JP5267248B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image capturing apparatus generating inclination information as a suitable inclination of the image capturing apparatus even when a positional relationship of an inclination detecting means to the image capturing apparatus is changed from an initially set state. <P>SOLUTION: The image capturing apparatus 10 includes an imaging unit, an inclination sensor 111, a sensor holding member holding the inclination sensor, a display unit 16 and a storage medium. The image capturing apparatus further includes an angle output means for outputting angle information of the image capturing apparatus, a reference angle readout means, an inclination information output means and a display means for displaying inclination information on the display unit and further includes a state information acquiring means, a state determining means, and a reference angle updating means for performing a reference angle updating operation. When the state determining means determines that predetermined state information is settled within a predetermined range, the reference angle updating means performs the reference angle updating operation. When the state determining means determines that the predetermined state information is not settled within the predetermined range, the reference angle updating means does not perform the reference angle updating operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus provided with an image display screen for displaying an acquired image from an imaging means, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus capable of displaying an inclination display indicating the inclination of the imaging apparatus on the image display screen.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging apparatus has been desired to acquire an image having no inclination with respect to a horizontal plane, and therefore, an apparatus having various functions for supporting acquisition of an image having no inclination has been considered.

  As an example, a user can display a bar-shaped symbol on a part of the acquired image displayed on the image display screen at the time of shooting, and display a marker that moves like a level on the bar-shaped symbol. There is an imaging device that assists in recognizing the orientation of the imaging device, that is, the inclination state of the acquired image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, by displaying a reference line across the image display screen to indicate the horizontal state on the image display screen and a shooting auxiliary line across the image display screen to indicate the current orientation of the imaging device, the user can There is an imaging device that assists in recognizing a posture, that is, an inclined state of an acquired image (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, by controlling whether or not to display an inclination guide display corresponding to the inclination information detected by the inclination detecting means on the image display screen according to the set mode, there is no appropriate inclination according to the mode. There is an imaging apparatus that supports acquisition of an image (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Here, in each imaging device described above, since the tilt information of the imaging device is generated based on the detection result from the tilt detection unit, the positional relationship of the tilt detection unit with respect to the imaging device changes from the initially set state. As a result, there is a difference between the generated tilt information and the actual tilt of the imaging device. Specifically, in each imaging device, the detection result output by the tilt detection unit when the imaging device is in a horizontal state, that is, the tilt angle of the tilt detection unit itself is set as a reference angle, and the reference angle and the tilt detection unit itself The tilt information as the tilt of the imaging device is generated based on the difference between the tilt angle and the tilt angle. From this, when the positional relationship initially set as described above is lost, since the imaging device is not in a horizontal state even if the inclination angle of the inclination detecting unit itself becomes the reference angle, the inclination as the inclination of the imaging device to be generated The information does not match the actual inclination of the imaging device.

  For this reason, in order to enable generation of tilt information that matches the actual tilt of the imaging device based on the detection result from the tilt detection means that is not in the positional relationship initially set for the imaging device, It is conceivable to provide a function for setting a new reference angle that matches the positional relationship.

  In addition, the inclination detection means may deteriorate the accuracy of the detection result as its own inclination angle under conditions that are significantly different from the initially assumed conditions. In this way, by setting a new reference angle only under appropriate conditions without setting a new reference angle under the condition where accuracy is lowered, imaging generated based on the new reference angle is performed. The accuracy of the tilt information as the tilt of the device can be made better.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and even when the positional relationship of the tilt detection means with respect to the imaging device changes from the initially set state, the tilt as an appropriate tilt of the imaging device An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of generating information.

  In order to solve the above problems, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an imaging unit that captures a subject image by light that has passed through a lens, an inclination sensor that detects inclination, a sensor holding member that holds the inclination sensor, and a display. An angle output means for outputting angle information of the imaging device based on an output of the tilt sensor, and the predetermined reference angle information Of the imaging device based on the result of comparing the angle information output from the storage medium, the angle information output from the angle output means, and the predetermined reference angle information read out by the reference angle reading means A state information acquisition means for acquiring predetermined state information of the imaging apparatus, comprising: inclination information output means for outputting information; and display means for displaying the inclination information on the display unit. And a state determination unit for determining whether the predetermined state information is within a predetermined range, and the angle information output by the angle output unit based on the determination result of the state determination unit as the reference angle information. Reference angle update means for performing a reference angle update operation recorded on the reference angle update means, and when the state determination means determines that the predetermined state information is within the predetermined range, the reference angle update means The reference angle update operation is performed, and when the state determination unit determines that the predetermined state information is not within the predetermined range, the reference angle update unit does not perform the reference angle update operation. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensor is an acceleration sensor.

The invention according to claim 3 is the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature detecting means for detecting temperature and the temperature when the predetermined reference angle information is recorded on the storage medium. the temperature detected by the detecting means, and the reference temperature recording means for recording on the storage medium as a reference temperature, the reference temperature reading means for reading the reference temperature, the temperature and the reference temperature reading means for said temperature detecting means detects the read Temperature comparison means for outputting temperature difference information based on the result of comparison with the reference temperature, wherein the state information acquisition means acquires the temperature difference information as the predetermined state information, and the state determination means Determines whether the temperature difference information is within the predetermined range.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image pickup apparatus is viewed from an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system having a gravity direction as a Y axis. When the optical axis of the image pickup device is held parallel to the Z axis, the rotation angle information about the X axis of the imaging device is the pitch angle information, and the rotation angle information about the Z axis of the imaging device is the roll angle information. The angle output means outputs at least one of the pitch angle information and the roll angle information.

The invention according to claim 5 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the angle output means outputs the roll angle information and the pitch angle information, and the reference angle update means outputs the roll angle information. performs the reference angle updating operation to be recorded on the storage medium as a reference angle, the state information acquiring unit acquires the pitch angle information output by the angle output unit as the predetermined state information, the state determining means, It is determined whether the pitch angle information is within a predetermined range.

The invention according to claim 6 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the state determination unit determines that the state information is not within the range of the predetermined range. And a notification unit that notifies that the state information is not within the range of the predetermined range.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the imaging device displays the subject image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit. Image display means is provided, wherein the display means displays the tilt information on the display unit simultaneously with the subject image displayed by the image display means.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the imaging apparatus includes image display means for displaying the subject image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit, and the display The means is characterized in that the tilt information is displayed superimposed on the subject image.

The invention according to claim 9 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a shooting instruction receiving unit and a subject image storage medium, and the shooting instruction receiving unit includes: when receiving a photographing instruction, and recording the image data to which the imaging unit has captured the subject image storage medium.

Invention, a tilt sensor for detecting inclination, and a sensor holding member for holding the tilt sensor, a display unit, a storage medium for storing reference angle information, the reference angle of the equipped Ru imaging device updates according to claim 10 a method, an angle output means for outputting angle information of the imaging apparatus based on an output of the inclination sensor, a reference angle reading means for reading the reference angle information from the storage medium, the angle output means outputs Inclination information output means for outputting inclination information of the imaging device based on a result of comparison between angle information and the reference angle information read by the reference angle reading means, and a display for displaying the inclination information on the display unit means and the angle information angle output means has output possess the reference angle updating means for performing a reference angle updating operation of recording in the storage medium as a reference angle information, the imaging instrumentation A state information acquiring step for acquiring predetermined state information, a state determining step for determining whether the state information is within a predetermined range, and determining that the state information is not within the predetermined range in the state determining step In this case, the reference angle update unit includes a reference angle update operation stopping step of stopping the reference angle update operation.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising: a tilt sensor that detects a tilt; a sensor holding member that holds the tilt sensor; a display unit; and a storage medium that stores reference angle information. Angle output means for outputting angle information of the electronic device based on the output of the electronic device , reference angle reading means for reading the reference angle information from the storage medium, angle information output by the angle output means, and reference angle reading comprising a tilt information output means for outputting inclination information of the electronic device based on a result of comparing the reference angle information read in means, and display means for displaying the inclination information on the display unit, wherein the electronic a status information acquiring means for acquiring predetermined status information of the device, and state determination means for the status information to determine whether within a predetermined range, the determination result of the state determining means Accordingly, reference angle update means for performing reference angle update operation for recording the angle information output by the angle output means as reference angle information on the storage medium, and the state determination means, When it is determined that the reference angle is not within the predetermined range, the reference angle update unit does not perform the reference angle update operation .

In order to solve the above-described problem, an invention according to claim 12 includes an imaging unit provided in an imaging apparatus body, an image display screen on which an image acquired by the imaging unit provided in the imaging apparatus body is displayed, An inclination detecting means provided in the imaging apparatus main body for detecting an inclination with respect to a horizontal direction, and a detection result from the inclination detecting means using a reference angle indicating a positional relationship of the inclination detecting means with respect to the imaging apparatus main body An image pickup apparatus comprising: inclination information generating means for generating the inclination information; inclination information display control means for displaying the inclination information on the image display screen; and reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle. The reference angle updating means detects the detection result from the inclination detecting means only when the inclination detecting means satisfies a possible condition that enables appropriate inclination detection. And sets the new reference angle based on.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the inclination detecting means is an acceleration sensor, and the possible condition is that an ambient temperature of the inclination detecting means is within a predetermined range. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined range is set with reference to an ambient temperature of the inclination detecting means when the reference angle is set. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, in the imaging apparatus main body, the optical axis direction of the imaging means is the Z direction, and the optical axis direction The tilt information generating means is the tilt around the Z direction of the imaging device body as the tilt information, where the vertical direction in a state along the horizontal plane is the Y direction and the direction orthogonal to the YZ plane is the X direction. At least one of a roll angle and a pitch angle that is a tilt around the X direction of the imaging apparatus main body is generated.

  The invention according to claim 16 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the inclination detecting means is an acceleration sensor, and the possible condition is that a pitch angle of the inclination detecting means itself is equal to or less than a threshold value. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the inclination information display control unit is configured to generate the new information based on a detection result from the inclination detection unit. When the reference angle is not set, it is displayed on the image display screen that the tilt detection means does not satisfy the possible condition.

The invention according to claim 18 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the inclination information display control means is configured to simultaneously acquire the inclination information from the image acquired by the imaging means. It is displayed on the image display screen.

The invention according to claim 19 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the inclination information display control unit superimposes the inclination information on an image acquired by the imaging unit. Display on the image display screen.

  The invention according to claim 20 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19, and further includes a photographing instruction receiving unit and storage means for storing image data acquired by the imaging means. The image data is stored in the storage means when the photographing instruction receiving unit receives a photographing instruction command.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit provided in the imaging apparatus main body, an image display screen on which an image acquired by the imaging unit provided in the imaging apparatus main body is displayed, and a horizontal provided in the imaging apparatus main body. An inclination detecting unit that detects an inclination with respect to a direction, and an inclination that generates inclination information of the imaging apparatus body using a detection result from the inclination detecting unit and a reference angle indicating a positional relationship of the inclination detecting unit with respect to the imaging apparatus body A method for setting a new reference angle in an imaging apparatus, comprising: information generation means; inclination information display control means for displaying the inclination information on the image display screen; and reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle. The reference angle updating means sets the provisional reference angle based on the detection result from the inclination detection means, and the inclination detection means detects an appropriate inclination. Determining whether or not a possible condition is satisfied, a step of adopting the provisional reference angle as the new reference angle when the possible condition is satisfied, and a case where the possible condition is not satisfied And a step of not adopting a temporary reference angle as the new reference angle.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus body, an image display screen provided on the imaging apparatus body on which an arbitrary image is displayed, and an inclination detection unit provided on the imaging apparatus body and detecting an inclination with respect to a horizontal direction. A tilt information generating means for generating tilt information of the imaging apparatus main body using a reference angle indicating a positional relationship of the tilt detecting means with respect to the imaging apparatus main body as a detection result from the tilt detecting means ; and An electronic apparatus comprising an inclination information display control means to be displayed on the image display screen and a reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle, wherein the reference angle update means has an appropriate inclination of the inclination detection means. The new reference angle is set based on the detection result from the tilt detection means only when the possible condition for enabling the detection is satisfied.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, the reference angle update unit performs the reference angle update operation only when the predetermined state information is within the predetermined range, so that the positional relationship of the inclination detection unit with respect to the image pickup apparatus is initially set. Even if it changes, inclination information as an appropriate inclination of the imaging device can be generated.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, when the tilt sensor is an acceleration sensor, it is possible to prevent a new reference angle from being set based on a detection result with low reliability from the acceleration sensor.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, temperature detection means for detecting temperature, and a reference for recording the temperature detected by the temperature detection means when the predetermined reference angle information is recorded on the storage medium as a reference temperature on the storage medium Temperature difference information is output based on the result of comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, the reference temperature reading means for reading the reference temperature, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and the reference temperature read by the reference angle reading means. A temperature comparison unit, wherein the state information acquisition unit acquires the temperature difference information as the predetermined state information, and the state determination unit determines whether the temperature difference information is within the predetermined range. Then, setting a new reference angle based on a more reliable detection result can be prevented.

  In addition to the above configuration, when the imaging device is held so that the optical axis of the lens is parallel to the Z axis when viewed from an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system with the gravity direction as the Y axis, the X axis of the imaging device The rotation angle information is the pitch angle information, the rotation angle information about the Z axis of the imaging device is the roll angle information, and the angle output means outputs at least one of the pitch angle information and the roll angle information. If output is performed, the tilt information required at the time of shooting can be displayed on the image display screen.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the angle output means outputs the roll angle information and the pitch angle information, and the reference angle update means records the roll angle information as a reference angle in the storage medium. The state information acquisition unit acquires the pitch angle information output from the angle output unit as the predetermined state information, and the determination unit determines whether the pitch angle information is within a predetermined range. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a new reference angle from being set based on a detection result with low reliability from the acceleration sensor.

  In addition to the configuration described above, when the determination unit determines that the state information is not within the predetermined range, a notification unit that notifies that the state information is not within the predetermined range. If so, the user can easily recognize that a new reference angle could not be set.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the imaging apparatus includes an image display unit that displays the subject image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit, and the display unit displays the tilt information and the image display unit If the display is performed on the display unit at the same time as the subject image to be displayed, the convenience of displaying the tilt information can be further enhanced.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the imaging apparatus includes an image display unit that displays the subject image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit, and the display unit superimposes the tilt information on the subject image. Thus, the convenience of displaying the tilt information can be further enhanced.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, a photographing instruction receiving unit and a subject image storage medium are provided. When the photographing instruction receiving unit accepts a photographing instruction, the image data captured by the imaging unit is recorded in the subject image storage medium. As a result, an image desired by the user can be acquired.

  Imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus main body, an image display screen on which an image acquired by the imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus main body is displayed, and inclination detection provided in the imaging apparatus main body and detecting inclination relative to the horizontal direction An inclination information generating means for generating inclination information of the imaging apparatus main body using a reference angle indicating a positional relationship of the inclination detecting means with respect to the imaging apparatus main body as a detection result from the inclination detection means, and the inclination information Is an imaging apparatus comprising inclination information display control means for displaying the image on the image display screen, and reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle, wherein the inclination detection means is suitable for the reference angle update means. The new reference angle is set based on the detection result from the inclination detecting means only when the condition that enables the inclination detection is satisfied. When a new reference angle is set, a new reference angle is set based on the detection result from the tilt detection means only when the tilt detection means satisfies a possible condition that enables appropriate detection. Therefore, even when the positional relationship of the tilt detection unit with respect to the imaging device changes from the initially set state, tilt information as an appropriate tilt of the imaging device can be generated.

It is a front view showing typically one embodiment of an imaging device of the present invention. It is a rear view which shows typically one Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically one Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a system configuration of an imaging apparatus of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the inclination of an imaging device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state which the imaging device inclined in the roll direction, (a) shows the state where a roll angle is 0 degree | times, (b) shows the state where a roll angle is 45 degree | times, (c) is The roll angle is 180 degrees. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the inclination detection means mounted in the imaging device. Is. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the inclination information displayed on the image display screen of an imaging device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on the image display screen of an imaging device. Flowchart showing control processing for setting a new reference angle in an imaging device It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the effect | action of the imaging device of this invention, (a) shows the state by which the initial setting positional relationship is maintained, (b) shows the state from which the initial setting positional relationship changed. (C) shows the state inclined in the roll direction in the changed state, and (d) shows a state in which a new reference angle is set in the changed state.

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

  1 to 3 are external views schematically showing an embodiment of an imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a rear view, and FIG. 3 is a top view. In the following description, as indicated by arrows in each figure, in the imaging apparatus 10, the photographing optical axis direction O is the Z direction, the height direction when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1) is the Y direction, and the YZ plane is An orthogonal direction is defined as an X direction. In the following description, the central processing unit is referred to as “CPU”, the display device including a liquid crystal display element is referred to as “LCD”, and the imaging element including a charge coupled element is referred to as “CCD”. Further, in the following description, the side shown in FIG. 1 is the front surface 11a, the side shown in FIG. 2 is the back surface 11b, the side shown in FIG. The right side (the X direction plus side) is referred to as the right side surface 11e, and the left side is referred to as the left side surface 11d.

  The imaging device 10 is a digital still camera. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the imaging device 10 has an outer shape formed by a main body case (imaging device main body) 11 that has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a strobe light emitting unit 12 and a ranging unit on the front surface 11 a. 13 and an optical viewfinder 14 are provided. A lens barrel unit 15 including a photographing lens is disposed near the center of the front surface 11a.

  On the upper surface 11c of the main body case 11, a release switch (shutter release button) SW1, a mode dial SW2, and a first jog dial SW3 are disposed.

  On the back surface 11b of the main body case 11, an LCD monitor 16, a second jog dial SW4, a zoom switch [TELE] SW5, a zoom switch [WIDE] SW6, an upward direction switch SW7, a right direction switch SW8, An OK switch SW9, a left indicating switch SW10, a downward indicating switch SW11 that also functions as a macro switch, a display switch SW12, a deletion switch SW13, a menu switch SW14, a power switch SW15, and an eyepiece of the optical viewfinder 14 14a. The LCD monitor 16 has a horizontally long (long in the X direction) rectangular image display screen 16a provided so that the X and Y directions coincide with the vertical and horizontal directions. An operation menu or the like can be displayed. In the present specification, the various switches SW1 to SW15 are collectively referred to as operation key units. This operation key unit is an operation key operated by the user. A battery lid 17 that can be opened and closed for battery replacement or the like is provided on the right side surface 11 e of the main body case 11.

  In the imaging apparatus 10, various functions can be selected by appropriately operating the direction instruction switches SW7, SW8, SW10, and SW11, and a subject can be photographed by pressing the release switch SW1. Further, the imaging device 10 can shoot a subject while displaying an image on the image display screen 16 a of the LCD monitor 16. Note that the appearance of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the present embodiment, and may have another appearance.

  Since the functions and actions of each member of the imaging device 10 are known, the description thereof will be omitted, and the system configuration inside the imaging device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing a system configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present invention.

  The CCD 101 is a solid-state imaging device for photoelectrically converting an optical image. The F / E (front end) -IC 102 includes a CDS 102-1, an AGC 102-2, an A / D converter 102-3, and a TG (timing generator) 102-4. The CDS 102-1 performs correlated double sampling for image noise removal. The AGC 102-2 performs gain adjustment. The A / D converter 102-3 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The TG 102-4 is supplied with a vertical synchronizing signal VD and a horizontal synchronizing signal HD from a CCD1 signal processing block 104-1 included in a digital still camera processor 104, which will be described later, and is controlled by the CPU block 104-3 so that the CCD 101 and F / E-IC102 drive timing signal is generated.

  The lens barrel unit 15 is provided on the front surface 11 a of the main body case 11 in the imaging device 10 as described above. The lens barrel unit 15 includes a zoom optical system 15-1, a focus optical system 15-2, a diaphragm unit 15-3, a mechanical shutter unit 15-4, and a motor driver 15-5. The zoom optical system 15-1 includes a zoom lens 15-1a that captures an optical image of a subject, and a zoom drive motor 15-1b. The focus optical system 15-2 includes a focus lens 15-2a and a focus drive motor 15-2b. The aperture unit 15-3 includes an aperture 15-3a and an aperture drive motor 15-3b. The mechanical shutter unit 15-4 includes a mechanical shutter 15-4a and a mechanical shutter drive motor 15-4b. The motor driver 15-5 drives each motor of the lens barrel unit 15.

  In the imaging apparatus 10, subject light is received by the imaging device 101 through the zoom lens 15-1a, the focus lens 15-2a, and the aperture 15-3a by the shutter operation of the mechanical shutter 15-4a (imaging unit).

  The digital still camera processor 104 performs white balance setting and gamma setting on data input from the CCD 101 and output from the F / E-IC 102. The digital still camera processor 104 includes a CCD1 signal processing block 104-1, a CCD2 signal processing block 104-2, a CPU block 104-3, a local SRAM 104-4, a USB block 104-5, a serial block 104-6, and a JPEG CODEC block. 104-7, resize block 104-8, TV signal display block 104-9, memory card controller block 104-10, and I2C block 104-11. As described above, the CCD1 signal processing block 104-1 supplies the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD to the TG 102-4. The CCD2 signal processing block 104-2 performs conversion into luminance data and color difference data by filtering processing. The CPU block 104-3 controls the operation of each unit described above. The local SRAM 104-4 temporarily stores data necessary for the above-described control. The USB block 104-5 performs USB communication with an external device such as a personal computer. The serial block 104-6 performs serial communication with an external device such as a personal computer. The JPEG CODEC block 104-7 performs JPEG compression / decompression. The resizing block 104-8 enlarges / reduces the size of the image data by interpolation processing. The TV signal display block 104-9 converts the image data into a video signal for display on an external display device such as a liquid crystal monitor or a TV. The memory card controller block 104-10 controls a memory card that records captured image data.

  The SDRAM 103 temporarily stores image data when the digital still camera processor 104 performs various processes on the image data. The stored image data is, for example, “RAW-RGB image data” that is captured from the CCD 101 via the F / E-IC 102 and is subjected to white balance setting and gamma setting in the CCD1 signal processing block 104-1. Or “YUV image data” in which luminance data / color difference data conversion has been performed by the CCD2 signal processing block 104-2, “JPEG image data” compressed by JPEG by the JPEG CODEC block (104-7), etc. .

  The built-in memory 107 is a memory for allowing image data obtained by photographing to be stored.

  The LCD driver 108 is a drive circuit that drives the LCD monitor 16, and also has a function of converting the video signal output from the TV signal display block 104-9 into a signal to be displayed on the LCD monitor 16. The LCD monitor 16 is a monitor for performing various displays such as monitoring the state of a subject before photographing, confirming a photographed image, and displaying image data recorded in a memory card or the built-in memory 107 described above. . The video AMP 118 is an amplifier for converting the impedance of the video signal output from the TV signal display block 104-9 to 75Ω. The video jack 110 is a jack for connecting to an external display device such as a TV.

  The operation key (key) units (SW1 to SW15) are key circuits operated by the user, and the above-described switches SW1 to SW15 correspond to this. The SUB-CPU 105 is a central processing unit (CPU) in which ROM and RAM are built in one chip, and the CPU block 104-3 described above using output signals from the operation key units (SW1 to 15) as user operation information. Output to. The SUB-CPU 105 controls time by communicating with an RTC (Real Time Clock) 112 that counts time.

  The imaging device 10 according to the present invention includes an acceleration sensor 111 in addition to the above-described configuration. The acceleration sensor 111 basically can measure acceleration, and can detect the direction of gravity, that is, measure the degree of inclination with respect to the direction of gravity. For this reason, the acceleration sensor 111 functions as an inclination detection means. The acceleration sensor 111 is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and outputs acceleration data and temperature information in two orthogonal x-axis and y-directions to the I2C block 104-11. The digital still camera processor 104 serially communicates with the acceleration sensor 111 via the I2C block 104-11, calculates the tilt of the camera from the acquired data, and roll angle tilt information, which will be described later, is captured on the LCD monitor 16 and the like. Superimposed display. The calculation of the camera tilt is performed by the CPU block 104-3, for example. In this embodiment, as will be described later, temperature information output from the acceleration sensor 111 is used for determination of possible conditions. However, this is to detect the ambient temperature of the inclination detection means (acceleration sensor 111). If there is, other temperature detection means may be provided.

  The acceleration sensor 111 will be described in detail. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the inclination of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) with respect to the direction of gravity around the optical axis direction (Z direction) of the lens barrel unit 15 is defined as the inclination in the roll direction (roll angle), and the roll angle. The inclination of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) with respect to the direction of gravity around the direction (X direction) orthogonal to the optical axis direction in the absence of (0 degree) state is defined as the inclination (pitch angle) in the pitch direction. In the imaging apparatus 10, a reference angle to be described later is set for each of the roll direction inclination and the pitch direction inclination, and inclination information based on the reference angle is generated and displayed, but basically the same processing is performed. Therefore, in the following, for easy understanding, the inclination in the roll direction without the inclination in the pitch direction will be described.

  Since the roll direction is defined as described above, in the imaging device 10, when viewed from the back surface 11 b side of the main body case 11, the X direction of the main body case 11 is horizontal (horizontal) as shown in FIG. The direction parallel to H is the one without the inclination of the roll direction (the roll angle is 0 degree), and the X direction of the main body case 11 is an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane H as shown in FIG. The state in which the main body case 11 is tilted by 45 degrees in the roll direction (the roll angle is 45 degrees) and the main body case 11 is turned upside down and the X direction is parallel to the horizontal plane H as shown in FIG. Inclined 180 (−180) degrees in the roll direction (the roll angle is 180 (−180) degrees).

  Assuming that the acceleration sensor 111 has two axes x and y on the XY plane of the main body case 11, a roll angle with respect to a horizontal state (an inclination angle θs described later) is expressed by the following expression.

θs [deg] = (180 / π) * arctan ((y−y0) / (x−x0))
Here, x is an output value (acceleration) in the x-axis direction, and y is an output value (acceleration) in the y-axis direction. Further, x0 is an output value in the x-axis direction when there is no gravity, and y0 is an output value in the y-axis direction when there is no gravity. In the case of detecting the pitch angle, three axes are used, that is, the output value in the z-axis direction may be used in the same manner as described above.

  As the acceleration sensor 111, for example, a semiconductor acceleration sensor such as a piezoresistive type, a capacitance type, or a heat detection type can be used. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a heat-sensing acceleration sensor is used. The acceleration sensor 111 is provided with a heater 111a at the center in a space sealed by a cover member (not shown), and a plurality of heat detection sensors 111b so as to face each other across the heater 111a at an equal distance from the heater 111a. Is configured. By using this acceleration sensor 111, the non-uniformity of the heat distribution caused by the change of the position of the central air heated by the heater 111a according to the acceleration, that is, the two heat detection sensors 111b facing each other across the heater 111a. Acceleration can be detected based on the temperature difference detected by.

  In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 111 is provided on a substrate (not shown) disposed in the main body case 11 and is on the XY plane with respect to the main body case 11 (imaging device 10). Thus, the x-axis direction is inclined 45 degrees with respect to the X direction (the y-axis direction is also inclined 45 degrees with respect to the Y direction). In this embodiment, in order to facilitate the explanation of the subsequent operation, the third quadrant side of the XY plane in the x-axis direction is the positive direction, and the fourth quadrant side of the XY plane in the y-axis direction. Is the positive direction.

  The CPU block 104-3 calculates the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself based on the inclination information as the inclination of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10), that is, the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111 as follows. Inclination information (roll angle θd as an inclination notification display I described later) is generated from the inclination angle θs (inclination information generating means).

  First, in the imaging apparatus 10, as an initial setting, the image sensor 10 is not inclined in the pitch direction (pitch angle is 0 degree) based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111 arranged on the XY plane, and has a horizontally long composition ( The state in which the CCD 101 acquires an image in which the long direction viewed in the horizontal position is parallel to the horizontal plane is set to a state in which there is no inclination in the roll direction, and is calculated based on the detection result output from the acceleration sensor 111 in that state. The tilt angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself is set as a reference angle θbp. This initial setting is adjusted for each imaging apparatus, and is performed, for example, in the manufacturing process.

  The CPU block 104-3 converts the tilt angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111 into the tilt of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) using the reference angle θbp, thereby rolling angle θd is generated. That is, when the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 is the reference angle θbp, the roll angle θd becomes 0 degrees (a horizontal state that is not inclined in the roll direction), and the difference between the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 and the reference angle θbp. If there is, the difference becomes the roll angle θd.

  In the imaging device 10 according to the present invention, the degree of inclination detected in this way is converted into an acquired image on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16 under the control of the CPU block 104-3 as shown in FIG. Annunciation is displayed by an inclination notification display I displayed in an overlapping manner (inclination information display control means). This tilt notification display I is for acquiring an image without tilting in order to meet a request for acquiring an image without tilting with respect to a horizontal plane (or to meet a request for acquiring an image with an arbitrary angle). It is to support. Here, the desire to acquire an image that is not tilted with respect to the horizontal plane is that, for example, when the horizon or horizon is present in the composition, or when shooting a dish on a table, the tilt greatly affects the appearance of the image. Depending on what to do.

  The tilt notification display I is displayed on the image display screen 16a so as to extend in the X direction. When the image pickup apparatus is configured to determine a horizontally placed image and a vertically placed image, the tilt notification display I extends in the X direction when the horizontally placed image is used, and when the vertically placed image is displayed. It may be displayed on the image display screen 16a so as to extend in the Y direction (not shown). In the tilt notification display I, the CPU block 104 is displayed on the display frame If indicating the roll angle with the center seen in the extending direction (X direction) as the center and the right side in the front view being positive and the left side being negative at equal intervals. By displaying the index Im in a position corresponding to the roll angle θd calculated (generated) by −3, the roll angle θd can be recognized at a glance. Here, in the main body case 11 (imaging device 10), the direction of rolling so that the right side surface 11e side is directed upward is the plus side of the roll angle. For this reason, in the tilt notification display I, the indicator Im is displayed on the display frame If according to the roll angle toward the side displaced upward on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16 when the main body case 11 is tilted. Since this mode is similar to the bubble movement of the level bubble that detects the tilt by the bubbles in the liquid, it becomes familiar to the user, and the degree of tilt is recognized. It can be made easier.

  In the tilt notification display I, when the index Im is located at the center on the display frame If, that is, when there is no tilt in the roll direction (horizontal state), it is notified that the state is horizontal. By setting it as the display mode to do, it can be made easier to grasp that it is in a horizontal state. Further, in this embodiment, since the roll direction inclination in the absence of the pitch direction inclination is described, the inclination notification display for displaying the roll angle is displayed on the image display screen 16a so as to extend in the X direction. Although displayed, for example, an inclination notification display for displaying a pitch angle can also be displayed on the image display screen 16a so as to extend in the Y direction.

  In the imaging apparatus 10 of the present invention, a new reference angle θbn can be set separately from the reference angle θbp as the initial setting. As shown in FIG. 9, a menu screen for this setting can be displayed on the LCD monitor 16 (image display screen 16a) under the control of the CPU block 104-3. When the reference angle setting is selected on this menu screen, the default and custom selection display is displayed, and when one of these is selected, the previous adjustment angle and adjustment mode are selected and displayed. Is selected, the CPU block 104-3 starts a control process (flowchart in FIG. 10) for setting the adjustment mode, that is, the new reference angle θbn.

  Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart (reference angle setting (updating) means) of FIG. 10 which is an example of a control process for setting a new reference angle θbn in the CPU block 104-3 will be described.

  In step S1, detection accuracy improvement control is started, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S1, control for increasing the accuracy of the detection result detected by the acceleration sensor 111, that is, the accuracy of the tilt angle θs calculated based on the detection result is started. As described later, this is because the calculated inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself is set as a new reference angle θbn. As the detection accuracy improvement control, when calculating the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111, the number of samplings is increased by reducing the time interval for acquiring data, or an averaging process is performed. Or increasing the number of times.

  In step S2, following the start of the detection accuracy improvement control in step S1, it is determined whether or not a setting request has been made. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S3. If No, step S2 is repeated. In this step S2, it is determined whether or not a setting request, that is, a request to set the current inclination angle θs as a new reference angle θbn, is made, and when the request is made, the acceleration sensor 111 itself at the time of the determination is determined. The inclination angle θs is stored (for example, stored in the built-in memory (107)), and the process proceeds to step S3. This setting request includes an operation performed on the operation key units (SW1 to SW15), for example, a pressing operation to the OK switch SW9.

  In step S3, following the determination that the setting request has been made in step S2, it is determined whether or not the ambient temperature T is within a predetermined range. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S4. If No, the process proceeds to step S4. Proceed to S6 (temperature comparison means). In step S3, it is determined whether or not the ambient temperature T output from the acceleration sensor 111 is within a predetermined range. This predetermined range is a temperature at which the acceleration sensor 111 may not be able to produce a detection result appropriately due to the difference between the current ambient temperature T and the ambient temperature Tp (reference temperature) when the initial setting is made. Set to range. In this embodiment, it is set to ± 5 ° C. with respect to the atmospheric temperature Tp when the initial setting is made. That is, step S3 defines a threshold value for the temperature difference of the temperature (atmosphere temperature T) at the time of determination based on the temperature at the time of initial setting (atmosphere temperature Tp), and Tp-5 ≦ atmosphere temperature T ≦ It is determined whether or not Tp + 5.

  In step S4, following the determination that the atmospheric temperature T is in the predetermined range in step S3, it is determined whether or not the pitch angle is equal to or less than a threshold value. If yes, the process proceeds to step S5. Advances to step S6 (angle comparison means). In step S4, it is determined whether the pitch angle calculated based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111 is equal to or less than a threshold value. The threshold value is an angle at which the acceleration sensor 111 may not be able to properly output a detection result due to the acceleration sensor 111 being inclined in the pitch direction. In this embodiment, it is set to ± 60 degrees. That is, step S4 defines a limit of inclination in a direction different from the direction to be detected, and determines whether or not | pitch angle | ≦ 60.

  In step S5, following the determination that the pitch angle in step S4 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the inclination angle θs based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111 at the request determination time stored in step S2 is set as a new reference angle θbn. Then, the process proceeds to step S7. In this step S5, since the ambient temperature T is within a predetermined range (step S3) and the pitch angle is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S4), the time when the setting request is made (to be precise, the setting request is made). It is determined that the accuracy of the tilt angle θs (the tilt angle θs stored in step S2) at the time of determining that the tilt angle θs is sufficiently good, and the tilt angle θs is set as a new reference angle θbn. For this reason, that the ambient temperature T is within a predetermined range and that the pitch angle is equal to or less than the threshold value are conditions that allow the acceleration sensor 111 to perform appropriate detection. That is, the atmospheric temperature T and the pitch angle of the acceleration sensor 111 are predetermined state information. Further, the inclination angle θs stored in step S2 becomes the provisional reference angle.

  In step S6, following the determination that the ambient temperature T is not within the predetermined range in step S3, or the determination that the pitch angle is not less than the threshold value in step S4, warning display control is executed, and step S7 is performed. Proceed to In step S6, since the ambient temperature T is not within the predetermined range or the pitch angle is not less than the threshold value, it is determined that the accuracy of the inclination angle θs at the time when the setting request is made is not good. A warning is displayed on the LCD monitor 16 (image display screen 16a) without allowing the inclination angle θs to be set as the new reference angle θbn. This warning display only needs to recognize that the inclination angle θs at the time when the setting request is made cannot be set as the new reference angle θbn. Further, this warning display may be made to recognize whether the ambient temperature T is based on not being within a predetermined range or whether the pitch angle is not below the threshold value. This is because if the pitch angle is based on the fact that the pitch angle is not less than or equal to the threshold value, it can be easily eliminated when the user performs the setting operation again.

  In step S7, as a new reference angle θbn in step S5, or following the warning display control in step S6, the detection accuracy improvement control is terminated and control for setting a new reference angle θbn. The process ends. At this time, the new reference angle θbn set in step S5 is stored (for example, stored in the built-in memory (107)). As a result, in the menu screen (see FIG. 9) described above, when the previous adjustment angle is selected and displayed in the selection display of the previous adjustment angle and the adjustment mode after the selection of the reference angle setting → custom, this new setting is made. It is possible to use a large reference angle θbn.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 10, after the warning display control in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, and the control process for setting a new reference angle θbn is terminated. After the warning display control in step S5, the process may return to step S2 to continue control processing for setting a new reference angle θbn.

  When the control process for setting the new reference angle θbn (the flowchart in FIG. 10) is completed, the imaging apparatus 10 causes the tilt notification display I using the new reference angle θbn as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the image display screen 16 a of the LCD monitor 16. Specifically, as described above, the CPU block 104-3 calculates the roll angle θd (generates tilt information) by converting the tilt angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 into an angle viewed from the reference angle θbp. In the tilt notification display I, the index Im is displayed at a position corresponding to the roll angle θd on the display frame If. Thereby, the inclination notification display I using the new reference angle θbn is displayed on the image display screen 16 a of the LCD monitor 16.

  As described above, the imaging device 10 generates the roll angle θd as tilt information indicating the tilt of the body itself (main body case 11) in the roll direction based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111. That is, the roll angle θd is calculated by converting the tilt angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 into an angle viewed from the reference angle θbp. This reference angle θbp is the positional relationship of the acceleration sensor 111 in the main body case 11 (with respect to the CCD 101 as the image pickup device attached thereto), that is, the horizontal viewed in the image acquired by the CCD 101 disposed in the main body case 11. It shows the positional relationship of the two axes x and y of the acceleration sensor 111 with respect to the direction, and is adjusted and initially set according to the tolerance of each imaging device. In the following, for ease of understanding, the horizontal and vertical directions and the optical axis direction (O) viewed in the image acquired by the CCD 101 will be conceptually described as being aligned with the XYZ directions of the main body case 11. . In addition, an angle formed by the direction from the coordinate center toward the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the x axis of the acceleration sensor 111 is defined as an inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 in the roll direction.

  In the imaging device 10, as described above, as shown in FIG. 11A, the x-axis direction is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the X direction on the XY plane with respect to the main body case 11. It is assumed that the acceleration sensor 111 is disposed so that the y-axis direction is also inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the Y direction, and there is no deviation from this state at the time of initial setting. Here, in the x-axis direction, the third quadrant side of the XY plane is a positive direction, and in the y-axis direction, the fourth quadrant side of the XY plane is a positive direction.

  For this reason, in the imaging device 10, when the main body case 11 is actually in a horizontal state, the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111, that is, the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 is 45 degrees. The angle θbp is 45 degrees.

  Here, due to some external factor, for example, when a cable is attached to a USB connector (not shown), a force much larger than assumed is applied, the imaging device 10 itself is dropped, etc. If the positional relationship of the acceleration sensor 111 with respect to the main body case 11, that is, the angular relationship of the acceleration sensor 111 in the main body case 11, changes from the initial setting, the generated tilt information (roll angle θd) and the actual There is a difference in the inclination (roll angle θr) of the imaging device 10. As an example of this, as shown in FIGS. 11B to 11D, the x-axis direction of the acceleration sensor 111 is shifted by 3 degrees toward the negative side of the roll direction on the XY plane of the main body case 11. (See arrow A). In FIG. 11, the shift amount (3 degrees toward the minus side) is exaggerated for easy understanding.

  Then, in the imaging device 10, as shown in FIG. 11B, even if the main body case 11 is actually in a horizontal state, the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111, that is, the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself is 48 degrees. Therefore, the CPU block 104-3 generates a roll angle θd of −3 degrees as inclination information by converting the inclination angle θs to an angle viewed from the reference angle θbp (= 45 degrees). For this reason, although the illustration is omitted even though the roll angle θr that is the inclination of the actual imaging apparatus 10 is 0 degree, the inclination notification display I displayed on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16 is −3 Display as a degree (the position of the index Im on the display frame If is −3 degrees).

  In the imaging device 10 in the above-described state, as shown in FIG. 11C, even if the main body case 11 is inclined 3 degrees toward the roll direction plus side, the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111, that is, the acceleration sensor 111 itself. Therefore, the CPU block 104-3 generates a roll angle θd of 0 degree as inclination information by converting the angle into the angle seen from the reference angle θbp of 45 degrees. Therefore, although the illustration is omitted, although the roll angle θr that is the inclination of the actual imaging device 10 is 3 degrees, the inclination notification display I displayed on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16 is 0 degrees. Is displayed, that is, displayed as a horizontal state. For this reason, even if the positional relationship of the acceleration sensor 111 with respect to the main body case 11 has changed from the initially set due to some measures, the roll angle that is the actual inclination of the imaging device 10 is used as the inclination information. It is desirable that a roll angle θd equal to θr can be generated.

  Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention, basically, the user can set a new reference angle θbn according to the actual inclination state of the imaging apparatus 10, and the set new reference angle θbn. Is used to generate the roll angle θd as the tilt information, so that the roll angle θd equal to the roll angle θr that is the actual tilt of the imaging device 10 can be generated.

  However, in the acceleration sensor 111, the accuracy of the detection result is reduced under conditions that are greatly different from the initially assumed conditions (conditions in which the reference angle θbp is set as an initial setting). There is a possibility that a low inclination angle θs is calculated. In the present embodiment, since the acceleration sensor 111 is a heat sensing type acceleration sensor, as described above, based on the nonuniformity (distribution mode) of the heat distribution, that is, the temperature difference detected by the plurality of heat sensing sensors 111b. Since acceleration is detected, the sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 111 is temperature dependent.

  In addition, when the acceleration sensor 111 is used, the inclination is detected (calculated) from the gravitational acceleration detected based on the non-uniformity of the heat distribution generated by changing the position of the central air heated by the heater 111a according to the gravitational acceleration. Therefore, when the air is greatly inclined in a certain direction, the heated air is biased in the inclined direction, so that the contribution of the heat distribution to the inclination in a different direction becomes small, and the different direction. There is a risk that the non-uniformity of the heat distribution seen in Fig. 1 may be detected as small. For example, when detecting the inclination around the z-axis direction orthogonal to the xy plane of the acceleration sensor 111 (in this embodiment, the inclination in the roll direction as viewed by the imaging device 10), the z-axis is in the vertical direction. When the acceleration sensor 111 is greatly inclined so as to approach, the reliability of the detection result as the inclination around the z-axis direction becomes low.

  It should be noted that other types of acceleration sensors, such as piezoresistive type or capacitance type semiconductor type acceleration sensors, have temperature characteristics and sensitivity depending on temperature, and differ when tilted greatly in a certain direction. Since the detection result of the inclination of the direction is affected, the accuracy of the detection result is reduced under a condition greatly different from the initially assumed condition (condition in which the reference angle θbp is set as an initial setting). There is a risk that a tilt angle θs with low reliability may be calculated as the tilt.

  As described above, in the state where the reliability of the detection result to be output is low, the variation in the value of the inclination angle θs based on the detection result output from the acceleration sensor 111 becomes large even when the inclination state is the same (different). As the value is output, the difference increases).

  As described above, if a new reference angle θbn is set based on the tilt angle θs with low reliability, the reliability (accuracy) of the roll angle θd as the tilt information generated using the reference angle θbn is increased. As a result, the roll angle θd that is equal to the roll angle θr that is the actual inclination of the imaging device 10 cannot be generated as the inclination information.

  For this reason, it is necessary to make the newly set reference angle θbn highly reliable (accuracy) by some measures.

  In the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention, the user can set a new reference angle θbn according to the actual inclination state of the imaging apparatus 10, and as the tilt information using the set new reference angle θbn. The roll angle θd can be generated, and when the new reference angle θbn is set, a certain restriction is provided to make the newly set reference angle θbn highly reliable (accuracy). This fixed restriction permits the setting of a new reference angle θbn only when the inclination detecting means (acceleration sensor 111) is in a condition where the inclination can be appropriately detected (a possible condition is satisfied). It is.

  That is, in the imaging apparatus 10, when the adjustment mode is selected on the menu screen, control processing for setting a new reference angle θbn is started, and the process proceeds from step S1 to step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. It waits for a request to set as a new reference angle θbn in S2. This is for the user to determine the horizontal state of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10). When a request for setting as a new reference angle θbn is made in step S2, it is determined in step S3 whether or not the ambient temperature T is within a predetermined range, and in step S4 whether or not the pitch angle is equal to or less than a threshold value. Only when the ambient temperature T is within the predetermined range and the pitch angle is equal to or less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S5, and the inclination angle θs when the setting request is made is set as a new reference angle θbn. Set. For this reason, requesting the setting of a new reference angle θbn in step S2 determines the inclination angle θs to be set as the new reference angle θbn. Here, the roll angle θr, which is the actual inclination of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10), is recognized by the user, and as a result, the roll angle θd generated using the new reference angle θbn. Is equal to the roll angle θr, which is the inclination of the actual imaging device 10.

  If the ambient temperature T is not within the predetermined range or the pitch angle is not less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S6, and the inclination angle θs when the setting request is made is set as a new reference angle θbn. Without this, the fact (warning display control) is displayed on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16.

  For this reason, after the user selects the adjustment mode, for example, while viewing the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16 (the same applies to the optical viewfinder 14 and the main body case 11 itself), the main body case 11 (imaging device 10). Is determined to be in the horizontal state, a setting request (for example, a pressing operation to the OK switch SW9) is performed to indicate the degree of inclination in the roll direction based on the horizontal state determined by itself on the inclination notification display I. Can be displayed. In the above example, as shown in FIG. 11D, when the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) is in a horizontal state, the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111, that is, the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself is 48 degrees. Thus, when the ambient temperature T is within a predetermined range and the pitch angle is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, 48 degrees is set as a new reference angle θbn. Then, in the imaging device 10, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), when the main body case 11 is actually in the horizontal state, the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself is 48 degrees. 3 converts the tilt angle θs into an angle viewed from the reference angle θbp of 48 degrees, thereby generating a roll angle θd of 0 degrees as the tilt information. Further, in the imaging device 10 in the above state, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the main body case 11 is tilted by 3 degrees in the roll direction plus side, the inclination angle θs of the acceleration sensor 111 itself is 45 degrees, The CPU block 104-3 generates a roll angle θd of 3 degrees as inclination information by converting the inclination angle θs into an angle viewed from the reference angle θbp of 48 degrees.

  Therefore, the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention can generate a roll angle θd equal to the roll angle θr that is the inclination of the actual imaging apparatus 10 by using the new reference angle θbn.

  Further, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention, the inclination angle θs that is the detection result output from the acceleration sensor 111 is newly set only when the ambient temperature T is within a predetermined range and the pitch angle is equal to or less than the threshold value. Since the reference angle θbn can be set, the roll angle θd can be generated using a new reference angle θbn with high reliability, and the reliability of the roll angle θd can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention, when the ambient temperature T is not within a predetermined range or the pitch angle is not less than or equal to the threshold value, the inclination angle θs when the setting request is made is changed to a new reference angle θbn. Therefore, by using the new reference angle θbn with low reliability, it is possible to prevent the roll angle θd with low reliability from being generated.

  In the imaging device 10 according to the present invention, when the ambient temperature T is not within the predetermined range or the pitch angle is not less than the threshold value, the warning display control is displayed on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16, The person can easily recognize that the inclination angle θs when the setting request is made cannot be set as the new reference angle θbn. In particular, the user can recognize whether the warning indication is based on whether the ambient temperature T is not within a predetermined range or whether the pitch angle is not less than a threshold value. It is possible to prevent the setting operation from being performed again under the same conditions, and the convenience can be further improved.

  In the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention, in the control process for setting a new reference angle θbn, the detection accuracy improvement control (in the above-described embodiment, the inclination of the acceleration sensor 111 itself based on the detection result from the acceleration sensor 111). When the angle θs is calculated, the number of samplings is increased by narrowing the time interval for acquiring data, and the number of averaging processes is increased). The roll angle θd can be generated using the reference angle θbn, and the reliability of the roll angle θd can be further improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the acceleration sensor 111 is disposed on the XY plane of the main body case 11 with the x-axis direction shifted by 45 degrees toward the minus side of the roll direction. Any device can be used as long as it can detect the inclination of the imaging device 10), in particular, the inclination around the optical axis direction, and is not limited to the positional relationship described above. In this case, the pitch angle threshold is changed according to the positional relationship.

  In the above-described embodiment, a new reference angle θbn can be set separately from the reference angle θbp as an initial setting, but the acceleration sensor 111 with respect to the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) after the change can be set. As long as a new reference angle that matches the positional relationship is set, the reference angle θbp as an initial setting may be updated to a new reference angle θbn, and is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Absent.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the new reference angle θbn is set in order to set the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) in a horizontal state, but the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) has an arbitrary inclination angle. In the state, a new reference angle θbn may be set. Thereby, the inclination degree of the main body case 11 (imaging device 10) based on an arbitrary inclination angle can be generated and displayed.

  In the embodiment described above, control for displaying warning display control on the image display screen 16a of the LCD monitor 16 is performed as a notification unit for notifying that the predetermined state information is not within the predetermined range (not satisfying the possible condition). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as it can notify the user that the predetermined state information is not within the predetermined range.

  The present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to this specific configuration, and design changes that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image pick-up device 11 Main body case (As image pick-up device main body) 15 Lens barrel unit 16 (As image pick-up means) Image display screen 111 Acceleration sensor I (As inclination detection means) Inclination notification display (As inclination information) θr Roll angle θbp reference angle θbn new reference angle θd roll angle (as inclination information) θs inclination angle of acceleration sensor itself (as detection result from inclination detecting means) T atmosphere temperature Tp atmosphere temperature when initial setting is made

JP 2004-343476 A Japanese Patent No. 3896505 JP 2007-174156 A

Claims (22)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image by light that has passed through the lens;
An inclination sensor for detecting inclination;
A sensor holding member for holding the tilt sensor;
A display unit;
A storage medium having predetermined reference angle information recorded thereon,
Angle output means for outputting angle information of the imaging device based on the output of the tilt sensor;
Reference angle reading means for reading the predetermined reference angle information from the storage medium;
Inclination information output means for outputting inclination information of the imaging device based on a result of comparing the angle information output by the angle output means and the predetermined reference angle information read by the reference angle reading means;
Display means for displaying the tilt information on the display unit,
State information acquisition means for acquiring predetermined state information of the imaging device;
State determination means for determining whether the predetermined state information is within a predetermined range;
Reference angle update means for performing a reference angle update operation for recording the angle information output by the angle output means on the storage medium as reference angle information based on the determination result of the state determination means;
When the state determination unit determines that the predetermined state information is within the predetermined range, the reference angle update unit performs the reference angle update operation,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the state determination unit determines that the predetermined state information is not within the predetermined range, the reference angle update unit does not perform the reference angle update operation.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensor is an acceleration sensor. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature;
A reference temperature recording means for recording the temperature of said temperature detecting means detects when said predetermined reference angle information is recorded in the storage medium, the storage medium as a reference temperature,
Reference temperature reading means for reading the reference temperature;
Temperature comparison means for outputting temperature difference information based on a result of comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means and the reference temperature read by the reference temperature reading means ;
The state information acquisition means acquires the temperature difference information as the predetermined state information,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state determination unit determines whether the temperature difference information is within the predetermined range. When the imaging apparatus is held so that the optical axis of the lens is parallel to the Z axis when viewed from an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system with the gravity direction as the Y axis, information on the rotation angle around the X axis of the imaging apparatus is obtained. Pitch angle information, information on the rotation angle around the Z axis of the imaging device is roll angle information,
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle output means outputs at least one of the pitch angle information and the roll angle information. The angle output means outputs the roll angle information and the pitch angle information,
The reference angle update means performs the reference angle update operation for recording the roll angle information in the storage medium as a reference angle,
Wherein the state information acquiring unit acquires the pitch angle information the angle output means outputs as the predetermined state information,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the state determination unit determines whether the pitch angle information is within a predetermined range. When the state determination unit determines that the state information is not within the predetermined range, the state determination unit includes a notifying unit that notifies that the state information is not within the predetermined range. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The imaging apparatus includes an image display unit that displays the subject image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the tilt information on the display unit simultaneously with the subject image displayed by the image display unit. . The imaging apparatus includes an image display unit that displays the subject image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display unit displays the tilt information superimposed on the subject image. A photographing instruction receiving section, and a subject image storage medium, wherein the imaging instruction when the accepting unit accepts the photographing instruction, and recording the image data to which the imaging unit has captured the subject image storage medium The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An inclination sensor for detecting inclination;
A sensor holding member for holding the tilt sensor;
A display unit;
A storage medium for storing reference angle information, a reference angle updating method of an imaging device Ru provided with,
Angle output means for outputting angle information of the imaging device based on the output of the tilt sensor;
Reference angle reading means for reading the reference angle information from the storage medium;
Inclination information output means for outputting inclination information of the imaging device based on a result of comparing the angle information output by the angle output means and the reference angle information read by the reference angle reading means;
Display means for displaying the tilt information on the display unit;
Possess the reference angle updating means for performing a reference angle updating operation of recording in the storage medium angle information the angle output means is output as the reference angle information,
A state information acquisition step of acquiring predetermined state information of the imaging device;
A state determination step of determining whether the state information is within a predetermined range;
When it is determined in the state determination step that the state information is not within the predetermined range, the reference angle update unit includes a reference angle update operation stop step of stopping the reference angle update operation. How to update the reference angle. An inclination sensor for detecting inclination;
A sensor holding member for holding the tilt sensor;
A display unit;
In an electronic device having a storage medium for storing reference angle information,
Angle output means for outputting angle information of the electronic device based on the output of the tilt sensor;
Reference angle reading means for reading the reference angle information from the storage medium;
Inclination information output means for outputting inclination information of the electronic device based on a result of comparing the angle information output by the angle output means and the reference angle information read by the reference angle reading means;
Display means for displaying the tilt information on the display unit,
Status information acquisition means for acquiring predetermined status information of the electronic device ;
State determination means for determining whether the state information is within a predetermined range;
Reference angle update means for performing a reference angle update operation for recording the angle information output by the angle output means on the storage medium as reference angle information based on the determination result of the state determination means;
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the state determination unit determines that the state information is not within the predetermined range, the reference angle update unit does not perform the reference angle update operation . Imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus main body, an image display screen on which an image acquired by the imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus main body is displayed, and inclination detection provided in the imaging apparatus main body and detecting inclination relative to the horizontal direction and means, gradient information generation means for generating tilt information of the imaging apparatus main body by using the reference angle showing the positional relationship of the inclination detecting unit with respect to the imaging apparatus main body of the detection result from the inclination detecting unit, the tilt information An inclination information display control means for displaying the image on the image display screen, and a reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle,
The reference angle update unit sets the new reference angle based on the detection result from the tilt detection unit only when the tilt detection unit satisfies a possible condition that enables appropriate tilt detection. An imaging apparatus characterized by: The tilt detection means is an acceleration sensor,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the possible condition is that an ambient temperature of the tilt detection unit is within a predetermined range.   14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined range is set based on an ambient temperature of the tilt detection unit when the reference angle is set. In the imaging apparatus main body, the optical axis direction of the imaging means is the Z direction, the vertical direction when the optical axis direction is along the horizontal plane is the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the YZ plane is the X direction.
The inclination information generation means generates at least one of a roll angle that is an inclination around the Z direction of the imaging apparatus body and a pitch angle that is an inclination around the X direction of the imaging apparatus body as the inclination information. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus. The tilt detection means is an acceleration sensor,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the possible condition is that a pitch angle of the inclination detection unit itself is equal to or less than a threshold value.   When the new reference angle is not set based on the detection result from the tilt detection unit, the tilt information display control unit displays on the image display screen that the tilt detection unit does not satisfy the possible condition. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized in that 18. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the inclination information display control unit displays the inclination information on the image display screen simultaneously with an image acquired by the imaging unit. . The imaging according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the inclination information display control means causes the inclination information to be displayed on the image display screen so as to overlap the image acquired by the imaging means. apparatus. The imaging device according to any one of claims 12 to 19,
Furthermore, a photographing instruction receiving unit, and a storage unit that stores the image data acquired by the imaging unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the image data when the imaging instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for imaging instruction. Imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus main body, an image display screen on which an image acquired by the imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus main body is displayed, and inclination detection provided in the imaging apparatus main body and detecting inclination relative to the horizontal direction and means, gradient information generation means for generating tilt information of the imaging apparatus main body by using the reference angle showing the positional relationship of the inclination detecting unit with respect to the imaging apparatus main body of the detection result from the inclination detecting unit, the tilt information A new reference angle setting method in an imaging apparatus comprising: inclination information display control means for displaying the image information on the image display screen; and reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle,
The reference angle update means sets a provisional reference angle based on a detection result from the tilt detection means;
Determining whether the tilt detection means satisfies a possible condition that enables detection of an appropriate tilt; and
Adopting the provisional reference angle as the new reference angle when the possible condition is satisfied;
And a step of not adopting the temporary reference angle as the new reference angle when the possible condition is not satisfied. An imaging apparatus body, an image display screen provided on the imaging apparatus body on which an arbitrary image is displayed, an inclination detection means provided on the imaging apparatus body for detecting an inclination with respect to a horizontal direction, and detection from the inclination detection means Inclination information generating means for generating inclination information of the imaging apparatus main body using a reference angle indicating a positional relationship of the inclination detecting means with respect to the imaging apparatus main body, and inclination information for displaying the inclination information on the image display screen An electronic device comprising display control means and reference angle update means for setting a new reference angle,
The reference angle update unit sets the new reference angle based on the detection result from the tilt detection unit only when the tilt detection unit satisfies a possible condition that enables appropriate tilt detection. An electronic device characterized by that.

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