JP2023116162A - Lighting control device and system, and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable desired light emitting operation to be performed even when a plurality of lighting devices are used repeatedly.SOLUTION: A lighting control device includes: communication means for communicating with a plurality of lighting devices; acquisition means for acquiring a necessary amount of light emission indicating the amount of light emission necessary for imaging by an imaging unit; and determination means for determining, based on the necessary amount of light emission acquired by the acquisition means, an amount of light emission of lighting devices used for main light emission at the time of imaging among the lighting devices with which communication has been established by the communication means. The determination means determines the amount of light emission of the lighting devices used for the main light emission based on information regarding temperature states of the lighting devices with which communication has been established by the communication means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting control device and system, and an imaging device.

Conventionally, photography is performed using a clip-on lighting device or a lighting device fixed to a stand. In such photography, the photographer arranges a lighting device fixed to a stand, for example, around the subject, and diffuses the light from the lighting device using an umbrella or a diffuser to control the shadow of the subject. In photographing using such an illumination device, the arrangement and the amount of light of the illumination device are adjusted so that light is emitted with a desired amount of light.

Also, as an example of shooting, in order to solve the problem of insufficient light in a large space or when the subject is far away, multiple lighting devices can be fixed to the same stand and the light sources of the lighting devices can be brought closer together. There is known a photographing method that enables artificial light emission with a large amount of light. When shooting with such a lighting device, repeated high-intensity light emission causes the lighting device to fail to charge in time with the continuous shooting speed of the camera, resulting in light emission missing or light emission limitation. There were times when it was not possible to emit light.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a control system that makes identification numbers easier to recognize by assigning numbers to a plurality of sub-accessories connected to a main accessory and independently communicating with each sub-accessory. .

JP-A-7-159844

The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a function of identifying main accessories and sub-accessories in a plurality of lighting devices, and a communication function of communicating with these. However, since control is not performed to change the light emitting operation according to the communication state of each lighting device, it is necessary to change the settings for each lighting device. Therefore, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of solving the problem of insufficient amount of light and lack of light emission during the main light emission.

Moreover, when a plurality of lighting devices are used repeatedly, if the light emission of some of the lighting devices is restricted during use, there is a possibility that the desired light emitting operation cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to enable a desired light emitting operation even when a plurality of lighting devices are repeatedly used.

To achieve the above object, a lighting control device according to the present invention includes communication means for communicating with a plurality of lighting devices, acquisition means for acquiring a required amount of light emission indicating the amount of light emission required for imaging by an imaging unit, and determination means for determining, based on the necessary light emission amount acquired by the acquisition means, the light emission amount of the illumination apparatus used for main light emission at the time of imaging, among the illumination apparatuses with which communication has been established by the communication means; The determining means determines the amount of light emitted by the lighting device to be used for the main light emission based on information about the temperature state of the lighting device with which communication has been established by the communication means.

According to the present invention, a desired light emitting operation can be performed even when a plurality of lighting devices are repeatedly used.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an imaging system; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing camera processing; FIG. 3 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 2 showing camera processing operations; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing first control device processing; It is a flow chart which shows the 2nd control device processing. 5 is a flow chart showing a total light amount calculation process; 4 is a flowchart showing lighting device processing; 4 is a flowchart showing continuous light emission control processing; 4 is a flowchart showing light emission energy calculation processing in continuous light emission control processing. 4 is a flowchart showing light emission operation processing; It is an external view of a control apparatus. FIG. 4 is an external view of the control device with a plurality of lighting devices attached; 4 is a flowchart showing light emission control processing; 4 is a flowchart showing light emission control processing;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an imaging system to which a lighting control device according to a first embodiment of the invention is applied. This imaging system (lighting control system) includes a camera 100 as an imaging device, an imaging lens 200, a control device 300 as a lighting control device, and a plurality of lighting devices 400 (400a to 400d).

A photographing lens 200 is attached to the front of the camera 100 . The photographing lens 200 is replaceable, and the camera 100 and the photographing lens 200 are electrically connected via the mount contact group 103 . A camera ACC shoe 109 is provided on the upper surface of the camera 100 . A camera control unit 101 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each unit of the camera 100 . The camera control unit 101 also includes a built-in memory that stores various adjustment values, programs for executing various controls, and the like. This built-in memory also serves as a buffer memory that temporarily stores various data processed in various places.

The imaging device 102 converts light from an object incident through the lens 202 into an electrical signal, generates an image signal including still images and moving images, and outputs the image signal to the camera control unit 101 . A shutter 104 is arranged between the image sensor 102 and the lens 202 and operates according to instructions from the camera control unit 101 . The shutter 104 is composed of a front curtain and a rear curtain, and when the front curtain runs and the shutter opens, exposure of the image sensor 102 starts, and when the rear curtain runs and the shutter closes, the exposure of the image sensor 102 ends.

The camera operation unit 105 includes operation members operated by the user. The camera operation unit 105 detects operations performed by the user via buttons, switches, dials, connected devices, and the like, and sends signals corresponding to the operation instructions to the camera control unit 101 . In the still image mode, the camera operation unit 105 outputs to the camera control unit 101 an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as an SW1 signal) issued when the user half-presses the release button. Further, the camera operation unit 105 outputs to the camera control unit 101 an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as an SW2 signal) that is emitted when the release button is fully pressed to deeply press it. In the moving image mode, the camera control unit 105 outputs an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as a REC signal) issued when the user operates the record button to the camera control unit 101 . A camera display unit 106 displays shooting information and a shot image according to an instruction from the camera control unit 101 .

A camera control unit 101 performs operation control of the camera 100 based on an output signal from the camera operation unit 105 . When the output signal of the camera operation unit 105 is the SW1 signal, the camera control unit 101 drives the image pickup device 102, which is an image pickup unit, to take an image, and outputs focus information such as the defocus amount of each distance measurement point. . Further, the camera control unit 101 detects a subject from the imaging result, repeats photometry control (AE operation) for measuring the brightness of the subject, and determines the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity to be used at the time of shooting from the photometry result. . Here, the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity used at the time of photographing are collectively referred to as "exposure control value". The determined exposure control value is displayed on the screen of the camera display unit 106 .

When the output signal of the camera operation unit 105 is the SW2 signal, the camera control unit 101 drives the diaphragm 203 in the lens 202, sets the sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) of the image sensor 102, and controls the shutter 104. The imaging device 102 is irradiated with light. When the output signal of the camera operation unit 105 is the REC signal, the camera control unit 101 sets the sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) and frame rate of the image sensor 102, drives the image sensor 102 to perform imaging, and performs each range finding. Outputs focus information such as the defocus amount of a point. Furthermore, the camera control unit 101 detects a subject from the imaging result, and irradiates the image sensor 102 with light while repeating photometric control (AE operation) for measuring the luminance of the subject. The lens control unit 201 repeats autofocus by driving a focus lens (not shown) for adjusting the focus in the lens 202 according to instructions from the camera control unit 101 . The camera control unit 101 displays the captured image on the screen of the camera display unit 106 in accordance with the image data acquired from the image pickup device 102 , and controls writing of image data (including sound information) to the storage unit 107 .

The camera wireless communication unit 108 is, for example, a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module, or wireless LAN communication module. A camera wireless communication unit 108 wirelessly communicates with an external device, and transmits and receives data such as image signals, audio signals, compressed image data, and compressed audio data, for example. The camera wireless communication unit 108 also transmits and receives control signals related to shooting such as shooting start and end commands, and other information.

The camera ACC shoe 109 can be connected with various accessories provided with the shoe, and a contact group (not shown) provided in the camera ACC shoe 109 enables communication with external accessories. The camera audio input unit 110 picks up audio around the camera 100 using a built-in microphone or an external microphone connected via an audio input terminal, and converts the acquired audio data from analog to digital. Send to the camera control unit 101 . The camera control unit 101 performs audio-related processing such as level optimization processing of an input digital audio signal, specific frequency reduction processing, and audio detection processing. The camera control unit 101 synthesizes image data acquired by the image sensor 102 and audio data acquired from an external microphone or the like, and controls writing of image data with sound information to the storage unit 107 . Next, the configuration of the photographing lens 200 will be described. A lens control unit 201 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each unit of the photographing lens 200 . The lens 202 is composed of a plurality of lenses including, for example, a focus lens, etc., and forms a subject image on the imaging device 102 . Further, the imaging lens 200 is provided with an aperture 203 for adjusting the amount of light. The lens control unit 201 adjusts the amount of light to be taken into the camera and the focus according to instructions from the camera control unit 101 under control via the mount contact group 103 , and sends distance information and the like at that time to the camera control unit 101 . Next, the configuration of the control device 300 will be described. The control device control section 301 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each section of the control device 300 . The control device control unit 301 can wirelessly communicate with the camera wireless communication unit 108, an external illumination device, and the like through the control device wireless communication unit 302. FIG. The control device wireless communication unit 302 is, for example, a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module, or a wireless LAN communication module. For example, the control device wireless communication unit 302 can receive a light emission instruction from the camera 100 and camera information, as well as transmit and receive control device information, lighting device information, and the like. Also, the control device wireless communication unit 302 transmits and receives control signals related to imaging such as imaging start and end commands, and other information. Controller controller 301 may be connected to camera ACC shoe 109 via controller shoe 305 to communicate with camera controller 101 . That is, the communication with the camera control unit 101 can be wired or wireless.

The control device operation unit 303 includes operation members operated by the user, detects operations performed by the user via buttons, dials, and the like, and sends signals corresponding to the operation instructions to the control device control unit 301 . The control device display unit 304 displays information such as the state of communication with the camera 100 and the state of connection with the lighting device 400 according to instructions from the control device control unit 301 .

The control device ACC shoe 306 (306a to 306d) is a shoe portion (connecting portion) that holds the lighting device 400 and is connected to the lighting device 400. FIG. FIG. 1 shows a state in which lighting device shoes 406 (406a-406d) of lighting devices 400a-400d are connected to control device ACC shoes 306a-306d.

Although the controller ACC shoes 306 are provided at four locations, the number does not matter. The controller ACC shoe 306, the lighting system 400, and the lighting system shoe 406 are given the same reference numerals a, b, c, and d to correspond to each other in terms of connection. The configurations of the illumination devices 400a to 400d are common to each other. The configurations of the illumination device shoes 406a-406d are common to each other. The configuration of the controller ACC shoes 306a-306a is common to each other. Therefore, in describing these configurations, the configurations of the control device ACC shoe 306a, the lighting device shoe 406a, and the lighting device 400a will be described as representatives. The appearance of the controller ACC shoes 306a-306d of the controller 300 connected to the illumination devices 400a-400d, respectively, will be described later with reference to FIG.

Any lighting device 400 can be connected to the controller ACC shoe 306a. The lighting device 400 connected to the control device ACC shoe 306a becomes the lighting device 400a. The control device ACC shoe 306a can communicate with the lighting device control unit 401 of the lighting device 400a through a contact group (not shown) provided in the control device ACC shoe 306a, and transmits and receives lighting device information, control device information, and the like. can be done.

Next, the configuration of the illumination device 400a will be described.

The lighting device control unit 401 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each part of the lighting device 400a. The lighting device control unit 401 can communicate with the control device control unit 301 via the lighting device shoe 406a and the control device ACC shoe 306a, and transmits and receives light emission instructions, light amount instructions, irradiation angle instructions, information on each lighting device, and the like. It can be performed.

Like the camera wireless communication unit 108 and the control device wireless communication unit 302, the lighting device wireless communication unit 402 can perform wireless communication with the camera 100, the control device 300, and other lighting devices (not shown). can. The lighting device wireless communication unit 402 is, for example, a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module, or a wireless LAN communication module.

The illumination device operation unit 403 includes operation members such as a power switch, a mode setting switch for setting an operation mode, and setting buttons for setting various parameters. The lighting device control unit 401 executes various processes according to the input to the lighting device operation unit 403 .

The lighting device display unit 404 displays setting information according to the input of the lighting device operation unit 403 and information such as the communication state with the control device 300 and the lighting device 400a in accordance with an instruction from the lighting device control unit 401 . The illumination device light emission unit 405 receives a light emission operation instruction from the illumination device control unit 401 and emits light at designated light emission timing and light emission amount. The illumination device light emitting unit 405 mainly includes a discharge tube, a reflector, a zoom optical system, and the like (not shown), and can change the light emission irradiation range by moving the zoom optical system. Processing operations of the camera 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing camera processing. This processing is implemented by the CPU provided in the camera control unit 101 developing a program stored in the ROM into a RAM (none of which is shown) and executing the program. This processing is started when a power switch (not shown) in the camera 100 is turned on and becomes operable.

In step S100, the camera control unit 101 initializes memory and ports. The camera control unit 101 also reads switch states and preset input information input from the camera operation unit 105, and sets various shooting modes such as how to determine the shutter speed and how to determine the aperture.

In step S101, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not the shutter button is half-pressed (whether or not SW1 that instructs a shooting preparation operation is on), waits until SW1 is turned on, and waits until SW1 is turned on. If it turns on, it will progress to step S102. In step S102, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the lens control unit 201 via the communication line (mount contact group 103), and includes focal length information of the photographing lens 200 and information necessary for focus detection processing and photometry processing. Get lens information.

In step S<b>103 , the camera control unit 101 controls the camera wireless communication unit 108 and determines whether communication with the control device 300 is possible. If communication with the control device 300 is possible, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S104, and if communication with the control device 300 is not possible, proceeds to step S106.

In step S104, the camera control section 101 communicates with the control device control section 301 of the control device 300 via the communication line (camera wireless communication section 108 and control device wireless communication section 302). Then, the camera control unit 101 transmits the focal length information acquired in step S102, the previously set light emission mode, and the like to the control device control unit 301 as camera information. In response to this, the control device control section 301 transmits the received focal length information to the illumination device control section 401 . Further, the control device control unit 301 instructs the lighting device control unit 401 to output the lighting device information stored in the memory of the lighting device control unit 401, and the lighting device control unit 401 outputs the lighting device information to the control device control unit 301. . The lighting device information includes current light emission mode information, main capacitor charge information, remaining battery level information, and the like.

In step S105, the camera control unit 101 receives total light intensity information as control device information. The total light amount information is information indicating the total light amount obtained by adding the light amounts of the plurality of lighting devices 400 connected to the control device 300, and is calculated by control calculation (step S307 in FIG. 4) described later. In other words, the total amount of light is the total amount of light when a plurality of lighting devices 400 with which communication has been established with the control device 300 are caused to emit light at the same time. In step S106, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not the shooting mode set in the camera 100 is a mode (AF mode) in which an automatic focus detection operation is performed. Then, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S107 when the set shooting mode is the AF mode, and proceeds to step S109 when the set shooting mode is not the AF mode but the MF mode (manual mode).

In step S107, the camera control unit 101 performs a focus detection operation using a well-known phase difference detection method. In addition, the camera control unit 101 selects which of the plurality of focus detection areas is to be focused preferentially based on the result of input from the camera operation unit 105, and a well-known automatic selection method based on the concept of near point priority. Determined based on an algorithm or the like.

In step S<b>108 , the camera control unit 101 causes the RAM within the camera control unit 101 to store the focus detection area determined in step S<b>107 . In addition, the camera control unit 101 calculates the driving amount of the lens based on the focal length information output result. The camera control unit 101 communicates with the lens control unit 201 and instructs lens driving. In response to this, the lens control unit 201 drives the lens 202 based on the calculation result (driving amount of the lens) in step S107. After step S108, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the camera control unit 101 detects a subject from the imaging results obtained for photometry, performs photometry to measure the luminance of the subject, and obtains subject luminance values in each of a plurality of photometry areas.

In step S<b>110 , the camera control unit 101 performs gain setting processing input from the camera operation unit 105 using a gain switching unit (not shown). Also, the camera control unit 101 transmits gain setting information to the control device control unit 301 of the control device 300 .

In step S111, the camera control unit 101 calculates an exposure value using a well-known algorithm from subject brightness values of each of the plurality of photometry areas.

In step S112, the camera control unit 101 receives from the control device control unit 301 a charge completion signal indicating that the illumination device 400 is outputting a charge completion signal (output in step S311, which will be described later). determine. Then, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S113 when the charging completion signal is received, and proceeds to step S114 when the charging completion signal is not received. In addition, in step S112, the determination result as to whether or not the charging completion signal has been received from the illumination device control section 401 is stored in the RAM or the like within the camera control section 101. FIG. If it is determined in step S103 that communication with the control device 300 is not possible, the camera control unit 101 determines in step S112 whether or not the charging completion signal has been received because there is no illumination device 400 with which communication has been established. The process proceeds to step S114 without performing determination.

In step S113, the camera control unit 101 determines the shutter speed (Tv) and aperture value (Av) suitable for photographing using the illumination device, based on the exposure value calculated in step S111. to determine. On the other hand, in step S114, the camera control unit 101 controls the shutter speed (for natural light) (Tv ) and aperture value (Av). After steps S113 and S114, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S115.

In step S115, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not the shutter button is fully pressed (SW2 is on). Then, the camera control unit 101 returns to step S101 when SW2 is not on, and proceeds to step S116 (FIG. 3) when SW2 is on.

In step S116, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the control device control unit 301 of the control device 300 and transmits camera information. In step S<b>117 , the camera control unit 101 performs the first photometry operation (fixed-light photometry) without issuing a light emission instruction to the illumination device 400 . In step S<b>118 , the camera control unit 101 transmits camera information to the control device control unit 301 in order to perform pre-emission communication for causing the illumination device 400 to emit pre-emission. The camera information here includes information such as pre-emission communication information and a light emission mode transmitted in step S314 of FIG. 5, which will be described later. The transmitted camera information is transferred to the lighting device control section 401 by the control device control section 301 via the control device wireless communication section 302 and the control device ACC shoe 306 .

In step S119, the camera control unit 101 performs the second photometry operation while the illumination device 400 is pre-light emitting. Then, the camera control unit 101 calculates the shutter speed, the aperture value, and the light emission amount of the illumination device 400 by a well-known calculation method based on the photometry results in steps S117 and S119.

In step S120, the camera control unit 101 performs light amount setting communication. Here, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the control device control unit 301 of the control device 300 and transmits the required light emission amount Y indicating the light emission amount obtained in step S119. This necessary light emission amount Y is the light emission amount necessary for the main light emission of lighting device 400 at the time of photographing, and is received by control device 300 in step S315 (FIG. 5) described later.

In step S121, the camera control section 101 communicates with the control device control section 301 and transmits a light emission command.

In step S122, the camera control unit 101 operates the shutter and aperture. At this time, the camera control unit 101 controls the front curtain based on the delay information of the lighting device 400 and the correction value for correcting the change due to the variation in the operation of the front curtain stored in the memory in the camera control unit 101 . Change the output timing of the running signal (leading curtain operation start signal).

In step S123, the camera control unit 101 causes the main light emission, that is, the main light emission of the lighting device 400 during imaging. At this time, the camera control unit 101 performs light emission trigger communication with the illumination device 400 via the control device 300 . The camera control unit 101 transmits light emission trigger information, which is a light emission instruction, to the control device 300. In response to this, the control device control unit 301 of the control device 300 instructs the lighting device 400 used for this shooting to perform the main light emission. to direct.

When the imaging operation (exposure operation) ends, in step S124, the camera control unit 101 converts the analog signal output from the imaging element 102 and amplified by the gain switching unit into a digital signal using the A/D converter. Further, the camera control unit 101 executes predetermined signal processing such as white balance on the image data converted into digital signals by a signal processing circuit. In step S125, the camera control unit 101 records the processed image data in a memory (not shown), and terminates the camera processing shown in FIGS.

Next, the operation of the control device 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the first control device processing. This process is implemented by the CPU provided in the control device control unit 301 developing a program stored in the ROM into a RAM (none of which is shown) and executing the program. This process is started when the control device 300 is powered on and becomes operable.

In step S300, the controller control unit 301 initializes memory and ports. The control device control unit 301 reads switch states and preset input information input from the control device operation unit 303, and sets the illumination device shooting mode, light emission control mode, light emission amount, and the like. Information about the lighting device shooting mode, light emission control mode, light emission amount, etc. is stored in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401 . When the wireless communication is set, the control device control unit 301 controls the control device wireless communication unit 302 to scan the channel by shaking the radio frequency, and the camera wireless communication unit 108 and the lighting device which are communication partners. The device wireless communication unit 402 can be searched.

In step S301, the control device control unit 301 controls the control device wireless communication unit 302 to determine whether communication with the camera 100 is possible. If communication with the camera 100 is possible, the controller control unit 301 proceeds to step S302, and if communication with the camera 100 is not possible, the controller 301 proceeds to step S309.

In step S302, the control device control unit 301 communicates with the camera control unit 101 of the camera 100 via the communication line (camera wireless communication unit 108 and control device wireless communication unit 302). Then, the controller control unit 301 receives the camera information such as the focus detection distance and the light emission mode of the camera 100 transmitted in step S104.

In step S303, the control device control unit 301 determines whether or not there is a lighting device 400 that can communicate via the control device ACC shoe 306 or a lighting device 400 that can communicate via the control device wireless communication unit 302. do. If there is a communicable lighting device 400, the control device control unit 301 proceeds to step S304, and if there is no communicable lighting device 400, the control device control unit 301 proceeds to step S309. In step S304, the control device control unit 301 identifies lighting devices 400 that can communicate via the control device ACC shoe 306 or the control device wireless communication unit 302 (identifies connection ports).

In step S<b>305 , the control device control unit 301 transmits the camera information received in step S<b>302 , such as the focus detection distance and the light emission mode, to the illumination device 400 . These information are received by lighting device 400 in step S403 (FIG. 7).

In step S306, the control device control unit 301 receives information such as the individual ID of the lighting device 400 identified as communicable, the setting conditions, and the maximum amount of light emission. Therefore, the control device control section 301 acquires information indicating the maximum amount of light that can be emitted by each lighting device 400 with which communication has been established by the control device ACC shoe 306 or the control device wireless communication section 302 .

In step S<b>307 , the control device control unit 301 performs a total light amount calculation process, which will be described later, based on information about the lighting devices 400 that can communicate.

In step S308, the control device control unit 301 communicates with the camera control unit 101 of the camera 100, and transmits the information (illumination device information) of the lighting device 400 acquired in step S306 and the total light intensity information acquired in step S307 to the camera 100. Send to In step S<b>309 , the control device control unit 301 displays the internally stored illumination device information on the control device display unit 304 . If communication with the camera 100 or lighting device 400 is not possible in steps S301 and S303, notification processing such as displaying a warning may be performed. After step S309, the control device control unit 301 terminates the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the second control device processing. This process is implemented by the CPU provided in the control device control unit 301 developing a program stored in the ROM into a RAM (none of which is shown) and executing the program. This process is started when the first control device process shown in FIG. 4 ends.

In step S310, the control device control section 301 determines whether or not the lighting device 400 has completed charging. This is determined by whether the charging completion signal or the charging incomplete signal transmitted in step S408 or S407 (FIG. 7), which will be described later, is received. is determined to be complete. If the charging of the lighting device 400 has not been completed, the controller control unit 301 waits until the charging is completed, and proceeds to step S311 if the charging has been completed.

In step S<b>311 , the control device control unit 301 outputs charging completion information to the camera control unit 101 for each lighting device 400 with which communication is possible. This charging completion signal is used by the camera control unit 101 to determine charging completion of the illumination device 400 in step S112 in FIG. In step S312, the control device control unit 301 determines whether or not SW2, which instructs the start of shooting, is turned on based on information from the camera 100. FIG. Then, the controller control unit 301 returns to step S310 when SW2 is off, and proceeds to step S313 when SW2 is on.

In step S313, the control device control unit 301 receives again the camera information such as the pre-flash communication information and the light emission mode transmitted from the camera control unit 101 in step S118. In step S<b>314 , the control device control unit 301 transmits to the illumination device control unit 401 the preliminary light emission communication information (including the signal for starting preliminary light emission) received in step S<b>313 and the camera information such as the light emission mode. When the illumination device 400 performs pre-light emission in response to the transmission of the camera information in step S314, the second photometric operation of the camera 100 is performed in step S119 of FIG. In step S315, the control device control unit 301 receives the necessary light emission amount Y transmitted from the camera control unit 101 in step S120 and the light emission trigger information transmitted in step S123.

In step S316, the controller control unit 301 executes light emission control processing. Although the details will be described later, in the light emission control process, the control device control unit 301 causes the lighting device 400 with which communication is possible to emit the main light based on the required light emission amount Y received in step S315 and the information received in step S306. It performs processing such as sending instructions.

In step S317, the control device control unit 301 receives the light emission end information transmitted in step S414, which will be described later, from the lighting device 400 that transmitted the main light emission instruction. Thereby, the control device control unit 301 recognizes that the main light emission of the lighting device 400 has been completed.

In step S318, the control device control unit 301 performs light emission end processing for transmitting a packet notifying that the sequence of photographing operations using the illumination device has ended to the camera control unit 101, and the processing shown in FIG. exit.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the total light quantity calculation process executed in step S307 of FIG.

In step S319, the control device control unit 301 determines whether there are two or more lighting devices with which communication is possible (communications are established) via the control device ACC shoe 306 or the control device wireless communication unit 302. . The control device control unit 301 ends the processing shown in FIG. 6 when there is one communicable lighting device, and proceeds to step S320 when there are two or more communicable lighting devices.

In step S320, the control device control unit 301 associates the connection positions by storing the correspondence between the communicable lighting device 400 identified in step S304 and the lighting device shoes 406a to 406d. At this time, even when lighting devices with which communication has been established between the control device wireless communication unit 302 and the lighting device wireless communication unit 402 are included, the control device control unit 301 sets each communication line (identification port). By memorizing , the connection position is linked.

In step S321, the control device control unit 301 acquires the lighting device setting information of the lighting device 400 with which communication is possible. This lighting device setting information includes mode information. This mode information is setting information indicating the operation performed by the lighting device 400, such as the above-described main light emission mode after the pre-light emission and the main light emission mode at the time of camera release with the light amount set in advance. In step S322, the control device control unit 301 acquires information indicating the maximum amount of light emission for each lighting device 400 with which communication is possible. This information was received in step S306 of FIG.

In step S323, based on the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device 400, the control device control unit 301 calculates the maximum light emission amount (the upper limit of the total light emission amount) when the lighting devices 400 with which communication is established simultaneously emit light. The amount of light Xmax is calculated by Equation (1). Here, taking as an example a case where there are four lighting devices 400 with which communication has been established, the maximum light emission amounts of the lighting devices 400a to 400d are indicated by Amax to Dmax.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12 to be described later, it is desirable that the distances between the plurality of lighting devices 400 and the subject be substantially uniform. The total light intensity Xmax is the total light intensity obtained from the maximum light emission amounts Amax, Bmax, Cmax, and Dmax for each lighting device 400, and does not consider the positional relationship between each lighting device 400 and the subject, and the distance. This is because the difference affects the amount of light reaching the subject. However, if the positional relationship of each lighting device 400 is known through communication, the difference in the distance from the lighting device 400 to the subject may be reflected in equation (1). For example, the distance difference may be expressed as a relational expression of the light emission amounts Amax, Bmax, Cmax, and Dmax and applied to the expression (1).

In step S324, the control device control unit 301 causes the control device display unit 304 to display the lighting device setting information obtained in steps S321 to S323 and the information indicating the total light amount Xmax. The information displayed on the control device display unit 304 may include the communicable information for each of the control device ACC shoes 306 and the linking information for the plurality of lighting devices 400 obtained in step S320.

In step S325, the controller control unit 301 determines whether or not the setting of each communicable lighting device 400 has been changed. If there is a lighting device 400 whose setting has been changed, the control device control unit 301 returns to step S321, and if there is no lighting device 400 whose setting has been changed, the control device control unit 301 ends the processing shown in FIG. do.

Accordingly, when the control device 300 completes the calculation of the total amount of light, the camera control unit 101 transmits the information of the plurality of illumination devices 400 obtained via the control device 300 to the camera 100 side (S308). Thus, it can be considered that one lighting device having the upper limit of the total amount of light Xmax is connected.

Processing operations of lighting device 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing lighting device processing. This process is implemented by the CPU provided in the lighting device control unit 401 developing a program stored in the ROM into a RAM (none of which is shown) and executing the program. This process starts when lighting device 400 is powered on and becomes operable.

In step S401, the lighting device control unit 401 initializes memory and ports. Further, the lighting device control unit 401 reads the state of the switch input from the lighting device operation unit 403 and preset input information, and sets the lighting device shooting mode, the amount of light emission, and the like. Information about the lighting device shooting mode, the amount of light emitted, etc. is stored in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401 .

In step S402, the lighting device control unit 401 starts operating the booster circuit to start charging the main capacitor (not shown).

In step S403, the illumination device control unit 401 acquires camera information such as focal length information and light emission mode information from the control device control unit 301 via the communication line (camera wireless communication unit 108 and control device wireless communication unit 302). do. This camera information was transmitted in step S305 (FIG. 4).

In step S404, the lighting device control unit 401 causes the lighting device display unit 404 to display the lighting device information stored in the memory. In step S405, the lighting device control unit 401 communicates with the control device control unit 301 and transmits lighting device information including wireless lighting device setting information.

In step S406, the lighting device control unit 401 determines whether or not the voltage boosted by the booster circuit has reached the voltage level required for light emission, that is, whether or not charging is completed via the voltage detection circuit. . If the required voltage level has not been reached and charging has not been completed, the illumination device control unit 401 proceeds to step S407, and if the required voltage level has been reached and charging has been completed, the illumination device control unit 401 proceeds to step S408.

In step S407, lighting device control unit 401 outputs a charging incomplete signal indicating that charging is not completed, notifies control device control unit 301 that light emission preparation is not ready, and returns to step S402. On the other hand, in step S408, the illumination device control unit 401 outputs a charge completion signal indicating that charging is completed, and notifies the control device control unit 301 that light emission preparation is complete.

In step S409, the lighting device control unit 401 checks the state of charge and determines whether or not the charge level is equal to or less than the threshold.If the charge level is equal to or less than the threshold, the process returns to step S402 to start recharging. On the other hand, if the charge level exceeds the threshold, lighting device control section 401 proceeds to step S410. The determination processing in step S409 corresponds to determination of whether or not the voltage value necessary for lighting device 400 to emit light with the maximum light emission amount is maintained.

In step S410, the lighting device control unit 401 determines whether or not SW2, which instructs the start of shooting, is turned on based on information from the camera 100. FIG. Then, the lighting device control unit 401 returns to step S409 if SW2 is off, and proceeds to step S411 if SW2 is turned on.

In step S411, the lighting device control unit 401 performs preliminary light emission communication by the lighting device 400 on condition that a signal for starting preliminary light emission is transmitted. That is, first, the illumination device control unit 401 determines whether or not the pre-emission communication information (including the pre-emission start signal) has been output/transmitted from the control device control unit 301 in step S314 of FIG. Then, if the pre-emission start signal has been output/transmitted, the illumination device control unit 401 performs pre-emission communication by the illumination device 400 . In response, the camera control unit 101 performs the second photometry operation in step S119 of FIG.

In step S<b>412 , the lighting device control section 401 receives the light amount setting information transmitted from the control device control section 301 . This light amount setting information is information indicating the main light emission amount (light emission amounts La to Ld), and is transmitted from the control device control section 301 in the light emission control process described later.

In step S413, the illumination device control unit 401 executes light emission operation processing (FIG. 10) for main light emission. Therefore, the main light emission operation of the lighting device 400 is performed on condition that the lighting device light emission start signal (light emission trigger information) is transmitted.

In step S<b>414 , the lighting device control unit 401 performs light emission end processing for transmitting a packet notifying that the sequence of photographing operations using the lighting device has ended to the control device control unit 301 .

After executing the above processing, the lighting device control unit 401 executes continuous light emission control processing. The continuous light emission control process is performed to protect the lighting device light emitting unit 405, particularly an optical panel (not shown) arranged in front of the discharge tube in the lighting device light emitting unit 405, from heat generated by the light emission of the discharge tube. is a process for controlling Details of the continuous light emission control process will be described later using the flowchart of FIG. This continuous light emission control process repeats the calculation when the control temperature Tf and other calculation results, which will be described later, are not in the initial state, and ends when the calculation result returns to the initial state. That is, the calculation of the assumed temperature of the illumination device light emitting unit 405, which is the target part to be protected from the heat generated by the light emission in step S413, or the counter as an alternative thereof is started when the first light emission ends. Then, the continuous light emission control process of FIG. 8 is continued in parallel with the light emission process of FIG. 7 until the time for heat dissipation until the calculation result becomes the same as the initial state has elapsed or the calculation result is reset. In this embodiment, the process of FIG. 8 is the continuous light emission control process, but the same process may be performed when single light emission is repeated.

Next, continuous light emission control processing will be described with reference to FIG.

Specifically, the continuous light emission control process calculates an assumed panel temperature that can relatively evaluate the optical panel temperature or a counter that substitutes for it, and based on the calculation result, performs continuous control such as adjustment of the light emission interval and charging time. Controls light emission operation. That is, when the temperature of the optical panel during the continuous light emission operation reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, control is performed to suppress the continuous light emission operation.

In step S415, the lighting device control unit 401 initializes settings related to continuous light emission control, and reads preset input information and parameters. Note that this step may be omitted if the input information and parameters have already been read in step S401.

In step S416, the lighting device control unit 401 starts sampling for controlling continuous light emission. Sampling refers to executing the processing of S417 to S430, and is repeated each time a predetermined sampling time elapses until the heat dissipation time elapses until the calculation result becomes the same as the initial state or until it is reset. In the following description, calculation during one sampling will be described.

In step S417, the lighting device control unit 401 reads the settings of the lighting device 400 in order to set calculation parameters. The setting information read here includes information indicating whether or not an external power supply device (not shown) is connected to the illumination device 400, zoom position information determining the distance between the discharge tube and the optical panel, and the like. The lighting device control unit 401 stores the read setting information of the lighting device in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S418.

In step S418, the lighting device control unit 401 performs light emission energy NL calculation processing for calculating the light emission energy NL. The light emission energy NL is calculated based on the voltage information of the main capacitor (not shown) of the lighting device 400, the light emission value information of the discharge tube, the light emission command information from the camera body, or the like. Details of the light emission energy NL calculation process will be described later using the flowchart of FIG. 9 . The lighting device control unit 401 stores the calculated light emission energy NL in the RAM within the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S419.

In step S419, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the control temperature addition amount Tfu, stores the calculated control temperature addition amount Tfu in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S420. In step S420, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the control elapsed temperature Tfd, stores the calculated control elapsed temperature Tfd in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S421. In step S421, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the control temperature subtraction amount Tfa, stores the calculated control temperature subtraction amount Tfa in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S422. In step S422, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the control temperature Tf, stores the calculated control temperature Tf in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S423.

In step S423, the lighting device control unit 401 performs control stage determination. A control stage refers to a stage for setting the shortest light emission interval when continuous light emission is performed in the lighting device 400, and as the control stage increases, the effect of suppressing temperature rise increases. After the control stage determination process, the lighting device control unit 401 stores the determination result in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S424. The shortest light emission interval for each control step is set to be longer when the control temperature Tf is high than when the control temperature is low. For example, there are four control stages from 1 to 4, and in a normal state where no light emission is restricted, the shortest light emission interval is not limited. 15 seconds, and in control stage 3, the shortest light emission interval is 20 seconds. In the control stage 4, which is the highest control stage, light emission is prohibited until the control temperature becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and as will be described later, a warning is issued on the lighting device display section 404 that light emission is prohibited due to heat generation. indicate. Assuming that the temperatures corresponding to control stages 1 to 4 are Tf1, Tf2, Tf3, and Tfmax, the relationship is Tf1<Tf2<Tf3<Tfmax. In the control stage determination, the lighting device control unit 401 compares the control temperature Tf calculated in step S422 with the temperature corresponding to each control stage. Note that the number of control stages is not limited to four, and may be more or less than four (one stage may be sufficient). Also, the details of control at each control stage are not limited to those described above, and a warning may be displayed at each stage, or parameters other than the shortest light emission interval may be changed.

In step S424, the illumination device control unit 401 updates the control stage to the stage determined in step S423, and updates related parameters such as the shortest light emission interval. This step may be omitted if the control stage does not change. The lighting device control unit 401 stores the update result in the RAM within the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S425.

In step S425, the lighting device control unit 401 determines whether or not the control stage determined in step S423 is the warning stage, which is the highest control stage. If it is in the warning stage, the process proceeds to step S426, and if it is not in the warning stage, the process proceeds to step S427. Note that the warning stage control temperature is referred to as Tfmax, and when the control temperature Tf exceeds this value, it is determined to be in the warning stage.

In step S426, the lighting device control unit 401 displays a warning stage on the lighting device display unit 404, and proceeds to step S427. In step S427, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the panel temperature counter Cp, stores the calculated panel temperature counter Cp in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S428. In step S428, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the internal temperature counter Ci, stores the calculated internal temperature counter Ci in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S429. In step S429, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the internal cooling amount Fi, stores the calculated internal cooling amount Fi in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S430.

In step S430, the control device control unit 401 stores various calculation results and the light emission energy NL in the RAM in the control device control unit 401, and then proceeds to step S431. This step may be omitted if the various calculation results and the light emission energy NL are already stored in the RAM.

In step S431, the lighting device control unit 401 determines whether or not the control temperature Tf and other calculation results have returned to the initial state set in step S415. The lighting device control unit 401 proceeds to step S432 if the state has returned to the initial state, and returns to step S417 if the state has not returned to the initial state, and starts the next sampling.

In step S432, the lighting device control unit 401 ends the sampling started in step S416, and ends the continuous light emission control process.

Next, the light emission energy NL calculation process executed in step S418 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, an example in which the light emission energy NL is calculated from the voltage information of the main capacitor will be described, but it may be calculated based on the light emission value information of the discharge tube, the light emission command information from the camera body, or the like.

In step S701, the lighting device control unit 401 acquires information on the pre-emission voltage bVCM from the A/D conversion value of the main capacitor, and proceeds to step S702. In step S702, the illumination device control unit 401 acquires information on the post-emission voltage aVCM from the A/D conversion value of the main capacitor, and proceeds to step S703. In step S703, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the electrical energy EC using the pre-emission voltage bVCM obtained in step S701 and the post-emission voltage aVCM obtained in step S702. The electrical energy EC is obtained by the following formula (2).
EC=(bVCM ² -aVCM ² )/Os (2)

According to Equation (2), the output range of the electrical energy EC is adjusted by the gain Os. After calculating the electrical energy EC, the lighting device control unit 401 proceeds to step S704.

In step S704, the lighting device control unit 401 calculates the light emission energy NL used in the calculation formula used in the continuous light emission control processing described later by weight value conversion calculation. The light emission energy NL is obtained by the following approximation formula (3) according to the configuration of the illumination device 400 and the like.
NL=α×EC+β (3)

The coefficients α and β are adjusted based on measured data. The lighting device control unit 401 stores the calculated light emission energy NL in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and proceeds to step S705.

In step S705, the lighting device control unit 401 determines whether or not sampling is continuing (within the sampling time). If the sampling is continuing (within the sampling time), the process returns to step S701, and if the sampling is not continuing, the process proceeds to step S706.

In step S706, the lighting device control unit 401 adds up the light emission energies NL emitted within the sampling time, and updates the light emission energies NL. When light emission occurs a plurality (z) times within the sampling time, the light emission energy calculated in step S704 is NL1, NL2, . . . , NLz. 4).
NL=NL1+NL2+NL3+...NLz...(4)

In the calculation of the light emission energy NL, the pre-light emission performed in step S411 and the main light emission performed in step S413 are regarded as separate light emissions, and are added together using equation (4). If no light is emitted within the sampling time, the value of the light emission energy NL summed up in step S706 is zero. After updating the light emission energy NL, the lighting device control unit 401 stores the result in the RAM in the lighting device control unit 401, and ends the light emission energy NL calculation process.

Next, various calculations (steps S419 to S422 and steps S427 to S429) executed in the continuous light emission control process of FIG. 8 will be specifically described.

First, the optical panel arranged in front of the discharge tube is heated by thermal radiation when the discharge tube (not shown) of the illumination device light emitting unit 405 emits light. Assuming that this amount of heat is a radiation heating amount Rh, the following equation (5) is obtained using the above-described emission energy NL.
Rh=NL/Rhc (5)

Rhc indicates the radiative heating coefficient. Since the effective range of the optical panel and the influence of heat radiation from the discharge tube differ for each zoom position, the radiation heating amount Rh is obtained by setting the radiation heating coefficient Rhc for each zoom position.

Next, after the discharge tube emits light, heat is transferred to the optical panel from the heated internal space of the lighting device light-emitting portion 405 with a time lag from the time point when the above-described heat radiation occurs. Assuming that this is the heat transfer heating amount Hh, it is obtained by the following equation (6).
Hh=(preCi-preCp)/Hhc (6)

Ci indicates an internal temperature counter, and Cp indicates a panel temperature counter. The prefix pre indicates the result calculated at one or more previous sampling times. Hhc indicates a heat transfer coefficient when the heat in the internal space of the lighting device light emitting portion 405 is transferred to the optical panel.

Next, since the optical panel is heated and at the same time radiates heat, the amount of heat radiated from the optical panel to the outside is defined as the panel heat radiation amount Fp, which is obtained by the following equation (7).
Fp=(preCp−preT)/Fhc (7)

T indicates the ambient temperature or an alternative counter, and Fhc indicates the heat transfer coefficient when dissipating heat from the optical panel.

Next, it is assumed that the optical panel is cooled by blowing air from a cooling unit (not shown) provided in the lighting device 400 . Assuming that the amount of heat for forcibly cooling the optical panel by the cooling unit is a forced cooling heat amount Ap, it is obtained by the following equation (8).
Ap=(Af×Dt×Afc)/Fhc (8)

Af is the cooling flow rate, Dt is the operating output, and Afc is the conversion coefficient.

In addition to the above, heat conduction with the outer shell is also included, but is omitted in this embodiment because the contact area is small and the heat transfer is sufficiently small when the discharge tube emits light. In addition, the cooling unit in the configuration of the present embodiment is, for example, a configuration in which air is circulated by a fan to cool the heat generating part. The Ap term becomes unnecessary.

Next, the internal temperature counter Ci shown in equation (6) is obtained. The internal space of the illumination device light emitting portion 405 is heated by heat transfer when the discharge tube emits light. Assuming that this amount of heat is the amount of heat generated Hv, the following equation (9) is obtained using the light emission energy NL.
Hv=(NL×CS)/Cic (9)

Cic indicates an internal temperature coefficient, which is a conversion coefficient from the light emission energy NL to the heat generation amount Hv. CS indicates a conversion gain, and has a function of adjusting a shift in conversion to the heat generation amount Hv that changes depending on the temperature of the internal space of the lighting device light emitting unit 405 .

Next, the internal space of the heated lighting device light emitting unit 405 radiates heat. Assuming that the amount of heat radiated to the external space through the outer shell is the internal cooling amount Fi, it is obtained by the following equation (10).
Fi=(preCi-preT)/Fic (10)

Fic indicates the internal cooling factor.

The internal temperature counter Ci shown in Equation (6) is obtained by Equation (11) below.
Ci=preCi+preHv-preFi-preAp/Cr (11)

Ap indicates the amount of forced cooling heat, and Cr indicates the contribution rate of preAP to the internal temperature counter Ci.

Also, the panel temperature counter Cp shown in equation (6) is obtained by the following equation (12).
Cp=preCp+Rh+Hh-Fp-Ap (12)

As a result, the heat transfer heating amount Hh can be obtained from the equation (6).

Next, the assumed temperature of the optical panel (hereinafter referred to as the assumed panel temperature) is calculated using the panel temperature counter Cp obtained by the equation (12) and the environmental temperature T. If the assumed panel temperature is Tps,
Tps=T+Cp/Tc (13)
It can be expressed as. From equation (13), if the environmental temperature T is known, the assumed panel temperature at that time can be obtained. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that continuous light emission control can be achieved while reducing costs without using a known temperature sensor or the like, and the following calculations are performed with T=0 in order to simplify the control.

In order to calculate the continuous light emission control process, the following equation (14) is obtained by expanding and rearranging the equation (13).
Tf = NL / (Rhc × Tc) + (1 / Tc-2 / (Hhc × Tc)) × preCp + preCi / (Hhc × Tc) - (Af × Dt × Afc) / (Hhc × Tc) (14 )

Tf indicates the control temperature, which is the relative temperature of the optical panel, and also serves as a light emission counter, and is used for judgment of control, which will be described later. Here, if the first term on the right side of equation (14) is the control temperature addition amount Tfu, the second and third terms on the right side are the control elapsed temperature Tfd, and the fourth term on the right side is the control temperature subtraction amount Tfa,

becomes. The control temperature addition amount Tfu indicates heat generation of the optical panel 111 due to thermal radiation in this sampling. The control elapsed temperature Tfd indicates the temperature of the optical panel (assumed panel temperature) in this sampling assumed from the calculation result of the previous sampling. The control temperature subtraction amount Tfa indicates the amount of heat for cooling the optical panel by the cooling unit in this sampling. In addition, the control elapsed temperature Tfd includes the panel temperature counter preCp sampled last time and the internal temperature counter preCi sampled last time. calculation can be completed.
preCp=(1−2/Hhc)×preCp+preCi/Hhc+NL/Rhc−(Af×Dt×Afc)/Hhc (16)
preCi=preCi+(preNL×CS)/Cic−preFi−(Af×preDt×Afc)/(Hhc×Cr) (17)
preFi=preCi/Fic (18)

Various calculations are performed in the continuous light emission control process as described above. That is, in step S419, the first formula of formula (15), in step S420, the second formula of formula (15), in step S421, the third formula of formula (15), and in step S422, the fourth formula of formula (15) Calculations are made using the eye. Further, calculation is performed using equation (16) in step S427, equation (17) in step S428, and equation (18) in step S429. Also, in equations (16) to (18), a panel temperature counter, an internal temperature counter, and an internal cooling heat amount are calculated, respectively, to be fed back to the next sampling. As a result, it is possible to calculate the assumed panel temperature based on the heat radiation time, the blowing amount determined by the cooling unit operating output Dt and the corresponding cooling flow rate Af, and the temperature difference between the optical panel and the internal space of the light emitting unit 100b.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, light emission operation processing of lighting device 400 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the light emitting operation process, which is executed in step S411 or step S413. When this process is executed in step S411, it becomes the light emission operation process of the pre-light emission, and when it is executed in step S413, it becomes the light emission operation process of the main light emission.

In step S<b>501 , the illumination device control unit 401 determines whether light emission trigger information, which is a light emission start signal, has been transmitted from the camera control unit 101 via the control device control unit 301 . Then, if the light emission trigger information has not been transmitted, the lighting device control unit 401 ends the processing shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the light emission trigger information has been transmitted, the lighting device control unit 401 proceeds to step S502.

In step S502, the lighting device control unit 401 performs processing for starting light emission. In step S503, the lighting device control unit 401 continues to emit light until the light emission stop condition is satisfied. That is, the lighting device control unit 401 monitors whether or not the light emission amount level has reached the main light emission amount received in step S412. determine that. In this case, the illumination device control unit 401 receives the light from the discharge tube with a photodiode (not shown) directly or through a glass fiber or the like. Then, the illumination device control unit 401 integrates the light receiving current of the photodiode by an integration circuit, and emits light so as to achieve the main light emission amount. Note that the pre-light emission amount in the case of the pre-light emission may be set to a small light amount such as 1/32 of the full light emission amount, and the main light emission amount may be set to a relative value of the pre-light emission amount. If the illumination device control unit 401 determines that the light emission stop condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S504.

In step S504, the lighting device control unit 401 outputs a light emission stop signal to stop (complete) light emission, and ends the processing shown in FIG.

11A and 11B are external views of the control device 300. FIG. The control device 300 includes, for example, four control device ACC shoes 306, and the control device ACC shoes 306a to 306d are arranged around the mounting hole 307 at regular intervals. Shafts such as umbrellas and diffusers can be fixed to the mounting holes 307 with umbrella fixing screws 308 . The control device 300 can be installed by the stand section 309 and can change its posture by the movable section 310 . The movable part 310 is fixed by a vertical angle fixing screw 311 and a rotation fixing screw 312 after determining the direction of light emission. As shown in FIG. 11B, on the opposite side of the control device ACC shoe 306, the control device operation section 303 and the control device display section 304 are arranged.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of control device 300 to which a plurality of lighting devices 400 are attached. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that lighting devices 400a-400d are connected to controller ACC shoes 306a-306d, respectively. When four lighting devices 400 are attached to the control device 300, by setting the vertical bounce angle of the lighting devices 400 to 45 degrees, the direction of the lighting device light emitting portions 405 can be directed in a common direction. In the state shown in FIG. 12, the lighting devices 400a to 400d can all irradiate light in the axial direction of the shaft portion 313. In the state shown in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a method of determining the light emission amount of the plurality of lighting devices 400 connected to the control device 300 according to the temperature state of each lighting device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the light emission control process executed in step S316 of FIG. Here, among the light emission control modes that can be set in the control device 300, there is a light emission restriction suppression mode that makes it difficult for a plurality of connected lighting devices to restrict light emission. In step 600, the control device control section 301 reads out the set light emission control mode and confirms that it is the "light emission limit suppression mode".

In step S601, the control device control unit 301 determines whether or not there are two or more lighting devices that can communicate (established communication) via the control device ACC shoe 306 or the control device wireless communication unit 302. . If there is one communicable lighting device, the control device control unit 301 proceeds to step S607, and if there are two or more communicable lighting devices, the control device control unit 301 proceeds to step S602. Here, as an example, it is assumed that four lighting devices 400 a to 400 d can communicate with the control device 300 .

In step S602, the controller control unit 301 reads out the control temperature Tf of each lighting device 400a to 400d calculated in step S422. Here, the current control temperatures of the lighting devices 400a to 400d are referred to as Tfa to Tfd.

In step S603, the controller control unit 301 reads the temperature value (emission limit threshold) corresponding to the warning stage in the control stage of each lighting device 400a to 400d. In this embodiment, this value is the warning step control temperature Tfmax, and the warning step control temperatures of the lighting devices 400a-400d are referred to as Tfamax-Tfdmax.

In step S604, when the value of the warning step control temperature Tfmax read out in step S603 is different for each lighting device, a ratio necessary to match the values of Tfamax to Tfdmax is calculated. This value is used for scale adjustment of the control temperature margin of each lighting device in step S605 described below. In the present embodiment, the coefficients of the lighting devices 400b to 400d are α, β, and γ in order as coefficients for matching the values of the warning step control temperatures Tfbmax to Tfdmax of the lighting devices 400b to 400d with the warning step control temperature Tfamax of the lighting device 400a. represent.

In step S605, the control device control unit 301 calculates the control temperature margin value D by taking the difference between the warning stage control temperature Tfmax and the current control temperature Tf for each of the lighting devices 400a to 400d. Here, the control temperature margin values of the lighting devices 400a to 400d are referred to as Da to Dd. This control temperature margin value can be expressed as in equation (19).
D _a = _Tfamax - _Tfa
D _b =α(T _fbmax −T _fb )
_Dc = β( _Tfcmax - _Tfc )
D _d =γ(T _fdmax −T _fd ) Equation (19)

Here, by multiplying the difference value between the warning stage control temperature Tfmax and the control temperature Tf shown in the right term of Equation (19), the range adjustment coefficients α, β, and γ are used to calculate the control temperature Tf for each lighting device. However, the control temperature margin value D up to the warning stage can be expressed on the same scale.

In step S606, the control device control unit 301 calculates the control temperature margin ratio of each of the lighting devices 400a to 400d from the control temperature margin values Da to Dd of each of the lighting devices 400a to 400d calculated in step S604. Determine the amount of light emitted by the device. Although the illumination devices 400a to 400d shown in FIG. 12 are spaced apart by a certain distance, calculations are performed assuming that they are the same light source with respect to the object. That is, the control device control unit 301 calculates the light emission amount so that the sum of the light emission amounts of the plurality of lighting devices 400 is equal to the light amount required for the main light emission transmitted from the camera control unit 101 . In other words, the control device control unit 301 divides the required light emission quantity according to the control temperature margin ratio to determine the light emission quantity of each lighting device used for the main light emission.

Here, the light emission amounts La to Ld of the lighting apparatuses 400a to 400d corresponding to the control temperature margin ratios of the lighting apparatuses 400a to 400d can be expressed by the following equation (20), where L is the light amount required for the main light emission.

Formula (20) is a formula that holds when La to Ld do not exceed the maximum light amounts of the respective lighting devices 400a to 400d.

In step S607, the controller control unit 301 determines whether or not each of the light emission amount calculation values La to Ld calculated in step S606 exceeds the settable maximum light emission amount. If any one of the light emission amount calculation values La to Ld exceeds the settable maximum light emission amount, the controller control unit 301 sets the light emission amount of the lighting apparatus to the maximum light emission amount, and then proceeds to step S608. . If none of the light emission amount calculation values La to Ld exceeds the settable maximum light emission amount, the process proceeds to step S609.

In step S608, the controller control unit 301 calculates the remaining required light emission amount after subtracting the light emission amount of the lighting device set to the maximum light emission amount that can be set in step S607. Then, the controller control unit 301 returns to step S605 in order to recalculate the remaining necessary light emission amount using the lighting device that is not set to the maximum light emission amount that can be set in step S607.

By repeating steps S605 to S608, the light emission amounts La to Ld are determined in consideration of the control temperature margin ratios of the lighting devices 400a to 400d so as to satisfy the light amounts required for the main light emission transmitted from the camera control unit 101. do. In step S609, control device control section 301 transmits light amount setting information indicating light emission amounts La to Ld determined in steps S605 to S608 to lighting devices 400a to 400d.

In step S610, the controller control unit 301 instructs the communicable lighting device 400 to perform main light emission. Note that the main light emission operation at this time is the same as the operation of S413 in FIG. 7 described above.

As described above, the “light emission restriction suppression mode” of the control device 300 controls the plurality of lighting devices communicating with the control device 300 to emit light simultaneously with respect to the light emission amount received from the camera 100 . The amount of light emitted from each device can be reduced.

Further, how much light can be emitted from a plurality of lighting devices before the light emission restriction processing is executed is compared, and the light emission amount ratio is increased for the lighting device that can emit light before the light emission restriction processing is executed. Thus, it is possible to make it difficult for a plurality of lighting devices to be restricted in light emission. Therefore, by evenly allocating the light emission amount to the plurality of lighting devices, the situation in which some of the plurality of lighting devices cannot emit light due to light emission restrictions and the desired light emission amount cannot be obtained is reduced, and the desired light emission operation is performed. can do.

(Second embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a method of determining the priority order for light emission operation of the plurality of lighting devices 400 connected to the control device 300 according to the second embodiment will be described according to the temperature state of each lighting device. do.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the light emission control process executed in step S316 of FIG. Here, among the light emission control modes that can be set in the control device 300, there is a continuous light emission number priority mode that gives priority to increasing the number of consecutive light emission times by a plurality of connected lighting devices. 13. Steps that execute the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

At step 600, the controller control unit 301 reads out the light emission control mode set at step 308, and confirms that it is the "continuous light emission number priority mode".

In step S611, control device control unit 301 determines the light emission priority of each lighting device according to control temperature margin values Da to Dd of lighting devices 400a to 400d calculated in step S605. Specifically, the lighting device having the larger control temperature margin values Da to Dd calculated in step S605 is given higher light emission priority.

In step S612, the control device control unit 301 determines whether or not the maximum light emission amount of the lighting device with the highest light emission priority determined in step S611 is equal to or greater than the required main light emission amount (required light emission amount). If it is equal to or greater than the required amount of light emission, the process proceeds to step S609. If the amount of light emission is less than the required light emission amount, the control device control unit 301 returns to step S611 and also selects the lighting device with the next highest light emission priority. Then, in step S612 again, the control device control unit 301 determines whether or not the sum of the maximum light intensities of the plurality of selected lighting devices is equal to or greater than the required light intensity.

As described above, lighting devices are selected in descending order of light emission priority until the number of lighting devices capable of emitting the required amount of light is reached. For example, if the required amount of light is equal to the total amount of light X obtained by Equation (18), all of the illumination devices 400a to 400d are selected by repeating step S612.

According to the present embodiment, lighting devices are selected in descending order of light emission priority with a large control temperature margin value according to the required amount of light. You can reduce the frequency of lighting. Therefore, the lighting device with a small control temperature margin value can be cooled while the lighting device with a small control temperature margin value is emitting light, and the number of times of continuous light emission until the control temperature reaches the temperature at which light emission is restricted can be increased. can be done.

Note that in the selection process in step S611, lighting devices that satisfy specific conditions may be excluded from selection candidates. For example, by excluding lighting devices whose control temperature margin value is less than a predetermined value from the selection candidates, the lighting devices that enter control stage 4 with the strongest light emission restriction due to light emission are not allowed to emit light and shift to control stage 4. It is possible to suppress the prohibition of light emission.

Further, when a plurality of lighting devices are selected, the light emission amount of each lighting device may be set according to the control temperature margin value. In that case, a method similar to that of the first embodiment may be used.

In the above two embodiments, the number of lighting devices capable of main light emission is four, but two or more lighting devices may be used. It is sufficient to calculate the light emission amount of the device.

In the above two embodiments, the difference between the warning stage control temperature and the current control temperature is taken to obtain the control temperature margin value. The control temperature margin value may be obtained by taking the difference from the temperature. Alternatively, the control temperature margin value may be obtained by taking the difference between the temperature corresponding to a specific control stage and the current control temperature.

Further, in this embodiment, the current control temperature is calculated using a plurality of parameters, but the control temperature may be calculated based on parameters that have a large effect on the temperature of the optical panel. It is also possible to use only a part of the parameters used. For example, from the control temperature subtraction amount Tfa and the internal cooling heat amount Fi shown in steps S421 and S429, the heat radiation amount ratio of each lighting device may be calculated to determine the light emission amount ratio and the light emission priority. This is because the larger the control temperature subtraction amount Tfa or the internal cooling heat amount Fi is, the more difficult it is for the temperature of the optical panel to rise during the sampling for control temperature calculation shown in FIG. That is, since the lighting device with a larger control temperature subtraction amount Tfa or an internal cooling heat amount Fi is more likely to be cooled even if it emits light, the emission amount ratio may be increased or the emission priority may be raised. Alternatively, a temperature sensor may be provided near the optical panel, and the measurement result thereof may be used as the control temperature, and the method of calculating the current control temperature is not limited.

In this embodiment, the control temperature, which is information about the temperature state of the lighting device, is compared with the temperature corresponding to each control stage, which is information about the light emission limit threshold. Information about the state may be compared to thresholds corresponding to each control step.

In addition, the control device 300 can set an arbitrary light emission control mode from a plurality of control modes including the "light emission limit suppression mode" of the first embodiment and the "continuous light emission number priority mode" of the second embodiment. good too. For example, the control device 300 may have a single light emission mode or the like in which only one arbitrary lighting device among a plurality of mounted lighting devices emits light.

Also, the control device 300 may have a light emitting unit and function as a lighting device. In that case, the light emission control of the connected lighting device and itself may be performed.

Further, the camera control unit 101 may be caused to execute the processing related to light emission control by the control device 300 .

Although the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention can be applied to the present invention. included. Furthermore, each embodiment described above merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 camera 101 camera control unit 300 control device 301 control device control unit 302 control device wireless communication unit 303 control device operation unit 304 control device display unit 305 control device shoe 306 control device ACC shoe 400 lighting device 401 lighting device control unit 402 lighting device Wireless communication part

Claims (13)

a communication means for communicating with a plurality of lighting devices;
Acquisition means for acquiring a necessary amount of light emission indicating the amount of light emission necessary for imaging by the imaging unit;
determination means for determining, based on the necessary light emission amount acquired by the acquisition means, a light emission amount of the illumination apparatus used for main light emission at the time of imaging, among the illumination apparatuses with which communication has been established by the communication means; ,
The lighting control device, wherein the determining means determines the light emission amount of the lighting device used for the main light emission based on information about the temperature state of the lighting device with which communication has been established by the communication means. 2. The light emission amount of the lighting device used for the main light emission is determined based on the information about the light emission limit threshold value of the lighting device with which communication is established by the communication means and the information about the temperature state. lighting controller. The determination means determines a ratio of light emission amounts of the plurality of lighting devices with which communication has been established by the communication means based on the information regarding the light emission limit threshold and the information regarding the temperature state, and determines the ratio and the required light emission amount. 3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the amount of light emitted by the lighting device used for the main light emission is determined based on. 4. The lighting control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determining means divides the required light emission amount according to the ratio to determine the light emission amount of the lighting device used for the main light emission. The determining means increases the ratio for a lighting device having a larger difference between a value indicated by the information regarding the light emission limit threshold and a value indicated by the information regarding the temperature state among the plurality of lighting devices with which communication is established by the communication means. 5. The lighting control device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The determination means determines a light emission priority of the plurality of lighting devices with which communication has been established by the communication means based on the information regarding the light emission limit threshold and the information regarding the temperature state, and determines the light emission priority and the required light emission amount. 3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the light emission amount of the lighting device used for the main light emission is determined based on the above. The determination means determines the light emission priority for a lighting device having a larger difference between the value indicated by the information on the light emission limit threshold and the value indicated by the information on the temperature state among the plurality of lighting devices with which communication is established by the communication means. 6. The lighting control device according to claim 5, wherein the height of the . The determination means compares the maximum light emission amount of the lighting device with the highest light emission priority with the required light emission amount, and if the maximum light emission amount is equal to or greater than the required light emission amount, the lighting device with the highest light emission priority. 8. The illumination control device according to claim 7, wherein the light emission amount of is set as the required light emission amount. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the communication means is capable of wirelessly communicating with the imaging unit. having a plurality of shoe portions for holding the plurality of lighting devices;
10. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication means communicates with the plurality of lighting devices via the shoe portion. The lighting control device itself can be a lighting device used for the main light emission,
the communication means is capable of wirelessly communicating with the imaging unit and the plurality of lighting devices;
3. The determining means determines, based on the required light emission amount, the light emission amount of the lighting apparatus used for the main light emission among the lighting apparatuses with which communication has been established by the communication means and itself. 9. The lighting control device according to any one of 8. A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11;
A lighting control system comprising: the plurality of lighting devices. A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11;
An imaging device comprising: the imaging unit.

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