JP2017126922A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform detection by correctly separating detection of sun light and detection of an eyepiece with one proximity detection sensor to contribute to downsizing of an electronic viewfinder.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes an electronic viewfinder 200 having a proximity detection sensor 210. The proximity detection sensor 210 has a light irradiation section and a light receiving section and includes: a first detection criterion for determining eyepiece detection from an output of the light receiving section; and detection means having a second detection criterion for determining that it is under sunlight from the output of the light receiving section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including an electronic viewfinder such as a video camera or a digital camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an imaging apparatus equipped with an electronic viewfinder that performs display using a display element such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. When such an imaging apparatus is used outdoors in fine weather, the user may carelessly point the electronic viewfinder toward the sun. If the imaging device is left as it is, sunlight is continuously collected on the display element by the eyepiece lens installed in the electronic viewfinder. If the light is continuously collected for a long time, the display element is deteriorated. In the worst case, the display surface is deformed by heat from sunlight, and the display element becomes unusable.

  In view of this, a technique has been proposed in which the eyepiece of the user is detected, and when the eyepiece is not in contact, the intensity of light incident on the display element is restricted by a restriction unit using an electrochromic material or the like. Alternatively, a technique has been proposed in which the photometry unit measures ambient brightness, and the intensity of light incident on the display element is limited by a limiting unit using an electrochromic material or the like according to the result (Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2010-21621 A

  In a mechanism described in Patent Document 1 described above, the control of the restriction unit based on the detection of the eyepiece movement of the user and the control of the restriction unit based on the detection of ambient brightness are described as separate control methods.

  However, it does not describe a control method that considers both eyepiece detection and ambient brightness detection. Further, if a sensor for detecting an eyepiece and a brightness detecting sensor for detecting the irradiation of sunlight are separately provided, there arises a problem that the electronic viewfinder becomes large.

  Therefore, it is important to have a control means that correctly detects eyepiece detection and sunlight detection with a single sensor.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes:
In an imaging apparatus including an electronic viewfinder having a proximity detection sensor, the proximity detection sensor includes a light irradiation unit and a light reception unit, and a first detection standard for determining eye detection from an output of the light reception unit; It has a detection means having a second detection criterion for determining that it is under sunlight from the output of the light receiving unit.

  According to the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the detection of sunlight and the detection of the eyepiece can be correctly divided and detected by a single proximity detection sensor, which can contribute to downsizing of the electronic viewfinder.

1 is an external perspective view of an imaging apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic viewfinder 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic viewfinder 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed arrangement | positioning of the proximity detection sensor 210 of the electronic viewfinder 200 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the electrical connection of the proximity detection sensor 210 of the electronic viewfinder 200 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which represents typically the intensity | strength of the light ray irradiated from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation part 212 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which represents typically the intensity | strength of the light ray received from the proximity detection sensor light-receiving part 213 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method related to blinking light emission of the light emission button group 305 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the imaging device 11 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device 11 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control method in connection with blinking light emission of the light emission button group 305 of the imaging device 11 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail based on drawing.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side.

  The imaging device 1 is configured as a lens interchangeable digital video camera. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 includes a lens mount unit 301 that can attach and detach the interchangeable lens 2 to the camera body 300. Although not shown, an image sensor 302 that receives an image of a subject is provided inside the main body behind the lens mount unit 301.

  On the right side as viewed from the front of the imaging apparatus 1, there are a power switch 304, a light emission button group 305, a light emission button group control button 306, and a REC button 307.

  When the power switch 304 is turned clockwise from the power-off state, the power-on state is established, and the photographing mode is activated to allow photographing. When the power switch 304 is turned counterclockwise from the power OFF state, the playback mode is activated and the REC video can be played back. Further, the through image of the shooting in the shooting mode and the playback video in the playback mode can be viewed by looking into the electronic viewfinder 200 above the imaging device 1. The detailed configuration of the electronic viewfinder 200 will be described later.

  The user can cause the imaging apparatus 1 to execute a predetermined operation by operating the light emission button group 305. When it is difficult to operate at night or the like, the light emission button group control button 306 is pressed to make the light emission button group 305 emit light, thereby facilitating the operation. Further, when the light emission button group control button 306 is pressed again while the light emission button group 305 is emitting light, the light emission button group 305 is turned off.

  The REC button 307 can start / stop moving image recording in the shooting mode.

  Next, the configuration of the electronic viewfinder 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the electronic viewfinder 200. 2A is an external perspective view of the electronic viewfinder 200 viewed from the front side as in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the electronic viewfinder 200 viewed from the rear side.

  The electronic viewfinder 200 includes a camera body connection hinge 201 for connection to the camera body 300 and a viewfinder connection FPC 202 for transmitting and receiving image signals and other signals from the main board 400 of the camera body 300.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the electronic viewfinder 200. FIG. 3A is a view showing a cross-sectional position, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view seen from the cut end.

  In the electronic viewfinder 200, an eye cup 203 is formed so as to go around the optical axis 250. When a face is used in close contact with the eye cup 203, external light in any direction is shielded, and the visibility of the display content of the display element 204 is improved.

  An image signal sent from the camera body 300 through the viewfinder connection FPC 202 is sent to the display element 204 via the viewfinder substrate 280 and displayed as an optical image. In the electronic viewfinder 200, the display element 204 is an organic EL panel. An optical image as a light beam displayed by the display element 204 is collected by the lens unit 205. The condensed light beam passes through the lens protection plate 206, enters the user's eyes, and is visually recognized as an optical image. The lens protection plate 206 is fixed to the electronic viewfinder 200 by a lens protection plate pressing member 207 having an opening through which light passes.

  In an electronic viewfinder that collects an optical image of the display element 204 by the lens unit 205 like the electronic viewfinder 200, a problem occurs when sunlight inadvertently enters the finder optical system from the lens protection plate 206. That is, sunlight incident on the finder optical system is condensed by the lens unit 205 in the vicinity of the display surface of the display element 204, and if it continues to enter for a long time, the display element 204 deteriorates due to the heat of sunlight. In the worst case, the display surface of the display element 204 is deformed by the heat of sunlight, and the display element 204 becomes unusable.

  Therefore, when sunlight enters the optical system, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the sunlight from entering the optical system, such as changing the attitude of the electronic viewfinder. In order to realize this, it is important to detect that sunlight is incident on the display element 204. Then, it is necessary to inform the user of that fact and to urge the user to take measures such as changing the attitude of the electronic viewfinder so that sunlight does not hit the display element.

  While the organic EL panel used as the display element 204 in the electronic viewfinder 200 has higher definition than the conventional panel, the organic EL panel has a disadvantage that its lifetime is shorter than that of the conventional panel. For this reason, in order to extend the life of the display element 204 in the imaging apparatus 1, control is performed so that the display element 204 is activated only when the user is in contact with the electronic viewfinder 200 and the rest is stopped. . For this control, it is essential to install the proximity detection sensor 210 for detecting the eyepiece in the electronic viewfinder 200.

  Next, the proximity sensor 210 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the electronic viewfinder 200 with the proximity detection sensor window member 211 removed so that the arrangement of the proximity detection sensors 210 can be seen.

  The proximity detection sensor 210 used in the imaging apparatus 1 emits a light beam for detecting an object from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212, and the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 receives the light beam reflected by the adjacent object. By doing so, detection is performed. That is, the eyepiece state to the electronic viewfinder 200 can be determined by receiving the light reflected by the user's face or eyes looking through the electronic viewfinder 200. The proximity detection sensor light irradiating unit 212 of the electronic viewfinder 200 is irradiated with infrared light having a peak wavelength of about 940 nm, and the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 receives light of that wavelength. The irradiation direction of the infrared light of the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is set so that the intensity of the infrared light is maximized in the direction parallel to the optical axis 250 of the electronic viewfinder 200. Further, in the electronic viewfinder 200, the directivity angle (half-value angle) at which the infrared light becomes half intensity from the intensity in the maximum direction is about 30 degrees on one side.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical connection of the proximity detection sensor 210 of the electronic viewfinder 200, FIG. 5A is a view showing a cross-sectional position, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view seen from the cut end. In addition, a light beam irradiation range 214 of the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is illustrated. The angle of the illustrated light irradiation range 214 is the range of 30 degrees of the half-value angle described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the proximity detection sensor 210 and the finder board 280 are electrically connected by the proximity detection sensor connection FPC 215, and the finder board 280 is electrically connected to the display element 204 as described above. ing. Therefore, in the imaging device 1, in order to extend the life of the display element 204, it is possible to control the display element 204 to operate when the eyepiece is detected, and to stop the display element 204 otherwise.

  A proximity detection sensor window member 211 is installed on the front surface of the proximity detection sensor 210 for the purpose of protecting the proximity detection sensor 210. In order to prevent the proximity detection sensor window member 211 itself from reflecting and erroneously detecting the light emitted from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212, the proximity detection sensor window member 211 is not a member that easily transmits the light. Must not. In the electronic viewfinder 200, in order to prevent the proximity detection sensor 210 from being seen from the outside and to improve the quality, light having a wavelength longer than about 750 nm is easily transmitted, and light having a wavelength shorter than that is difficult to transmit. The proximity detection sensor window member 211 is molded. Accordingly, the proximity detection sensor window member 211 transmits infrared light having a peak wavelength of about 940 nm irradiated from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 but hardly transmits visible light, and the proximity detection sensor 210 is transmitted from the outside. It is difficult to see.

  In order to accurately detect the eyepiece, the proximity detection sensor 210 is disposed near the opening of the lens protection plate pressing member 207. If a separate sensor is disposed on the lens protection plate pressing member 207 in order to accurately detect the incidence of sunlight on the display element 204, there arises a problem that the electronic viewfinder 200 becomes large. If the detection of sunlight and the detection of the eyepiece can be performed, the size of the electronic viewfinder 200 can be avoided, but the technology will be described later.

  Next, a method for detecting an eyepiece and detecting sunlight by the proximity detection sensor 210 in the imaging apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a graph schematically showing the intensity of light emitted from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212. In this graph, the vertical axis represents the intensity of the irradiated light, and the horizontal axis represents time.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the proximity detection sensor light irradiating unit 212 is irradiated with a light beam having a certain intensity intermittently. Specifically, the operation of repeatedly irradiating the light beam during Δa and stopping the light beam irradiation during Δb is repeatedly performed to irradiate the light beam intermittently. This is because when the reflected light at the time of eye contact is received from the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213, the light beam emitted from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is distinguished from other light beams, and errors caused by light other than the reflected light are detected. This is to prevent detection.

  FIG. 7 is a graph schematically showing the intensity of light received by the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213. In this graph, the vertical axis represents received light intensity and the horizontal axis represents time. FIG. 7A is a graph showing a state in which the light beam from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is reflected by the user but is not detected as an eye contact. FIG. 7B is a graph showing a state in which it is detected that the light beam of the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is reflected by the user and is in contact with the eye. FIG. 7C is a graph showing a state in which the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 is irradiated with sunlight that may cause the display element 204 to deteriorate.

  When intermittent light emitted from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is reflected on the user and received by the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213, a waveform of intermittent reception is shown as shown in FIG. In this state, although the reflected light is received by the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213, the threshold value 216 has not been reached, so that neither sunlight detection nor eyepiece detection is performed. That is, the user is at a distance far from the electronic viewfinder 200. In the imaging apparatus 1, the distance of how close the electronic viewfinder 200 is to be detected as an eyepiece is adjusted by adjusting the intensity of irradiation light of the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212. In the electronic viewfinder 200, for convenience, the intensity of the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 is adjusted so that an eyepiece is detected when the distance from the proximity detection sensor 210 is about 7 cm or less.

  Next, FIG. 7B shows a state in which the user is closer to the electronic viewfinder 200 than the state of FIG. As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1, intermittent light is emitted from the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 in order to prevent erroneous detection. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 receives intermittent light. In order to identify the reflected light from the user, the imaging apparatus 1 assumes that the eye is in contact when the threshold value 216 is exceeded only once during the identification time Δc and then falls below the threshold value 216. In the imaging apparatus 1, the identification time Δc is set to Δa + Δb, which is a sum of the time Δa irradiated by the proximity detection sensor light irradiation unit 212 and the time Δb not irradiated. In order to prevent erroneous detection due to another light beam generated only for a moment in the imaging apparatus 1, as a control method for determining that the eye is in contact after detecting one light beam during Δc for three cycles or more. Yes.

  Finally, FIG. 7C shows a state in which sunlight that is likely to cause deterioration of the display element 204 is applied to the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 to detect sunlight. As described above, in order to improve the quality, the proximity detection sensor window member 211 is made of a material that easily transmits light having a wavelength longer than about 750 nm and does not easily transmit light having a wavelength shorter than that. However, since sunlight contains a component having a wavelength longer than about 750 nm, sunlight can be detected as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the imaging apparatus 1 assumes that sunlight is detected when the value of the light received during Δc exceeds the threshold 216. From the standpoint of preventing erroneous detection, the imaging apparatus 1 determines that sunlight has been detected if it continues to receive light that exceeds the threshold 216 for three cycles or more, assuming that a light beam is received during Δc for one cycle. Control method. In the imaging apparatus 1, the display element 204 may be deteriorated in consideration of the material of the display surface of the display element 204, the degree of condensing of the lens unit 205, and the transmittance of the entire optical system of the electronic viewfinder 200. The threshold value 216, which is the value of the intensity of sunlight, is set.

  The method for detecting sunlight and eyepieces by the proximity detection sensor 210 has been described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, but this time, using this detection method, the control method when the imaging device 1 detects sunlight is illustrated. 8 and FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 of this embodiment, first, an image of a subject incident on the interchangeable lens 2 is converted into an electric signal by the imaging element 302. The converted signal is input to the control unit 401 of the main board 400. The control unit 401 of the imaging apparatus 1 includes an image processing unit 402 that converts signal charges sent from the imaging element 302 into digital video data of luminance signals and color signals, a control IC 403 that is a CPU, and a work memory that is a volatile memory. And a light emission button control unit 405 that controls the light emission button group 305.

  The digital video data converted by the image processing unit 402 is temporarily recorded in the work memory unit 404 and recorded on the recording medium 3 under the control of the control IC 403. The digital video data is also sent from the image processing unit 402 to the finder image processing unit 281 on the finder substrate 280. The sent digital video data is converted into a format for display on the display element 204 and is displayed on the display element 204 in the electronic viewfinder 200 as a through image at the time of shooting. Various icon displays stored in advance in the program memory unit 406 can also be displayed on the display element 204. The finder substrate 280 includes a finder image processing unit 281 and a proximity detection sensor control unit 282 that controls the proximity detection sensor 210.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the power switch 304 is rotated clockwise, the shooting mode detection switch 407 is pushed in and a signal is sent to the control IC 403, the power of the imaging apparatus 1 is turned on and the shooting mode is activated. To do. By operating the REC button 307 in this state, the REC switch 408 is pushed in, photographing is started, and writing of the digital video data to the recording medium 3 is started.

  When the power switch 304 is rotated counterclockwise, the playback mode detection switch 409 is pushed in and a signal is sent to the control IC 403, the imaging device 1 is turned on and the playback mode is activated. The signal sent to the control IC 403 goes to the image processing unit 402, from which the digital video data written in the recording medium 3 is read. In the playback mode, the digital video data on the recording medium 3 can be confirmed by the electronic viewfinder 200. In that case, digital video data is sent from the recording medium 3 to the image processing unit 402, and from there to the viewfinder image processing unit 281. The video data sent to the finder image processing unit 281 is converted into a format for display on the display element 204, sent to the display element 204, and the user can check the digital video data.

  When the user touches the electronic viewfinder 200, the proximity detection sensor 210 sends an electrical signal to the proximity detection sensor control unit 282. Based on the electrical signal, the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 determines that the eye is in contact, and displays the digital video data from the display element 204 turned off. Conversely, if the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 determines that the eye is not in contact, the display of the digital image data on the display element 204 is switched to the off state.

  When the surroundings are dark and it is difficult to operate the buttons, when the light emission button group control button 306 is pressed, the signal goes to the light emission button control unit 405 and the light emission button group 305 is turned on to facilitate the operation of the light emission button group 305. it can. When the light emission button group control button 306 is pressed while the light emission button group 305 is lit, the signal goes to the light emission button control unit 405 and the light emission button group 305 can be turned off.

  However, when the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 is irradiated with sunlight that causes the display element 204 to deteriorate, the proximity detection sensor 210 sends an electrical signal to the proximity detection sensor control unit 282. When the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 determines that the sunlight has been detected based on the electrical signal, the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 sends the electrical signal to the light emission button control unit 405. In response to the electrical signal, the light emission button control unit 405 causes the light emission button group 305 to blink.

  By flashing light emission, the user is informed that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight enough to cause the display element 204 to deteriorate. The user who has received it can take measures to prevent sunlight from hitting the display element, such as changing the attitude of the electronic viewfinder, and can prevent the display element 204 from being deteriorated by sunlight.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control method related to blinking light emission of the light emission button group 305 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, when the power switch 304 of the imaging apparatus 1 is turned on in step S101, the imaging apparatus is activated.

  In step S102, the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 determines whether sunlight has been detected. If it is determined that sunlight has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S103, where it is determined whether or not the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 has detected an eyepiece. When the eyepiece is detected, the process proceeds to step S104, and the display of the display element 204 is turned on. When the eyepiece is not detected, the process proceeds to step S105, and the display of the display element 204 is turned off. After step S104 and step S105, the process proceeds to step S106.

  If it is detected in step S106 that the light emission button group control button 306 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S107, and the light emission button group 305 is caused to emit light. Further, as described above, when the light emission button group control button 306 is pressed while the light emission button group 305 is in an emitted state, the light emission button group 305 is instructed to be turned off. After step S107 and step S108, the process proceeds to step S109.

If it is determined in step S102 that the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 has detected sunlight, the process proceeds to step S110. If the process proceeds to step S110, there is a possibility that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight and is at a high temperature. Therefore, in order to prevent the temperature from rising even a little, the display of the display element 204 is turned off. Proceed to S111. In step S111, the light emitting button group 305 is caused to flash and emit light in order to promptly notify the user that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight and to prompt the user to take measures to prevent the display element 204 from receiving sunlight. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, it is determined whether the power switch 304 of the imaging apparatus 1 is turned off. When turned off, the imaging apparatus 1 stops and finishes processing. If not turned off, the process returns to step S102 and the same processing is continued.

  With these controls, the light emission button group 305 is caused to blink to emit light to inform the user that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight enough to cause the display element 204 to deteriorate. The user who has received it can prevent the display element 204 from being deteriorated by sunlight by taking measures such as changing the posture of the electronic viewfinder 200 so that the sunlight does not fall on the display element 204.

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the imaging device 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is an external perspective view in a state where the electronic viewfinder 200 of the imaging apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment is tilted up.

  The imaging apparatus 11 can tilt up the electronic viewfinder 200 and includes a finder tilt-up detection unit 308 for detecting whether or not the camera is tilted up (not shown).

  In the imaging device 11, for the purpose of improving the quality as described above, the proximity detection sensor window member 211 is formed of a material that easily transmits light having a wavelength longer than 750 nm and does not easily transmit light having a wavelength shorter than 750 nm. Therefore, infrared light other than sunlight passes through the proximity detection sensor window member 211, is received by the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213, and erroneous detection is caused by infrared light other than sunlight.

  Further, when the electronic viewfinder 200 is tilted up, sunlight is likely to enter the proximity detection sensor light receiving unit 213 and the display element 204, and conversely, when the electronic viewfinder 200 is not tilted up, the sunlight is detected as proximity detection sensor light. It is difficult to enter the light receiving unit 213 and the display element 204.

  Therefore, in the imaging device 11, by installing the finder tilt-up detection unit 308, the proximity detection sensor is high only when the electronic viewfinder 200 is tilted up, in which sunlight is likely to enter the display element 204. The detection of sunlight by 210 is enabled. By this control, it has a mechanism that can prevent erroneous detection of sunlight detection by other light rays.

  A control method using the finder tilt-up detection unit 308 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the imaging apparatus 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Even when it is determined that an electric signal is sent from the proximity detection sensor 210 to the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 and sunlight is detected, as described above, the possibility of erroneous detection cannot be eliminated.

  Therefore, an electrical signal indicating that sunlight is detected is sent from the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 to the light emission button control unit 405. Upon receiving this signal and an electrical signal indicating that the viewfinder tilt-up detection unit 308 is tilted up, the light emission button control unit 405 determines that sunlight has been detected for the first time, and causes the light emission button control unit 405 to flash. By flashing light emission, the user is informed that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight enough to cause the display element 204 to deteriorate. The user who has received it can take measures to prevent sunlight from hitting the display element, such as changing the attitude of the electronic viewfinder, and can prevent the display element 204 from being deteriorated by sunlight.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method related to blinking light emission of the light emission button group 305 of the imaging apparatus 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, when the power switch 304 of the imaging apparatus 1 is turned on in step S101, the imaging apparatus is activated.

  In step S102, the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 determines whether sunlight has been detected. If it is determined that sunlight has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S103, where it is determined whether or not the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 has detected an eyepiece. When the eyepiece is detected, the process proceeds to step S104, and the display of the display element 204 is turned on. When the eyepiece is not detected, the process proceeds to step S105, and the display of the display element 204 is turned off. After step S104 and step S105, the process proceeds to step S106.

  If it is detected in step S106 that the light emission button group control button 306 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S107, and the light emission button group 305 is caused to emit light. Further, as described above, when the light emission button group control button 306 is pressed while the light emission button group 305 is in an emitted state, the light emission button group 305 is instructed to be turned off. After step S107 and step S108, the process proceeds to step S109.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 has detected sunlight, the process proceeds to step S112. When the process proceeds to step S112, the viewfinder tilt-up detection unit 308 determines whether or not the electronic viewfinder 200 is tilted up. If it is determined that the electronic viewfinder 200 is not tilted up, the detection of sunlight by the proximity detection sensor control unit 282 is a false detection, and the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, the display element 204 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S106. If it is detected in step S112 that the electronic viewfinder 200 is tilted up, it is determined that sunlight is detected, and the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, there is a possibility that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight and the temperature is high. Therefore, the display on the display element 204 is turned off and the process proceeds to step S111 in order to prevent the temperature from rising.

In step S111, the light emitting button group 305 is caused to flash and emit light in order to promptly notify the user that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight and to prompt the user to take measures to prevent the display element 204 from receiving sunlight. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, it is determined whether the power switch 304 of the imaging apparatus 1 is turned off. When turned off, the imaging apparatus 1 stops and finishes processing. If not turned off, the process returns to step S102 and the same processing is continued.

  With these controls, the light emission button group 305 is caused to blink to emit light to inform the user that the display element 204 is irradiated with sunlight enough to cause the display element 204 to deteriorate. The user who has received it can prevent the display element 204 from being deteriorated by sunlight by taking measures such as changing the posture of the electronic viewfinder 200 so that the sunlight does not fall on the display element 204.

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

200 Electronic viewfinder, 210 Proximity detection sensor,
212 proximity detection sensor light emitting unit, 213 proximity detection sensor light receiving unit,
216 threshold value, 282 proximity detection sensor control unit, 305 light emitting button group,
405 Light button control unit

Claims (4)

Equipped with an electronic viewfinder with a proximity sensor,
The proximity detection sensor has a light emitting part and a light receiving part,
It has a detection means having a first detection standard for determining eye detection from the output of the light receiving unit and a second detection standard for determining under sunlight from the output of the light receiving unit. An imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a light emitting unit, and the light emitting unit flashes and emits light when the second detection reference is detected. The electronic viewfinder can be tilted up, and the imaging apparatus has a tilt-up detecting unit for detecting the tilt-up, and the tilt-up detecting unit detects the tilt-up when the tilt-up detecting unit does not detect the tilt-up. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection of the second detection criterion is invalidated. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation unit emits infrared light.