Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
  • G03B5/00—Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
  • G03B5/02—Lateral adjustment of lens
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
  • H04N23/68—Control of cameras or camera modules for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/70—Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
  • H04N23/73—Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene by influencing the exposure time
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N2101/00—Still video cameras

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus in which a CMOS type image pickup element is mounted and shake correction is performed by driving the image pickup element.
• the front curtain is performed by an electronic focal plane shirter
• the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus that can perform a rear curtain with a mechanical focal plane shirt.
• CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• CCD Charge Coupled Device
• Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-152057 discloses that the front curtain of the shotta operation is performed by an electronic focal plane shotta and the rear curtain is a mechano-calfal focal. It is disclosed to do with plain shirts. In other words, a reset signal that causes each pixel included in the image sensor to perform a reset operation is sequentially given in pixel line units to cause the image sensor to start an exposure operation (an electronic force plane shirter as the first curtain).
• An image pickup apparatus is disclosed in which the exposure operation of the image sensor is terminated by mechanically blocking the curtain body after the set exposure time has elapsed (mechanical focal plane shirter as the rear curtain). It has been.
• a camera shake correction function is often mounted in order to suppress deterioration in image quality of a captured image due to camera shake.
• the powerful camera shake correction function detects a shake amount given to the imaging apparatus by an angular velocity sensor or the like, and drives a structure such as an image sensor to perform shake correction according to the shake amount.
• a camera shake correction function Due to the running vibration of the curtain body of the two calf plain plane, there was a problem that the image stabilization performance deteriorated.
• shock vibration shock stop vibration
• the camera shake correction drive mechanism due to, for example, shock vibration, so that a malfunction occurs due to a deviation from a predetermined correction position.
• this effect is significant because it is not fixed by locking or static friction.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances.
• the present invention has been made in connection with an image pickup apparatus that includes a CMOS-type image pickup device and performs shake correction by driving the image pickup device.
• an imaging device capable of accurately correcting shake without substantially being affected by the vibration of the curtain body of the S-mechanical focal plane shirter.
• An imaging apparatus is an imaging apparatus that includes a CMOS type imaging device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and has a function of performing shake correction on the imaging device.
• a shake detection unit that detects a shake amount given to the imaging apparatus; and a correction drive unit that drives the image pickup device to perform shake correction to perform the shake correction based on a shake amount detection signal from the shake detection unit.
• a mechanical-calorical plane shirter disposed immediately before the image sensor and performing an optical path opening operation and an optical path blocking operation of light guided to the image sensor, and the image sensor to start an exposure operation.
• a timing signal generating means for applying a predetermined reset signal to each pixel in a predetermined pixel line unit of the imaging element; and a control means for controlling an exposure operation of the imaging element.
• the control means causes the electronic shutter control (by using the electronic focal plane shirter) to cause the image sensor to start the exposure operation by the reset signal given to each pixel from the timing signal generating means. (Exposure start operation) is executed (adopting an electronic focal plane shirt as the first curtain). Therefore, the correction driving means can be shake-corrected and driven without being affected by the running vibration caused by the mechanical force focal plane shirt front curtain.
• control unit executes the electronic shirter control when the shake correction driving of the image sensor by the correction drive unit is performed, and the shake of the image sensor by the correction drive unit is performed.
• a force-calculator control for causing the image sensor to start an exposure operation by an optical path opening operation by the mechanical-focal plane shutter can be executed (claim 2). .
• the mechanical-shutter control that starts the operation (exposure start operation by the mechanical-force focal plane shotta) is executed (adopting the mechanical focal plane shotta as the front curtain). Therefore, when shake correction driving is performed by the correction drive means, it is possible to perform shake correction drive without being affected by the traveling vibration caused by the correction drive means power-calfocal plane front curtain. On the other hand, when the shake correction drive is not performed by the correction drive means, both the front curtain and the rear curtain are performed by the mechanical-calfocal plane shirter, so that the occurrence of the curtain speed deviation between the front curtain and the rear curtain is suppressed. Is done.
• control unit may further include an operation unit capable of setting whether or not a force for performing shake correction driving of the image sensor by the correction driving unit is performed.
• the electronic shirter control can be executed when the setting for executing the shake correction drive by the correction drive means is made (claim 3).
• control unit may perform the electronic shirter control when a shake amount detection signal detected by the shake detection unit is a predetermined value or more (claim). Section 4).
• Supporting leg detecting means for detecting directly or indirectly based on other parameters is further provided, and the control means detects the attachment of the supporting leg to the imaging device when the supporting leg detecting means detects attachment of the supporting leg to the imaging device.
• the mechanical-shutter control can be performed (claim 5).
• an operation unit capable of setting whether or not a force for executing shake correction driving of the image sensor by the correction driving unit is set, and exposure control for setting at least a shotta speed.
• the control means is set to execute shake correction drive by the correction drive means by the operation means, and the shot speed set by the exposure control means is higher than a predetermined value.
• the electronic shotter control can be executed when the speed is low (Claim 6).
• the control means is set so that the shirter speed is longer than lZ: f. In this case, it is desirable to determine that the shirt speed is lower than a predetermined value (claim 7).
• a parameter based on the focal length is used to determine whether to use an electronic focal plane shirta or a mechanical focal plane shirter as a front curtain. .
• the image sensor and the mechanical focal plane shutter are integrally configured, and the correction driving means includes the image sensor and the mechano cal focal plane shirter. Can be configured so as to integrally drive the vibration compensation (claim 8).
• the mechano-calf focal plane shirt tip for the correction drive means (shake correction mechanism) is adopted.
• the influence of running vibration due to the curtain can be eliminated, that is, malfunction due to running vibration in shake correction drive can be prevented, and accurate shake correction drive by the correction drive means can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a clear image without blurring by using an imaging apparatus equipped with a mechanism for correcting the camera shake by driving the imaging element.
• the mechanical for the correction drive means (shake correction mechanism) is employed.
• the influence of running vibration due to the focal plane shunt front curtain can be eliminated, and accurate shake correction drive by the correction drive means can be performed (inappropriate shake correction drive is prevented).
• the mechanical focal plane shirt is used as the front curtain, which prevents the curtain speed deviation between the front curtain and the rear curtain, and causes uneven exposure. Is suppressed. Therefore, drive the image sensor.
• the camera shake correction function is in operation, use an imaging device equipped with a camera shake correction mechanism. , You can get beautiful images.
• the control since whether or not the force for executing the shake correction drive by the correction drive means is set by the operation means is used as a determination element, the control In addition to simplifying the case, it is possible to avoid the use of the image stabilization function and the electronic focal plane shutter when not needed (because the electronic shirter at high speed is unstable).
• the first curtain type can be selected.
• the electronic form is used as a front curtain in view of the necessity of substantial shake correction. It is determined whether or not to use the power plane shutter, and when it is not necessary, the shake correction function and the electronic focal plane shirt can be used. You will be able to choose.
• the shotter speed set by the exposure control means is determined only by whether or not the operation means is set to determine whether or not the force for executing the shake correction drive by the correction drive means is set. Therefore, it is determined whether the power to use an electronic focal plane shirt as the first curtain is taken into consideration in view of the necessity of more substantial shake correction, and the shake correction function and the electronic focal plane are used when unnecessary. This makes it possible to select the first curtain type more accurately.
• the control means determines the front curtain type. Can be simplified.
• FIG. 1 is a front external view of a digital camera (imaging apparatus) incorporating an imaging unit according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera shown in FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the digital camera.
• FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the digital camera.
• FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera.
• FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the shirt unit.
• FIG. 7 is a front view of the shirt unit.
• FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a shake correction unit.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the entire digital camera in a state where a photographing lens is attached to the camera body.
• FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of an image sensor.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electronic focal plane shirter operation.
• FIG. 12 is a time chart schematically showing the operation of the mirror unit and the shirter unit during exposure.
• FIG. 13 is a graph showing an output waveform of the shake detection sensor substantially matched with the time scale of the time chart shown in FIG.
• FIG. 14 is a time chart schematically showing how the shake correction unit is driven and how impact vibration is generated.
• FIG. 15 is a graph showing the curtain speed characteristics when using the mechanical-focal plane shirt for both the front curtain and the rear curtain.
• FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the shirt control unit.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an imaging processing operation of the digital camera.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an imaging processing operation of the digital camera.
• FIG. 19 is a view of a periphery of a shake correction unit showing a variation of the digital camera.
• FIG. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an external structure of a digital camera 1 (imaging device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a front external view of the digital camera 1, and FIG. Each back view is shown.
• this digital camera 1 is a single-lens camera comprising a camera body 10 and a photographic lens 2 (interchangeable lens) that is detachably (replaceable) attached to the front center of the camera body 10. This is a reflex digital still camera.
• an LCD Liq uid Crystal Display
• a setting button group 312 arranged below the LCD 311, and next to it.
• An image stabilization switch 313 operation means
• a cross key 314 disposed on the side of the LCD 311, a push button 315 disposed in the center of the cross key 314, and an optical disposed above the LCD 311
• a finder 316, a main switch 317 disposed on the side of the optical finder 316, and a connection terminal portion 318 disposed above the optical finder 316 are provided.
• the mount 301 is a part to which the photographic lens 2 is attached, and in the vicinity thereof, a plurality of electrical contacts and mechanical connections for electrical connection with the attached photographic lens 2 are provided. A coupler (not shown) for performing the above is provided.
• the lens exchange button 302 is a button that is pressed when the photographing lens 2 attached to the mount unit 301 is removed.
• the grip portion 303 is a portion where the user grips the digital camera 1 during photographing, In order to improve the fitting property, surface irregularities are provided in accordance with the finger shape. In addition,
• a battery storage chamber and a card storage chamber are provided inside the grip portion 303.
• a battery is housed in the battery compartment as a power source for the camera, and a recording medium (for example, a memory card) for recording image data of a photographed image is detachably housed in the card compartment.
• a grip sensor for detecting whether or not the user has gripped the grip part 303 may be provided in the grip part 303.
• the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 304 includes a light emitting element such as an LED, and outputs auxiliary light when performing the focus adjustment operation when the luminance or contrast of the subject is small.
• the mode setting dial 305 and the control value setting dial 306 are also substantially disk-shaped members that can rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the camera body 10.
• the mode setting dial 305 has various modes such as automatic exposure (AE) control mode, auto focus (AF) control mode, still image shooting mode for shooting a single still image, and continuous shooting mode for continuous shooting. This is for selecting the modes and functions installed in the digital camera 1 such as the shooting mode and playback mode for playing back recorded images.
• the control value setting dial 306 is used to set control values for various functions installed in the digital camera 1.
• the shutter button 307 is a pressing switch that can be operated in a “half-pressed state” that is pressed halfway and further pressed in a “fully pressed state”.
• a preparatory operation for shooting a still image of the subject is executed.
• button 307 is fully pressed (S2), a shooting operation (a series of operations in which the image sensor is exposed and the image signal obtained by the exposure is subjected to predetermined image processing and recorded in a memory card or the like. ) Is executed.
• the half-pressing operation of the shutter button 307 is detected from the fact that the switch S1 (not shown) is turned on, and the full pressing operation of the shutter button 307 is detected by turning on the switch S2 (not shown).
• the LCD 311 includes a color liquid crystal panel, and displays an image captured by the image sensor 101 (see FIG. 4 and the like), displays a recorded image, and displays a digital camera.
• the setting screen of the function and mode installed in 1 is displayed.
• LCD311 use organic EL or plasma display devices.
• the setting button group 312 is a button for performing operations on various functions installed in the digital camera 1.
• This setting button group 312 includes, for example, a selection confirmation switch for confirming the contents selected on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 311, a selection cancel switch, a menu display switch for switching the contents of the menu screen, a display on Z-off switch, It includes a display expansion switch.
• the camera shake correction switch 313 is a button for giving an operation signal for performing a shake correction operation by a shake correction unit 200 described later.
• This camera shake correction switch 313 is used when there is a possibility that the effects of “shake” such as camera shake may appear in the captured image, such as handheld shooting, telephoto shooting, shooting in a dark area, or shooting that requires long exposure.
• the digital camera 1 is set to a state where shake correction can be performed.
• the cross key 314 has an annular member having a plurality of pressing portions (portions indicated by triangles in the drawing) arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, and is provided corresponding to each pressing portion. The pressing operation of the pressing portion is detected by a contact (switch) not shown. Further, the push button 315 is arranged at the center of the cross key 314. Four-way controller 314 and push button 315 are used to change the shooting magnification (the zoom lens moves in the telephoto direction when the zoom lens is in the wide direction), frame-by-frame playback of recorded images to be played back on the LC D311, and shooting conditions (aperture value, shot speed, This is for inputting an instruction such as setting of the presence or absence of rush light emission.
• the optical viewfinder 316 optically displays a range where the subject is photographed.
• the subject image from the photographing lens 2 is guided to the optical finder 316, and the user visually recognizes the subject image actually captured by the image sensor 101 by turning the optical finder 316. can do.
• the main switch 317 also has a two-contact sliding switch force that slides to the left and right. When set to the left, the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, and when set to the right, the power is turned off.
• the connection terminal unit 318 is a terminal for connecting an external device such as a flash (not shown) to the digital camera 1.
• the output sensor 171 (runout detecting means) is mounted.
• This shake detection sensor 171 detects shake given to the camera body 10 (imaging device body) due to camera shake or the like.
• the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 is the X axis (pitch direction) and is perpendicular to the X axis.
• a pitch direction sensor 171a that detects camera shake in the pitch direction
• a single direction sensor 171b that detects camera shake in the direction have.
• the pitch direction sensor 171a and the show direction sensor 171b are composed of, for example, a gyro (angular velocity sensor) using a piezoelectric element, and detect an angular velocity of a shake in each direction.
• the photographic lens 2 functions as a lens window that captures light (light image) from the subject, and also supplies the subject light to an image sensor 101 and an optical finder 316 described later disposed inside the camera body 10. It constitutes a photographing optical system for guiding.
• the photographic lens 2 can be removed from the camera body 10 by pressing the lens exchange button 302 described above (an interchangeable photographic lens).
• the taking lens 2 includes a lens group 21 including a plurality of lenses arranged in series along the optical axis L (see FIG. 4).
• This lens group 21 includes a focus lens 211 for adjusting the focus (see FIG. 9) and a zoom lens 212 for performing zooming, which are driven in the optical axis L direction, respectively. Then, zooming and focus adjustment are performed.
• the photographing lens 2 is provided with an operation ring that can rotate along the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel at an appropriate position on the outer periphery of the lens barrel 22, and the zoom lens can be operated manually or automatically. It moves in the optical axis direction according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the control ring, and the zoom magnification (shooting magnification) is set according to the position of the movement destination.
• FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the power camera body 10 of the digital camera 1
• FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the digital camera 1
• FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the camera body 10.
• the camera body 10 includes an image sensor 101, a finder unit 102 (finder optical system), a mirror unit 103, a focus detection unit 107, the shake detection sensor 171 described above, and a shake correction unit. 200 and shirt unit 40 are provided.
• the image sensor 101 is located on the optical axis L (see Fig. 4) of the lens group 21 provided in the photographing lens 2 when the photographing lens 2 is attached to the camera body 10, and with respect to the optical axis L.
• the image sensor 101 for example, a plurality of pixels configured with photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, and the light receiving surface of each pixel has different spectral characteristics, for example, R (red), G (green) , B (blue) color filter with a 1: 2: 1 ratio is used.
• a CMOS color area sensor (CMOS type image sensor) is used.
• the image sensor 101 converts the light image of the subject formed by the lens group 21 into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) analog electrical signals (image signals). , B Outputs each color image signal.
• a mirror unit 103 (reflecting plate) is disposed at a position where the subject light is reflected toward the viewfinder unit 102.
• the subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 2 is reflected upward by a mirror part 103 (a main mirror 1031 described later), and forms an image on a focusing screen 104 (focus glass).
• a focusing screen 104 focus glass
• the viewfinder unit 102 includes a pentaprism 105, an eyepiece lens 106, and the optical viewfinder 316.
• the pen tab rhythm 105 is a prism that has a pentagonal cross section and changes the light image of the subject incident from the lower surface thereof into an upright image by reversing the left and right sides of the light image.
• the eyepiece 106 guides the subject image that has been made an erect image by the pentaprism 105 to the outside of the optical viewfinder 316.
• the finder unit 102 functions as an optical finder for confirming the object scene during shooting standby.
• the mirror unit 103 includes a main mirror 1031 and a sub mirror 1032, and is provided on the back side of the main mirror 1031 so as to be rotatable so that the sub mirror 1032 falls toward the back of the main mirror 1031. Yes. A part of the subject light transmitted through the main mirror 1031 is reflected by the sub mirror 1032, and the reflected subject light is incident on the focus detection unit 107.
• the mirror unit 103 is a so-called quick return mirror. During exposure, the mirror unit 103 jumps upwards as indicated by an arrow A with the rotation shaft 1033 as a pivot point, and stops at a position below the focusing screen 104. Stop. At this time, the sub mirror 1032 rotates with the rotation shaft 1034 as a fulcrum in the direction indicated by the arrow B with respect to the back surface of the main mirror 1031, and when the mirror unit 103 stops at a position below the focusing screen 104, It is in a state of being folded so as to be substantially parallel to 1031. Thereby, the subject light from the photographic lens 2 reaches the image sensor 101 without being blocked by the mirror 103, and the image sensor 101 is exposed. When the exposure is completed, the mirror unit 103 returns to the original position (position shown in FIG. 4).
• the focus detection unit 107 is a so-called AF sensor that also has a distance measuring element equal force that detects focus information of a subject.
• the focus detection unit 107 is disposed at the bottom of the mirror unit 103 and detects the in-focus position by, for example, a known phase difference detection method.
• the image sensor 101 is held by a shake correction unit 200 so as to be movable in a two-dimensional manner on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L. Details of the structure and operation of the shake correction unit 200 will be described later with reference to FIG. Also, immediately before the image sensor 101 in the optical axis direction, there is a low-pass filter 108 (optical filter) for preventing the incidence of infrared rays (for IR cut) and for preventing the occurrence of pseudo colors and color moire. In addition, the shirt unit 40 is disposed immediately before the low-pass filter 108.
• the shirt unit 40 includes a curtain that moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to a predetermined pixel line of the image sensor 101, and an optical path opening operation and an optical path blocking operation of the subject light guided to the image sensor 101 along the optical axis L.
• This is a mechano-focal plane shirt. The detailed configuration of the shirt unit 40 will be described later with reference to FIGS.
• a frame body 120 (front frame) is disposed at a substantially central portion of the camera body 10 at the rear portion of the mount portion 301 (see the hatched portion in FIG. 4).
• This frame body 120 is a rectangular tube body having a substantially rectangular shape in front view in which the front and rear surface portions of the frame body 120 and the upper surface portion facing the pen tab rhythm 105 (focal plate 104) are opened, and has strength against distortion and the like. It is a metal rigid body.
• a cylindrical mount receiving portion 121 is formed on the front surface of the frame body 120 in accordance with the shape of the mount portion 301. With the mount receiving portion 121 being fitted to the mount receiving portion 121, the front side cover is attached. Screwed with a plurality of screws 122.
• the frame body 120 has a mirror portion 103 disposed therein, and also serves as a holding member for the mirror portion 103.
• the shirter unit 40 includes a rear end portion of the frame body 120 and a rear side thereof. Is supported by the frame body 120 in such a manner that it is clamped by the shatter presser plate 109 disposed in
• battery unit 130 On the left side of frame 120 (inside grip portion 4), battery unit 130 is arranged. Inside the battery unit 130, for example, a predetermined number of AA batteries are accommodated as an operating power source for the digital camera 1. An unillustrated force is provided adjacent to the battery unit 130, and a card storage unit for detachably storing a memory card for recording image data of a photographed image is provided.
• a control board 140 is disposed on the back surface of the knotter unit 130.
• the control board 140 performs predetermined signal processing (image processing) on the image data.
• image processing image processing
• an image processing circuit 141 (described as an image processing unit 61 in FIG. 9 described later) that also has an ASIC or the like for image processing, and a shake correction described later.
• An electronic component such as a shake correction circuit 142 (described as a shake correction control unit 622) that controls driving is mounted, and is a substrate body that forms a main control unit 62 described later.
• the control board 140 and the image sensor 101 are electrically connected by a flexible wiring board 143.
• a drive unit 150 for driving the mirror section 103 and the shirt tutu 40 is disposed at the right adjacent position of the frame body 120. Further, on the right side (outside) of the drive unit 150, a connector portion 160 made of a resin such as plastic is disposed as a structure having a holder such as a remote terminal or a USB terminal or an AC power jack. Has been.
• a shake correction unit 170 having a gyro unit equal force is attached to the adjacent position on the left side of the frame body 120.
• the shake correction unit 170 includes the shake detection sensor 171 described above, a sensor board 172 on which the shake detection sensor 171 is mounted, a sensor flexible wiring board 173, and the like.
• the above-described parts of the digital camera 1 are coupled (fixed) to each other by a chassis made of a metal material such as iron.
• a chassis made of a metal material such as iron.
• the chassis is also configured with front chassis 181 and 182, side chassis 183, and bottom chassis 184 force. These chassis serve as support members for supporting the components in the camera body 10 described above. And the chassis are fixed with screws, and even the chassis The connecting structure and the frame 120 are fixed with screws, so that these members are made into a body structure.
• the bottom chassis 184 is provided with a tripod mounting portion 185 for mounting a tripod used for fixing and supporting the digital camera 1.
• FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the shirt unit 40
• FIG. 7 is a front view of the shirt tutor 40 (with the curtain body closed).
• the shirter unit 40 includes a front curtain group 41, a rear curtain group 42, a light shielding plate 43, and an intermediate plate 44 between a pair of shirter substrates 40A and 40B.
• the front curtain group 41 is composed of four divided curtain bodies 411 to 414 (curtain bodies), and is connected by these divided curtain bodies 411 to 414 leading curtain arms 415 and 416. These front curtain arms 415 and 416 are driven by a drive device (shutter drive actuator 73M shown in FIG. 9) having a predetermined drive shaft, so that the divided curtain bodies 411 to 414 are in an unfolded state (“shutter closed” state) ) And overlapped state (“shutter open” state).
• the rear curtain group 42 is the same, and four divided curtain bodies 421 to 424 are connected by two rear curtain arms 425 and 426.
• the light shielding plate 43 and the intermediate plate 44 are formed with predetermined openings through which subject light passes.
• arcuate grooves 45A, 46A and 45B, 46B into which the drive shafts of the drive devices are inserted are provided on the shatter substrates 40A, 40B.
• the digital camera 1 depending on whether or not to perform the shake correction operation, that is, whether or not the image pickup device 101 is actually driven to perform shake correction by the shake correction unit 200,
• the force that uses the optical path opening operation (mechanical focal plane shirter) by the front curtain group 41 an electronic device that starts the exposure operation of the image sensor 101 by giving a reset signal to each pixel of the image sensor 101 at a predetermined timing.
• the choice is to use a focal plane shirt.
• the optical path blocking operation (mechanical focal plane shirter) by the rear curtain group 42 is used regardless of whether or not the shake correction operation is performed.
• the shake correction unit 200 includes an image sensor 101, a low-pass filter 108, an image sensor holder 201 that holds the low-pass filter 108 together with the image sensor 101, a slider 202 that holds the image sensor holder 201, and a rear surface of the image sensor 101.
• the image sensor substrate 204 is a substantially rectangular substrate on which the image sensor 101 is mounted. However, the mounting is performed in a state where the heat sink 203 is interposed between the image sensor 101 and the image sensor substrate 204.
• the heat radiating plate 203 is a plate-like body made of a predetermined metal material, and is for releasing heat generated by driving (photoelectric conversion) of the image sensor 101.
• the imaging element holder 201 is a frame having a substantially rectangular cross section and is open at the front and back.
• a low-pass filter 108 is attached to the front of the frame, and the imaging element 101 is disposed at the rear of the low-pass filter 108. Has been.
• the image pickup device 101 is attached to the image pickup device holder 201 by being screwed to the image pickup device holder 201 while being pressed against the image pickup device holder 201 together with the heat radiating plate 203 by the image pickup device substrate 204! / [0072]
• a pitch direction actuator 206 is provided at one end side (here, the left side) of the image sensor holder 201 in the left-right direction, and the image sensor holder 201 is attached to the slider 202 via the pitch direction actuator 206. On the other hand, it is slidably mounted in the pitch direction (up and down direction indicated by arrow C in Fig. 8).
• the slider 202 is a substantially flat frame body in which a rectangular opening 2021 larger than the imaging element substrate 204 is formed at a substantially central portion thereof.
• the shake base plate 207 forms a so-called base in the shake correction unit 200 for holding the slider 202 in a state where the image sensor holder 201 is held.
• This is a frame in which an opening 2071 having the same size as the opening 2021 (actually, the opening 2021 of the slider 202 is slightly larger in size) is formed.
• a one-way actuator 205 is fixed to one end (in this case, the lower side) of the swing base plate 207 in a vertical direction, and a bearing portion 2023 of the slider 202 is connected to the shaft actuator 205 (the shaft described later).
• the slider 202 is attached to the swing base plate 207 so as to be slidable in the direction shown by arrow D in FIG. RU
• the swing base plate 207 has the corner 2072 at the upper right corner of the slider 202 with the corner of the image sensor holder 201 sandwiched between the ball bodies loosely fitted to the back surface 2011 of the corner.
• the corner portion 2024 is connected to the corner portion 2024 while being urged by an urging member such as a panel body so as to press the corner portion 2024 toward the corner portion 2072.
• the slider 202 image sensor holder The slider 202 is pressed together with the image sensor holder 201 against the swing base plate 206 in a state in which the slider 201) can be slid in the horizontal direction and the image sensor holder 201 can be moved in the pitch direction. Reliable holding is realized without detaching from the base plate 207.
• the position detection sensor unit (PS) 208 detects the position of the image sensor 101 during shake correction drive or when the camera is activated.
• the position detection sensor unit 208 includes a magnet unit 2081 and a two-dimensional hall sensor 2082.
• the magnet portion 2081 is an element that generates a line of magnetic force (particularly, the magnetic force at the center is strong), is provided at a corner of the image sensor holder 201 (see FIG. 5), and moves integrally with the image sensor holder 201.
• the two-dimensional Hall sensor 2082 is a sensor in which a predetermined number (four in this case) of Hall elements that output signals corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field lines coming out of the magnet part 2081 are arranged two-dimensionally, at a position facing the magnet part 2081.
• the position is fixed on the swing base plate 207 (see FIG. 8).
• the position detection sensor unit 208 detects the position of the magnet unit 2081 that moves as the image sensor holder 201 moves up, down, left, and right with respect to the shake base plate 207 by using the two-dimensional Hall sensor 2082, thereby detecting the position of the image sensor 101. Perform position detection.
• the position detection sensor unit 208 is electrically connected to the control board 140 by the second flexible wiring board 209 together with the above-described single direction actuator 205 and pitch direction actuator 206.
• the single direction actuator 205 and the pitch direction actuator 206 are so-called impact type linear actuators (piezoelectric actuators) in which so-called ultrasonic driving is performed.
• Each of these actuators includes shaft portions 2051 and 2061, piezoelectric element portions 2052 and 2062, weight portions 2053 and 2063, and the like.
• the shaft portions 2051 and 2061 are rod-shaped drive shafts having predetermined cross-sectional shapes (for example, circular shapes) that are driven to vibrate by the piezoelectric element portions 2052 and 2062, respectively.
• the bearing portions 2023 and 2022 (V groove portions thereof) On the other hand, it is frictionally coupled.
• the piezoelectric element portion 2052 (2062) is composed of a force such as ceramic, and expands and contracts according to an applied voltage, and vibrates the shaft portion 2051 (2061) according to the expansion and contraction. In the expansion / contraction by the piezoelectric element 2052 (2062), high-speed extension and low-speed reduction, low-speed extension and high-speed reduction, or constant-speed extension with the same extension speed and reduction speed, etc. The speed reduction is repeated alternately.
• the piezoelectric element portion 2052 (2062) is composed of, for example, a laminated piezoelectric element, and is fixed at one end of the shaft portion 2051 (2061) in a state where the polarization direction coincides with the axial direction of the shaft portion 2051 (20 61). !
• a signal line from the control board 140 (shake correction circuit 142) is connected to the electrode part of the piezoelectric element part 2052 (2062), and the piezoelectric element part 205 2 according to the drive signal from the control board 140.
• the expansion and contraction is performed by charging (2062) or discharging (reverse charging).
• the piezoelectric element portion 2052 (2062) repeatedly expands and contracts in this manner, so that the bearing portion 2023, that is, the slider 202, is relative to the shaft portion 2051 (the shaft portion 2061 is relative to the bearing portion 2022, that is, the slider 202). It moves in the forward or reverse direction, or stops on the spot.
• the vibration generated by the piezoelectric element portion 2052 (2062) is efficiently transmitted to the shaft portion 2051 (2061) at the end of the shaft portion 2051 (2061) opposite to the piezoelectric element portion 2052 (2062).
• a weight portion 2053 (2063), that is, a weight is fixedly provided.
• the slider 202 and the image sensor holder 201 integrally slide in the left-right direction with respect to the shake base plate 207, whereby the image sensor 101 is moved.
• the image sensor holder 201 slides up and down with respect to the slider 202 in accordance with the driving of the pitch direction actuator 206 by correcting the shake in one direction (arrow D direction).
• the shake in the direction of arrow C) is corrected.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the entire digital camera 1 with the photographic lens 2 attached to the camera body 10.
• the taking lens 2 includes a lens group 21 and a lens barrel 22 that constitute the above-described image pickup optical system, and further includes a lens driving mechanism 24, a lens position detection unit 25, and a lens control unit 26.
• the lens group 21 includes a focus lens 211 and a zoom lens 212, and a diaphragm 23 for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 101 provided in the camera body 10. Is held in the direction of the optical axis L, and captures the optical image of the subject and forms the optical image on the imaging element 101 or the like.
• the photographing magnification (focal length) is changed and the focus adjustment operation is performed by driving the lens group 21 in the optical axis L direction (see FIG. 4) by the AF actuator 71M in the camera body 10.
• the lens driving mechanism 24 is composed of, for example, a helicoid and an unillustrated gear that rotates the helicoid.
• the lens driving mechanism 24 receives the driving force of the AF actuator 71M via the coupler 74, and integrates the lens group 21. Therefore, it is moved in a direction parallel to the optical axis L.
• the moving direction and moving amount of the lens group 21 follow the rotating direction and the rotating speed of the AF actuator 71M, respectively.
• the lens position detection unit 25 includes an encoding plate in which a plurality of code patterns are formed at a predetermined pitch in the optical axis L direction within a moving range of the lens group 21, and a lens barrel 22 while being in sliding contact with the encoding plate. And an encoder brush that moves integrally with the lens group 21 to detect the amount of movement of the lens group 21 during focus adjustment.
• the lens control unit 26 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer that incorporates a memory unit 261 that also has a power such as a ROM that stores a control program and a flash memory that stores data related to status information.
• the lens control unit 26 also includes a communication unit 262 that communicates with the main control unit 62 of the camera body 10.
• the communication unit 262 includes, for example, the focal length, the exit pupil position, and the aperture value of the lens group 21.
• state information data such as a focusing distance and a peripheral light amount state are transmitted to the main control unit 62, while data on the driving amount of the focus lens 211 is received from the main control unit 62.
• the memory unit 261 stores the state information data of the lens group 21 and the driving amount data of the focus lens 211 transmitted from the main control unit 62, for example.
• the camera body 10 includes an image sensor (CMOS) 101 described above and a shake correction unit 200 and shaker unit 40 for driving the shake correction, an AFE (analog front end) 5, an image processing unit 61, and the like.
• CMOS image sensor
• AFE analog front end
• image processing unit 61 image processing unit 61
• Image memory 614 main control unit 62 (control means), flash circuit 63, operation unit 64, VRA M65, card IZF66, memory card 67, communication lZF68, power supply circuit 69, battery 69B, memory
• An orcus drive control unit 71A and an AF actuator 71M, a mirror drive control unit 72A and a mirror drive actuator 72M, a shirter drive control unit 73A, a shirter drive actuator 73M, and a tripod detection sensor 185S are provided.
• the image pickup device 101 has the CMOS color area sensor force as described above, and the image pickup device 101 includes the start (and end) of the exposure operation of the image pickup device 101 by the timing control circuit 51 described later. Imaging operations such as output selection of each pixel and readout of pixel signals are controlled.
• FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration of the image sensor 101. Here, for convenience of illustration, only a pixel group of 3 rows (lines) X 4 columns is shown.
• the image sensor 101 is arranged (matrix-like array) on a plurality of pixels 31 (31 & —1 to 31 (1-3) and a plurality of pixel lines 32 (32a to 32c).
• the pixels 31a-1, 1, 31b-1, 1, 31c-1, 1, 31d-1 force.
• pixels 31a-3, 31b-3, 31c-3, and 31d-3 are arranged in the pixel line 32c, and each pixel 31 is a photodiode 33 as a photoelectric conversion element that performs a photoelectric conversion operation.
• the reset switch (Rst) 34 discharges the charge accumulated in the pixel 31, and the charge accumulated in the pixel 31 is read as a voltage (charge-voltage conversion). ) 35 and a vertical selection switch (SW) 36 that receives the selection signal and outputs the pixel signal of the pixel 31 concerned.
• the reset switch 34 and the amplifying element 35 are connected to the power source Vp.
• the image sensor 101 includes a vertical scanning circuit 37, a horizontal scanning circuit 38, and an amplifier 39.
• the vertical scanning circuit 37 reset lines 371a to 371c to which the reset switches 34 of the pixels 31a-l to 31d-3 are commonly connected and control electrodes of the vertical selection switch 36 are provided in units of pixel lines 32a to 32c.
• Commonly connected vertical scanning lines 372a to 372c are connected.
• the vertical scanning circuit 37 sequentially supplies a reset signal ⁇ Vr to each of the pixel lines 32a to 32c via the reset lines 371a to 371c at a predetermined reset timing, and each pixel 31a-l to 31d in units of the pixel lines 32a to 32c. — Let 3 perform reset operation.
• the vertical scanning circuit 37 applies a vertical scanning pulse ⁇ Vn to the pixels 31a-l to 31d-3 via the vertical scanning lines 372a to 372c.
• horizontal scanning lines 381 (381a to 381d) to which the main electrodes of the vertical selection switch 36 are commonly connected are provided for each pixel column (for example, the pixels 31a-1, 31a-2, and 31a-3). Each is pulled out and connected to a horizontal signal line 383 through horizontal switches 382 (382a to 382d).
• the horizontal scanning circuit 38 is connected to the control electrodes of such horizontal switches 382a to 382d, and takes out a pixel signal of a selected pixel by applying a horizontal scanning pulse ⁇ Vm.
• the amplifier 39 is connected to the horizontal signal line 383 and amplifies the output signal from the pixel.
• the vertical scanning circuit 37 applies a vertical scanning pulse ⁇ to the vertical selection switch 36 of a pixel, and the charge (pixel signal) photoelectrically converted by the photodiode 33 included in the pixel is converted into a horizontal scanning line 381. It is possible to output via.
• the horizontal scanning circuit 38 applies a horizontal scanning pulse ⁇ to the horizontal switch 382 connected to the horizontal scanning line 381 by the horizontal scanning circuit 38, and the pixel signal is applied to the horizontal signal line 383 via the horizontal switch 382. Is output. By sequentially performing this operation for each pixel, it is possible to sequentially output pixel signals from all the pixels while designating the pixels.
• the pixel signal output to the horizontal signal line 383 is further amplified by the amplifier 39 and then output to AFE5.
• an electronic focal plane shirt may be selected as the front curtain, and in this case, the timing force that gives the reset signal ⁇ ⁇ r to the reset switch 34 of the pixel 31 This is the exposure start timing for the pixel 31.
• the reset switch 34 is turned on when the reset signal ⁇ : is given, discards unnecessary charges accumulated so far, and then turned off to charge the pixel 31 by exposure. Make it possible.
• the reset signal ⁇ i) Vr has a circuit configuration that is given in units of one pixel line 32a to 32c, and therefore, sequentially for each of the first to third pixel lines 32a to 32c. Exposure is started.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a powerful electronic focal plane shirter operation.
• the In FIG. 11A the first pixel line 32a to the Nth pixel line 32N are shown, and reset lines 371a to 371N that supply the reset signal ⁇ Vr to these pixel lines are indicated by arrows.
• the first pixel line 32a to the Nth pixel line 32N are pixel lines in which pixels are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the curtain included in the mechanical-calf plane plane shirter.
• the first pixel line 32a to the Nth pixel line 32N are transferred from the vertical scanning circuit 37 to the first pixel line 32a to the Nth pixel line 32N via the reset lines 371a to 371N at a predetermined reset timing (b in FIG.
• the reset signal ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ is sequentially applied, so that the exposure starts in order from the first pixel line 32a to the ⁇ th pixel line 32 ⁇ , and functions as an electronic focal plane shirter. is there.
• the reset timing determines the curtain speed of the electronic focal plane shirter. That is, the shorter the time from time tl to tn, the faster the curtain speed. If the intervals of time tl, t2 ⁇ * tn are constant, the curtain speed is constant. If the curtain speed of the electronic focal plane shirt as the first curtain is to be controlled, the reset timing may be appropriately changed.
• the AFE 5 gives a timing pulse for causing the image sensor 101 to perform a predetermined operation, and also outputs an image signal output from the image sensor 101 (received by each pixel of the CMOS area sensor).
• the analog signal group is subjected to predetermined signal processing, converted into a digital signal, and output to the image processing unit 61.
• the AFE 5 includes a timing control circuit 51, a signal processing unit 52, an AZD conversion unit 53, and the like.
• the timing control circuit 51 (timing signal generating means) is output from the main control unit 62.
• a predetermined timing pulse (a pulse for generating a vertical scanning pulse ⁇ Vn, a horizontal scanning pulse ⁇ Vm, a reset signal ⁇ Vr, etc.) is generated based on a reference clock to be generated by the image sensor 101 (the vertical scanning circuit 37 and Output to the horizontal scanning circuit 38, etc.) to control the imaging operation of the imaging device 101. Further, the operation of the signal processing unit 52 and the AZD conversion unit 53 is controlled by outputting predetermined timing pulses to the signal processing unit 52 and the AZD conversion unit 53, respectively.
• the signal processing unit 52 performs predetermined analog signal processing on the analog image signal output from the image sensor 101.
• the signal processing unit 52 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit, a clamp circuit (clamp means), and the like.
• the AZD conversion unit 53 converts the analog R, G, B image signal output from the signal processing unit 52 into a plurality of bits (for example, based on the timing pulse output from the timing control circuit 51). 12-bit) digital image signal.
• the image processing unit 61 generates an image file by performing predetermined signal processing on the image data output from the AFE 5, and includes a black level correction circuit 611, a white balance control circuit 612, and a gamma correction circuit 613. Etc. are provided. Note that the image data captured by the image processing unit 61 is written and written to the image memory 614 in synchronization with the reading of the image sensor 101. Thereafter, the image data written to the image memory 614 is accessed, and the image data is read. Each block of the image processing unit 61 is processed!
• the black level correction circuit 611 corrects the black level of each of the R, G, and B digital image signals AZD converted by the AZD conversion unit 53 to a reference black level.
• the white balance control circuit 612 converts the digital signal level of each color component of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) based on the white standard according to the light source (white balance (WB) Adjustment). In other words, the white balance control circuit 612 identifies a portion that is supposed to be originally white from the brightness, saturation data, and the like based on the WB adjustment data provided from the main control unit 62, and Find the average of the R, G, and B color components, the GZR ratio, and the GZB ratio for that part, and level-correct them as R and B correction gains.
• WB white balance
• the gamma correction circuit 613 corrects the gradation characteristics of image data that has been subjected to WB adjustment. is there. Specifically, the gamma correction circuit 613 performs non-linear conversion and offset adjustment on the level of the image data using a gamma correction table set in advance for each color component.
• the image memory 614 temporarily stores the image data output from the image processing unit 61 in the shooting mode, and serves as a work area for performing predetermined processing on the image data by the main control unit 62. This is the memory used. In the playback mode, the image data read from the memory card 67 is temporarily stored.
• the main control unit 62 is a microcomputer having a built-in storage unit such as a ROM for storing a control program and a flash memory for temporarily storing data, and each unit in the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. It controls the operation.
• the main control unit 62 is functionally configured to include an AFZAE control unit 621, a shake correction control unit 622, and a shirter control unit 623.
• the AFZAE control unit 621 performs operation control necessary for automatic focus control (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE). That is, for AF, focus adjustment processing is performed by the phase difference detection method using the output signal of the focus detection unit (phase difference AF module) 107, and a focus control signal (AF control signal) is generated, The AF actuator 71M is operated through the focus drive control unit 71A to drive the focus lens 211. In addition, for AE, based on luminance information of the subject detected by an AE sensor (not shown), a calculation is performed to obtain an appropriate exposure amount (including shot speed) for the subject.
• AF automatic focus control
• AE automatic exposure control
• the shake correction control unit 622 calculates the shake direction and the shake amount based on the shake detection signal from the shake detection sensor 171 when the camera shake correction mode is executed, and calculates the calculated direction and shake. Based on the amount, a shake correction control signal is generated and output to the shake correction unit 200, and the image sensor 101 is driven to shift in a direction in which camera shake is canceled.
• the shake correction control unit 622 integrates the angular velocity signal detected by the shake detection sensor 171 to obtain a shake amount (shake angle 0) in each direction, and the photographing lens 2
• the shotta control unit 623 controls the shotter operation in the digital camera 1, and controls both the force-calfocal plane shotta function and the electronic focal plane shotta function. In particular, depending on whether or not the shake correction operation is actually performed, whether the optical path opening operation (mechanical focal plane shirter) by the front curtain group 41 of the shirter unit 40 is used as the front curtain in the exposure operation. Then, a determination is made as to whether or not to use an electronic focal plane shutter that starts the exposure operation of the image sensor 101 by giving a reset signal to each pixel of the image sensor 101 at a predetermined timing. Control is performed so as not to be affected by body vibration as much as possible.
• the function of the shirt control unit 623 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.
• the flash circuit 63 controls the light emission amount of the flash connected to the connection terminal unit 318 to a predetermined light emission amount set by the main control unit 62 in the flash photographing mode.
• the operation unit 64 includes the aforementioned mode setting dial 305, control value setting dial 306, shirt button 307, setting button group 312, camera shake correction switch 313, cross key 314, push button 315, main switch 317, etc. This is for inputting operation information to the main control unit 62.
• the VRAM 65 has a recording capacity for image signals corresponding to the number of pixels of the LCD 311 and is a buffer memory between the main control unit 62 and the LCD 311.
• the card I / F 66 is an interface for enabling transmission / reception of signals between the memory card 67 and the main control unit 62.
• the memory card 67 is a recording medium that stores the image data generated by the main control unit 62.
• the communication IZF 68 is an interface for enabling transmission of image data and the like to a personal computer and other external devices.
• the power supply circuit 69 is composed of, for example, a constant voltage circuit or the like, and a voltage (for example, 5V) for driving the entire digital camera 1 such as a control unit such as the main control unit 62, the image sensor 101, and other various drive units. Is generated. Note that energization control to the image sensor 101 is performed by a control signal supplied from the main control unit 62 to the power supply circuit 69.
• the battery 69B is composed of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery, and is a power source that supplies power to the entire digital camera 1.
• the focus drive control unit 71A drives the AF actuator 71M necessary for moving the focus lens 211 to the in-focus position based on the AF control signal given from the AFZAE control unit 621 of the main control unit 62. A control signal is generated.
• the AF actuator 71M includes a stepping motor and the like, and applies a lens driving force to the lens driving mechanism 24 of the photographing lens 2 via the coupler 74.
• the mirror drive control unit 72A generates a drive signal for driving the mirror drive actor 72M in accordance with the timing of the photographing operation.
• the mirror drive actuator 72 M is an actuator that rotates the mirror unit 103 (quick return mirror) to a horizontal posture or an inclined posture.
• the shirter drive control unit 73A generates a drive control signal for the shutter drive actuator 73M based on the control signal given from the main control unit 62.
• the shutter driving actuator 73M is an actuator that opens and closes the shirter unit 40 (the front curtain group 41 and the rear curtain group 42 shown in FIG. 6).
• the tripod detection sensor 185S (support leg detection means) is a contact sensor having a contact part, and the tripod attachment part 185 provided on the bottom chassis 184 of the camera body 10 is attached to the tripod (support leg). It is a sensor that electrically detects whether or not the force is applied.
• an electronic focal plane shirter is used as a front curtain and a rear curtain is used.
• a mechanical focal plane shirter the exposure operation of the CMOS image sensor 101 can be started and ended. The reason for performing such a shotta operation is as follows.
• FIG. 12 is a time chart schematically showing the operation of the mirror unit 103 and the shirt unit 40 during exposure.
• the mirror unit 103 Prior to the exposure of the image sensor 101, the mirror unit 103 starts to jump in the direction of arrow A at time tl from the down posture in which the subject light is reflected toward the finder unit 102 as shown in FIG. Thus, an optical path for guiding the subject light to the image sensor is secured.
• the front curtain group 41 (see Fig. 6) of the shirt unit 40 runs for the optical path opening.
• the line starts (the divided curtains 411 to 414 start to move to the overlapped state force), and the traveling of the front curtain group 41 is completed at time t21 (the transition of the divided curtains 411 to 414 to the overlapped state is completed).
• the traveling of the rear curtain group 42 of the shatter unit 40 is started to interrupt the light path (the divided curtain bodies 421 to 424 start to move to the deployed state as well), and the time t3 1
• the running of the rear curtain group 42 is completed (the transition to the deployed state of the divided curtain bodies 421 to 424 is completed).
• the shutter speed including the full opening time Tz of the shotta considering the time required for flash emission is set.
• FIG. 13 is a graph showing an output waveform of the shake detection sensor 171 substantially matched with the time scale of the time chart shown in FIG. The powerful output waveform was obtained with the camera body 10 fixed. As shown in this graph, the mirror 103 After the time tl when the jump starts, the shake detection sensor 171 senses mechanical vibration (mirror shock) caused by the jump and outputs an angular velocity signal (shake amount detection signal) corresponding to the mechanical vibration. Thereafter, reaction vibration is detected for a certain period.
• the detection sensor 171 senses and outputs an angular velocity signal corresponding to the impact vibration in a predetermined period after time t21.
• FIG. 14 schematically shows the driving of the shake correction unit 200 and the state of impact vibration in response to the time chart described in FIG. As shown in the figure, from the start (ON) of the shake correction unit 200, that is, the direction actuator 205 or the pitch direction actuator 206, is started (ON) at time t41, until the drive is stopped (OFF) at time t42.
• This problem of the front curtain shock can be solved by always letting the front curtain be performed by the electronic focal plane shirt. That is, the front curtain group 41 of the shirter unit 40 is opened before the exposure period, and after the front curtain shock is attenuated and extinguished, exposure is started by the electronic focal plane shirter. Alternatively, it is possible to adopt a shirter unit 40 that does not have the front curtain group 41. As a result, the first curtain shock and the exposure period It becomes possible to avoid duplication.
• FIG. 15 is a graph showing the curtain speed characteristics when using the mechanical-focal plane shirter for both the front curtain and the rear curtain.
• the curtain speed has a characteristic that it gradually accelerates slowly from the start side to the end side of the image frame, and becomes the fastest on the end side.
• this curtain speed characteristic changes depending on the attitude of the digital camera 1, temperature, humidity, or aged deterioration of the components of the shirt unit 40.
• the shake correction unit 200 must actually perform the shake correction operation. It is desirable to use an electronic focal plane shirt as the front curtain in the shake correction execution mode. For example, when the camera shake correction switch 313 is turned OFF, the tripod is attached to the tripod mounting portion 185, and the shake correction operation is substantially unnecessary, or the shake detected by the shake detection sensor 171 is detected. If the amount is a small value less than or equal to the specified value and the shake correction operation is substantially unnecessary, it is determined that the camera is not in the shake correction execution mode. It is desirable to adopt a mechanical-calf plane planer for the gap between the curtain and the rear curtain.
• the digital camera 1 is provided with a shirt control unit 623, and as a front curtain according to whether or not the camera is in the “shake correction execution mode”. Control is performed to select either a single plain plane or an electronic focal plane shirt.
• FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the shirt control unit 623.
• the shirter control unit 623 includes a state information acquisition unit 624, a shotta selection unit 625, a threshold storage unit 626, and an electronic focal plane shotter control unit 627.
• the state information acquisition unit 624 acquires various state information given to the digital camera 1 and provides the state information when the shatter selection unit 625 determines the leading curtain selection. Ingredients Specifically, the state information acquisition unit 624 acquires the following state information (a) to (e), for example.
• (C) A shake amount detection signal detected by the shake detection sensor 171. This is shake state information that is actually given to the digital camera 1 and is force state information that substantially requires a shake correction operation.
• (D) Various data of the photographic lens 2 acquired by communication with the lens control unit 26 of the photographic lens 2. For example, when the photographic lens 2 is replaced, data such as the focal length, exit pupil position, aperture value, focus distance, and peripheral light amount state are acquired. These data are status information about the shirt speed.
• the state information acquisition unit 624 may acquire the shot speed information itself set in the AFZAE control unit 621.
• the shotta selection unit 625 selects either the mechanical-power focal plane shotta or the electronic focal plane shotta as the front curtain. Performs the judgment operation. The determination operation to be applied is performed on the basis of the force rejection force that is “in the shake correction execution mode” where the shake correction operation by the shake correction unit 200 is actually necessary. If it is determined that the camera is in shake correction execution mode, the electronic focal plane shutter is selected as the first curtain (second exposure start control), and it is determined that the camera is not in shake correction execution mode. If this happens, select the mechanical-focal plane shutter as the first curtain (first exposure start control).
• the shake amount detection signal detected by the shake detection sensor 171 is a predetermined value or more.
• the image stabilizer switch 313 is turned ONZOFF, the presence or absence of a tripod and V, and the simple status information is given to the digital camera 1 to select the front curtain according to the amount of shake.
• the electronic focal plane shirt is selected as the front curtain when there is a large shake such that the shake detection signal exceeds the predetermined value and shake correction is actually required. Note that when the shake correction can be executed as the digital camera 1 but the shake amount greater than the predetermined value is not detected, etc., the mechanical focal plane shirter is selected as the front curtain.
• the shatter speed is lower than a predetermined value.
• the electronic focal plane shirter is selected as the front curtain to avoid the influence of the front curtain shock.
• the effects of camera shake vibration hardly appear in the photographed image.
• Calfocal plain shirt is selected. This also has the effect of suppressing exposure unevenness due to the difference in curtain speed between the front curtain and the rear curtain.
• the shatter speed depends on the various data of the photographic lens 2 that is attached and the AFZAE control. It is determined by the set focal length, aperture value, and the like.
• the shotta selection unit 625 compares the shotta speed derived based on these values with a predetermined shotta speed threshold, determines whether the SS is a low speed SS or a high speed SS, and selects an appropriate leading curtain.
• the shatter speed threshold value may be a fixed value (for example, 1Z250 seconds, 1Z300 seconds, etc.), but may be set based on the focal length of the photographing optical system of the digital power camera 1, for example.
• the focal length is set as a reference
• the focal length in terms of 135 system is f (mm)
• the set shatter speed is set to a speed slower than lZf (seconds).
• the electronic focal plane shutter is selected as the first curtain.
• the 135 system with a small screen size (a system with an image sensor equivalent to a 35mm film size) generally performs hand-held shooting at a shutter speed slower than lZf seconds (for example, a lens with a focal length of 100mm). This is because blurring is likely to occur in the shot image when the shutter speed is slower than that of 1Z100.
• the shotta speed is set to a speed slower than 1Z1.5f (seconds)
• the shotta speed is determined to be low SS. good.
• the shotta selection unit 625 performs the determination as described in [A] to [D] above, and when the electronic focal plane shotta is selected as the front curtain, the electronic focal plane shotter control unit 627 operates. In response to the instruction signal, the electronic focal plane shirter control unit 627 controls the timing control circuit 51 to give a reset signal for the leading shutter function to each pixel line of the image sensor 101 at a predetermined reset timing. Do. On the other hand, when the mechanical-calf plane shutter is selected as the front curtain, an operation instruction signal is given to the shutter drive control unit 73A, and the front shutter is operated on the shirt unit 40 by the shota drive actuator 73M at the exposure start timing. Let it be done. By providing the configuration for performing the determination operation as described above, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when it is not necessary, the shake correction function and the electronic focal plane shirter can be used without any problem.
• the first curtain type can be selected.
• the threshold storage unit 626 determines whether or not the shake amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value in the shotta selection unit 625, and determines whether the shotta speed is the low speed SS or the high speed SS. It is a functional unit that stores a threshold value necessary for the communication.
• the threshold value storage unit 626 stores, for example, a shake amount threshold value for the determination of [C], a shot speed speed threshold value for the determination of the above [D] (tuning speed reference, focal length reference shot rate speed threshold), and the like. Is done.
• the electronic focal plane shirt control unit 627 is a vertical scanning circuit 37 of the image sensor 101.
• the reset timing for each pixel line is set according to the predetermined front curtain speed, and the reset signal ⁇ Vr is sequentially supplied to each of the pixel lines 32a to 32c at the reset timing.
• An electronic focal plane shirt operation as a front curtain is performed on the element 101.
• the shake correction unit 20 0 (the one-way actuator 205 and the pitch The direction actuator 206) or the shake correction drive by this enables accurate shake correction without being affected by the running vibration of the curtain body, and in the shake correction execution mode, sometimes the mechanical focal as the front curtain
• the use of plain shatter prevents the curtain speed from shifting between the first and second curtains.
• improper shake correction is not performed based on an erroneous shake amount detection signal, but the occurrence of uneven exposure is suppressed. Therefore, a digital camera 1 with a shake correction function equipped with a CMOS-type image sensor 101 can obtain a beautiful image even if there is a deviation between when the shake correction function is operated and when it is not operated. Can do.
• the camera lens 10 is a single-lens reflex digital camera in which the photographing lens 2 is replaceable, and the camera body 10 is mounted.
• the shake detection sensor 171 is susceptible to the influence of the mechanical body vibration of the mechanical focal plane shatter. Therefore, regarding the influence of the curtain travel vibration on the shake detection sensor 171, it is possible to remarkably enjoy the malfunction suppression effect by adopting the electronic focal plane shutter as the front curtain in the shake correction execution mode.
• 17 and 18 show the imaging process of the digital camera 1. It is a flowchart which shows physical operation. As shown in FIG. 17, when the main switch 317 (see FIG. 2) is turned on and the digital camera 1 is turned on (step S1), the main control unit 62 is connected to the lens control unit 26 of the photographic lens 2. Communication is performed and lens information of the photographic lens 2 attached is acquired (step S2). The powerful lens information is stored in a RAM area provided in the main control unit 62.
• the main control unit 62 checks whether or not the taking lens 2 has been replaced.
• Step S3 If the lens has been replaced (YES in step S3), communication is performed in the same manner as in step S2 to acquire lens information, and processing for updating data to the acquired lens information is performed (step S4). If the lens is not changed (NO in step S3), step S4 is skipped. Based on the lens information acquired in step S2 or step S4, the focal length, aperture value, etc. are set (step S5). This setting is a default setting when performing a shooting operation that is not final, and is not particularly performed when programmed shooting is performed.
• the main control unit 62 determines whether or not the half-pressing operation (S1: ON) of the shutter button 307 has been performed (step S6), and if the half-pressing operation has not been performed, Wait until the half-press operation is performed (NO in step S6). Then, when the shutter button 307 is pressed halfway (YES in step S6), the AFZAE control unit 621 of the main control unit 62 controls the AE processing (shutter speed and aperture value) based on the brightness of the subject. Determination) and AF processing (determination of the in-focus position) by the phase difference detection method is executed (step S7). At this time, shake correction control by the shake correction control unit 622 is also executed.
• step S8 it is determined whether or not the full-press operation of the shirt turbo button 307 (S2: ON) has been performed (step S8). If the full-press operation of the shirt button 307 is performed! In step S8, NO), the process returns to step S7.
• Step S8 when the shutter button 307 is fully pressed (YES in step S8), the main control unit 62 updates data to the focal length, aperture value, and focus distance after AE processing and AF processing. (Step S9), set parameters according to the lens condition, and execute AE and AF (Step S10).
• the shaker control unit 623 (shutter selection unit 625) uses the shake correction unit 200 to actually drive the image sensor 101 for shake correction. Move to the stage to select the first curtain according to whether or not the power is "in row mode" (see Figure 18)
• the shirt selection unit 625 determines whether or not the camera shake correction switch 313 is in the ON state (step S11).
• camera shake correction switch 313 is in the OFF state (NO in step S11)
• it is definitely determined that it is not in the shake correction execution mode (hereinafter referred to as “shake correction not executed”) (step S17).
• a mechanical-focal plane plain shirt (a mechanical shirt) is used as the curtain to start exposure (step S18).
• the shirt selection unit 625 retains a definitive selection determination, and subsequently determines whether the tripod is attached or not ( Step S1 2).
• step S12 When a tripod attachment detection signal is output from the tripod detection sensor 185S (YES in step S12), the shirt selection unit 625 determines that "shake correction is not executed" (step S17). . On the other hand, when the tripod detection sensor 185S does not output a tripod attachment detection signal (NO in step S12), the shotta selection unit 625 holds a definitive selection determination and detects the shake amount detected by the shake detection sensor 171. It is determined whether or not the signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S13).
• step S17 When the shake amount detection signal is below the predetermined value (NO in step S13), the shirt selection unit 625 definitely determines that "shake correction is not executed" (step S17). On the other hand, if the shake amount detection signal is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES in step S13), the shotta selection unit 625 retains a definitive selection determination and determines that the set shotta speed is higher than the predetermined value. Judgment is made (Step S14).
• step S17 When the SS speed is higher than the predetermined value at high speed SS (YES in step S14), the shutter selection unit 625 determines that "shake correction is not executed" (step S17), and the mechanism is used as the front curtain. -Cal focal plane shirt (mecha shirt) is used to start exposure (step S 18). On the other hand, when the shotta speed is a low-speed SS that is slower than the predetermined value (NO in step S14), the shotta selection unit 625 finally determines that it is in the “shake correction execution mode” (step S15). An electronic focal plane shirt is used as the curtain to start exposure (Step S16).
• step S19 After the force is applied, the mechanical focal plane shirter as the rear curtain is operated, and the exposure of the imaging element 101 is completed (step S19). Then, pixel signals are sequentially read out in accordance with timing pulses supplied from the timing control circuit 51, output to the AFE 5, and the pixel signals are converted into digital signals.
• the image processing unit 61 performs predetermined image processing on the digital signals. After being applied, a series of image recording operations are performed in which the image signal is recorded in the memory card 67 (step S20). Subsequently, the main control unit 62 confirms whether or not the next shooting instruction has been given (step S21). If the next shooting is performed (YES in step S21), steps S3 to S20 are performed. Repeat the process up to. On the other hand, if the next shooting is not performed (NO in step S21), the power is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S22), and the process is terminated.
• an impact-type piezoelectric actuator in which ultrasonic driving is performed as shown in the single direction actuator 205 and the pitch direction actuator 206 is performed.
• the present invention is not limited to this, and a so-called moving coil type actuator may be used.
• an imaging device is mounted on a certain substrate, a moving coil is provided on the substrate side, and a magnet or a magnetic flux generator is provided on the camera body side.
• a configuration may be employed in which a driven unit including an imaging element is driven in a floating state with respect to a driving unit (here, the camera body).
• This position fixing means includes, for example, a boss portion provided with a hole (boss hole) provided between the driven portion and the drive portion, and a locking portion (fitting to (inserting into) the hole portion to be locked) It may be a locking mechanism composed of a protruding portion; With this locking mechanism, when the shake correction drive is not performed, the locking portion is fitted to the boss portion, and the driven portion and the drive portion are fixed in position, and when the shake correction drive is performed, the lock portion is engaged from the boss portion.
• an image sensor 701, a shirter unit 702, and a low-pass filter 703 are integrated as a driven portion 710. That is, the image sensor 701 and the mechanical-focal plane shutter are integrally configured, and the drive unit 720 (drive mechanism) integrally shakes the image sensor 701 and the shutter unit 702 (driven unit 710).
• a shake correction unit 700 having a driving structure and a digital camera 1 ′ having the shake correction unit 700 may be adopted.
• the driving unit 720 includes the impact type piezoelectric actuator or the moving coil type actuator, and is configured to be able to move the driven unit 710 in the horizontal direction and the pitch direction (shake correction driving).
• the shirt unit 702 has a structure separated from the camera body 730 (not attached to the camera body 730 as in the above embodiment).
• the image sensor 701, the shirt unit 702, the low pass filter 703, and the camera body 730 correspond to the image sensor 101, the shirt unit 40, the single pass filter 108, and the camera body 10 in the above embodiment.
• the shirter unit 702 that is, the mechanical focal plane shirter and the image pickup device 701 are integrated and driven by the drive unit 720 for shake correction, so that the mechanical focal plane shirter is mechanically driven.
• the curtain running vibration is directly transmitted to the driving unit 720, and the driving unit 720 is susceptible to the influence of the curtain running vibration. Therefore, even with an imaging device that is easily affected by such vibrations, the use of the electronic force plane shutter function as the front curtain makes the malfunction prevention effect of the drive unit 720 remarkable (reliable). Malfunction can be prevented), and high shake correction accuracy can be realized.
• Step S11 to Step S14 are sequentially input to the shutter selection unit 625. Any of these forces, or a combination of two or three, may be used as a determination factor.
• the image stabilization switch O Two judgment factors, NZOFF and shatter speed, may be used.
• the case where the image pickup device 101 is the structure that is shake-corrected and driven by the shake correction unit 200.
• the structure is a shake correction lens, a lens barrel, or the like. May be.
• the digital camera 1 has been described as an example of the imaging apparatus of the present invention.
• the present invention is not limited to a digital video camera using a CMOS imaging sensor, a sensing apparatus including an imaging unit, or the like. Can also be applied.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Studio Devices (AREA)
• Adjustment Of Camera Lenses (AREA)
• Shutters For Cameras (AREA)

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• 2006
  • 2006-02-14 JP JP2006036380A patent/JP4596268B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
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  • 2007-02-13 KR KR1020077023411A patent/KR20080093854A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2007-02-13 CN CN200780000498XA patent/CN101322399B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-02-13 US US11/911,542 patent/US8259184B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-02-13 WO PCT/JP2007/052458 patent/WO2007094282A1/ja not_active Ceased
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