JP5479136B2 - Imaging apparatus and camera system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device, a light emitting device, and a camera system in which an imaging device and a light emitting device perform wireless communication using radio waves.

  In recent years, a camera system for connecting an imaging device and a light emitting device by wireless communication using radio waves has been developed. In this camera system, the imaging device transmits a light emission start command to the light emitting device by radio waves, and the light emitting device receives the command and starts light emission.

  However, in the above system, a delay time including a radio wave delivery period from the transmission side to the reception side, which varies depending on the modulation / demodulation period of the digital signal and the radio wave and the communication rate, occurs. It is difficult to match the timing of light emission in the light emitting device.

  In order to solve the delay time due to the radio communication using the radio wave, for example, in Patent Document 1, the time from when the master of the wireless system transmits the delay amount measurement packet until the slave ACK signal is received is measured. A method has been proposed.

JP 2007-53653 A

  However, in a method such as Patent Document 1, for example, the time from the master packet transmission to the master ACK signal reception is measured, and only the delay time from the transmission of the signal by the master to the reception of the signal by the slave is measured. Can not know exactly. For this reason, when the light emitting device emits light according to the light emission start signal transmitted from the imaging device by wireless communication using radio waves, the exposure of the imaging device and the light emission of the light emitting device cannot be accurately synchronized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when a light emission start signal is transmitted from the imaging device to the light emitting device by radio communication using radio waves, the delay time from the light emission start instruction to the light emission start is accurately determined. The purpose is to enable measurement.

Imaging device according to the present invention in order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication by the light emitting device and the wave through the communication means, and outputs an emission start signal for the previous SL-emitting device to said communication means and signal output means, a light emitting detection means for detecting the light emission, a determination unit emission detected by the light emitting detection means to determine light emission or not by the light-emitting device, the light-emitting and the time when a predetermined reference An acquisition means for acquiring a time difference from a time point determined based on a detection result of the detection means; a time point at which a light emission start signal is output to the light emitting device by the signal output means based on the time difference; and a light emission of the light emitting device And a control means for controlling an interval from a point of time when an operation performed in correspondence with is started .

In order to solve the above-described problem, a camera system according to the present invention is a camera system in which an imaging device and a light emitting device perform wireless communication using radio waves via a communication unit, and a light emission start signal for the light emitting device is transmitted to and signal output means for outputting to the communication means, a light emitting detection means for detecting the light emission, a determination unit emission detected by the light emitting detection means to determine light emission or not by the light-emitting device, a predetermined reference An acquisition means for acquiring a time difference between a predetermined time point and a time point determined based on a detection result of the light emission detection means, and a time point when a light emission start signal is output to the light emitting device by the signal output means based on the time difference. Control means for controlling an interval from a time point at which an operation performed in response to light emission of the light emitting device is started .

  According to the present invention, even when a light emission start signal is transmitted from the imaging device to the light emitting device by radio communication using radio waves, the delay time from the light emission start instruction to the light emission start can be accurately measured.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the camera system which performs the radio | wireless communication using an electromagnetic wave. It is a block diagram which shows a part of structure of the camera which is a master apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a part of structure of the flash device which is a slave apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography sequence of the camera at the time of performing the flash photography in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the delay time measurement operation | movement of the camera in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the light emission sequence of the flash device in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera in 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the operation timing of the camera and flash device at the time of delay time measurement in a 1st embodiment. 6 is a timing chart illustrating operation timings of the camera and the flash device during main photographing in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the delay time measurement operation | movement of the camera in 2nd Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the operation timing of the camera and flash device at the time of delay time measurement in a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the delay time measurement operation | movement of the camera in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the light emission sequence of the flash device in 3rd Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the operation timing of the camera and flash device at the time of delay time measurement in the example of a 3rd embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a camera system that performs wireless communication using radio waves between an imaging device and a light-emitting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the camera system 100, a camera 200 as an imaging device and a flash device 300 as a light emitting device are wirelessly using radio waves typified by a wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and the like via antennas 201 and 309 incorporated or connected respectively. Connected by communication.

  In this camera system, when performing flash photography with the flash device 300 emitting light, pre-flash is performed by the flash device 300 immediately before shooting in order to determine the main light emission amount of the flash device 300. The camera detects the brightness of the subject at the time of pre-emission by a photometry unit, which will be described later, and then transmits information on the appropriate amount of emission at the time of shooting to the flash device via wireless communication. Hereinafter, in the camera system 100, the camera 200 is a master device and the flash device 300 is a slave device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the camera 200 which is the master device in the present embodiment. The configuration of the camera 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, 201 is a wireless communication antenna, 202 is a radio wave communication unit that performs radio wave communication control, and 203 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a camera microcomputer) that controls the operation of each unit of the camera 200. Reference numeral 204 denotes a photometric unit that measures the luminance of the subject by photometry, including a photometric sensor, and 205 denotes an imaging unit that captures the subject, including an image sensor. Reference numeral 206 denotes an operation unit, which includes a power switch for switching on / off the power of the camera 200, a release switch for instructing start of a shooting preparation operation, and a start instruction of a shooting operation.

  Next, a shooting sequence when performing flash shooting of the camera 200 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the power switch of the operation unit 206 is turned on, the camera microcomputer 203 starts its operation and starts preparing for control of the radio wave communication unit 202, photometry unit 204, imaging unit 205, and the like. Then, when the release switch of the operation unit 206 is turned on to instruct the start of the shooting operation, the following subroutine for performing flash shooting is started (step S401).

  In step S402, the camera 200 starts a subroutine for performing a pre-light emission operation for determining the main light emission amount of the flash device 300 at the time of light emission photographing. In the next step S403, the camera 200 starts a sub-routine for performing a photographing operation in which the flash device 300 performs main photographing with the light emission amount obtained by the pre-flash operation in step S402. In step S404, the shooting sequence ends.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the configuration of the flash device 300 that is a slave device. The configuration of the flash device 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

  In FIG. 3, 301 is a battery as a power source, 302 is a booster circuit that boosts the voltage of the battery 301 by several hundred volts, and 303 is a main capacitor that stores (charges) electrical energy boosted by the booster circuit 302. Reference numeral 304 denotes an existing trigger circuit for applying a high voltage of several KV to the discharge tube 305 to excite it, and the discharge tube 305 converts electrical energy stored in the main capacitor 303 into light energy. Reference numeral 306 denotes a light emission control unit that performs light emission control of the discharge tube 305, and reference numeral 307 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “flash device microcomputer”) that controls the operation of each part of the flash device 300. Reference numeral 309 denotes a wireless communication antenna, and reference numeral 308 denotes a radio wave communication unit that controls radio wave communication with a connected camera and other light emitting devices.

  In the flash device 300 having the above configuration, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the flash device microcomputer 307 starts its operation and starts the boosting operation of the booster circuit 302. The electric energy boosted by the booster circuit 302 is stored in the main capacitor 303, and the electric energy is stored in the main capacitor 303 until the discharge tube 305 reaches a charging voltage at which light can be emitted. When the radio wave communication unit 308 receives a light emission start signal from the camera 200, the discharge tube 305 is caused to emit light using the electrical energy stored in the main capacitor 303.

  Next, an operation of measuring the delay time generated when performing wireless communication using radio waves using pre-emission will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 8, the upper horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the camera, and the lower horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the flash device.

  When the release switch of the operation unit 206 is turned on to instruct the start of the shooting operation, the camera 200 starts a subroutine for performing the pre-flash operation in step S402 in FIG. 4 (step S1001).

  In step S1002, the camera microcomputer 203 starts the photometry operation of the photometry unit 204 and proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, the camera microcomputer 203 outputs a pre-flash start signal to the radio wave communication unit 202, and proceeds to step S1004. T1301 in FIG. 8 corresponds to this signal output timing.

  In step S <b> 1004, the camera microcomputer 203 operates an internal timer to measure the time until receiving a light emission detection signal from the photometry unit 204. It is assumed that the timer timing operation is started at T1301, and the photometry unit 204 outputs a light emission detection signal to the camera microcomputer 203 when detecting a luminance change of a predetermined value or more within a predetermined time.

  In step S <b> 1005, the radio wave communication unit 202 modulates communication data with the pre-flash start signal output from the camera microcomputer 203 and starts transmission of communication data from the antenna 201. T1302 in FIG. 8 corresponds to this transmission start timing.

  In step S1006, after transmitting the pre-flash start signal via the radio wave communication unit 202, the camera microcomputer 203 determines whether or not the flash detection signal from the photometry unit 204 is detected, and the flash detection signal from the photometry unit 204 is received. If detected, the process proceeds to step S1007. The timing at which the light emission detection signal is detected by the photometry unit 204 here corresponds to T1303 in FIG.

  In step S1007, the camera microcomputer 203 delays the value when the light emission detection signal of the operated timer is detected, that is, the elapsed time from when the pre-light emission start signal is output until the light emission detection signal is detected. It memorize | stores as time T and progresses to step S1008. Then, the subroutine of the pre-flash operation is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S403, which is the next step in the shooting sequence.

  As described above, the delay time from the light emission start instruction to the light emission start is measured by measuring the time from when the camera microcomputer 203 outputs the pre-light emission start signal until the photometry unit 204 detects the pre-light emission of the flash device 300. Can be measured accurately. This is because there is almost no delay in the time it takes for the light metering unit 204 to detect the light after the flash device 300 performs the pre-light emission, so the timing at which the pre-light emission is detected and the timing at which the pre-light emission is detected may be considered equal. Because it can. In addition, since the time difference between the pre-flash and the main flash is small, it can be considered that the delay time during the pre-flash and the delay time during the main flash are equal, so by measuring the delay time during the pre-flash more accurately Delay time can be acquired.

  In the present embodiment, as a method of acquiring the delay time, a method of measuring the delay time using the timer inside the camera microcomputer 203 and the light emission detection signal of the photometry unit 204 has been described. A method may be used.

  In step S1005, after transmitting the pre-flash start signal via the radio wave communication unit 202, continuous shooting (continuous shooting) is performed at a predetermined speed using the image sensor of the imaging unit 205, and a plurality of captured images are captured. An image determined to be pre-flashed by the flash device 300 is selected from the inside. Then, the number of images taken for the selected image is read, and the time from when the camera microcomputer 203 outputs the pre-flash start signal in step S1003 until the flash device 300 performs pre-flash. Is calculated. Note that the photometric sensor of the photometric unit 204 may be used in place of the image sensor of the imaging unit 205 as long as the signal can be read at high speed. In addition, since it is only necessary to determine whether or not pre-light emission has been performed when performing high-speed reading, the reading speed may be improved by thinning out signals than normal reading when performing high-speed reading. .

  Next, processing of the flash device microcomputer 307 when a light emission start signal is received via the antenna 309 and the radio communication unit 308 of the flash device 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the timing chart of FIG.

  When the radio wave communication unit 308 of the flash device 300 receives communication data obtained by modulating the pre-light emission or main light emission start signal from the camera 200 from the antenna 309, the radio communication unit 308 demodulates the received communication data and starts light emission to the flash device microcomputer 307. Send a signal. The timing of receiving communication data from the camera 200 corresponds to the timing of T1304 in FIG.

  Upon receiving the light emission start signal from the radio wave communication unit 308, the flash device microcomputer 307 starts a pre-light emission or main light emission processing subroutine in accordance with the received light emission start signal (step S1101).

  In step S1102, the flash device microcomputer 307 outputs an H signal to the light emission control unit 306, whereby the light emission control unit 306 enters a conductive state, the anode-discharge tube 305 of the main capacitor 303, the light emission control unit 306, and the main capacitor 303. The cathode discharge loop is formed.

  In step S1103, the flash device microcomputer 307 outputs an H signal to the trigger circuit 304 for a predetermined time, whereby the trigger circuit 304 applies a high voltage to the discharge tube 305, and the discharge tube 305 starts to emit light. This light emission start timing corresponds to T1305 in FIG.

  In step S 1104, the flash device microcomputer 307 outputs an L signal to the light emission control unit 306, thereby causing the light emission control unit 306 to be cut off and the anode-discharge tube 305 -the light emission control unit 306 -the main capacitor 303 of the main capacitor 303. Breaks the cathode discharge loop. As a result, the discharge tube 305 stops light emission, and the light emission operation is terminated in the subsequent step S1105.

  Next, the photographing operation using the delay time measured at the time of pre-emission will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 7 and the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 9, the upper horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the camera, and the lower horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the flash device.

  When the subroutine of the pre-flash operation is completed, the subroutine of the shooting operation by the main flash is started (step S1201).

  In step S1202, the camera microcomputer 203 outputs a main light emission start signal to the radio wave communication unit 202, and the process proceeds to S1203. T1401 in FIG. 9 corresponds to this signal output timing.

  In step S <b> 1203, the radio wave communication unit 202 modulates communication data with the main light emission start signal output from the camera microcomputer 203 and starts transmission of communication data from the antenna 201. T1402 in FIG. 9 corresponds to this transmission start timing.

  In step S1204, standby processing is performed according to the delay time measured and stored during pre-flash. The standby processing performed here is for synchronizing the main exposure performed below with the main light emission of the flash device 300, and the delay time measured during the pre-light emission so that the main light emission is performed during the main exposure of the camera 200. Set the waiting time based on. In this embodiment, a case where a time equal to the measured delay time is set as the standby time will be described. However, the standby time may be set in consideration of not only the measured delay time but also the setting of the light emission timing. For example, when performing so-called front-curtain sync shooting, which performs main flash immediately after the start of exposure, a delay time equivalent to the delay time measured during pre-flash occurs during main flash, and is equal to the delay time measured during pre-flash. May be set as a waiting time until the main exposure is started. In addition, when performing so-called trailing-curtain sync shooting that performs main flash just before the end of exposure, the delay time measured during pre-flash is set as a delay time equivalent to the delay time measured during pre-flash occurs. The standby time may be set based on the exposure time. Note that the exposure start here is the time when the entire imaging region of the image sensor starts exposure due to travel of a shutter (not shown), and the end of exposure is the image sensor due to travel of a shutter (not shown). This is the time when at least a part of the imaging region ends the exposure.

  When the standby process ends, the process proceeds to step S1205, and the camera microcomputer 203 controls the image capturing unit 205 to perform the main exposure (photographing). T1403 in FIG. 9 corresponds to this timing. Thereafter, in step S1205, the shooting operation subroutine is terminated, and the flow returns to the shooting sequence routine.

  On the other hand, when the flash device 300 receives communication data obtained by modulating the main light emission start signal from the camera 200 from the antenna 309, the flash device 300 demodulates the communication data received by the radio wave communication unit 308 and sends a main light emission start signal to the flash device microcomputer 307. send. The timing of receiving communication data from the camera 200 corresponds to the timing of T1404 in FIG.

  When the main light emission start signal is received from the radio wave communication unit 308, the flash device microcomputer 307 starts the main light emission of the discharge tube 305 in accordance with the received main light emission start signal. This light emission start timing corresponds to T1405 in FIG.

  As described above, the main exposure of the camera and the flash device as intended by the photographer are obtained by accurately obtaining the delay time from the light emission instruction to the light emission start at the time of the pre-light emission and waiting for the main exposure according to the delay time. The main light emission can be synchronized.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the camera and the flash device in the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the delay time measurement operation, and a light emission detection signal is output from the photometry unit 204 within a predetermined period based on the time when the light emission start signal is output. In this case, it is determined that pre-flash has been detected. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce erroneous detection that detects light from a light source different from the target flash device and determines that it is pre-flash, and transmits a light emission start signal when a communication error occurs. However, it can be detected that the flash device cannot emit light.

  The delay time measurement operation in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 11, the upper horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the camera, and the lower horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the flash device. Further, steps S2001 to S2005 in FIG. 10 perform the same processes as steps S1001 to S1005 in FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

  In step S2006, the camera microcomputer 203 determines whether or not a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the output of the pre-flash start signal. If the predetermined time T2 has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2007, and if the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2010.

  In step S2010, the photometry unit 204 performs error processing indicating that the pre-flash of the flash device 300 has not been detected, and the pre-flash operation subroutine ends. As described above, when the light emission detection signal is not output from the photometry unit 204 even after the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, it is determined that the flash device cannot emit light even if the light emission start signal is transmitted due to the occurrence of a communication error or the like. can do. As an error process in step S2010, an error flag may be set, an error notification may be issued to a control IC (not shown) different from the camera microcomputer 203, or a sequence of returning to step S2002 or S2003 again. Good. Moreover, you may alert | report to a user that the error generate | occur | produced by the alerting | reporting means not shown.

  In step S2007, after transmitting the pre-flash start signal via the radio wave communication unit 202, the camera microcomputer 203 determines whether or not the flash detection signal from the photometry unit 204 is detected, and the flash detection signal from the photometry unit 204 is received. If detected, the process proceeds to step S2008. If the light emission detection signal is not detected, the process returns to step S2006.

  In step S2008, the camera microcomputer 203 determines whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the output of the pre-flash start signal until the flash detection signal is detected. If the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2009. If the predetermined time T1 has not elapsed, it is determined that the photometry unit 204 has erroneously detected, and the process returns to step S2006.

  As described above, when the photometry unit 204 detects the light emission earlier than the pre-light emission start time assumed in advance, it is determined that the light is detected by another light source and waits for the pre-light emission to be performed again. Thus, the delay time can be measured accurately. The relationship between the predetermined time T1 (first predetermined time) and the predetermined time T2 (second predetermined time) is T1 <T2, as shown in FIG.

  In step S2009, the camera microcomputer 203 delays the value when the light emission detection signal of the timer that has been operated is detected, that is, the elapsed time from when the pre-light emission start signal is output until the light emission detection signal is detected. It memorize | stores as time T and progresses to step S2011. Then, the sub-emission operation subroutine is completed.

  Since the processing of the flash device microcomputer 307 when receiving the light emission start signal by the antenna 309 and the radio wave communication unit 308 of the flash device 300 in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, when a light emission detection signal is output from the photometry unit 204 within a predetermined period, it is determined that pre-light emission has been detected, so that light from a light source different from the target flash device is detected and pre-light emission is performed. It is possible to reduce false detections that are judged as follows. Therefore, the delay time can be measured more accurately, and the main exposure of the imaging device and the main light emission of the light emitting device can be accurately synchronized.

  In addition, if the pre-flash cannot be detected within a predetermined period based on the time when the pre-flash start signal is output, the flash device cannot emit light even if the flash start signal is transmitted due to a communication error or the like. Can be detected.

  As for the method for acquiring the delay time, other methods may be used as in the first embodiment. For example, the number of images that can be determined to be pre-flashed by performing continuous shooting at high speed is taken. The delay time may be measured depending on whether or not. In this case, an image taken before the predetermined time T1 may not be determined as a pre-flashed image. Alternatively, continuous shooting may be started when the predetermined time T1 has elapsed.

  In addition, since the predetermined time T1 and the predetermined time T2 are set in advance assuming a period during which the pre-flash is likely to be started, the predetermined time T1 and the predetermined time T2 are changed according to the communication method, the communication rate, and the like. You may do it.

[Third Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the camera and the flash device in the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the delay time measurement operation. When the flash device performs pre-emission, a pre-emission confirmation signal indicating that pre-emission has been performed is transmitted to the camera. It is configured. Further, the camera microcomputer 203 determines that pre-light emission has been performed by receiving both the light emission detection signal from the photometry unit 204 and the pre-light emission confirmation signal from the flash device. With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately specify the pre-light emission of the target flash device from the light emission detected by the photometry unit 204, and it is possible to further reduce false detection by another light source. Further, by transmitting a pre-flash confirmation signal from the flash device to the camera, it can be confirmed that communication is normally performed between the camera and the flash device.

  The delay time measurement operation in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12 and the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 14, the upper horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the camera, and the lower horizontal axis indicates the time axis of the flash device. In addition, since steps S3001 to S3008 in FIG. 12 perform the same processes as steps S2001 to S2008 in FIG. 10 described in the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

  If it is determined in step S3008 that the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, in step S3009, the camera microcomputer 203 stores the value when the light emission detection signal of the operated timer is detected as a temporary delay time T3. Then, the process proceeds to step S3010.

  In step S <b> 3010, the camera microcomputer 203 determines whether or not a pre-flash confirmation signal indicating that the flash device 300 has performed pre-flash has been received from the flash device 300. If the pre-flash confirmation signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S3011. If not received, the process proceeds to step S3012.

  In step S3011, the provisional delay time T3 stored in step S3009 is determined as the delay time T, the process proceeds to step S3015, and the pre-emission operation subroutine is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S3010 that the signal has not been received, in step S3012, the camera microcomputer 203 determines whether a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the output of the pre-flash start signal. If it is determined that the predetermined time T2 has not elapsed, the process returns to step S3010. If it is determined that the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3013 to perform error processing.

  Next, processing of the flash device microcomputer 307 when the pre-flash start signal is received by the antenna 309 and the radio wave communication unit 308 of the flash device 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that steps S3101 to S3104 perform the same processes as steps S1101 to S1104 of FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

  In step S3104, after the light emission control unit 306 is turned off, in step S3105, a pre-emission confirmation signal for notifying the camera 200 that pre-emission has been performed is transmitted from the antenna 309 via the radio wave communication unit 308. The transmission timing of the pre-flash confirmation signal corresponds to T3208 in FIG. When the pre-flash confirmation signal is transmitted, the process proceeds to S3106, and the pre-flash processing subroutine is terminated.

  As described above, by transmitting a pre-emission confirmation signal to the camera 200 after the flash device 300 performs pre-emission, the target pre-emission is accurately identified even if the photometry unit 204 detects a plurality of emissions. be able to. Specifically, the light emission detection and the light emission confirmation signal are received within a predetermined period (between the predetermined time T1 and less than the predetermined time T2) with respect to the time point when the pre-light emission start signal is output. In this case, it can be determined that pre-emission from the target light emitting device has been detected. In other words, the delay time can be measured more accurately, and the main exposure of the imaging device and the main light emission of the light emitting device can be accurately synchronized. Further, by transmitting a pre-flash confirmation signal from the flash device to the camera, it can be confirmed that communication is normally performed between the camera and the flash device.

  As for the method for obtaining the delay time, other methods may be used as in the first and second embodiments. Further, it is determined that the pre-flash from the target light-emitting device is detected when the light-emission confirmation signal is received within a predetermined time after the light emission is detected, with no limitation on the light-emission detection period of the photometry unit 204. You may make it the structure which does.

  In the above three embodiments, the delay time for radio communication by radio waves is acquired by measuring the time from when the pre-flash start signal is output until the pre-flash is detected. The configuration may be such that the delay time is acquired. For example, the delay time may be acquired when performing modeling light emission for confirming in advance the irradiation direction of the flash device during flash photography.

  In the above three embodiments, the configuration in which the imaging device includes the radio wave communication unit and the antenna has been described. However, the imaging device can also be applied to an imaging device equipped with a communication device capable of radio communication with the light emitting device. it can. Similarly, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the light emitting device does not include a radio wave communication unit and an antenna, and the light emitting device is equipped with a communication device capable of radio communication with the imaging device using radio waves.

  In addition, if the imaging device can grasp the time from the output of the light emission start signal to the transmission of the communication data in which the light emission start signal is modulated to the flash device, the communication is not performed after the light emission start signal is output. The delay time may be obtained by measuring the time after data transmission.

  In the above three embodiments, the case where the flash device using the discharge tube as the light emitting means is used as the light emitting device has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a light emitting device using other light emitting means such as an LED.

  Further, the configuration relating to the measurement of the delay time may be performed by a light emitting device or a communication device attached to the imaging device instead of the imaging device. For example, when the microcomputer of the light emitting device attached to the imaging device receives a light emission start signal for the slave device from the imaging device, the internal timer is operated, and if the light receiving unit of the light emitting device detects light emission of the slave device, the timer at that time May be transmitted to the imaging apparatus.

100 camera system 200 camera 201 antenna (camera side)
202 Radio communication unit (camera side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 203 Camera microcomputer 204 Photometry part 205 Image pick-up part 300 Flash apparatus 307 Flash apparatus microcomputer 308 Radio wave communication part (flash apparatus side)
309 Antenna (flash device side)

Claims (10)

An imaging device that performs radio communication with a light emitting device via radio waves via a communication means,
And signal output means for outputting a light emission start signal for the previous SL-emitting device to said communication means,
A light emitting detection means for detecting the light emission,
Determination means for determining whether or not the light emission detected by the light emission detection means is light emission by the light emitting device;
An acquisition means for acquiring a time difference between a predetermined reference time and a time determined based on a detection result of the light emission detection means ;
Control means for controlling an interval between a time point at which a light emission start signal is output to the light emitting device by the signal output means and a time point at which an operation to be performed corresponding to light emission of the light emitting device is started based on the time difference;
An imaging device comprising: The light emitting detection means is a light measuring means for measuring the luminance of an object, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that for detecting the light emission based on the luminance change of the subject. The light emitting detection means detects the light emission based on a plurality of images consecutive to shoot after outputting the light emission start signal by the signal output means,
The acquisition unit, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that acquires the time difference based on whether the image has been detected by Ri onset light to the light emitting detection means is taken many sheet continuous shooting . The determination means determines that the light emission detected by the light emission detection means within a predetermined period based on a time point when the light emission start signal is output by the signal output means is light emission by the light emitting device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The determination means receives, via the communication means, a light emission confirmation signal indicating that the light emitting apparatus has emitted light within a predetermined time after the light emission is detected by the light emission detecting means. If it is, the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that it is determined that emit the light emission by the light emitting device 3. The determination unit is configured to detect the light emission by the light emission detection unit and transmit the light emission from the light emitting device within a predetermined period based on a time point when the signal output unit outputs the light emission start signal. If the device is received via the communication means a luminous confirmation signal indicating that performed emission, any one of claims 1, characterized in that it is determined that emit the light emission by the light emitting device 3 The imaging device described in 1. The acquisition means acquires the time difference in response to outputting the pre-flash start signal by the signal output means,
Said control means, based on said time difference, said signal output means by the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to control the interval between the time of starting the operation relating to the time and the exposure for outputting the light emission start signal The imaging device according to any one of the above. The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined reference time is a time when a radio wave signal corresponding to the light emission start signal is output by the communication unit. apparatus. 8. The time point as the predetermined reference is a time point when an arbitrarily set time has elapsed after the light emission start signal is output by the signal output means. The imaging apparatus of Claim 1. A camera system in which an imaging device and a light emitting device perform wireless communication using radio waves via a communication means,
A signal output means for outputting a light emission start signal for the light emitting device to the communication means;
A light emitting detection means for detecting the light emission,
Determination means for determining whether or not the light emission detected by the light emission detection means is light emission by the light emitting device;
An acquisition means for acquiring a time difference between a predetermined reference time and a time determined based on a detection result of the light emission detection means ;
Control means for controlling an interval between a time point at which a light emission start signal is output to the light emitting device by the signal output means and a time point at which an operation to be performed corresponding to light emission of the light emitting device is started based on the time difference;
A camera system comprising:

Images