ceiling direction and in the front direction described later. That is, in the drive control of the movable part 120b when determining the optimum irradiation direction of the light emitting part 208 of the movable part 120b, the process of step S1104 is not performed.

  In step S1105, the flash MPU 201 transmits an auto bounce end notification to the camera 100 when the current drive control of the movable unit 120b is control for determining the optimal irradiation direction of the light emitting unit 208 of the movable unit 120b. The above is drive control of the movable part 120b of this embodiment.

Returning to FIG. In step S808, the flash MPU 201 instructs the irradiation direction calculation unit 204 to set the horizontal target angle θ _X = 0 ° and the vertical target angle θ _Y = 0 ° of the movable unit 120b facing the front direction. Note that the target angle set in step S808 is not limited to the angle described above as long as it can measure the distance to the subject located in the shooting direction of the camera 100. May be set.

  In step S809, the flash MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to drive the movable unit 120b so that the target angle set in step S808 is reached. Since the drive control method of the movable part 120b is substantially the same as the drive control in step S807 described above, description thereof is omitted.

In step S810, the flash MPU 201 instructs the irradiation direction calculation unit 204 to calculate a target angle that is the optimal irradiation direction for bounce flash photography. The irradiation direction calculation unit 204 bounces based on information on the posture of the main body 120a, information on the distance from the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 to the ceiling, and information on the distance from the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 to the subject. Calculate the irradiation direction optimal for flash photography. As a method of determining the irradiation direction, for example, the distance from the irradiation surface 209 to the ceiling of the light emitting unit 208 is d, the distance from the irradiation surface 209 to the subject is D, and the movable unit 120b with respect to the main body 120a having the optimal irradiation direction is used. The target angle is set as θ and is determined by the following equation (1).
θ = tan ⁻¹ (2d / D) (1)

  In addition, since the target angle calculated | required by said Formula (1) is an angle when the main-body part 120a is not inclined (it exists in a normal position), when the main-body part 120a is inclined, according to the inclination angle. Set the target angle that is the optimal irradiation direction.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, when the subject is a person, a shadow may appear on the person according to the incident angle α of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 and incident on the subject. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12B, the target angle θ obtained by the equation (1) is corrected by an arbitrary correction angle β as shown by the following equation (2).
θ = tan ⁻¹ (2h / d) + β (2)

  As the correction angle β, a value corresponding to the distance is recorded in advance in the built-in memory of the flash MPU 201, and is set according to the previously calculated distance from the irradiation surface 209 of the light emitting unit 208 to the subject. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress a shadow from appearing on the subject. FIG. 12 is a diagram for exemplarily explaining an optimal illumination direction of the external strobe 120 which is the illumination apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in step S811, the strobe MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to drive the movable unit 120b so that the target angle determined in step S810 is obtained. Since the drive control method of the movable part 120b is substantially the same as the drive control in step S807 described above, description thereof is omitted. As described above, in the drive control in step S811, the strobe MPU 201 transmits an auto bounce end notification to the camera 100.

  In step S812, the flash MPU 201 determines whether or not an instruction to perform a light emission operation from the camera 100 has been received. Specifically, if the flash MPU 201 has received the execution instruction of the light emission operation (pre-flash or main flash) transmitted from the light emission control unit 118 in step S708 described above, the process proceeds to step S813. If not, step S812 is repeated.

  In step S813, the flash MPU 201 instructs the light emitting unit 208 to perform pre-light emission or main light emission based on the light emission pattern and light emission amount instructed from the camera 100. In step S814, the flash MPU 201 determines whether or not the light emission pattern instructed from the camera 100 is the main light emission. If the result of the determination is the pre-light emission (not the main light emission), the main light emission is continued. The process returns to step S812 to perform light emission. On the other hand, when the flash pattern instructed from the camera 100 is main flash (not pre-flash), the flash MPU 201 ends various processes on the external flash 120 for performing bounce flash shooting.

  Next, bounce flash shooting control on the external strobe 120 side when the catchlight sheet 212 is in the use position and the subject to be shot does not include a face will be described with reference to FIG. To do. FIG. 9 is a state in which the catchlight sheet 212 of the external strobe 120 that is the illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention is in the use position, and the bounce light emission when the subject to be imaged does not include a face. It is a flowchart which shows imaging | photography control.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when it is determined that the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position (when the catchlight sheet 212 is used), the strobe MPU 201 detects the face detection process from the camera 100 side in step S815. Get information about results.

  Next, in step S816, the flash MPU 201 determines whether the subject to be imaged includes a face based on the information regarding the detection result of the face detection process acquired in step S814. If it is determined in step S816 that the subject to be imaged does not include a face, the process proceeds to step S817. If it is determined that a face is included, the process proceeds to step S827 described later.

In step S817, the flash MPU 201 determines whether or not the horizontal drive angle θ _A of the movable unit 120b detected in step S803 is within a range of −90 ° to + 90 °. In step S817, the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is to be within the range of -90 ° ~ + 90 ° (-90 ° ≦ θ A ≦ + 90 °) when it is determined so and the process moves to step S818.

In step S818, the flash MPU 201 determines whether or not the horizontal drive angle θ _A of the movable part 120b detected in step S803 is smaller than −90 ° (−90 °> θ _A ).

In step S818, if the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b detected in step S803 is determined to not less than -90 °, the process proceeds to step S819. In this case, based on the judgment of the previous step S817, it can be determined that the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is + 90 ° greater. Accordingly, in step S819, the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angles of the movable part 120b to θ _X = + 90 ° and θ _Y = + 90 °.

Further, in step S818, if the current horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is determined to -90 ° smaller, the process proceeds to step S820. In this case, based on the judgment of the previous step S817, the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b can be determined as -90 ° smaller. Accordingly, in step S820, the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angles of the movable part 120b to θ _X = −90 ° and θ _Y = + 90 °.

Further, in step S817, if the current horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is determined to be within the range of -90 ° ~ + 90 °, the process proceeds to step S821. In step S821, the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angles of the movable unit 120b to θ _X = θ _A and θ _Y = + 90 °.

As described above, when the subject to be imaged does not include a face, the horizontal target angle of the movable unit 120b is in the range of −90 ° to + 90 ° regardless of the angle of the movable unit 120b detected in step S803. Within (second range). In other words, if the catch light sheet 212 is positioned in the use position, in a first direction, a range of configurable horizontal target angle theta _X, perpendicular to the angle of the movable portion 120b is at the reference position Set within the range of angles to be used.

  With this configuration, even when the subject is imaged in response to the SW2 being turned on by operating the operation unit 117 during the bounce flash photographing control, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 is emitted by the catchlight sheet 212. Can be prevented from being blocked. Therefore, even when the subject is imaged in response to the SW2 being turned on by an operation on the operation unit 117 during the bounce flash photographing control, it is possible to suppress a shadow from appearing on the subject.

In the present embodiment, the settable range of the horizontal direction of the target angle theta _X of the movable portion 120b of the case where the object to be imaged does not include a face (the second range) and -90 ° ~ + 90 ° However, the present invention is not limited to this. Setting range in the horizontal direction of the target angle theta _X of the movable portion 120b may be different from the range from -90 ° ~ + 90 °. Furthermore, the strobe MPU201 is, depending on the distance to the shooting angle and subject, the settable range of the horizontal direction of the target angle theta _X of the movable portion 120b may be configured to be freely set.

  Also, in the processes of steps S819 to S821, similarly to the process of step S806 described above, when the inclination of the main body 120a is detected, the target angle of the movable part 120b is corrected in consideration of the detected inclination angle. (Set).

  Since the processing of steps S822 to S824 is the same as the processing of steps S807 to S809 described above, description thereof is omitted. In step S825, the flash MPU 201 instructs the irradiation direction calculation unit 204 to calculate a target angle that is the optimal irradiation direction for bounce flash photography. Note that the target angle that is the optimum irradiation direction for the bounce flash photography is calculated based on the formula (1) or the formula (2) as in step S810 described above.

Here, unlike step S810 described above, in step S825, the strobe MPU 201 sets the settable range of the target angle in the horizontal direction (first direction) of the movable portion 120b to −90 ° ≦ θ _X ≦ + 90 ° ( 2nd range). That is, the calculated target angle that is the optimum irradiation direction for the bounce flash photography of the movable part 120b is set so as not to exceed at least the settable range described above. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the catch light sheet 212 from blocking the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 when the catch light sheet 212 is used (in a state where the catch light sheet 212 is located at the use position). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shadow of the catchlight sheet 212 from appearing on the subject to be photographed.

  In step S826, the flash MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to drive the movable unit 120b so that the target angle is within the settable range determined in step S825. Other operations in step S826 are the same as those in step S811 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. Note that also in step S826, an auto bounce end notification is transmitted to the camera 100 side as in step S811 described above.

  Next, bounce flash shooting control on the external strobe 120 side when the catchlight sheet 212 is in the use position and the subject to be shot includes a face will be described with reference to FIG. To do. FIG. 10 shows bounce light emission when the catchlight sheet 212 is in the use position and the subject to be photographed includes a face in the external strobe 120 that is the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows imaging | photography control.

As shown in FIG. 10, in step S827, the flash MPU 201 determines whether or not the horizontal drive angle θ _A of the movable part 120b detected in step S803 is within a range of −30 ° to + 30 °. In step S827, the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is to be within the range of -30 ° ~ + 30 ° (-30 ° ≦ θ A ≦ + 30 °) when it is determined so and the process moves to step S828.

Next, in step S828, the strobe MPU 201 determines whether or not the horizontal drive angle θ _A of the movable part 120b detected in step S803 is smaller than −30 ° (−30 °> θ _A ).

In step S828, if the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b detected in step S803 is determined to not less than -30 °, the process proceeds to step S829. In this case, based on the judgment of the previous step S827, it can be determined that the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is + 30 ° greater. Accordingly, in step S829, the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angles of the movable part 120b to θ _X = + 30 ° and θ _Y = + 90 °.

Further, in step S828, if the current horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is determined to -30 ° smaller, the process proceeds to step S830. In this case, based on the judgment of the previous step S827, the horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b can be determined as -30 ° smaller. Accordingly, in step S830, the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angles of the movable part 120b to θ _X = −30 ° and θ _Y = + 90 °.

Further, in step S827, if the current horizontal drive angle theta _A of the movable portion 120b is determined to be within the range of -30 ° ~ + 30 °, the process proceeds to step S831. In step S831, the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angles of the movable unit 120b to θ _X = θ _A and θ _Y = + 90 °.

  As described above, when the subject to be photographed includes a face, regardless of the angle of the movable part 120b detected in step S803, the settable range of the target angle in the horizontal direction of the movable part 120b is -30 ° to Set within the range of + 30 ° (within the first range). With this configuration, even when the subject is imaged in response to the SW2 being turned on by operating the operation unit 117 during the bounce flash photographing control, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 is emitted by the catchlight sheet 212. Can be prevented from being blocked. Further, even when the subject is imaged in response to the SW2 being turned on by operating the operation unit 117 during the bounce flash photographing control, the reflected light from the reflecting surface 213 is directed toward the detected face. Can be illuminated. Therefore, even when the subject is imaged in response to the SW2 being turned on by operating the operation unit 117 during the bounce flash shooting control, a shadow is reflected on the subject while producing the catchlight effect. Can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, -30 ° horizontal movable portion 120b settable range of the target angle theta _X (first direction) (first range) when a face is included in the object to be imaged Although it was set to ˜ + 30 °, it is not limited to this. Settable range of the target angle theta _X in the horizontal direction of the movable portion 120b (first direction) may be different from the range from -30 ° ~ + 30 °. Furthermore, the strobe MPU201 is, depending on the distance to the shooting angle and subject, the settable range of the horizontal direction of the target angle theta _X of the movable portion 120b may be configured to be freely set. In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that at least the first range <the second range.

  Also, in the processes of steps S829 to S831, similarly to the process of step S806 described above, when the inclination of the main body 120a is detected, the target angle of the movable part 120b is set in consideration of the detected inclination angle. To do.

  Since the processing in steps S832 to S834 is the same as the processing in steps S807 to S809 described above, description thereof will be omitted. In step S835, the flash MPU 201 instructs the irradiation direction calculation unit 204 to calculate a target angle that is the optimal irradiation direction for bounce flash photography. Note that the target angle that is the optimum irradiation direction for the bounce flash photography is calculated based on the formula (1) or the formula (2) as in step S810 described above.

Here, unlike step S810 described above, in step S835, the strobe MPU 201 sets the range of the target angle that can be set for the movable portion 120b to −30 ° ≦ θ _X ≦ + 30 °, 0 ° ≦ θ _Y ≦ + 120 °. Set. That is, the calculated target angle that is the optimum irradiation direction for the bounce flash photography of the movable part 120b is set so as not to exceed at least the settable range described above. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 from being blocked by the catchlight sheet 212 when the catchlight sheet 212 is used. Further, the reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface 213 of the catchlight sheet 212 can be illuminated toward the subject. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shadow of the catchlight sheet 212 from appearing on the subject to be photographed while exhibiting the catchlight effect.

In addition, in order to show the catchlight effect by the catchlight sheet 212 more accurately, a configuration in which the settable range of the target angle in the vertical direction of the movable portion 120b described above may be narrower may be used. Specifically, the settable range of the target angle in the vertical direction of the movable unit 120b is set to + 60 ° as an angle at which the light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 can be reflected on the reflecting surface 213 to illuminate the subject. ≦ θ _Y ≦ + 120 ° or the like is set. If it is this structure, when the light emission part 208 is light-emitted, it can suppress that the reflected light reflected by the reflective surface 213 of the catchlight sheet 212 illuminates other than a person's face.

Further, in order to achieve the catchlight effect by the catchlight sheet 212 more accurately, the target angle in the vertical direction (second direction) is set based on the set target angle in the horizontal direction (first direction). Such a configuration may be adopted. For example, when θ _X = 0 °, the flash MPU 201 sets a settable θ _Y range from 0 ° to 120 °. When θ _X = + 30 °, the flash MPU 201 sets the settable θ _Y range to 0 ° to 90 °. That is, if the horizontal target angle of the movable part 120b is close to the reference position and the catchlight effect is easily achieved, the settable vertical range of the movable part 120b is set to a relatively large range. Further, if the target angle in the horizontal direction of the movable part 120b is far from the reference position and the catchlight effect is difficult to achieve, the settable vertical range of the movable part 120b is set to a relatively small range.

  In step S836, the flash MPU 201 instructs the drive control unit 202 to drive the movable unit 120b so that the target angle is within the settable range determined in step S835. The other operations in step S836 perform the same processing as in step S811, and will not be described. In step S836, an auto bounce end notification is transmitted to the camera 100 side as in step S811 described above. The above is the bounce flash photographing control on the external strobe 120 side according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the movable portion 120b of the external strobe 120 is driven in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is in the use position, whether or not the subject includes a face is determined. Thus, the driving of the movable part 120b is controlled. Specifically, it can be set as the target angle of the movable portion 120b depending on whether the face to be photographed is included or not when the catch light sheet 212 is in the use position. Change the range. And the drive of the movable part 120b is controlled based on the said target angle.

  With this configuration, when the catchlight sheet 212 is in the use position and the subject includes a face and when the subject does not include a face, the catchlight sheet 212 is in an optimum position. The movable part 120b can be driven. Therefore, in the imaging system including the external strobe 120 and the external strobe of the present embodiment, the operation of the external strobe 120 can be controlled according to the state of the catchlight sheet 212.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the drive control of the movable unit 120b is configured such that the irradiation direction of the movable unit 120b is determined based on information acquired by the strobe posture detection unit 203 and the strobe photometry unit 210 of the external strobe 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the irradiation direction of the movable unit 120b may be determined based on information acquired by the photometry unit 112, the lens control unit 114, the posture detection unit 116, and the like of the camera 100. Specifically, the target angle of the movable unit 120b may be corrected based on the posture of the camera 100 detected by the posture detection unit 116. In this case, it is detected whether the camera 100 is in the horizontal position or the vertical position, and the strobe MPU 201 sets the target angle of the movable unit 120b based on the detection result.

  In the above-described embodiment, the process related to the auto bounce flash photographing is started in response to the SW1 being turned on by the first stroke of the release button of the operation unit 117. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the configuration may be such that processing related to auto bounce flash photography is started in response to pressing of an auto bounce button provided on the strobe operation unit 205 of the external strobe 120.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the external strobe 120 is employed as the illumination device that can automatically change the irradiation direction of the irradiation light has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the built-in flash 119 provided in the camera 100 may be configured to automatically change the irradiation direction of the irradiation light. In this case, the various controls related to the external strobe 120 described above may be configured to be executed by the camera MPU 101 of the camera 100 or the like.

  Moreover, although the strobe MPU 201 has described the configuration in which the strobe MPU 201 sets the vertical target angle of the movable portion 120b to + 90 ° in steps S806, S819 to S821, and S829 to S831, the present invention is not limited to this. . The target angle in the vertical direction of the movable unit 120b set in each step described above is an angle at which the light emitting unit 208 is pre-flashed and the distance information to the target object to be bounced by bounce flash photography can be accurately acquired. Any one may be adopted as long as it is.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bounce flash photographing process on the external strobe 120 side is configured to perform drive control of the movable part 120b in the front direction after drive control of the movable part 120b in the ceiling direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the drive control of the movable part 120b in the ceiling direction may be performed after the drive control of the movable part 120b in the front direction is performed. In other words, the pre-light emission order for acquiring distance information in one continuous process for setting the optimum irradiation direction for bounce flash photography is the pre-light emission in the front direction and the pre-light emission in the ceiling direction. It may be configured to emit light.

With this configuration, the drive angle of the movable part 120b in the front direction is controlled by θ _A = 0 ° and θ _B = 0 ° by the drive control of the movable part 120b in the front direction, and the movable part 120b in the ceiling direction is controlled. Drive control can be started. In this case, the catchlight sheet 212 is not positioned closer to the subject than the light emitting unit 208 during the drive control of the movable unit 120b in the ceiling direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 from being blocked by the catchlight sheet 212 without controlling the target angle of the movable unit 120b in the drive control of the movable unit 120b in the ceiling direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the range of the driveable angle of the movable portion 120b of the external strobe 120 is set to −180 ° to + 180 ° (that is, 360 °) in the horizontal direction and 0 ° to + 120 ° in the vertical direction. However, a configuration may be adopted in which an external strobe with a movable range of the vertical angle of the movable portion 120b in the range of 0 ° to + 180 ° is employed. In this case, it is desirable to provide a predetermined range that can also be set for the target angle in the vertical direction in step S825. For example, when using an external strobe set with a drivable range as described above, the strobe MPU 201 sets the range of the target angle that can be set for the movable portion 120b to −90 ° ≦ θ _X ≦ at step S825. Set + 90 °, 0 ° ≦ θ _Y ≦ + 120 °. If it is this structure, the irradiation light from the light emission part 208 can be accurately irradiated toward bounce target objects, such as a ceiling.

  In the embodiment described above, the range of the target angle in the horizontal direction that can be set for the movable portion 120b in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position is −90 ° to + 90 °, or −30 ° to Although the configuration is set to + 30 °, it is not limited to this. When a face is not included in the shooting target, at least the target angle range in the horizontal direction of the movable part 120b may be set so that the light emitted from the light emitting part 208 is not blocked by the catchlight sheet 212. In addition, when a face is included in the shooting target, at least the light emitted from the light emitting unit 208 is not blocked by the catchlight sheet 212, and the movable part can illuminate the face with the light reflected by the reflecting surface 213. What is necessary is just to set the range of the target angle of 120b of the horizontal direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the target angle is limited in the drive control of the movable portion 120b when the distance information in the ceiling direction is acquired in a state where the catchlight sheet 212 is located at the use position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The drive control of the movable part 120b directed toward the ceiling may be configured such that the target angle is not limited. That is, the target angle of the movable part 120b may be limited only in the drive control (steps S811, S826, and S836) of the movable part 120b toward the optimal irradiation direction in the bounce flash photography control.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit of the camera 100 including the camera MPU 101 and the control unit of the external strobe 120 including the strobe MPU 201 operate in cooperation with each other to execute each control described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a program according to the flow of FIGS. 7 to 11 described above is stored in the memory of the camera MPU 101 in advance, and the program is executed by the camera MPU 101, the flash MPU 201, or the like, thereby executing each control described above. Such a configuration may be adopted. Moreover, as long as it has the function of a program, it does not ask | require the form of programs, such as an object code, the program run by an interpreter, and the script data supplied to OS. The recording medium for supplying the program may be, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a magnetic tape, or an optical / magneto-optical recording medium.

  In the above-described embodiment, the camera 100 has been described as an example of the imaging apparatus of the imaging system that implements the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the imaging device of the imaging device that implements the present invention can be applied to various imaging devices such as a portable device such as a digital video camera or a smartphone.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, the present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by executing processing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 Camera MPU
116 Attitude detection unit 120 External strobe 120 a Main unit 120 b Movable unit 201 Strobe MPU
202 Drive control unit 208 Light emitting unit 209 Irradiation surface 212 Catch light sheet 213 Reflection surface

Claims (17)

An imaging system including an illumination device that automatically changes a light irradiation direction by automatically driving a movable unit including a light emitting unit, and an imaging device,
A use position illuminated by light emitted from the light emitting part by protruding from the inside of the movable part, and a non-use position not illuminated by light emitted from the light emitting part by storing in the movable part. An optical member capable of moving between
Optical member detection means for detecting whether or not the optical member is located at the use position;
Face detection means for detecting a face;
An imaging system comprising: the optical member detection unit; and a drive control unit that controls the driving of the movable part in accordance with a detection result of the face detection unit. A setting unit that sets a target angle, which is a target value of an angle for driving the movable part, according to detection results of the optical member detection unit and the face detection unit;
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit controls driving of the movable unit based on the target angle. The optical member is provided with an optical working surface disposed away from the irradiation surface of the light emitting unit in a state of being located at the use position,
The lighting device has a main body that rotatably holds the movable part,
The position where the movable part is facing the same direction as the front part of the main body part is the reference position, the optical member is located at the use position, and the movable part is the reference part. A direction parallel to the optical working surface of the optical member in a state of being positioned is a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the optical working surface of the optical member is a second direction. Then
When the optical member detection unit detects that the optical member is located at the use position, the setting unit calculates an angle in the first direction among the target angles at the reference position. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the imaging system is set within an angle range orthogonal to the angle of the movable part.   When the optical member detecting unit detects that the optical member is located at the use position, the setting unit determines whether the face is detected by the face detecting unit or not. The imaging system according to claim 3, wherein a settable range of the angle in the first direction is made different.   The setting means is the case where the optical member detecting means detects that the optical member is located at the use position, and when the face is detected by the face detecting means, When the settable range of the angle in the first direction is set within the first range, and the face is not detected by the face detecting means, the angle in the first direction among the target angles The imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the settable range is set within a second range larger than the first range.   The setting means is the case where the optical member detecting means detects that the optical member is located at the use position, and when the face is detected by the face detecting means, The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein a settable range of the angle in the second direction is set according to an angle in the first direction among the target angles. In a state where the illumination device is attached to the imaging device, the movable unit has posture detection means for detecting an inclination of the main body with respect to a state where the movable unit is located at the reference position.
The said setting means correct | amends the said target angle based on the inclination of the said main-body part, when the inclination of the said main-body part is detected by the said attitude | position detection means. The imaging system according to item.   The setting means includes the distance information of the first direction acquired by the first pre-light emission toward the first direction by the light-emitting unit, and the second direction after the first pre-light emission. The target angle is set based on the distance information in the second direction acquired by the second pre-light emission by the light emitting unit toward the light source. Imaging system.   The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the optical member is a panel-like member that reflects light emitted from a light emitting unit. An illumination device that can be attached to an imaging device by automatically changing a light irradiation direction by automatically driving a movable portion including a light emitting unit,
A use position illuminated by light emitted from the light emitting part by protruding from the inside of the movable part, and a non-use position not illuminated by light emitted from the light emitting part by storing in the movable part. An optical member capable of moving between
Optical member detection means for detecting whether or not the optical member is in the use position;
Drive control means for controlling the drive of the movable part based on the detection result of the optical member detection means and information on whether or not the subject to be imaged includes a face. apparatus. A setting unit configured to set a target angle, which is a target value of an angle to be driven by the movable unit, based on a detection result of the optical member detection unit and information on whether or not a subject to be photographed includes a face. And
The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the drive control unit controls driving of the movable portion based on the target angle. The optical member is provided with an optical working surface disposed away from the irradiation surface of the light emitting unit in a state of being located at the use position,
The lighting device has a main body that rotatably holds the movable part,
The position where the movable part is facing the same direction as the front part of the main body part is the reference position, the optical member is located at the use position, and the movable part is the reference part. A direction parallel to the optical working surface of the optical member in a state of being positioned is a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the optical working surface of the optical member is a second direction. Then
When the optical member detection unit detects that the optical member is located at the use position, the setting unit calculates an angle in the first direction among the target angles at the reference position. The illuminating device according to claim 11, wherein the illuminating device is set within an angle range orthogonal to the angle of the movable portion.   The setting unit is configured to detect the target angle when the optical member detection unit detects that the optical member is located at the use position and the subject to be photographed includes a face. When the settable range of the angle in the first direction is set within the first range, and the subject to be imaged does not include a face, the range of the first direction out of the target angles The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein a range in which an angle can be set is set within a second range that is larger than the first range.   When the optical member detecting unit detects that the optical member is located at the use position and the subject to be photographed includes a face, the setting unit includes the target angle. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein a settable range of the angle in the second direction is set according to the angle in the first direction among the target angles.   The said setting means correct | amends the said target angle based on the inclination of the said main-body part, when the said main-body part inclines with respect to the state in which the said movable part is located in the said reference position. The illumination device according to any one of 12 to 14.   The lighting device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the optical member is a panel-like optical member that reflects light emitted from a light emitting unit. A method of controlling an illumination device that can be attached to an imaging device by changing the direction of light irradiation by automatically driving a movable portion including a light emitting unit,
A use position illuminated by light emitted from the light emitting part by protruding from the inside of the movable part, and a non-use position not illuminated by light emitted from the light emitting part by storing in the movable part. An optical member capable of moving between
An optical member detection step of detecting whether or not the optical member is in the use position;
A drive control step of controlling the drive of the movable part based on the detection result of the optical member detection step and information on whether or not the subject to be photographed includes a face. Control method of the device.

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