JP7195893B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device having an external display unit and a viewfinder.

In the imaging apparatus as described above, it is often the case that the external display unit or the viewfinder is controlled so that the subject image is displayed on only one of them. In the imaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a sensor for detecting a nearby object is arranged near the viewfinder, and when the sensor detects that the face of the user who is looking into the viewfinder is approaching, an external image is detected. Stop the display unit display and start the viewfinder display. Also, when it detects that the user's face has moved away from the viewfinder, the display on the viewfinder is stopped and the display on the external display unit is started.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-71971

However, in some cases, the sensor is provided in an external display unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the body of the imaging device rather than in the vicinity of the viewfinder. In this case, the approach of the user's face to the viewfinder cannot be detected when the external display unit is open with respect to the main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an imaging device capable of detecting the face of a user looking through a viewfinder even when the external display unit is open.

An imaging device as one aspect of the present invention includes a main body that takes an image, an external display unit that can move between an open position and a closed position with respect to the main body, a viewfinder provided on the main body, and an object. It has a sensor for detecting and control means for causing an external display unit to display when no object is detected and a viewfinder to display when an object is detected. As the sensor, a first sensor provided on the display surface side of the external display unit and a position covered by the external display unit in the closed position of the main body and exposed when the external display unit moves to the open position and a second sensor provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: a body for capturing an image; an external display unit movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the body; and a viewfinder provided on the body. and a sensor for detecting an object, and control means for causing the external display unit to display when the object is not detected, and for causing the viewfinder to display when the object is detected. The sensor includes a first sensor provided on the display surface side of the external display unit and a second sensor provided on the side opposite to the display surface side of the external display unit.

According to the present invention, by providing the first sensor in the external display unit, it is possible to reduce the size of the imaging device, and by providing the second sensor, the object (even when the external display unit is in the open position) can be detected. The user's face) can be detected and displayed in the viewfinder.

1 is a perspective view showing a camera that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a pop-up of the electronic viewfinder in the camera of the first embodiment; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an open/closed state of the external display unit in the camera of the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a camera that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view showing a camera that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit in the camera of Example 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the camera of the first embodiment;

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

1(a) and 1(b) show a digital camera 100 as an image pickup apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the rear side. 2(a) to (c) and FIGS. 3(a) and (b) show the digital camera 100 as seen from the side.

A main body (hereinafter referred to as a camera main body) 101 of the digital camera 100 has an imaging lens 109 on its front surface and an imaging element (see FIG. 6) inside. An external display unit 102 is provided on the back of the camera body 101 . The external display unit 102 has an external display device such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel. and display various imaging information. Various imaging information includes shutter speed, aperture value, AF area, the number of captured images, the number of remaining images that can be captured, and the like.

The external display unit 102 is rotatable (movable) with respect to the camera body 101 around a hinge portion 102 a provided near the bottom surface of the camera body 101 . Specifically, the external display unit 102 has a closed position in which the display surface 102a faces backward (a direction opposite to the direction of the imaging lens 109) as shown in FIGS. As shown in (b) and FIG. 3(b), the display surface 102a is rotatable between an open position facing forward (a direction opposite to the direction of the imaging lens 109).

An electronic viewfinder 103 is provided on the top of the camera body 101 . The electronic viewfinder 103 is stored in the camera body 101 as shown in FIG. It can be moved between the pop-up position and the pop-up position with respect to the camera body 101 .

With the electronic viewfinder 103 at the retracted position as shown in FIG. 2A, the user operates the pop-up lever 105 provided on the side surface of the camera body 101 . As a result, the electronic viewfinder 103 is popped up from the camera body 101 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the user pulls out the eyepiece 103a from the electronic viewfinder 103 by hand. In this state, a finder image is displayed on a finder display device such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel provided inside the electronic viewfinder 103, so that a user looking into the electronic viewfinder 103 can observe the finder image. can be done. However, the finder image is displayed in the electronic viewfinder 103 only when the user's face (object) looking into the electronic viewfinder 103 is detected by a first proximity sensor 104a or a second proximity sensor 104b, which will be described later. ) is detected.

A first proximity sensor 104a as a first sensor is provided at a position (upper portion) close to the electronic viewfinder 103 in the external display unit 102 on the display surface side of the external display unit 102 and in the closed position. there is A second proximity sensor 104b as a second sensor is located on the rear surface of the camera body 101, covered by the external display unit 102 at the closed position, and exposed when the external display unit 102 is rotated to the open position. is provided in

The first proximity sensor 104a is approaching the electronic viewfinder 103 and the light-emitting portion that emits infrared light in the direction of the arrow in FIG. and a light-receiving unit that detects reflected light reflected by an object (hereinafter referred to as a proximate object). On the other hand, the second proximity sensor 104b has a light emitting part that emits infrared light in the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. and a light receiving portion for detecting external light (reflected light). The distance to a nearby object can be detected based on the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving section of each proximity sensor.

When the user brings the face F closer to the eyepiece 103a and the distance detected by the first proximity sensor 104a becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, it is determined that the user is looking into the eyepiece 103a. can do. In response to this determination, display on the external display unit 102 is stopped and display on the electronic viewfinder 103 is started.

Here, the reason why the first proximity sensor 104a is provided in the external display unit 102 will be described. When the first proximity sensor 104a is provided in the camera body 101, it is necessary to place the first proximity sensor 104a at a position not covered by the external display unit 102 in the closed position. For this purpose, it is necessary to increase the outer shape of the camera body 101 or reduce the outer shape of the external display unit 102 . In other words, undesirable results such as an increase in the size of the camera 100 and a reduction in the size of the external display unit 102 are caused. For this reason, the first proximity sensor 104a is provided in the external display unit 102 in this embodiment.

On the other hand, the second proximity sensor 104b covered by the external display unit 102 at the closed position is exposed rearward when the external display unit 102 rotates to the open position, thereby enabling detection of an approaching object. Become. For example, when the user rotates the external display unit 102 to the open position so that the display surface 102a faces forward (toward the user) for the purpose of taking a selfie, the second display unit 102 is opened as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. One proximity sensor 104a also faces forward. Therefore, the face F approaching the electronic viewfinder 103 from behind cannot be detected by the first proximity sensor 104a.

In such a state, the second proximity sensor 104b can detect a face F approaching the electronic viewfinder 103 from behind, as indicated by a thick arrow in FIG. In response to this detection (determination that the user is looking into the eyepiece 103a), display on the external display unit 102 is stopped and display on the electronic viewfinder 103 is started.

Whether or not the proximity object can be detected by the second proximity sensor 104b can be determined from the detection result of whether the external display unit 102 is at the closed position or at the open position. Specifically, it is determined that detection is possible when the external display unit 102 is at the open position, and it is determined that detection is not possible when the external display unit 102 is at the closed position.

Whether or not the external display unit 102 is in the closed position is determined by an open/close detector (open/close detector) configured using a switch that turns ON at the closed position, an encoder that detects the rotation angle of the external display unit 102, or the like. means). Further, the second proximity sensor 104b detects the distance to a nearby object (here, the external display unit 102) and the ambient brightness (light receiving brightness), and the detected distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, and the detected ambient brightness is equal to or less than a predetermined luminance, it may be determined that the external display unit 102 is in the closed position.

If the second proximity sensor 104b cannot detect a nearby object, it is desirable to stop the operation of the second proximity sensor 104b in order to reduce the power consumption of the camera 100. FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an electric circuit in the camera 100 of this embodiment. A subject image as an optical image formed by an imaging optical system 120 in an imaging lens 109 is imaged (photoelectrically converted) by an imaging element 130 such as a CMOS sensor. An output signal (imaging signal) from the imaging element 130 is input to the image processing section 140 . The image processing unit 140 performs various processes on the imaging signal to generate a finder image signal and a recording image signal. The image processing unit 140 outputs the finder image signal to the display controller 150 and outputs the recording image signal to the recording unit 160 . After compressing the image signal for recording, the recording unit 160 records it in a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card.

A display controller 150 as control means includes an external display device 170 provided in the external display unit 102, a finder display device 180 in the electronic viewfinder 103, the above-described open/close detector 190, the first proximity switch 104a and the second proximity switch 104a. is connected to the proximity switch 104b. The display controller 150 selects which of the first proximity switch 104a and the second proximity switch 104b should detect the approaching object according to the detection result of the open/close detector 190. FIG. Then, in accordance with the detection result from the selected proximity switch, either of the external display device 170 and the viewfinder display device 180 is selected to display the viewfinder image corresponding to the viewfinder image signal.

The flow chart of FIG. 7 shows the processing executed by the display controller 150 . The display controller 150, which is a computer, executes this process according to a computer program.

In step S<b>1 , the display controller 150 determines whether the external display unit 102 is in the closed position (is it in the open position) through the open/close detector 190 . When the display controller 150 determines that the external display unit 102 is at the closed position, the process proceeds to step S2, and when it determines that the external display unit 102 is at the open position, the process proceeds to step S5.

In this step, the display controller 150 determines that the distance detected by the second proximity switch 104a is equal to or less than the predetermined distance and the detected peripheral luminance is equal to or less than the predetermined luminance, as described above. 102 may be determined to be in the closed position.

In step S2, the display controller 150 selects the first proximity sensor 104a as the proximity sensor to be used for detecting the approaching object. Then, it is determined whether or not a proximate object is detected by the first proximity sensor 104a. The display controller 150 proceeds to step S3 when a proximate object is detected, and proceeds to step S4 when a proximate object is not detected.

In step S3, the display controller 150 outputs a finder image signal to the electronic viewfinder 103 (finder display device 180) to display a finder image. On the other hand, in step S4, the display controller 150 outputs a viewfinder image signal to the external display unit 102 (external display device 170) to display a viewfinder image.

In step S5, the display controller 150 selects the second proximity sensor 104b as the proximity sensor to be used for detecting the approaching object. Then, it is determined whether or not a proximate object is detected by the second proximity sensor 104b. The display controller 150 proceeds to step S6 if a proximate object is detected, and proceeds to step S7 if a proximate object is not detected.

In step S6, the display controller 150 outputs a finder image signal to the electronic viewfinder 103 (finder display device 180) to display a finder image. On the other hand, in step S7, the display controller 150 outputs the finder image signal to the external display unit 102 (external display device 170) to display the finder image.

According to this embodiment, by providing the first proximity sensor 104a in the external display unit 102, the size of the camera 100 can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing the second proximity sensor 104b, even when the external display unit 102 is in the open position, the electronic viewfinder 103 detects the approach of an object (user's face) to display. be able to.

Although the camera 100 having an electronic viewfinder 103 has been described in this embodiment, a camera having an optical viewfinder is also included in embodiments of the present invention. Even with an optical viewfinder, imaging information such as shutter speed and aperture value may be displayed on the finder display device, and when these are displayed on the external display unit 102, it is desirable to stop the display of the finder display device.

In this embodiment, the camera 100 is provided with the hinge portion 102a so that the external display unit 102 opens downward. A camera is also included in the embodiments of the present invention. As long as one of the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor becomes undetectable due to the opening and closing of the external display unit, the opening and closing direction and the opening and closing method of the external display unit do not matter.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where each proximity sensor emits infrared light and receives the reflected light has been described. etc., any sensor may be used.

4A to 4C show a camera 100A that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, constituent elements common to those in Embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in Embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In this embodiment, a hinge portion 102b is provided so that the external display unit 102 opens laterally (horizontally) with respect to the camera body 101 . Further, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first proximity sensor 104a is provided on the surface of the external display unit 102 on the display surface side, while the proximity sensor 104a is provided on the side opposite to the display surface side of the external display unit 102. A second proximity sensor 104b is provided on the surface.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the external display unit 102 is in the closed position and the display surface 102a faces rearward, the first proximity sensor 104a also faces rearward. A nearby object can be detected by In this state, the second proximity sensor 104b faces the camera main body and cannot detect an object approaching from behind.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), when the external display unit 102 is rotated to the open position and the display surface 102a faces forward, the first proximity sensor 104a also faces forward and detects an approaching object from behind. Can not do it. However, a second proximity sensor 104b provided on the opposite side of the external display unit 102 to the first proximity sensor 104a can detect an approaching object from behind.

As shown in FIG. 4(c), the external display unit 102 of this embodiment can also be rotated around an axis extending horizontally from the state shown in FIG. 4(b), and the display surface 102a faces the camera body. Thus, the external display unit 102 can be rotated to the closed position. Even in this state, the second proximity sensor 104b can be used to detect a nearby object in the rear.

5A and 5B show a camera 100B that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, constituent elements common to those in Embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in Embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In this embodiment, the proximity sensor cannot be arranged on the external display unit 102 , in other words, the proximity sensor can be arranged only on the camera body 101 . As shown in FIG. 5A, the portion of the external display unit 102 in the closed position corresponding to the proximity sensor 104 provided on the rear surface of the camera body 101 has an opening 106 for exposing the proximity sensor 104. is formed. That is, the proximity sensor 104 is provided at a position where an object approaching from behind can be detected through the opening 106 of the external display unit 102 in the closed position. The proximity sensor 104 has a light emitter and a light receiver like the first and second proximity sensors 104a and 104b described in the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the opening may not only have a hole shape surrounded vertically and horizontally as shown in the figure, but may also have a cutout (concave) shape in which a part is not connected. Also, the opening 106 may be filled with transparent resin or glass through which the light emitted from the proximity sensor 104 and the reflected light can pass.
(Other examples)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Each embodiment described above is merely a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment in carrying out the present invention.

101 Camera body 102 External display unit 102a Display surface 103 Electronic viewfinder 104a First proximity sensor 104b Second proximity sensor 150 Display controller

Claims (5)

a main body that performs imaging;
an external display unit movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the body;
a viewfinder provided on the main body;
a sensor for detecting an object;
a control means for causing the external display unit to perform display when the object is not detected, and causing the viewfinder to perform display when the object is detected;
As the sensor,
a first sensor provided on the display surface side of the external display unit;
and a second sensor provided at a position covered by the external display unit in the closed position of the main body and exposed when the external display unit moves to the open position. Device. a main body that performs imaging;
an external display unit movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the body;
a viewfinder provided on the main body;
a sensor for detecting an object;
a control means for causing the external display unit to perform display when the object is not detected, and causing the viewfinder to perform display when the object is detected;
As the sensor,
a first sensor provided on the display surface side of the external display unit;
and a second sensor provided on the side opposite to the display surface side of the external display unit. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second sensors has a light-emitting portion that emits light, and a light-receiving portion that receives light reflected by said object out of said light. . the second sensor is a sensor capable of detecting the distance to the object and the light-receiving luminance of the second sensor;
The control means controls whether or not the object is detected by the first sensor when the distance detected by the second sensor is shorter than a predetermined distance and the light receiving luminance is lower than a predetermined luminance. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the external display unit and the viewfinder is caused to perform display. open/close detection means for detecting whether or not the external display unit is in the closed position;
5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control means selects one of said first and second sensors for detecting said object according to a result of detection by said opening/closing detection means. The imaging device described.

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