JPH0980557A - Blurring correcting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To safely and definitely determine the beginning timing of blurring correction or assigned position control, with a simple constitution, by restraining oscillation drive corresponding to an optical system or an image pickup surface, on deciding that lock releasing is not completed, when the operation of blurring correction is started. SOLUTION: When a release button 11 is fully pushed, a blurring correcting control microcomputer 22 starts to energize a fixed magnet 29. Next, the blurring correcting control microcomputer 22 is allowed to slightly drive an X encoder 31. Subsequently, a moving amount of the blurring correcting optical system is detected, through the X encoder 32. In the meantime, if the correcting optical system is moved by drive of the X motor 31, the correcting optical system is judged that it is in a lock released state. While, if the correcting optical system is not moved, the correcting optical system is judged that it is in the locked state, and the execution of blurring correcting is tentatively restrained. In this state finding of the locked state is repeated, by executing such as a focusing control again. On the other hand, when it is judged that the lock is released state, the blurring correcting control microcomputer 22 is allowed to execute the blurring correction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a blur correction device for correcting image blur caused by camera shake in a camera or other photographing equipment, and particularly to a blur correction start timing when a blur correction lock mechanism is provided. The present invention relates to a shake correction device that accurately determines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Still cameras and movie cameras cause image blur due to camera shake during shooting. Therefore, a shake correction device has been developed which measures the shake (shake) generated in the camera by using an angular velocity sensor or the like and corrects the shake.
In this type of blur correction device, an optical system for blur correction (hereinafter referred to as "correction optical system") is tiltably arranged on the optical axis of a photographing lens. The optical axis of the correction optical system is tilted in the direction in which the camera shake is cancelled, so that the shake of the subject image is corrected.

By the way, in this shake correction device, the movement of the correction optical system is not restricted unless the shake correction is executed. Therefore, when the camera is carried around, the correction optical system vibrates greatly, which causes a problem such as sound generation and damage to the correction optical system. In view of this, there has been known a conventional shake correction device that locks a correction optical system in the taking lens when the taking lens is removed from the camera (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-34525).

As a locking mechanism for such a correction optical system, one in which an electromagnetic magnet is provided in the vicinity of the correction optical system is generally known. This electromagnetic magnet is designed to lock the correction optical system when the power supply from the camera body side is stopped.

Regarding the timing of locking the correction optical system, the correction optical system is unlocked according to a start switch for shooting preparation (for example, "half-press switch of release button") and before film winding. It is known to lock the correction optical system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-11083).
No. 5). Furthermore, to improve the reliability of the unlocking operation, a state detection means for detecting the locked state of the correction optical system is provided, and the driving condition is changed until the desired locked state or the unlocked state is reached. While
There is known a shake correction device that repeats a locking operation or an unlocking operation a predetermined number of times (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-67274).

Further, there is also known a shake correction device which issues an alarm when it is determined by the state detecting means that the desired locked state or unlocked state is not reached (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-67274). . Further, there is known a shake correction device in which the function of a mechanical lock mechanism is substituted by moving (correcting) the correction optical system to a desired position (centering) and electrically controlling the position at that position (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-1999) 6-67274).

[0007]

Generally, many of the lock mechanisms of the shake correction device lock the correction optical system when the power supply to the electromagnetic magnet is stopped. for that reason,
When a trouble related to power supply occurs and power supply to the lock mechanism is stopped, the correction optical system is always locked. If blur correction or localization control is executed in this state, there is a problem that the camera is damaged because a large load is imposed on the correction optical system and the motor.

In particular, if the correction optical system is once locked due to such a power supply-related trouble, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-672.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 74, the lock cannot be released even if the lock releasing operation is repeated. In addition, even if this state is warned, a general operator has no specification for dealing with it.

Therefore, in actuality, blur correction or localization control is often executed in this state, and it is difficult to avoid the worst situation in which the camera is damaged. Furthermore, the force that restrains the movement of the correction optical system does not work during the period after the lock of the correction optical system is released until the shake correction or the localization control is started. Therefore, if a shocking vibration is applied to the camera during this period, the correction optical system vibrates greatly and is damaged.

For these reasons, it is necessary to accurately control the start timings of the shake correction and the localization control, and there are problems that the amount of data handled by the control microcomputer increases and the calculation procedure becomes complicated. Especially on the camera body side,
In order to accurately determine these start timings, it is necessary to exchange a large amount of signals relating to the photographing timing with the photographing lens side, which causes a problem that the responsiveness of the operation is significantly deteriorated.

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention has an object to provide a shake correction device which is capable of safely and accurately determining the start timing of shake correction or localization control with a simple structure. And

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swing detecting means for detecting a camera shake amount, and an optical system of the camera in a direction for canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detecting means. Alternatively, shake correction means for swinging the imaging surface,
In a shake correction device including a locking unit that locks a movement of an optical system or an image pickup surface rocked by the shake correction unit, a state detection for detecting whether the optical system or the image pickup surface is unlocked. The above-mentioned shake correction means includes means for stopping the swing drive with respect to the optical system or the imaging surface when the state detection means determines that the unlocking is not completed at the start of the shake correction operation. To do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the blur correction device according to the first aspect, the blur correction means waits until the state detection means determines that the unlocking is completed, and then the optical system. Alternatively, the oscillating drive for the imaging surface is started. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a shake detection unit that detects a shake amount of the camera, and a shake correction that shakes the optical system or the imaging surface of the camera in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detection unit. Means, localization means for controlling the optical system or the imaging surface rocked by the shake correction means to a predetermined position, and locking means for locking the movement of the optical system or the imaging surface rocked by the shake correction means. The image stabilization apparatus is provided with state detecting means for detecting a state of unlocking the optical system or the imaging surface, and the localization means described above does not unlock the state by the state detecting means at the start of the localization control operation. When it is determined to be completed, the localization control of the optical system or the image pickup surface is stopped.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the blur correction device according to the third aspect, the localization means waits until the state detection means determines that the unlocking is completed, and then the optical system or It is characterized in that the localization control on the imaging surface is started. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the shake correction device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the state detection means is predetermined from the start of unlocking the optical system or the imaging surface. It is characterized by determining that the unlocking is completed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the swing detection means for detecting the shake amount of the camera and the optical system or the image pickup surface of the camera are swung in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detection means. In a shake correction device including a shake correction unit that locks and a lock unit that locks the movement of the optical system or the imaging surface that is swung by the shake correction unit, the shake correction unit described above precedes the shake correction control. Then, the lock of the optical system or the imaging surface by the lock means is released.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a swing detecting means for detecting a shake amount of the camera and an optical system or an image pickup surface of the camera swings in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detecting means. The shake correction means, the localization system for controlling the position of the optical system or the imaging surface swung by the shake correction means to a predetermined position, and the movement of the optical system or the imaging surface swung by the shake correction means are locked. In the shake correction device including the locking means, the localization means described above is
Prior to the localization control, the lock of the optical system or the image pickup surface by the lock means is released.

[0017]

In the shake correction device according to the first aspect, when it is determined that the unlocking is not completed at the start of the shake correction operation, the shake correction means stops the swing drive of the optical system or the image pickup surface.
In the shake correction device according to the second aspect, the shake correction means waits until it is determined that the unlocking is completed, and starts the swing drive of the optical system or the imaging surface.

In the shake correction device according to the third aspect, when it is determined that the unlocking is not completed at the start of the operation of the localization control, the localization means stops the localization control of the optical system or the image pickup surface. In the blur correction device of the fourth aspect, the localization means waits until it is determined that the unlocking is completed, and starts localization control of the optical system or the imaging surface. In the shake correction device according to the fifth aspect, the state detection unit does not directly detect the unlocked state, but determines that the unlocking is completed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the unlocking operation.

In the shake correction device according to the sixth aspect, the shake correction means unlocks the lock means in preparation for starting the shake correction. In the shake correction device according to the seventh aspect, the localization means releases the lock by the locking means in preparation for starting the localization control.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the embodiment. In these figures, the camera body 1 has a release button 1
1 is arranged, and the output of the release button 11 is a body microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “body microcomputer”) 12
Connected to.

The output terminal of the body microcomputer 12 is connected to a mirror drive section 13 for vertically driving a mirror 13a, and the communication terminal of the body microcomputer 12 is connected to a communication microcomputer 21 on the side of the taking lens 2 via a lens contact 14. Connected. The input / output terminals of the communication microcomputer 21 are individually connected to the shake correction control microcomputer 22 and the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23.

The distance encoder 24 is an encoder for detecting the focus position of the taking lens 2 and converting it into an electric signal, and the outputs thereof are the shake correction control microcomputer 22, the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23, and the communication microcomputer 21.
Connected to. The zoom encoder 25 is used for the taking lens 2
There is an encoder for detecting the focal length of the and converting it into an electric signal, and its output is connected to the shake correction control microcomputer 22, the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23, and the communication microcomputer 21.

The blur correction switch 26 is a switch for setting whether or not to perform blur correction during film exposure, and its output is connected to the blur correction control microcomputer 22.
The vibration sensor 27 is a sensor circuit that detects the amount of camera shake, and its output is connected to the shake correction control microcomputer 22. As the vibration sensor 27, for example, an angle sensor can be used.

The blur correction operation switch 28 is a switch for setting whether or not to perform blur correction other than during the film exposure period, and the output thereof is the blur correction control microcomputer 22.
Connected to. The correction optical system 29a is an optical element that is tiltably arranged on the optical axis of the taking lens 2.

The fixed magnet 29 is used for the correction optical system 2
It is an electromagnetic magnet provided to lock 9a, and the shake correction control microcomputer 22 is connected to its input. When the fixed magnet 29 is energized, the correction optical system 29a is in a movable state, and when the fixed magnet 29 is not energized, the correction optical system 29a is in a fixed state. Further, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 includes an X motor driver 30 and an X motor driver 30 for swinging the correction optical system 29a in the X axis direction.
A motor 31 is connected, and the drive amount of this X motor 31 is
It is detected by the X encoder 32 and input to the shake correction control microcomputer 22.

Similarly, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 is connected with a Y motor driver 33 and a Y motor 34 that swing the correction optical system 29a in the Y axis direction. The drive amount of the Y motor 34 is the Y encoder. Detected by 35,
It is input to the shake correction control microcomputer 22. Further, the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23 includes an ultrasonic motor IC 36 and an ultrasonic motor 37 for focusing the photographing lens 2.
Is connected, and the drive amount of the ultrasonic motor 37 is detected by the encoder 38, and the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23
Is input to

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the embodiment corresponding to claims 1 and 2. The operation of the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. When power is supplied to the taking lens 2, the communication microcomputer 21 starts communication preparation (S200). Along with this communication preparation, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 and the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23 also start communication preparation (S201, 202).

When these preparations for communication are completed, the communication microcomputer 21 starts communication with the camera body 1 side via the lens contact 14 (S203). When the focus control instruction is received from the camera body 1 side (S204), the focus control instruction is transmitted to the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23. The ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23 includes a zoom encoder 25,
Focusing control is performed based on the information from the distance encoder 24.

On the other hand, when the release button 11 is fully pressed on the camera body 1 side, the camera body 1 side gives a full-press release instruction to the communication microcomputer 21 (S20).
6). Upon receipt of this release full-press instruction, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 sets a shake correction control instruction flag indicating that the shake correction control is being executed when the shake correction switch 26 is in the ON state.

Based on this shake correction control instruction, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 starts energizing the fixed magnet 29 (S208). Subsequently, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 first slightly drives the X motor 31. Then, the amount of movement of the correction optical system 29a is detected via the X encoder 32. Here, when the correction optical system 29a is moved by driving the X motor 31, it is determined that the correction optical system 29a is in the unlocked state.

On the other hand, if the correction optical system 29a does not move,
The correction optical system 29a is determined to be in the locked state. Here, if it is determined that the camera is in the locked state (S307), the execution of the shake correction is temporarily stopped while the above-described shake correction control instruction is held. In this state, the process returns to S203, focus control is performed again, and based on the held blur correction control instruction,
The detection of the locked state in S307 is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the lock is released (S
307), the shake correction control microcomputer 22 drives the X motor 31 and the Y motor 34 based on the output of the vibration sensor 27 to execute the shake correction (S308, S309).
After the film exposure and the like are performed in the shake-corrected state as described above, the process returns to step S203 to prepare for the next shooting. As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the correction optical system 29
When the unlocking of a is not completed, the X motor 31 and the Y motor 34 are not driven. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation in which the shake correction is executed while the correction optical system 29a is locked.

In particular, when the correction optical system 29a is always locked due to a power supply trouble, the shake correction is not started until the trouble is resolved, so that the worst case of camera damage can be safely and reliably performed. It can be avoided. Further, since the shake correction can be started immediately after waiting for the unlocking of the correction optical system 29a,
The time from the unlocking of the correction optical system 29a to the start of blur correction can be shortened with a simple configuration. As described above, by shortening the period during which the force for restraining the movement of the correction optical system 29a does not work, it is possible that a shocking vibration is applied to the camera during this period and the correction optical system 29a or the like is damaged. Can be lowered.

Next, another embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment corresponding to claims 1, 2, 5, and 6. Since the constituent elements of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and shown, and the description thereof is omitted here. The operation of another embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When power is supplied to the taking lens 2, the communication microcomputer 21 starts communication preparation (S200). Along with this communication preparation, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 and the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23 also start communication preparation (S201, 202). When these communication preparations are completed, the communication microcomputer 21 starts communication with the camera body 1 side via the lens contact 14 (S203).

When a focus control instruction is received from the camera body 1 side (S204), the ultrasonic motor microcomputer 2 is received.
The focus control instruction is transmitted to 3. The ultrasonic motor microcomputer 23 performs focusing control based on the information from the zoom encoder 25 and the distance encoder 24.

When the shake correction control instruction is received from the camera body 1 side (S206), the shake correction control microcomputer 22 starts energizing the fixed magnet 29 (S).
208). After waiting for a predetermined delay time from the start of energization, the shake correction control microcomputer 22 determines that unlocking is completed, and executes shake correction (S210, S211). After performing film exposure or the like in this state, the process returns to S203 to prepare for the next shooting.

Thus, in the above embodiment,
After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the unlocking operation, it is determined that the unlocking has been completed, so the fixed magnet 2
It is not necessary to directly detect the 9 state. Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a sensor or the like for detecting the locked state, and the unlocking determination can be made extremely easily.

Further, in response to a shake correction control instruction from the camera body 1 side, the taking lens 2 side unlocks the correction optical system 29a in preparation for the start of shake correction. It is possible to omit complicated processing for individually synchronizing operation timings. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to determine the locked state or to transmit the information on the locked state to the camera body 1, it is possible to save the time required for these and to improve the responsiveness of blur correction.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the shake correction control is performed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described in claims 3, 4, and 7, the start timing of the localization control may be determined in the same manner as in the case of blur correction. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the correction optical system is swung to perform the shake correction has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in a shake correction device that performs shake correction by swinging an exposure surface such as an image sensor or a photosensitive member, the locked state of these exposure surfaces is detected,
The start timing of the shake correction or the localization control may be determined as in the above embodiment.

[0042]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the unlocking of the correction optical system and other movable parts is not completed, the swinging drive of the movable parts is not started, so that the movable parts are locked. It is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the shake correction is executed in the state. In particular, when the movable part is always locked due to a trouble related to power supply, blur correction is not executed until the trouble is resolved, so the worst case of camera damage can be safely and reliably avoided. .

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the shake correction is started after waiting for the unlocking of the movable part, the time from the unlocking of the movable part to the start of the shake correction can be easily shortened. can do. By shortening the period in which the force for restraining the movement of the movable portion does not work in this way, it is possible to significantly reduce the possibility that a shocking vibration is applied to the camera during this period and the movable portion or the like is damaged.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the unlocking of the movable part is not completed, the localization control of the movable part is not started. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the localization control is executed in the locked state. It can be avoided. In particular, when the movable part is always locked due to a power supply related trouble, localization control is not executed until the trouble is resolved, so the worst case of camera damage can be safely and reliably avoided. .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the localization control is started after waiting for the unlocking of the movable part, the time from the unlocking of the movable part to the initiation of the localization control can be easily shortened. can do. By shortening the period in which the force that restrains the movement of the movable part does not work in this way, it is possible to significantly reduce the possibility that shockable vibrations will be applied to the camera during this period and the movable part will be damaged. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to directly detect the state of the locking means because it is determined that the unlocking is completed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the unlocking operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a sensor or the like for detecting the locked state, and the unlocking determination can be made extremely easily. In the invention according to claim 6, the blurring correction means prepares to start the blurring correction,
Since the lock by the lock means is released, complicated processing for individually synchronizing the operation timings of the lock release and the shake correction start can be omitted.

Further, since it is not necessary to judge the locked state or to transmit the information on the locked state, the time required for them can be saved and the responsiveness of blur correction can be improved. In the invention according to claim 7, since the localization means releases the lock by the locking means in preparation for the start of localization control, complicated processing for individually synchronizing the operation timings of unlocking and localization control start is omitted. be able to.

Further, since it is not necessary to judge the locked state or to transmit the information on the locked state, the time required for them can be saved and the responsiveness of localization control can be improved. As described above, the shake correction device to which the present invention is applied can safely and reliably determine the start timing of shake correction or localization control with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment corresponding to claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment corresponding to claims 1, 2, 5, and 6.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Camera Body 2 Shooting Lens 11 Release Button 12 Body Microcomputer 13 Mirror Driver 13a Mirror 14 Lens Contact 21 Communication Microcomputer 22 Blur Correction Control Microcomputer 23 Ultrasonic Motor Microcomputer 24 Distance Encoder 25 Zoom Encoder 26 Blur Correction Switch 27 Vibration Sensor 28 blur correction operation switch 29 fixed magnet 29a correction optical system 30 X motor driver 31 X motor 32 X encoder 33 Y motor driver 34 Y motor 35 Y encoder 36 ultrasonic motor IC 37 ultrasonic motor 38 encoder

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A swing detecting means for detecting a shake amount of a camera, and a shake correcting means for swinging an optical system or an imaging surface of the camera in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detecting means. In a shake correction device including a lock unit that locks the movement of the optical system or the image pickup surface rocked by the shake correction unit, it is determined whether the optical system or the image pickup surface is unlocked. The image stabilization device includes a state detection device for detecting, and when the state detection device determines that the unlocking is not completed at the start of the image stabilization operation, the image stabilization device stops the swing drive of the optical system or the imaging surface. An image stabilization device characterized by: 2. The blur correction device according to claim 1, wherein the blur correction unit waits until the state detection unit determines that unlocking is completed, and swings with respect to the optical system or the imaging surface. A shake correction device characterized by starting driving. 3. A swing detecting means for detecting a shake amount of the camera, and a shake correcting means for swinging an optical system or an image pickup surface of the camera in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detecting means. A positioning unit that controls the optical system or the imaging surface swung by the shake correcting unit to a predetermined position; and a lock that locks the movement of the optical system or the shooting surface swung by the shake correcting unit. A shake correction apparatus including a state detection unit that detects a state of unlocking the optical system or the imaging surface, and the localization unit locks the state detection unit at the start of the localization control operation. A shake correction device, characterized in that when the release is determined to be incomplete, localization control of the optical system or the image pickup surface is stopped. 4. The blur correction device according to claim 3, wherein the localization unit waits until the state detection unit determines that unlocking is completed, and performs localization control on the optical system or the imaging surface. A shake correction device characterized by starting. 5. The blur correction device according to claim 1, wherein the state detection unit has a predetermined predetermined time from the start of unlocking the optical system or the imaging surface. An image blur correction device characterized by determining that unlocking is completed after a lapse of time. 6. A swing detecting means for detecting a shake amount of a camera, and a shake correcting means for swinging an optical system or an imaging surface of the camera in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detecting means. A shake correction device comprising: a lock unit that locks a movement of an optical system or an image pickup surface that is swung by the shake correction unit, wherein the shake correction unit precedes the shake correction control and the lock unit. A shake correction device, characterized in that the lock of the optical system or the image pickup surface is released. 7. A swing detecting means for detecting a shake amount of a camera, and a shake correcting means for swinging an optical system or an imaging surface of the camera in a direction of canceling the shake amount detected by the shake detecting means. A positioning means for controlling the optical system or the imaging surface swung by the shake correcting means to a predetermined position; and a locking means for locking the movement of the optical system or the shooting surface swung by the shake correcting means. In the shake correction apparatus including: a shake correction apparatus, wherein the localization unit unlocks the optical system or the imaging surface by the lock unit prior to the localization control.