JPH095813A - Image blurring correcting device and optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To automatically switch the actuation state or the non-actuation state of a correction means without operating an external switch by providing an actuation state setting means switching the actuation or the non-actuation state of the correction means based on an output from a line-of-sight detecting means. CONSTITUTION: The line-of-sight detecting means 104 to 110 obtain a visual line(gazing point) by projecting a luminous flux from a light source 104 to the front eye part of a photographer's eye 15 and utilizing a cornea reflected image based on reflected light from the cornea and the image-formation position of a pupil. Then, the actuation state setting means, that is, a frequency detection means 21' is provided, which switches the actuation or the non-actuation state of the correction means, that is, a variable apex angle prism 9 and a driving circuit 8 in accordance with the output from the detecting means 104 to 110. By obtaining positional information on the line of sight, for example, from the output from the detecting means 104 to 110 and detecting whether vibration is caused or not, the actuation or the non-actuation state of a prism 9 and a driving circuit 8 being the correction means is switched.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image blur correction device provided in a camera or the like and an improvement of an optical device having an image blur correction function and a visual axis detection function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part of a conventional image blur correction device, and its description will be given below.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes an angular velocity detecting means such as a vibration gyro, which is attached to the photographing device. Two
Is a DC cut filter (or a high-pass filter that cuts off the signal in an arbitrary band) that cuts off the DC component of the velocity signal output from the angular velocity detection means 1. An amplifier 3 amplifies the input angular velocity signal to an appropriate sensitivity. Reference numeral 4 is an A / D converter, 5 is an HPF having a function capable of varying the characteristics in an arbitrary band, 6 is an integrating circuit, 7 is a phase and gain correction means, and 20 is a shooting state such as pan / tilt. 21 is a frequency detecting means.

The A / D converter 4 to the phase and gain correction means 7, and the photographing state determination means 20 and the frequency detection means 21 are realized by, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter, microcomputer).

The A / D converter 4 converts the input angular velocity signal into a digital value, and the integrating circuit 7 converts the angular velocity signal through the HPF 5 into an angular displacement signal. Further, the photographing state discrimination means 20 discriminates the photographing state such as pan / tilt using the angular velocity signal from the A / D converter 4 and the angular displacement signal from the integration circuit 6, and based on the discrimination result. To change the characteristics of the HPF5. Further, the frequency detecting means 2
Reference numeral 1 detects the frequency of the input angular velocity signal and outputs the detected frequency to the phase and gain correction means 7. The phase and gain correction means 7 corrects the phase and gain of the angular displacement signal input based on the signal from the frequency detection means 21, and the corrected angular displacement signal is a D / A converter (not shown). Is converted into an analog value or is output from the microcomputer as a pulse output such as PWM.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a drive circuit which drives the variable apex angle prism 9 so as to suppress image shake based on a signal input from the microcomputer via the adder 17 and the amplifier 18. The adder 17 is supplied with a control signal from the phase / gain correction means 7 and an output signal from a light receiving element 99 for detecting the apex angle of the variable apex angle prism 9 which will be described later. The variable apex angle prisms 9 are controlled to be equal. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image from which the camera shake of the photographer has been removed.

The variable apex angle prism 9 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent elastic material having a high refractive index or an inert liquid 93 is filled between the two transparent parallel plates 91 and 92 facing each other, and the outer periphery thereof is sealed with a sealing material 94 such as a resin film. The transparent parallel plates 91 and 92 are elastically sealed so that they can swing relative to each other.

Then, one of the two transparent parallel plates 91, 92 of the variable apex angle prism 9 is the transparent parallel plate 91.
It is rotatably supported by a support frame 9a around b, and the apex angle can be varied by this.

The support frame 9a also rotatably supports the transparent parallel plate 91 by a support mechanism (not shown) in the axial direction orthogonal to the shaft 9b, thereby correcting camera shake in the X and Y directions. You can do it. An actuator and an apex angle sensor, which will be described below, are provided for both of these axes, but for convenience of explanation, only the direction of the axis 9b will be described.

An actuator for driving the variable apex angle prism 9 comprises a coil 95 and a magnet 96 attached to a projecting piece integrally formed on the support frame 9a.
When a current is passed through the coil 95, the support frame 9a is rotated about the shaft 9b by the electromagnetic force generated between the two, and the apex angle of the variable apex angle prism 9 is changed. Therefore, the driving amount and direction of the variable apex angle prism 9 can be controlled by the amount of current supplied to the coil 95.

Further, the apex angle sensor for detecting the apex angle of the variable apex angle prism 9 is driven by a drive circuit 97 arranged vertically with a slit plate 9c formed integrally with the support frame 9a interposed therebetween. The slit plate 9c is composed of a light emitting element 98 such as an LED and a light receiving element 99 such as a PSD. The slit plate 9c moves according to the vertical angle displacement of the variable vertical angle prism 9, and the slit image moves on the light receiving element 99. The apex angle of the variable apex angle prism 9 can be detected.

Assuming that the apex angle of the variable apex angle prism 9 is δ and the refractive index of the high refractive index liquid 93 is n, the incident light flux from the subject passes through the variable apex angle prism 99 according to the principle of a wedge prism. The light is deflected by an inclination angle φ (φ = (n−1) δ) and emitted. Then, the light flux whose incident angle is thus changed by the variable apex angle prism 9 is imaged on the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 11 such as CCD by the lens unit 10, and the image pickup device 11 performs photoelectric conversion of the incident light. A signal is output, and is subjected to appropriate signal processing by the camera signal processing circuit 12 and then input to the recorder 13. Further, the signal from the camera signal processing circuit 12 is input to the image display device 14 such as an LCD, and is provided to the photographer's eye 15 as an image here.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a switch for selecting whether to activate or deactivate the entire image blur correction device, which is turned on or off at the time of photographing or before photographing according to the judgment of the photographer.

[0014]

By the way, in the above-described conventional image blur correction device, since the operation / non-operation of the device is performed by the photographer's judgment (by operating the switch 22), the following is performed. There was a problem.

1) Shooting is started with the switch 22 in the off state, but even if the user wants to activate the image blur correction function because of a large amount of camera shake during shooting, the switch 22 must be manually turned on. I won't.

2) In the reverse of the above 1), the shooting is started with the switch 22 turned on, but it is not necessary to activate the image blur correction function during the shooting (for example, handheld shooting is changed to tripod fixed shooting). In such a case), the photographer must manually turn off the switch 22 one by one. At this time, the switch 22 is turned off in order to prevent the useless power consumption because the power of the device is always consumed as long as the switch 22 is turned on even when there is no camera shake. .

Further, the output from the angular velocity detecting means 1 is used to detect the photographing state such as pan / tilt and the center frequency of the camera shake is detected, and the characteristics of the HPF 5 and the gain / phase characteristics are changed as described above, thereby causing the camera shake. However, since the image blur correction is controlled by using only the output of the angular velocity detecting means 1, there is a time delay until the optimal control state is achieved. .

(Object of the Invention) A first object of the present invention is to provide an image blur correction device and an optical device capable of automatically switching the operating / non-operating state of the correction means without operating an external switch. Is to provide.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image blur correction device capable of quickly performing an optimum image blur correction operation.

[0020]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention according to claims 1 and 2 determines whether the correction means is operated or not based on the output from the line-of-sight detection means. The operating state setting means for switching is provided, for example, the position information of the line of sight is obtained from the output of the line-of-sight detecting means, and it is detected whether or not vibration is occurring, and the operating state or non-operating state of the correcting means is switched.

In order to achieve the second object,
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided control means for correcting the output of the vibration detecting means based on the output from the visual axis detecting means, generating a drive signal for the correcting means, and controlling the driving of the correcting means. The frequency and amplitude information of the line of sight is obtained from the output of the detection means, the output of the vibration detection means is corrected based on this information, and the drive signal of the correction means is generated.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an image blur correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the conventional device shown in FIG. To do.

The light flux from the subject that has passed through the variable apex angle prism 9 is imaged on the image pickup device 11 by the lens unit 10. Then, it is photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device 11 and output as an image signal to the camera signal processing circuit 12, where it is subjected to predetermined processing and then output to a display device 14 such as an LCD and a recorder 13. As a result, a subject image is displayed on the display device 14, which is observed by the photographer's eyes 15 and recorded as an image on the recorder 13.

Reference numerals 104 to 110, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, project a light beam from a light source onto the anterior segment of the photographer's eye 15 and utilize the corneal reflection image based on the reflected light from the cornea and the image forming position of the pupil. The line-of-sight detecting means for obtaining the visual axis (gazing point) is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-172552.

Here, the structure of the line-of-sight detecting means and its general operation will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 104 denotes a light source such as a light emitting diode which emits infrared light insensitive to an observer,
It is arranged on the focal plane of the light projecting lens 106.

The infrared light projected from the light source 104 becomes parallel light by the light projecting lens 106, and the half mirror 10
The cornea 1 of the eyeball 101 (corresponding to the eye 15) reflected by 5
Illuminate 02. At this time, the corneal reflection image d based on a part of the infrared light reflected on the surface of the cornea 102 is the half mirror 10.
5, the light is collected by the light receiving lens 107, and the CCD
The corneal reflection image d at the position d ′ on the image sensor 108 such as
Re-image.

Light fluxes from the ends a and b of the iris 103 are guided onto the image sensor 108 via the half mirror 105 and the light receiving lens 107, and their positions a'and b '.
The images of the end portions a and b are formed on.

When the rotation angle θ of the optical axis a of the eyeball 101 with respect to the optical axis a of the light receiving lens 107 is small, the iris 103
If the Z-coordinates of the edges a and b of the iris are Za and Zb, the iris 10
The coordinate Zc of the center position c of 3 is expressed as ZC≈ (Za + Zb) / 2.

When the Z coordinate of the position d of the corneal reflection image is Zd and the distance between the center of curvature O of the cornea 101 and the center C of the iris 103 is OC, the rotation angle θ of the optical axis a of the eyeball is OC · sin θ. ≈Zc-Zd ··· (1) The relational expression is substantially satisfied.

Therefore, each singular point projected on the image sensor 108 (corneal reflection image d and iris edges a and b)
The angle of rotation θ of the optical axis a of the eyeball can be obtained by detecting the position of 1 by the visual axis detection circuit 109 of FIG. At this time, the above equation (1) is rewritten as β · OC · sin θ≈ (Za ′ + Zb ′) / 2−Zd (2). Here, β is the position d where the corneal reflection image is generated.
And the distance L0 between the light receiving lens 107 and the distance L0 between the light receiving lens 107 and the image sensor 108.

By detecting the direction of the line of sight (gazing point) of the eye to be inspected by the photographer in this manner, it is possible to know which position on the finder surface the photographer is observing in, for example, a video camera. it can.

In FIG. 1, only the line-of-sight detecting means for detecting the vertical line-of-sight is shown, but it is also provided with the line-of-sight detecting means for detecting the line-of-sight in the left-right direction (perpendicular to the paper). Needless to say.

The output signal of the line-of-sight detection circuit 109 shown in FIG. 1 is input to the frequency detecting means 21 'in the microcomputer, where the line-of-sight information (frequency / amplitude and position of the line of sight) is obtained. Further, in the frequency detecting means 21 ', the center frequency of the image shake is also obtained from the angular velocity signal from the angular velocity detecting means 1 as in the conventional case.

From the line-of-sight information, it is possible to know, for example, whether it is a panning state or a camera shake state. In other words, when camera shake occurs, the image displayed on the display device 14 also shakes, for example, left and right, and the line of sight of the photographer also shakes left and right accordingly (to follow the main subject with the eyes).
Therefore, by detecting this kind of information from the line-of-sight information (depending on the direction of the line-of-sight and its speed, etc.), it is possible to know the approximate amount of camera shake, and the line-of-sight moves in one direction at a constant speed. When it is detected that there is a pan, it is possible to know that panning is in progress, for example.

Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically control the actuation / non-actuation of the variable apex angle prism 9 by cutting off the power supply to the drive circuit 8 as described later on the basis of the amount of camera shake obtained from the line-of-sight information. .

Further, the frequency characteristic obtained from the angular velocity detecting means 1 is changed according to the line-of-sight information indicating that the line of sight moves in one direction, and the characteristic of the HPF 5 is changed and the phase and gain correcting means 7 are controlled. As a result, it is possible to quickly determine the shooting state, that is, to quickly perform image blur correction.

Next, the operation of the portion relating to the operation / non-operation of the variable apex angle prism, which is the correcting means by the microcomputer of FIG. 1, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 201, it is judged whether or not the image blur correction operation is being performed. If the image blur correction operation is in progress, the process proceeds to step 202 and the input angular velocity signal is A / D converted to detect the amount of camera shake. . Then, in the next step 203, it is determined whether or not the amount of camera shake is less than or equal to the predetermined value a, and if it exceeds the predetermined value a, step 20
7, the power supply to the drive circuit 8 is continued, the operating state of the variable apex angle prism 9 is maintained, and the process returns to step 201.

If the amount of camera shake is less than or equal to the predetermined value a in step 203, then step 204
Then, the process advances to (5) where the line-of-sight information is fetched from the line-of-sight detecting means.
Then, in the next step 205, the predetermined value b is compared with the shake amount obtained from the line-of-sight information. If the shake amount obtained from the line-of-sight information exceeds the predetermined value b, the process proceeds to step 207 described above to drive. The power supply to the circuit 8 is continued to maintain the operating state of the variable apex angle prism 9, and step 2
Return to 01.

If the amount of camera shake obtained from the line-of-sight information in step 205 is less than or equal to the predetermined value b, it is determined that it is not necessary to continue the image shake correction operation, and the drive circuit for driving the variable apex angle prism 9 is provided. Stop power supply to 8,
That is, the variable apex angle prism 9 is switched from the operating state to the non-operating state, and the process returns to step 201.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 201 that the shake correction operation is stopped, the routine proceeds to step 208, where the input angular velocity signal is A / D converted to detect the amount of camera shake. And the next step 20
In 9, it is determined whether or not the amount of camera shake is equal to or greater than a predetermined value c, and if it is less than the predetermined value c, the process proceeds to step 213, where the power supply to the drive circuit 8 is stopped and the variable apex angle prism 9 is continuously operated. The non-operating state is maintained, and the process returns to step 201.

If the amount of camera shake is greater than or equal to the predetermined value a in step 209, then step 210
Then, the process advances to (5) where the line-of-sight information is fetched from the line-of-sight detecting means.
Then, in the next step 211, the predetermined value d is compared with the shake amount obtained from the line-of-sight information, and if the shake amount obtained from the line-of-sight information is less than the predetermined value b, the process proceeds to step 213 described above to drive. The power supply to the circuit 8 is continuously stopped to keep the variable apex angle prism 9 in the inoperative state, and the process returns to step 201.

If the amount of camera shake obtained from the line-of-sight information is greater than or equal to the predetermined value d in step 211, the camera shake is large, so power supply to the drive circuit 8 is started to start the image shake correction operation. The variable apex angle prism 9 is switched from the non-operating state to the operating state by returning to step 201.

As described above, the variable-angle prism 9 (driving circuit 8) is activated / deactivated by providing the shake correcting device with the visual axis detecting means or by using the visual axis detecting means already provided. It can be automatically set, and the troublesomeness of the photographer having to perform the on / off operation of the external switch one by one depending on the hand shake situation can be eliminated.

Further, since the drive control of the variable apex angle prism is performed in consideration of the line-of-sight information, it is possible to quickly perform image blur correction.

As described above, it is possible to significantly improve the overall performance of the image blur correction device as compared with the conventional image blur correction device.

(Correspondence between Invention and Embodiment) In this embodiment, the variable apex angle prism 9 and the drive circuit 8 correspond to the correcting means of the present invention, and the angular velocity detecting means 1 corresponds to the vibration detecting means of the present invention. The light source 104 to the line-of-sight detection circuit 109 corresponds to the line-of-sight detection means of the present invention, and the frequency detection means 21 '.
Corresponds to the operating state setting means of the present invention, and is the A / D converter 4
To the phase and gain correction means 7, the shooting state determination means 20, and the frequency detection means 21 'correspond to the control means of the present invention.

(Modification) In the present invention, the angular velocity detecting means such as the vibration gyro is used as the shake detecting means, but the angular acceleration detecting means, the acceleration detecting means, the speed detecting means, the angular displacement detecting means, the displacement detecting means, Further, any method such as a method of detecting the image shake itself may be used as long as the shake can be detected.

The present invention shows an example in which a variable apex angle prism is used as the light flux changing means, but the invention is not limited to this, and a shift optical system for moving an optical member in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. Any means such as a light flux changing means such as or, a means for moving the photographing surface in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, a means for correcting shake by image processing, and the like can be used as long as the shake can be prevented. Good.

Although the present invention has been described as applied to a camera such as a single-lens reflex camera, a lens shutter camera, and a video camera, it is also applicable to other optical devices having a vibration isolation function and a line-of-sight detection function. Is something that can be done.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Based on the output from the line-of-sight detection means, the operation of the correction means
The operating state setting means for switching the non-operating state is provided, for example, the position information of the line of sight is obtained from the output of the line-of-sight detecting means, and it is detected whether or not vibration is occurring, and the operating state or the non-operating state of the correcting means is switched. I have to.

Therefore, the operating / non-operating state of the correcting means can be automatically switched without operating the external switch.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided control means for correcting the output of the vibration detecting means on the basis of the output from the line-of-sight detecting means to generate the drive signal of the correcting means and for controlling the driving of the correcting means. The frequency and amplitude information of the line of sight is obtained from the output of the line-of-sight detection means, the output of the vibration detection means is corrected based on this information, and the drive signal of the correction means is generated.

Therefore, the optimum image blur correction operation can be quickly performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of an image blur correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a visual axis detecting operation by a visual axis detecting means in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a part related to actuation / non-actuation of a variable apex angle prism by the microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a conventional image blur correction device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Angular velocity detection means 4 A / D converter 5 HPF 6 Integration circuit 8 Drive circuit 7 Phase and gain correction means 9 Variable apex angle prism 11 Image sensor 20 Imaging state determination means 21 'Frequency detection means 104 Light source 105 Half mirror 106 Light projection Lens 107 Light receiving lens 108 Image sensor 109 Line-of-sight detection circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A vibration detecting means for detecting vibration, a correcting means for correcting an image blur caused by the vibration, and a control means for controlling driving of the correcting means based on an output of the vibration detecting means. An image blur correction device including a line-of-sight detection unit that detects the line-of-sight of the observer's screen, and an operation state setting unit that switches the operation state and the non-operation state of the correction unit based on the output from the line-of-sight detection unit. . 2. An image blur correction comprising vibration detection means for detecting vibration, correction means for correcting image blur caused by the vibration, and control means for controlling the correction means based on the output of the vibration detection means. An optical device comprising: means and a visual axis detecting means for detecting a visual axis in an observer's screen, wherein the operating state is such that the correcting means is switched between an operating state and a non-operating state based on an output from the visual line detecting means. An optical device comprising setting means. 3. A vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration, a correcting means for correcting an image blur caused by the vibration, a visual line detecting means for detecting a visual line in a screen of an observer, and the visual line detecting means. An image blur correction apparatus including: a control unit that corrects the output of the vibration detection unit based on the output of the control unit, generates a drive signal of the correction unit, and controls the drive of the correction unit.