JP4002748B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus using an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus having a driving mechanism that enables a photographing lens to be photographed and a lens protecting barrier member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread as imaging devices that capture subject images using an imaging device such as a CCD. In particular, in recent years, in order to improve the portability of cameras, an increasing number of cameras adopting an electric retractable lens as a photographing lens. In a camera with an electric retractable lens, when the power is turned on (on), the lens initial setting operation is automatically performed to set the lens from the retracted state to the shooting state, and the power is turned off (off). Sometimes, an accommodation operation for automatically resetting the lens from the photographing state to the accommodated state is performed.
[0003]
Some cameras having an electric retractable lens are provided with a lens protecting barrier member that is linked to a power switch. The barrier member includes a closed position that covers the front surface to protect the lens when the retractable lens is in the accommodated state, and an open position when the retractable lens is in the photographing state (initial position) and the front surface is exposed. It is provided so that it can be moved between them manually. When the barrier member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the power is turned on, the lens is extended from the housed state and set to the photographing state, and when the operation is moved from the open position to the closed position, the power is turned on. The lens is reset to the retracted state in order to cut the lens.
[0004]
By the way, when the lens and the barrier member are disposed at a position where they interfere with each other during the lens initial setting operation operation or the housing operation (position where there is a possibility of collision), the lens and the barrier member are prevented from colliding with each other. There is a need.
[0005]
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-61106, in a camera that returns to an initial position so that the next photographing operation can be performed after the photographing operation is finished, the barrier member is brought into a non-photographing state after the photographing operation is finished. In this case, a lens driving means for prohibiting a reset operation (an operation to move the photographing lens forward from a close distance and then move it backward) that moves the photographing lens to an initial position (position where the next photographing operation can be performed). The structure which provided is disclosed. This prevents the lens and the barrier member from colliding even if the user mistakenly operates the barrier member to the non-photographing state (closed position).
[0006]
Further, in the configuration in which the barrier member and the photographing lens are arranged to interfere with each other, for example, the user accidentally moves the barrier member while the photographing lens is being extended as the barrier member is moved from the closed position to the open position. When the operation is closed, it is necessary to quickly accommodate the photographic lens again in order to avoid a collision between the barrier member and the photographic lens. In addition, even when an operation for closing the barrier member is performed in the photographing state, it is necessary to quickly house the photographing lens so that the barrier member does not collide with the photographing lens being housed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional imaging apparatus, when an operation is performed on the barrier member, the photographing lens is quickly accommodated or extended so that the barrier member and the photographing lens do not collide with each other.
[0008]
However, when the photographing lens is in the photographing state, when the user mistakenly closes the barrier member in the open state, the photographing lens reacts sensitively to this operation and quickly. If the barrier member is stored again, a certain amount of time is required until the photographing lens is brought into the photographing state even if the barrier member is returned to the open state.
[0009]
Therefore, the timing of shooting is missed, and depending on the subject, there is a high possibility of going to somewhere in the meantime or at least missing the intended photo opportunity. That is, when an inadvertent operation is performed on the barrier member, the operational feeling of the camera is impaired by the operation for avoiding the collision between the barrier member and the photographing lens.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that does not impair the operational feeling due to an inadvertent operation of a user on a barrier member.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes a photographic lens, initialization means for initializing the photographic lens so as to be ready for photographing, a photographing state in which a front surface of the photographing lens is opened when the photographing lens is in a photographing state, and the photographing. A barrier member that is in a non-photographing state that covers a front surface of the photographing lens when the lens is in a non-photographing state; a detecting unit that detects whether the barrier member is in a photographing state or a non-photographing state; When the photographing means is initialized by the converting means and the detection means detects that the barrier member is in a non-photographing state, if there is an input operation to an operation switch such as a release switch, the photographing without starting the drive for moving the lens in the non-imaging position, when the barrier member is detected to be in the non-shooting state by said detecting means, Rerizusui No input operation on the operation switch of switch and the like, when the barrier member until a predetermined time elapses remains the non-shooting state, the lens starts driving for moving the photographing lens to the non-imaging position And a drive control means.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to this embodiment. Here, the case where it implement | achieves as a digital camera is illustrated and demonstrated.
[0015]
In the figure, 101 is a photographic lens system composed of a retractable lens (photographing lens), 102 is a lens drive mechanism for driving expansion / contraction of the lens system 101, zoom lens and focus lens in the lens system 101, and 103 An exposure control mechanism for controlling the aperture and mechanical shutter of the lens system 101, 104 a low-pass and infrared cut filter, 105 a CCD color image sensor for photoelectrically converting a subject image, and 106 driving the image sensor 105 A CCD driver 107, a preprocessing circuit 107 including an analog amplifier and an A / D converter, and 108 a color signal generation process for generating a recorded image, a matrix conversion process, and other various digital processes Digital process circuit, 109 is a card interface, 110 is a memory card , 111 denotes an LCD image display system. In the figure, 112 is a system controller (CPU) for comprehensively controlling each part, 113 is an operation switch system including various switches including a release switch 113a, and 114 is for displaying an operation state and a mode state. Operation display system, 115 strobe as light emitting means, 116 a lens driver for controlling the lens driving mechanism 102, 117 an exposure control driver for controlling the exposure control mechanism 103 and the strobe 115, 118 for various setting information, etc. Shows a non-volatile memory (EEPROM). Further, reference numeral 119 denotes a barrier detection switch for detecting an opening / closing operation of a manual lens barrier (barrier member) provided to protect the photographing lens system 101, and 120 denotes a time (time) used by the system controller 112 for control. A timer for supplying information is shown.
[0016]
In the camera according to the present embodiment, the system controller 112 performs all the control in an integrated manner, and controls the drive of the CCD image sensor 105 by the exposure control mechanism 103 and the CCD driver 106 to control exposure (charge accumulation) and signal. The data is read out, A / D converted through the pre-process circuit 107, taken into the digital process circuit 108, subjected to various signal processing in the digital process circuit 108, and then recorded in the memory card 110 through the card interface 109. It is supposed to be. Further, as shown in the figure, the system controller 112 is provided with a lens driving control unit 112a, and the lens driver 116 and the lens driving mechanism 102 are used to set the retractable lens 101 to a shooting position in a shooting state and a non-shooting state. Move between non-photographing positions. The lens drive control unit 112a detects an opening / closing operation on the barrier member by the user using the barrier detection switch 119, and performs drive control on the retractable lens 101 in accordance with the detection.
[0017]
Next, a structure around the retractable lens 101 and the lens barrier 12 in the camera will be described with reference to FIG. 2A and 2B are views showing the appearance of the camera body 11. FIG. 2A shows a state where the lens barrier 12 is closed (closed state), and FIG. 2B shows a state where the lens barrier 12 is opened (opened). State). The lens barrier 12 is for protecting the collapsible lens 101, and along the groove provided in the camera body 11, the front surface of the retractable lens 101 in the non-photographing state (accommodating state) as shown in the figure. 2 is slidable between a closed position (FIG. 2A) covering the lens and an open position (FIG. 2B) where the front surface of the retractable lens 101 is opened. The lens barrier 12 is opened and closed manually. In this embodiment, the barrier detection switch 119 detects when the lens barrier 12 is in the complete open position. The operation for the lens barrier 12 and the drive control for moving the position of the retractable lens 101 by the lens drive control unit 112a are interlocked, and the drive control according to the operation state for the lens barrier 12 (detection state by the barrier detection switch 119). Is implemented.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the lens barrier 12 is in a non-photographing state (closed state), an operation (initialization operation) for the retractable lens 101 to be in the photographing state shown in FIG. It is arranged at the position where it interferes. Accordingly, the collapsible lens 101 is brought into the photographing state in conjunction with the operation of moving the lens barrier 12 to the open position, thereby avoiding destruction due to the collision between the two.
[0019]
Next, the drive operation to the retractable lens 101 according to the operation with respect to the lens barrier 12 by the lens drive control unit 112a of the system controller 112 will be described.
[0020]
Here, the state in which the lens barrier 12 is in the open state and the subject image can be photographed is “the barrier member is in the photographing state”, and the lens barrier 12 is not in the open state, that is, by the barrier detection switch 119. When the position is not detected, it is assumed that “the barrier member is in a non-photographing state”.
[0021]
In addition, a state in which the retractable lens 101 is retracted into the camera and is in the retracted state (non-photographing position) and cannot be photographed is defined as “the lens is in a non-photographing state”. The state after the initialization for enabling the photographing is described as “the lens is in the photographing state”.
[0022]
First, the operation when the lens barrier 12 is operated when “the lens is in a non-photographing state” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. The lens drive control unit 112a of the system controller 112 (CPU) detects whether or not the lens barrier 12 is in the photographing state by the barrier detection switch 119. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the lens barrier 12 is in the closed position, the lens barrier 12 is not detected by the barrier detection switch 119, so that the lens drive control unit 112a is in a non-photographing state. (Step A1).
[0023]
Here, when the lens barrier 12 is operated and moved to the open position by the user, the lens drive control unit 112a detects that the lens barrier 12 is in the photographing state through the barrier detection switch 119.
[0024]
The lens drive control unit 112a drives the retractable lens 101 to the photographing position, that is, enables the photographing through the lens driver 116 and the lens driving mechanism 102 in response to the lens barrier 12 being in the photographing state. The initialization operation is started (step A3). The lens driver 116 drives the lens driving mechanism 102 according to the control of the lens drive control unit 112a, and moves the retractable lens 101 in the housed state to the photographing position. The initialization operation by the lens drive control unit 112a includes, for example, setup, retracting operation, zooming operation and the like for the retractable lens 101.
[0025]
When the retractable lens 101 is driven to the photographing position, the lens drive control unit 112a detects that the lens barrier 12 is in the photographing state by the barrier detection switch 119, that is, the lens barrier 12 is If it is in the open position, the drive to the retractable lens 101 is continued (step A4). When the retractable lens 101 is extended to the initial position where photographing is possible and the driving of the retractable lens 101 is finished (step A5), the lens drive control unit 112a finishes the process by assuming that the lens is in the photographing state. (Step A6).
[0026]
On the other hand, the lens drive control unit 112a detects that the lens barrier 12 is not in the shooting state (first state) while driving the retractable lens 101 to the shooting position, that is, the lens barrier. When the lens barrier 12 is not detected by the barrier detection switch 119 because the lens 12 is operated by the user and moved in the closed position direction, the lens driver 116 moves the retractable lens 101 to the non-photographing position. Driving is started immediately (step A7).
[0027]
Here, when it is detected that the lens barrier 12 is moved in the closed position direction, in order to avoid a collision between the lens barrier 12 and the retractable lens 101, the retractable lens 101 is quickly reacted in a sensitive manner. To store.
[0028]
The lens drive control unit 112a completes driving of the retractable lens 101 to the non-photographing position (step A8), and when the retractable lens 101 enters the non-photographing state, the lens barrier 12 is again set to the photographing state. Wait for
[0029]
Next, an operation when an operation is performed on the lens barrier 12 when “the lens is in a photographing state” will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0030]
The lens drive control unit 112a of the system controller 112 detects whether or not the lens barrier 12 is in the photographing state by the barrier detection switch 119. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the lens barrier 12 is in the open position, the lens barrier 12 is detected by the barrier detection switch 119, so that the lens drive control unit 112a captures the lens. A state can be detected (step B1).
[0031]
Here, when the lens barrier 12 is operated by the user and moved in the closed position direction, the lens drive control unit 112a detects that the lens barrier 12 is brought into the non-photographing state through the barrier detection switch 119 (second). (Step B2). FIG. 4C shows a state where the lens barrier 12 has been moved to a position that is not detected by the barrier detection switch 119.
[0032]
At this time, when there is an input by an input operation to the operation switch 113 (step B3), the lens drive control unit 112a starts driving the retractable lens 101 accompanying the operation toward the closed position of the lens barrier 12. do not do. The system controller 112 executes camera processing corresponding to the input operation (step B4). For example, when the release switch 113a is half-pressed, an AF (Auto Focus) process or the like is executed to prepare for shooting. Alternatively, if the release switch 113a has been fully pressed, a recording process for recording the subject image input through the retractable lens 101 is executed.
[0033]
In other words, when any input operation is performed, the movement operation in the closed position direction with respect to the lens barrier 12 is regarded as an inadvertent operation mistakenly performed by the user along with the input operation, for example. The lens drive control unit 112a ignores the operation on the lens barrier 12, and does not start driving the retractable lens 101 to the non-photographing position in conjunction with the movement operation of the lens barrier 12.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the lens barrier 12 is moved to a position that is not detected by the barrier detection switch 119, and there is no input operation to the operation switch 113, the lens drive control unit 112a is a timer for determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed. Execute the process. That is, the lens drive control unit 112a starts timer monitoring using the timer 120 in order to determine the elapse of a predetermined time (step B5). Here, the predetermined time indicates a time from when the lens barrier 12 is set to the non-photographing state to when driving for moving the retractable lens 101 to the non-photographing position is started, and is determined in advance. And
[0035]
When the lens barrier 12 remains in the non-photographing state by the end of the timer (elapse of a predetermined time) (steps B6 and B8), the lens drive control unit 112a intentionally closes the lens barrier 12 to the closed position. Assuming that the lens is moved in the direction, the retractable lens 101 starts to be driven to the non-photographing position through the lens driver 116 (step B9).
[0036]
Then, the lens drive control unit 112a determines that the lens is in the non-photographing state when the retractable lens 101 is driven to the non-photographing position (step B10) and the retractable lens 101 enters the non-photographing state. The process ends (step B11).
[0037]
On the other hand, when the lens drive control unit 112a detects that the lens barrier 12 is returned to the photographing state from the start of the timer monitoring to the end of the timer (a predetermined time elapses) (step B6), the timer monitoring is performed. (Step B7), the lens is set in the photographing state, and the process is terminated.
[0038]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, even if the lens barrier 12 is changed from the shooting state to the non-shooting state, before the predetermined time elapses, as shown in FIG. By returning to the photographing state (open position), the retractable lens 101 can be maintained at the initial position.
[0039]
In this manner, when the lens barrier 12 is moved in the closed position direction by a user operation when the lens is in the shooting state (initial position), it is detected that the retractable lens 101 is in the non-shooting state. The driving for moving the retractable lens 101 to the non-photographing position is not started immediately, but is started after a predetermined time has elapsed. For this reason, even if the user mistakenly moves the lens barrier 12 toward the closed position, if the user returns the lens barrier 12 to the closed position before the predetermined time elapses, the retractable lens 101 remains in the initial position and can be photographed immediately. Therefore, even if the lens barrier 12 is erroneously operated, it is not possible to miss a photo opportunity.
[0040]
In the above description, the slide is manually operated between the closed position where the lens barrier 12 covers the front surface of the retractable lens 101 (non-photographing state) and the open position where the front surface of the retractable lens 101 is opened (photographing state). Although it is possible, a barrier member capable of switching between a photographing state and a non-photographing state by another operation method having another structure may be provided. Even in this configuration, when the photographing lens is driven from the photographing state to the non-photographing state in conjunction with the operation on the barrier member, the barrier member is similarly configured by performing the drive control shown in FIG. The operation feeling is not impaired by careless operation.
[0041]
Further, in the above description, the retractable lens 101 and the lens barrier 12 are arranged at positions that interfere when the lens barrier 12 is in the closed position during the initialization (to take a photographing state) operation of the retractable lens 101. However, the present invention can also be applied to an imaging apparatus having a configuration provided at a position where they do not interfere with each other.
[0042]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the functions executed in the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate as possible. The above-described embodiments include various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, an effect can be obtained, so that a configuration from which the constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the barrier member is brought into the non-photographing state after the photographing lens is brought into the photographing state, the photographing lens is moved to the non-photographing position after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the operational feeling from being impaired by the careless operation of the user on the barrier member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus (digital camera) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a structure around a retractable lens 101 and a lens barrier 12;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when an operation is performed on the lens barrier 12 when “the lens is in a non-photographing state”;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining states of a retractable lens 101 and a lens barrier 12;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when an operation is performed on the lens barrier 12 when “the lens is in a photographing state”;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Lens barrier 101 ... Retractable lens 102 ... Lens drive mechanism 103 ... Exposure control mechanism 104 ... Filter system 105 ... CCD color image sensor 106 ... CCD driver 107 ... Pre-process circuit 108 ... Digital process circuit 109 ... Card interface 110 ... Memory Card 111 ... LCD image display system 112 ... System controller (CPU)
112a ... Lens drive control unit 113 ... Operation switch (SW)
113a ... Release switch (SW)
119: Barrier detection switch 120 ... Timer

Claims (4)

A taking lens,
Initialization means for initializing the photographic lens so as to be ready for photographing;
A barrier member that is set to a shooting state in which the front surface of the shooting lens is opened when the shooting lens is in a shooting state and a non-shooting state that covers the front surface of the shooting lens when the shooting lens is in a non-shooting state;
Detecting means for detecting whether the barrier member is in a photographing state or a non-photographing state;
When an input operation is performed on an operation switch such as a release switch when the detection unit detects that the barrier member is in a non-photographing state after the imaging lens is initialized by the initialization unit , When driving for moving the photographing lens to the non-photographing position is not started and the barrier member detects that the barrier member is in a non-photographing state, there is no input operation to an operation switch such as a release switch. When the barrier member remains in the non-photographing state until time elapses, lens drive control means for starting driving to move the photographing lens to a non-photographing position ;
It is characterized by comprising. Said drive control means, said barrier member by said detecting means to said predetermined time has elapsed when it is detected that is in the photographing state is characterized in that it does not move the imaging lens to the non-imaging position The imaging device according to claim 1.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initialization by the initialization unit includes an extension operation of extending the imaging lens from a non-imaging state to an imaging position.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member is disposed at a position where the barrier member interferes during an initialization operation of the photographing lens when in a non-photographing state.

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