JPH1152446A - Shake detection unit and shake detection unit attachable camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a camera whose power consumption is low, which is miniaturized and is excellent in portability and to which a shake detection unit is attached by constituting a unitized shake detection part capable of being replaced with a stroboscope part built in the camera and selectively using them in accordance with photographing circumstances. SOLUTION: This shake detection unit is constituted of a shake detection part 1 for detecting the camera shake state of a camera, a shake signal processing part 2 for amplifying an output from the detection part 1 and shifting the voltage level of the amplified output according to instruction from a camera control part and a communication part 3 transmitting a voltage output from the processing part 2 to the outside and transferring information to transmit the instruction from the outside to the processing part 2. Then, the detection part 1 and an ordinarily built-in stroboscope are constituted to be replaceable and utilized in the same form. In the case of requiring auxiliary light, the stroboscopic unit is used and in the case of telephotographing, the stroboscopic unit is detached and the detection unit 1 is attached so as to be selectively used to prevent the camera shake.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shake detecting unit that can be attached to and detached from a camera body, a camera to which the shake detecting unit can be attached, and a method of preventing shake by the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there is known a single-lens reflex camera having a built-in strobe built in a body and capable of exchanging lenses. Also,
As a system to prevent the effects of camera shake, a camera shake detection unit and camera shake correction unit are installed in the interchangeable lens to detect camera shake conditions that occurred during shooting preparation and exposure operation, and according to that state There is an interchangeable lens that has a function of driving a shake correction unit so as to cancel the movement of an image on an image forming plane due to camera shake. This interchangeable lens is mounted on the single-lens reflex camera and used.

[0003]

In the above-described single-lens reflex camera with a built-in strobe, especially when photographing a telephoto photographing area where camera shake is a problem, the built-in strobe has a low guide number, so that practical use is not possible. Is not very useful. Even if an image is shot with flash light emission, it does not serve as an auxiliary light and only wastes power.

[0004] The interchangeable lens capable of correcting the blur is
Since the configuration requires an actuator and encoders, the interchangeable lens itself becomes large and heavy, and lacks portability. In addition, there is a problem that power consumption is large, which leads to an increase in cost.

In view of the above, according to the present invention, the unitized shake detecting section is configured to be replaceable with a strobe section built in a camera, and is selectively used depending on photographing conditions to reduce the size with low power consumption. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera to which a shake detection unit excellent in portability can be attached.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a camera body having mounting means for mounting an external device, wherein the mounting means comprises a camera shake detecting means for detecting camera shake. A blur detection unit including signal processing means for processing an output signal from the blur detection means, first connection means for connecting the signal processing means to the camera body, a strobe light emitting section, and the camera body And a strobe unit having at least a second connection means for connecting the camera to a camera.

The shake detecting unit includes a shake detecting means for detecting a camera shake, a signal processing means for processing an output of the shake detecting means, and an output for outputting an output of the signal processing means to a camera body. Connecting means for attaching the camera accessory to the camera body.

The camera to which the shake detecting unit having the above-described structure can be attached has a structure in which a shake detecting unit for detecting a camera shake or the like generated at the time of photographing can be replaced with a strobe which is usually built in, and has the same shape. The strobe unit can be used when supplementary light is needed for indoor shooting, etc.For telephoto shooting where camera shake is a problem, remove the strobe unit and replace the blur detection unit It is used selectively to prevent camera shake.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a shake detection unit according to the present invention. In this configuration, a shake detection unit 1 for detecting a camera shake state of the camera and an output from the shake detection unit 1 are amplified, and in response to an instruction from a camera control unit described later,
A shake signal processing unit 2 for shifting the voltage level of the amplified output, and a voltage output from the shake signal processing unit 2 sent out to the outside, and an external instruction given to the shake signal processing unit 2
And a communication section (contact point) 3 for transmitting information to be transmitted to the communication section.

The shake detecting unit 1 is used by arranging about two known vibration gyros (angular velocity sensors) at positions orthogonal to the photographing optical axis and mutually orthogonal to the shake detection sensitivity axes.

Such a shake detection unit receives an instruction from an external device (camera control unit) via a communication unit (contact point) 3, and outputs an output of the shake detection unit 1 in response to the instruction. And sends it out to the external device via the communication unit 3.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a camera to which a shake detecting unit according to the present invention and a strobe unit to be described later can be selectively mounted. In the configuration of this camera, a contact 4a on the camera side that comes into contact with a contact of the communication unit 3 when the shake detection unit is attached;
When a strobe unit is mounted, a camera-side contact 4b that contacts a terminal of an arc tube or the like, and whether the mounted unit is the shake detection unit or the strobe unit is determined, and the result is used to control the entire camera. And a mounting accessory determining unit 5 that outputs to the control unit 6.

The contact 4a is connected to a camera control unit 6 and a shake signal processing / judgment unit 7.
The determination unit 7 receives information from the contact 4a, that is, an output signal from the blur signal processing unit 2 shown in FIG. 1, and performs signal processing such as a filter and determines the magnitude of the blur state.

The contact 4b is connected to a strobe light emission control unit 8, and this strobe light emission control unit 8
When the strobe light is emitted by the above-mentioned strobe unit via the, the necessity of the strobe light emission, the voltage at the time of the light emission, etc. are controlled.

Further, the camera control section 6 receives the shake information detected by the shake detection unit described above based on the shake information.
A release operation unit 10 that includes a blur display unit 9 that displays the current blur state, a known release operation button and the like, and that performs a shooting operation preparation instruction and a shooting operation start instruction of the camera by being inserted, and an actual exposure operation. An exposure unit 11 for performing the operation, a photometry unit (AE) 12 for performing a photometric operation, and a distance measurement unit (AF) 13 for performing a focus detection operation and a lens drive based on the focus detection result are connected.

The operation of the camera configured as described above will be described. First, the mounted accessory determination unit 5 determines whether the unit attached to the camera body is a shake detection unit or a strobe unit.
Here, if the blur detection unit is attached,
The shake detection operation is started by the half-press operation of the release operation unit 10, and the camera control unit 6 transmits a shake detection start signal for causing the shake detection unit to start the shake detection operation via the contact 4a.

The shake detection unit to which the shake detection start signal has been input outputs shake level information corresponding to the current shake level to the shake signal processing / judgment unit 7 via the contact 4a. The shake signal processing / judgment unit 7 performs a shake calculation and a grasp of the shake state based on the shake level information, and displays / notifies the current shake state on the shake display unit 9 to the photographer.

Further, when the release operation unit 10 is completely inserted, the actual exposure operation start timing by the exposure unit 11 is controlled based on the shake level information from the shake detection unit.

On the other hand, when the attached accessory judging section 5 judges that the accessory attached to the camera body is a strobe unit, the strobe light emission control section 8 judges whether or not the strobe light is necessary. Voltage charging for light emission is performed according to.

When a photographing operation start instruction is issued by inserting and releasing the release operation unit 10, in order to perform flash emission in synchronization with the operation state of the exposure unit 11, the flash unit is instructed to emit light via the contact 4b. Send a signal.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a specific configuration of the shake signal processing section 2 shown in FIG. 1, and the connection relationship with the camera body will be described. Here, a portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 3 indicates a portion corresponding to the shake signal processing unit 2 described above.

The shake signal processor 2 includes a shake detector 1
a and 1b are connected. These shake detecting sections 1a, 1b
Is a blur detection unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of two detection units so as to correspond to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the shooting screen.

The shake signal processor 2 includes a shake detector 1
a, 1b are input to one of the input terminals, respectively, and amplifying units 21 and 22 for amplifying, and a DA converter (DAC) 23 connected to the other of the input terminals of the amplifying units 21 and 22,
24, and temporarily holds the data sent from the camera body (data conversion unit 27).
Latches 25 and 26 for outputting to the latches 25 and 26, and a data converter 27 for distributing and setting data sent from the camera body via the terminal CONT2 of the communication unit (contact) 3 to the latches 25 and 26, respectively. Is done. The gain (amplification degree) of each of the amplifiers 21 and 22 is determined by an external resistor (not shown in FIG. 3), and the output of each amplifier is transmitted to the camera body via the terminals BL1 and BL2 of the communication unit 3. Sent out.

In such a shake signal processing unit 2, the data conversion unit 27 receives data from the camera body transmitted via the terminal CONT2 of the communication unit 3 and distributes and sets the data to the latches 25 and 26. . These latches 25,
26 temporarily holds the data and outputs the data to the DA converters 23 and 24.

These DA converters 23 and 24 output voltages to the amplifiers 21 and 22 according to the holding states of the latches 25 and 26. With the above configuration, a voltage value according to the detected blur information is output to the camera body side,
For example, when the amplification output becomes saturated according to the output state of the amplification units 21 and 22, the voltage output of the DA converters 23 and 24 is changed so as to prevent the amplification signal saturation. Accurate blur detection over a wide range is possible. The terminal CONT1 of the communication unit 3 shown in FIG.
ON / O of the shake detectors 1a and 1b and the shake signal processor 2
This is a line for controlling the FF, and the state is determined according to an instruction from the camera control unit 6.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration of the shake signal processing / judgment unit 7 shown in FIG. 2, and the connection relationship with the shake detection unit and the operation will be described. Here, FIG.
A portion surrounded by a dotted line indicates a portion corresponding to the shake signal processing / judgment unit 7 described above.

The shake signal processing / judgment unit 7 includes a contact 4a
And AD converters 31 and 32 for performing AD conversion of the shake information output from the shake detection unit, and determining whether or not to perform a voltage level shift for preventing the saturation of the amplified output based on the AD converted shake information. The signal comparing units 33 and 34 for determining and outputting a level shift instruction signal to the camera control unit 6 as necessary, the shake calculating units 35 and 36 for performing a filtering process (DC component removal) of the detected shake information, and the like. The focal length information detecting unit 37 for detecting focal length information of the camera and the blur information from the blur computing units 35 and 36 and the focal length information determine and determine the blur state.
It is composed of a shake state determination unit 38 that controls the shake display by the shake display unit 9 and the exposure start timing by the exposure unit 11 in accordance with the operation states of the 1R signal input unit 10a and the 2R signal input unit 10b. .

With such a configuration, first, the amplified blur information transmitted from the blur detecting unit via the contact 4a is AD-converted and output to the signal comparing sections 33 and 34. These signal comparing sections 33 and 34 determine whether or not to perform a voltage level shift for preventing saturation of the amplified output according to the state of the input shake information, and if necessary, the camera control section 6. To send a level shift instruction signal. Upon receiving this instruction signal, the camera control unit 6
Information is output to the blur detection unit via the T2 line.

Then, the shake calculating sections 35 and 36 perform a filtering process (DC component removal) and the like on the detected shake information, and send the results to the shake state determining section 38. The blur state determination unit 38 grasps and determines the blur state based on the blur information from the shake calculation units 35 and 36 and the current focal length information from the focal length information detection unit 37, and determines whether the release operation unit 1R Signal input section (first release switch)
10a and 2R signal input section (second release switch) 1
In accordance with the operation state 0b, the blur display by the blur display unit 9 and the exposure start timing by the exposure unit 11 are controlled.

Next, FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a strobe unit which can be attached to the camera according to the present invention as an alternative to the above-mentioned shake detection unit. The strobe unit includes an arc tube (xenon tube) 39 and a trigger coil 40.
It is composed of This trigger coil 40 has a TRG
Each terminal (contact point) of C and GND and the arc tube 39
Each terminal (contact) of VMC and D is provided, and when the strobe unit is attached to the camera body, these four terminals respectively come into contact with the contact 4b shown in FIG. 2 and become electrically conductive.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a camera including the strobe light emission control unit 8 shown in FIG. 2, and a connection relationship with a strobe unit and an operation will be described. The strobe light emission control unit 8 includes a trigger unit 41, a light emission stop unit 42, and an energy storage unit 43. The trigger unit 41 includes terminals GND and TRGC at the contact 4b shown in FIG. Is connected to the terminal D, and the energy storage unit 43 is connected to the terminal VMC.

A step-up unit 44 is provided between the energy storage unit 43 in the strobe light emission control unit 8 and the camera control unit 6.
Are provided to increase the voltage required for strobe light emission.

The camera control unit 6 is connected to a flash emission determination unit 47. The flash emission determination unit 47 includes:
The photometry section (AE) 12 and the focal length detection section 37
, Film sensitivity detection section 45, strobe mode setting section 4
6 are connected.

The strobe light emission determination unit 45 determines the mode (AUT) set by the strobe mode setting unit 46.
O, FLL-IN, OFF), based on the photometry result by the photometry unit 12, the film sensitivity information detected by the film sensitivity information detection unit 45, and the focal length information of the photographic lens (not shown) detected by the focal length detection unit 37. Then, it is determined whether or not flash light emission is possible.

The result of the judgment is sent to the camera control section 6, and the camera control section 6 instructs the strobe light emission control section 8 to control the strobe light emission timing based on the judgment result. The terminal state when the strobe light is emitted includes the terminal T connected to the primary side of the trigger coil 40.
The state of RGC is changed by a trigger unit in the flash emission control unit 8.

As a result, the voltage on the secondary side of the trigger coil 40 rises, and at the same time, the voltage difference between the terminals VMC and D of the arc tube 39 becomes large.
To emit light. When stopping the strobe light emission, the state of the light emission stop unit 42 in the strobe light emission control unit 8 is changed,
The voltage difference between the terminals VMC and D of the arc tube 39 is made smaller than at the time of light emission, and strobe light emission is stopped.

In this embodiment, only the arc tube 52 and the trigger coil 51 are arranged in the strobe unit.
All or a part of the strobe light emission control unit 8 shown in FIG. 6 may be provided, and the booster unit 28, a power supply battery, and the like may be provided as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the camera is initialized (initialization) (step S1). Then, it is checked whether the accessory (unit) is attached to the camera (Step S).
2) The mounted accessory determination unit 5 determines whether the mounted unit is a shake detection unit or a strobe unit (step S3).

If it is determined that the shake detection unit is mounted (YES), the flag F_MODE is set to "1" (step S4). "1" of this flag means that the attached accessory is a shake detection unit. Next, "1" is set to the flag F_BLINI (step S5). "1" of this flag means that the initialization of the blur detection system is not completed. Flag F_S
"1" is set to TG (step S6). “1” of this flag means that strobe light is not emitted.
Then, control proceeds to step S12 to be described later.

If it is determined in step S3 that the strobe unit is mounted (NO), "0" is set in the flag F_MODE (step S7).
"0" of this flag means that the attached accessory is a strobe unit. Then, the flash mode setting unit 46 starts checking the mode setting state (step S8). First, it is determined whether or not the mode setting state is the strobe light emission mode (step S9). By this determination, the strobe light emission mode (AUTO, FLL_
IN, etc.) (YES), it is determined whether or not strobe charging (charging) has been completed (step S1).
0).

If it is determined in step S10 that charging has not been completed (YES), charging is performed (step S10).
11) If completed (NO), proceed to the next step S
It moves to 12. However, if the flash mode is not set in step S9, the process proceeds to step S12, and the flag F_FlRST is set to "1" (step S1).
2). The flag “1” means that the camera has not yet entered the shooting preparation sequence (corresponding to steps S22 to S42 shown in FIG. 7).

Next, it is determined whether or not the first release of the camera has been turned on (step S13). This determination is based on the operation state of the 1R signal input unit 10a shown in FIGS. If the first release is ON (YE
S) The process proceeds to step S22 described below.

However, when the first release is OFF (NO), it is determined whether or not the flag F_FlRST is "0" (step S14). Here the flag is "
If it is set to "1" (NO), the process returns to step S2. However, if the flag is set to "0" (YES), it is determined whether or not the flag F_MODE is "1". (Step S15).

By the determination in step S15, the flag is set to "".
If it is set to 1 "(YES), that is, the blur detection unit is mounted, and then the sampling timer for performing the blur detection at a constant cycle is cleared (stopped) (step S16).

Then, the display of the blur state on the blur display section 4 shown in FIG. 4 is turned off (step S17), and the blur detection system portion which is the blur signal processing section 2 shown in FIG. 3 is initialized (step S17). S18), the blur detection system is turned off (step S19). This operation is performed through the signal line CONT1. After turning off the shake detection system, the process returns to step S2.

If it is determined in step S15 that the flag F_MODE is "0", (N
O), that is, when the strobe unit is mounted, it is determined whether or not a strobe charging completion display (not shown) is lit (step S20). If there is a display (YES), the display is turned off (step S
21), and return to step S2. If there is no display (NO), the process returns to step S2.

Next, if the first release of the camera is turned on (YES) at step S13, the flag F
It is determined whether or not _FlRST is set to "1" (step S22).

If the flag is set to "1" (YES), that is, if the shooting preparation sequence has not been started, a known AE unit such as the AE unit 12 shown in FIG. A photometric operation is performed (step S23), a focus detection operation is performed by a focus detection unit (not shown), and a focusing lens is extended as necessary (step S2).
4). Upon completion of the photographing preparation operations such as AE and AF, the flag F_FlRST is set to "0" (step S25).

However, in step S22, the flag is set to "".
If set to "0" (NO), AE, AF
Since it is in the shooting preparation sequence such as, the process proceeds to the next step S26.

Next, it is determined whether or not the flag F_MODE is set to "1" (step S26). If the flag is set to “1” in this determination (YE
S), that is, when the blur detection unit is attached,
It is determined whether the flag F_BL1NI is set to “1” (step S27). But the flag is "
If it is set to "0" (when the strobe unit is mounted), the flow shifts to step S37 described later.

In step S27, the flag is set to "
If it is set to "0" (NO), since the initialization of the blur detection system has been completed, it is determined whether or not a sampling timer for detecting the blur at a fixed cycle has passed a predetermined time ( Step S28) If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S33 described later, and if not, the process is repeated until the predetermined time has elapsed.

Similarly, if the flag has been set to "1" in the determination in step S27 (YES), it is determined that the initialization of the blur detection system has not been completed, and the blur detection operation is started. In doing so, the blur detection system part is turned on (step S29). This is because the shake detection units 1a and 1b and the shake signal processing unit 2 shown in FIG.
It is performed by turning on through T1.

Next, in FIG. 3, initialization of the shake detection system portion as described above is performed (step S30). The description of this part is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-82820, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

After the initialization of the shake detection system portion is completed, the flag F_BL1NI is set to "0" (step S31). Then, a sampling timer for detecting blurring at a fixed period is started (step S3).
2), detection and calculation of blur are performed (step S33). The detection and calculation of the blur will be described with reference to a subroutine shown in FIG.

First, the blur information is sampled (step S71). Specifically, the analog voltage values of the signal lines BL1 and BL2 shown in FIG. 4 are converted into digital information by A / D converters 31 and 32.

Next, it is determined whether or not to change the output level (shift) of the blur signal processing unit 2 according to the state of the blurring information that has been digitized and captured (step S7).
2). This determination is made by the signal comparison units 33 and 34 shown in FIG.
When it is determined that the level (shift) needs to be changed (YES), an instruction is sent to the camera control unit 6, and the camera control unit 6 receives the instruction via the line CONT2,
The information is sent to the shake signal processing unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, and the output voltage levels of the outputs BL1 and BL2 of the shake signal processing unit 2 are shifted (step S73).

Next, in accordance with the level shift situation up to the present, a correction operation of the blur information value sampled in step S71 is performed (step S74) to remove a low frequency component and a high frequency component in the blur signal. (Step S75). These calculations are performed by the shake calculation units 35 and 36 shown in FIG. The calculation result here is sent to the blur state determination unit 38. After this processing,
The process exits from this subroutine and proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, the current focal length state is detected by the focal length information detector 37 in order to convert the detected blur information (hand shake information) into actual image blur information. The image blur state is calculated based on the detected focal length information (step S35). In response to the calculation result, the shake display section 9 displays the current shake state (step S36).

If it is determined in step S26 that the flag F_MODE is "0" (NO), that is, if a strobe unit is mounted as an accessory, it is determined whether or not to emit strobe light (step S37). ).

The determination of the flash emission will be described with reference to a subroutine shown in FIG. First, the flash mode information is read based on the mode state set by the flash mode setting unit 46 shown in FIG. 6 (step S81). Next, exposure time (AE) information is read based on the photometry result in the AE section 12 (step S82).

Then, the film sensitivity information is read based on the film sensitivity information detected by the film sensitivity information detecting section 45 (step S83). Next, the focal length information is read based on the current focal length information detected by the focal length detector 37 (step S84).

Next, the flash mode information, film sensitivity information, exposure time (A
E> Based on each information value of the information and the focal length information, it is determined and determined whether or not to perform strobe light emission (step S8).
5). Note that the determination / decision method here is publicly known, and a detailed description is omitted.

If it is determined that strobe light is to be emitted (YES), "0" is set in the flag F_STG (step S86). However, when strobe light emission is not performed (NO), the flag F_STG is set to “1”. When these flag settings are completed, the process exits this subroutine and proceeds to the next step S38 shown in FIG.

The flag F_STG set in steps S86 and S87 is set to "0", and it is determined whether or not to perform strobe light emission (step S38). In this determination, if the flag is set to "0" (YES), it is determined whether or not flash charging (charging) is completed in response to a flash emission instruction (step S39). Here, when the charging (charging) for performing the strobe light emission is not completed (YES), the charging is performed (step S40), and the process proceeds to the next step S43. But,
If the charging is completed (NO), a charging completion display (not shown) is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S42.

Similarly, if the flag is set to "1" in the judgment of step S38 (NO), the flow shifts to step S42. In step S42, the camera 2
It is determined whether or not the switch is ON based on the operation state of the R signal input unit 10b (second release switch). Where O
In the case of FF, the process returns to step S13. If it is ON (YES), that is, if the second release signal has been input, it is determined whether or not the flag F_MODE is set to "1" (step S43).

If it is determined that the flag is set to "1" (YES), that is, if the blur detection unit is attached, the blur display by the blur display unit 9 shown in FIG. ) (Step S44), and clears a sampling timer for performing blur detection at a constant cycle (step S45). However, when the flag is set to "0" (NO), that is, when the strobe unit is mounted, the strobe charging completion display is turned off (turned off) (step S46).

Next, prior to the start of the exposure operation, the operation of raising the quick return mirror and the driving of the aperture device are started (step S47). It is determined whether or not the driven mirror and the diaphragm have reached a predetermined state (mirror-up completed, diaphragm drive completed) (step S48). If the driving is completed (YES), the flag F-MODE is set to "1".
Is determined (step S49). However, if it is not completed, the determination in step S48 is repeated until it is completed.

According to the determination in step S49, the flag is set to "
If it is set to "0" (NO), that is, if the strobe unit is mounted, step S58 to be described later is performed.
Move to However, when the flag is set to "1" (YES), that is, when the blur detection unit is attached, the blur state immediately before the start of exposure is detected, and when the blur state becomes smaller than the predetermined state. By starting the exposure, a blur prevention measure for preventing (reducing) the occurrence of an image blur photograph due to camera shake is performed.

First, the delay limit time counting memory B_
DERY is set to “0” (initialization) (step S
50). "0" of this flag means that initialization is performed. In the above-mentioned memory,
If the blurring does not become smaller than the predetermined state, it is used to prevent the exposure start from not being performed for a long time (excessive delay). It should be noted that the value corresponding to the delay limit time is a predetermined value in step S55 described later, and this value is appropriately determined according to the camera and the specifications of the camera.

Next, a sampling timer for performing the blur detection at a constant cycle is started (step S5).
1). Next, the same shake detection / calculation as in step S33 is performed (step S52).

It is determined from the shake information obtained by the shake detection / calculation whether the current shake state is within a predetermined state (whether the shake is small) or not (step S53). With this judgment,
If the state is within the predetermined state (YES), that is, if the blur is small, the flow shifts to the actual exposure sequence of the next step S57 and subsequent steps.

However, if it is not within the predetermined state (N
O), that is, when it is not desirable to start the exposure because the blur is large, clear in step S50 (initialization)
The setting of B_DEREY of the memory thus set is incremented (step S54). Then, it is determined whether the incremented value of the memory B_DEREY is equal to or more than a predetermined value (step S55).

Here, if it is within the predetermined value (NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed for a sampling timer for detecting blurring at a constant cycle (step S5).
6). If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed (YE
S), the process returns to step S51, and if it has not elapsed (NO), it waits until it has elapsed.

If the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES), a sampling timer for detecting blurring at a constant period is cleared prior to the start of actual exposure (step S57). As described above, when the value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, a considerable time has elapsed from the exposure start instruction of the photographer to the start of the actual exposure. Therefore, it is desirable to start the actual exposure regardless of the blur state. In such a case, the procedure shifts to the subsequent actual exposure sequence.

First, the actual exposure is started by moving the shutter first curtain (step S58). Next, it is determined whether or not the shutter front curtain has been fully opened (step S59). This determination is repeated until the front curtain is fully opened, and if fully opened (YES), it is determined whether or not the flag F_STG is "0" (step S60). This flag indicates that the strobe unit is attached as an accessory and
As described in No. 4, the value is "0" only when strobe light emission is determined.

If it is determined that the flag is set to "0" (YES), strobe light emission is performed (step S61). After the strobe light emission or when the flag is set to "1" (NO), it is determined whether a predetermined exposure time has elapsed (step S6).
2). If the predetermined exposure time has not elapsed (NO), the process waits until the predetermined exposure time has elapsed. If the predetermined exposure time has elapsed (YES), the rear curtain of the shutter starts running to end the actual exposure (step S6).
3).

Next, it is determined whether or not the rear curtain of the shutter has been fully opened (step S64). This determination is repeated until the trailing curtain travel is completed.
S), a mirror down operation, an aperture opening operation, a shutter charging operation, and a film winding operation are performed (step S65).

Then, the 1R signal input section (1st first
It is determined whether or not the release switch is OFF (step S66). Here, in the case of OFF, (YE
S), the process returns to step S13, and if it is ON (NO), it waits until it is turned OFF.

Next, FIG. 15 shows and describes the structure of a camera body equipped with a shake detection unit and a strobe unit according to the present invention. FIG. 15A is a diagram of the camera body viewed from above. Set the film surface running direction (not shown) to X
Axis is perpendicular to the X-axis and is different from the optical axis direction.
The axis and the optical axis direction are defined as the Z axis.

In this configuration, the camera body 71 has a shutter button 61, a grip 62, a display member 6
3. Viewfinder eyepiece 64, external strobe mounting 6
5. A mode setting member 66 is provided, and a mounting position 67 is provided on the shake detection unit 81 or the strobe unit 91.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the camera body to which the shake detection unit 81 is attached.
In this configuration, the camera body 71 includes a back cover opening / closing knob 72, a back cover 73, a lens mounting mount surface 74, and a prism cover 75.

The shake detecting sections 82 and 83 correspond to the shake detecting sections 1a and 1b shown in FIG. Further, the shake signal processing unit 84 includes a portion corresponding to the shake signal processing unit 2 shown in FIG.
Is the substrate 85 to which is attached. The blur detecting unit 81 is integrally attached to the camera body 71 as shown in the figure. In this state, the blur in the pitch direction around the X axis and the Y axis in the figure is detected by the blur detecting unit. 82, and is configured to be detectable by the shake detecting unit 83.

When the shake detecting unit 81 is attached, the camera is used as shown in FIG. 15B without pop-up. FIG. 15C is a side view of the camera body 71 with the strobe unit 91 attached and the strobe light emitting unit popped up. When using the strobe, the strobe light unit 92 of the strobe unit 91 is used in an up state.

As described above, according to the camera to which the shake detection unit of the present invention can be attached, the shake detection unit that detects the camera shake at the time of shooting and detects only the shake information is built in the conventional camera body. By making the mounting structure compatible with the pop-up type strobe unit described above, the strobe unit can be removed, and this shake detection unit can be attached to detect the shake.

Also, according to the attached unit,
The operation control of the camera has been changed, and the built-in flash can be used during normal indoor shooting, etc.For telephoto shooting where camera shake becomes a problem, remove the built-in flash and attach the shake detection unit Thus, it is possible to implement a shake warning and a shake prevention measure using the shake detection and the detection result.

Further, since the strobe unit and the shake detecting unit have the same shape, even when the shake detecting unit is attached to the body, the unit has a sense of unity and is excellent in portability. Note that, in the present embodiment, an example in which a strobe device is used as the camera accessory has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the camera shake detection unit is configured to be able to be selectively mounted with various accessories. You may do it. As the camera accessory, various units such as a unit for automatically detecting information at the time of shooting, for example, a temperature, a weather, and a shooting location (GPS search), and a unit for performing some processing on the composition of a shot screen can be assumed.

Although the above embodiments have been described, the present invention includes the following inventions. (1) a camera shake detection means for detecting camera shake, a signal processing means for processing the output of the shake detection unit, and a contact for connecting the signal processing means to the outside A blur detection unit that specializes in this. (2) The camera according to (1), wherein the built-in strobe light-emitting unit is a detachable camera or a camera body, and either the built-in strobe light-emitting unit or the shake detection unit can be attached. A camera that can be attached to a shake detection unit and a shake detection unit. (3) In a camera body having a mounting means for mounting an external device, the mounting means is a shake detecting means for detecting camera shake, and a signal processing means for processing an output signal from the shake detecting means. A hand detection unit having first connection means for connecting the signal processing means to the camera body; a strobe light emitting section; and a strobe unit having at least second connection means for connecting to the camera body. And a camera to which a shake detection unit can be attached. (4) The camera to which the shake detection unit according to (3) can further be attached, wherein the camera body further includes a shake reduction unit configured to reduce an influence of a hand press by using an output of the signal processing unit.

According to the camera described in the above (4), when the shake detection unit is attached, the camera shake can be reduced by using the signal detected by the shake detection unit. (5) The shake reduction unit according to (4), wherein the shake reduction unit performs shutter release at a timing at which the influence of camera shake is reduced based on a signal from the shake detection unit. Camera.

According to the camera described in (5), the influence of camera shake can be reduced easily, and a small and lightweight device can be obtained. (6) The force lens according to (3), wherein the attachment unit of the strobe unit or the shake detection unit is an upper part of the camera body. (7) The camera according to (3), wherein the strobe unit further has a light emission control unit.

According to the camera described in the above (7), it is not necessary to have a light emission control section in the force lens main body, and it is possible to reduce the weight of the camera main body. Not only the light emission control unit but also a charging circuit, a power supply battery, and the like may be provided on the strobe unit side. (8) A camera shake detecting means for detecting camera shake, a signal processing means for processing the output of the camera shake detecting means, and a connecting means for outputting the output of the signal processing means to the camera body. A shake detection unit, wherein the shake detection unit is attachable to a mounting portion for mounting a strobe unit to a camera body. (9) The shake detecting unit according to (8), wherein the shake detecting means can detect hand shake in at least two directions.

According to the shake detecting unit described in (9), since the camera shake information in two directions can be detected, the camera shake amount on the screen can be detected. (10) The shake detection unit according to (8), wherein the signal processing unit receives and processes a signal for processing a camera shake signal from the camera body.

According to the shake detecting unit described in (10), it is possible to appropriately perform signal processing using information from the camera body. In the embodiment of the present invention, the shake detection unit receives information necessary for amplifying the camera shake signal. (11) The shake detection unit according to (8), wherein the signal processing means includes signal amplification means for amplifying a signal from the shake detection means.

According to the shake detecting unit described in (11), a signal can be transmitted to the camera body after amplifying the signal, so that the camera shake state can be detected with higher accuracy. (12) In a light-emitting unit having at least a light-emitting unit and detachable from a camera body, the light-emitting unit and the mounting part to the force mera main body are a mounting part of a camera shake detection unit for detecting camera shake. A light-emitting unit that can be attached to a light source.

According to the light emitting unit described in (12) above, since the light emitting unit can be mounted on the mounting portion with the shake detection unit, it is not necessary to provide a mounting portion dedicated to the light emitting unit in the camera body, and the camera body can be made compact. Can be achieved. (13) It is characterized in that a light emission control signal is received from a camera body via a contact provided on the mounting portion.
The light emitting unit according to 2). According to the light emitting unit described in (13), the light emitting unit can be downsized. (14) The light-emitting unit according to (12), wherein the light-emitting unit is capable of popping up (projecting) from the camera body when attached to the main body.

According to the light-emitting unit described in the above (14), a photograph that pops up (projects) from the main body and emits strobe light can prevent underexposed photographs. (15) The light emitting unit according to (12), wherein the light emitting unit can be built in a camera body.

According to the light emitting unit described in (15), the light emitting unit does not project when not in use. (16) A shake detection unit that can be attached to a detachable camera with a built-in strobe, and at least the shake detection unit detects a camera shake signal, processes the camera shake signal, and can transmit the signal to the camera body. And a stabilization unit that can be attached to a detachable portion of the built-in strobe. According to the shake detection unit described in (16), a shake detection unit can be attached instead of the built-in flash, and the camera can be downsized. (17) In a camera body having mounting means for mounting an external device, the mounting means includes a camera shake detecting means for detecting camera shake, and a signal for processing an output signal from the camera shake detecting means. Processing means, a hand pre-detection unit including first connection means for connecting the signal processing means to the camera body, a camera accessory unit,
A camera to which a shake detection unit can be attached, wherein the camera can be attached alternatively.

[0097]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the unitized shake detecting section is configured to be replaceable with the strobe section built in the camera, and can be selectively used depending on the shooting situation. The built-in flash can be used for shooting that requires auxiliary light, and when shooting where camera shake is a problem, the built-in flash can be replaced with a shake detection unit to reduce power consumption, reduce size, and improve portability. And a camera to which the shake detection unit can be attached.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a shake detection unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera to which a shake detection unit and a strobe unit according to the present invention can be selectively mounted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a shake signal processing unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a shake signal processing / determination unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a strobe unit that can be attached to a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera including a strobe light emission control unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a part of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a part of a flowchart for describing the operation of the camera following the routine of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a part of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera following the routine of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a part of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera following the routine of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a part of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera following the routine of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a part of a flowchart for describing the operation of the camera following the routine of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining detection / calculation of shake in the subroutine shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining determination of flash emission in the subroutine shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera body equipped with a shake detection unit and a strobe unit according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1, 1a, 1b: blur detection unit 2: blur signal processing unit 3: communication unit (contact) 4a, 4b: contact 5: mounted accessory determination unit 6: camera control unit 7: blur signal processing / determination Unit 8: Strobe light emission control unit 9: Blur display unit 10 ... Release operation unit 10a ... 1R signal input unit 10b ... 2R signal input unit 11 ... Exposure unit 12 ... Photometry unit (AE) 13 ... Distance measurement unit (AF) 21, 22 amplifying unit 23, 24 ... DA converter 25, 26 ... latch 27 ... data converting unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera body having mounting means for mounting an external device, the mounting means comprising: a shake detecting means for detecting camera shake, and a signal processing means for processing an output signal from the shake detecting means. A camera shake detecting unit comprising: a first connecting means for connecting the signal processing means to the camera body; a strobe light emitting unit; and a strobe light having at least a second connecting means for connecting to the camera body. A camera to which a blur detection unit can be attached, wherein the camera can be attached to the camera. 2. A blur detecting means for detecting camera shake, a signal processing means for processing an output of the blur detecting means, and a connecting means for outputting an output of the signal processing means to a camera body. A shake detection unit comprising: a shake detection unit that can be attached to an attachment portion for attaching a camera accessory to a camera body. 3. The blur detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the camera accessory is a strobe device for illuminating a subject.