Imaging apparatus

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus equipped with a panning or tilting mechanism, which easily performs a foreign matter removing operation.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes a lens unit, an image sensor, an imaging unit including the lens unit and the image sensor, a pan or tilt mechanism configured to rotationally drive the imaging unit in a pan or tilt direction, and a foreign substance removal mechanism configured to remove a foreign substance on the image sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] In imaging devices such as digital cameras, if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the imaging surface of the imaging element, its shadow may appear in the captured image. As described in Patent Document 1, there is a technology that removes foreign matter on the imaging surface of the imaging element by vibrating the imaging element.

[0003] Also known are imaging devices that are equipped with a pan-tilt mechanism for automatically rotating the imaging unit in a pan-tilt direction, and that capture images in a desired direction by driving the pan-tilt mechanism by remote control, etc. Even in imaging devices equipped with such a pan-tilt mechanism, it is desirable to remove foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the imaging element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2007-189401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in imaging devices that take pictures by driving a pan-tilt mechanism via remote control, the user must operate the imaging device at a location far from the operating position of the device, which makes it difficult for the user to intuitively determine the orientation of the imaging surface of the image sensor, and makes it difficult to properly remove foreign matter that has adhered to the image sensor.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to easily remove foreign matter from the imaging surface of an imaging element in an imaging device that has a mechanism for rotating an imaging unit in the horizontal or vertical direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the imaging device of the present invention is characterized by having an imaging unit equipped with an imaging element, a rotation drive unit that rotates the imaging unit horizontally or vertically, an imaging element vibration unit that vibrates the imaging element to remove foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the imaging element, and a control unit that controls the imaging element vibration unit to operate in a state in which the imaging unit is rotated by the rotation drive unit so that the imaging surface of the imaging element is at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an imaging device having a mechanism for rotating an imaging unit in the horizontal or vertical direction, it is possible to easily remove foreign matter from the imaging surface of an imaging element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit 200 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the foreign matter removal operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart for realizing the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the foreign matter removal operation in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart for realizing the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a display device connected to the imaging device 100 in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart for realizing the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the configurations shown in the drawings.

[0011] Example 1 Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the imaging device 100 is made up of an imaging unit 101, a rotation drive unit 106, and a control unit 200. The imaging unit 101 is made up of a lens unit 102, an imaging element 103, an adsorption member 104, and an imaging element vibration unit 105.

[0012] The lens unit 102 has a zoom lens, a focus lens, and an aperture mechanism, and focuses light from a subject onto the light receiving surface of the image sensor 103. The zoom lens moves in the direction of the optical axis, making it possible to change the imaging magnification. The focus lens moves in the direction of the optical axis, making it possible to adjust the focal position. The aperture mechanism can adjust the amount of light passing through the optical system. Each lens and aperture mechanism has a driving unit, and is controlled by the control unit 200.

[0013] The image sensor 103 is configured with semiconductor elements such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and performs photoelectric conversion on the subject image formed by the lens unit 102 to generate an analog signal.

[0014] The adsorption member 104 is placed vertically below the image pickup element 103. The adsorption member 104 has an adhesive layer and can adsorb foreign matter that falls from above.

[0015] An optical low-pass filter and a cover glass that protects the image sensor 103 are disposed in front of the image sensor 103. The image sensor vibration unit 105 has a vibration mechanism that vibrates the optical low-pass filter, the cover glass, or the image sensor 103 itself. By vibrating the optical low-pass filter, the cover glass, or the image sensor 103 itself using the image sensor vibration unit 105, a foreign substance removal operation is performed to remove foreign substances from the imaging surface of the image sensor 103.

[0016] The rotation drive unit 106 has a drive mechanism made up of a motor and a reduction gear for rotating the imaging unit 101 in the pan direction (horizontal direction) and tilt direction (vertical direction) based on a drive signal from the control unit 200.

[0017] Furthermore, the rotation drive unit 106 is provided with a photointerrupter that is a rotation position detection unit, and the photointerrupter can detect the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 that is rotated by the rotation drive unit 106. Note that the rotation position detection unit that detects the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 is not limited to a photointerrupter. For example, the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 may be detected by other means such as a magnetic encoder or an optical encoder.

[0018] The control unit 200 is a system control unit that comprehensively controls each component of the imaging device 100 and performs data transmission and reception.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the control unit 200. As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 200 is composed of an A / D conversion unit 201, an image processing unit 202, a communication unit 203, an attitude calculation unit 204, a rotation angle calculation unit 205, a rotation control unit 206, an image sensor vibration control unit 207, a lens unit control unit 208, and a storage unit 209.

[0020] The A / D conversion unit 201 converts the analog signal output from the image sensor 103 into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the image processing unit 202. The A / D conversion unit 201 may be built into the image sensor 103.

[0021] The image processing unit 202 performs signal processing including exposure adjustment using digital gain, demosaicing processing, white balance processing, gamma processing, etc. on the digital signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 201 to generate image data.

[0022] The communication unit 203 transfers the image data generated by the image processing unit 202 to external devices such as a PC (Personal Computer), a display device, or other media (for example, a hard disk, a memory card, an SD card, or a USB memory). The communication unit 203 also receives instructions from external devices such as a controller. The imaging device 100 operates based on instructions received by the communication unit 203 from external devices.

[0023] The orientation calculation unit 204 calculates the tilt, which is the angle of the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 with respect to the direction of gravity, from the motor drive angle and the configuration of the reduction gear, based on the rotation position detected by a photointerrupter provided in the rotation drive unit 106. The rotation angle calculation unit 205 calculates the amount of drive of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106, from the angle information of the image sensor 103 calculated by the orientation calculation unit 204, so that the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 becomes parallel to the direction of gravity. The rotation control unit 206 controls the rotation drive unit 106 based on the amount of drive calculated by the rotation angle calculation unit 205.

[0024] The lens unit control unit 208 controls various operations of the lens unit 102, such as adjusting the positions of the zoom lens and focus lens, and controlling the aperture according to the brightness of the subject. The storage unit 209 is composed of volatile memory such as SRAM or DRAM, and non-volatile memory such as EEPROM or flash memory. The volatile memory stores the calculation results calculated by the attitude calculation unit 204 and rotation angle calculation unit 205, and the non-volatile memory stores various operation programs within the control unit 200.

[0025] Next, a foreign substance removal operation in an imaging device having a rotation drive mechanism will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of when the foreign substance removal operation is performed in the imaging device 100.

[0026] 3 illustrates the lens unit 102, the imaging element 103, and the adsorption member 104 in the imaging section 101 of the imaging device 100, with a foreign substance 300 adhering to the imaging surface of the imaging element 103. The imaging section 101 rotates in the tilt direction around a rotation axis 301.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the angle between the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 and the direction of gravity is defined as α. Fig. 3(a) shows the case where the angle α is in the positive direction, in which the imaging direction of the imaging unit 101 is downward, out of the positive and negative directions shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0028] First, the attitude calculation unit 204 calculates angle α from the motor drive angle and the configuration of the reduction gear, using the rotational position of the image capture unit 101 detected by the photointerrupter as a reference. Then, the rotation angle calculation unit 205 calculates the drive amount for tilting and rotating the image capture unit 101 by angle α in the negative direction shown in Fig. 3(a) using the rotation drive unit 106. Note that an attitude detection unit such as a gyro sensor may be installed, and the angle α of the image capture surface of the image capture element 103 with respect to the direction of gravity may be calculated based on the detection result of the attitude detection unit.

[0029] Next, the rotation driving unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 based on the calculation result of the rotation angle calculation unit 205, so that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity, as shown in Fig. 3(b). Thereafter, the imaging element vibration unit 105 is driven to vibrate the imaging element 103, as shown in Fig. 3(c), and foreign matter 300 on the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is removed.

[0030] At this time, the foreign matter 300 removed from the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 falls onto the adsorption member 104 installed vertically below the image sensor 103, and is adsorbed onto the surface of the adsorption member 104. Therefore, the foreign matter 300 removed from the image sensor 103 is prevented from adhering to another portion within the image sensor 101.

[0031] 4 is a flowchart of the foreign matter removal operation in this embodiment, which will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] In S401, the orientation calculation unit 204 calculates the tilt, which is the angle of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 relative to the direction of gravity, from the motor drive angle and the configuration of the reduction gear, based on the rotational position of the imaging unit 101 detected by the photointerrupter, and proceeds to S402.

[0033] In S402, it is determined whether the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity based on the angle of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 with respect to the direction of gravity calculated in S401. If it is determined that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity, the process proceeds to S405. On the other hand, if it is determined that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is not parallel to the direction of gravity, the process proceeds to S403.

[0034] In S403, the rotation angle calculation unit 205 calculates the amount of rotational drive of the imaging unit 101 by the rotational drive unit 106 based on the angle (tilt) information calculated in S401 so that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 becomes parallel to the direction of gravity, and proceeds to S404.

[0035] In S404, the image capturing unit 101 is rotated by the rotation drive unit 106 based on the rotation drive amount calculated by the rotation angle calculation unit 205, and the process proceeds to S405.

[0036] In S405, the image sensor vibration unit 105 is driven to vibrate the image sensor 103, thereby removing foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the image sensor 103, and this flow ends.

[0037] According to this embodiment, in an imaging device equipped with a tilt mechanism, the orientation of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is automatically adjusted without the user having to manually operate the tilt mechanism, and foreign matter removal operation can be easily performed.

[0038] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the foreign matter removal operation is performed when the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity, but the imaging surface does not necessarily have to be parallel to the direction of gravity. For example, when the angle α shown in FIG. 3(a) is in the range of approximately plus 30 degrees to minus 30 degrees, the image sensor vibration unit 105 may be driven to remove foreign matter on the imaging surface of the image sensor 103.

[0039] Since foreign matter removed from the imaging surface falls downward in the direction of gravity, if the angle α is within a range of approximately plus 30 degrees to minus 30 degrees, most of the foreign matter will be attracted to the attraction member 104 installed vertically below the imaging element 103. However, the closer the angle α is to 0 degrees, the more likely it is that foreign matter removed from the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 will be attracted to the attraction member 104.

[0040] Furthermore, the rotation drive unit 106 may have a rotation drive mechanism for a different rotation direction, such as a yaw direction, in addition to the rotation drive mechanisms for the pan and tilt directions. Furthermore, the rotation direction of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106 when performing the foreign object removal operation may be a rotation direction different from the pan direction or tilt direction. For example, if the imaging device 100 is installed on a location that is not horizontal to the ground, such as a wall, the orientation of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 may be adjusted by rotating the imaging device 101 in a rotation direction other than the pan direction or tilt direction.

[0041] In this case, the imaging device 100 is equipped with an attitude detection unit such as a gyro sensor, and determines the orientation of the installation surface of the imaging device 100 based on the detection result of the attitude detection unit and the drive amount of the pan or tilt mechanism. Then, by driving the imaging unit 101 to rotate in a rotation direction other than the tilt direction, the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 can be set to a predetermined orientation even if the installation location of the imaging device 100 is not horizontal to the ground.

[0042] During the foreign substance removal operation, it is not necessary to accept any instruction to rotate the imaging unit 101 other than for the foreign substance removal operation. Then, the rotation drive unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 by the drive amount based on the calculation result, and the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 can be set in the desired orientation.

[0043] Furthermore, video captured during the foreign object removal operation does not need to be distributed. By not distributing video captured during the foreign object removal operation, it is possible to prevent video distorted by the rotational drive of the rotation drive unit 106 or the vibrational drive of the image sensor 103 during the foreign object removal operation from being distributed.

[0044] Example 2 In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the imaging device 100 is an interchangeable lens imaging device that can detachably mount a lens unit 102. The lens unit 102 includes a memory that stores identification data that indicates the type of the lens unit 102. The lens unit 102 also includes electrical contacts for communicating with the imaging device 100.

[0045] When the lens unit 102 is attached to the lens attachment portion of the imaging section 101, the lens unit 102 and the imaging device 100 communicate with each other, and the type of the lens unit 102 is identified based on the identification data transmitted from the lens unit 102. Furthermore, the imaging device 100 can determine whether the lens unit 102 is attached to the imaging device 100 based on the state of communication with the lens unit 102.

[0046] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a foreign substance adhering to the imaging surface of the image sensor 100 when the lens unit 102 is removed from the image sensor 100. The image sensor 103 in the image sensor 101 of the image sensor 100 is shown, and a foreign substance 300 is adhering to the imaging surface of the image sensor 103. The image sensor 101 rotates in the tilt direction around a rotation axis 301.

[0047] 5(a), the attitude calculation unit 204 calculates the angle α from the motor drive angle and the configuration of the reduction gear, based on the rotational position of the image capture unit 101 detected by the photointerrupter. Then, the rotation angle calculation unit 205 calculates the rotation drive amount for rotating the image capture unit 101 in the tilt direction so that the angle α becomes 90 degrees.

[0048] Next, the rotation driving unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 based on the calculation result of the rotation angle calculation unit 205, so that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is positioned perpendicular to the direction of gravity, as shown in FIG. 5(b). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the imaging element vibration unit 105 is driven to vibrate the imaging element 103, thereby removing the foreign matter 300 on the imaging surface of the imaging element 103. At this time, the foreign matter 300 removed from the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 falls to the outside of the imaging device 100 (for example, the ground). Therefore, the foreign matter removed from the imaging element 103 is prevented from adhering to another part within the imaging unit 101.

[0049] Furthermore, when the lens unit 102 is attached to the imaging device 100, foreign matter adhering to the inside of the lens unit 102 may fall into the imaging section 101 and adhere to the imaging surface of the imaging element 103. To prepare for such a case, a foreign matter removal operation may be performed after the lens unit 102 is attached. This makes it possible to remove foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 when the lens unit 102 is attached.

[0050] Example 3 In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which an operation for removing foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the image sensor 100 is performed during an initialization operation that is performed when the power of the image capturing apparatus 100 is turned on.

[0051] An example of the initialization operation is an operation of setting the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106 to a reference position. For example, if the plus end, which is one of the maximum positions in the rotation drive range of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106, is set as the reference position and a photointerrupter is installed at the plus end, the rotation drive unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 to the plus end. Then, the rotation drive of the imaging unit 101 is stopped at the position detected by the photointerrupter.

[0052] When the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106 is set to a reference position by the initialization operation, the imaging unit 101 can be rotated to a predetermined angle by the rotation drive unit 106 using that position as a reference. Therefore, in this embodiment, after the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106 is set to the reference position, the imaging unit 101 can be rotated to a predetermined angle by the rotation drive unit 106 without calculating the angle α shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0053] 6 is a flowchart showing the process of removing foreign matter during initialization. Here, it is assumed that a photointerrupter is installed at the plus end, which is one of the maximum positions of the driving range of the image capturing unit 101 driven by the rotation driving unit 106.

[0054] When the imaging device 100 starts the initialization operation, in S601, the rotation drive unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 to a position detected by a photointerrupter installed at the plus end, which is the reference position. Then, the rotation drive of the imaging unit 101 is stopped at the position detected by the photointerrupter.

[0055] In S602, the rotation drive unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 based on the position detected by the photointerrupter in S601 so that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity based on the motor drive angle and the configuration of the reduction gear.

[0056] In S603, the image sensor vibration unit 105 is driven to vibrate the image sensor 103, thereby removing foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the image sensor 103, and this flow ends.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the orientation of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is adjusted during the initialization operation of the imaging device 100 without the user having to manually operate the tilt mechanism, and the foreign substance removal operation can be easily performed.

[0058] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the initialization operation is performed when the imaging device 100 is powered on, but the initialization operation may also be performed when the imaging device 100 is powered off or set to a sleep state. By performing the foreign substance removal operation when the imaging device 100 is powered on or off, or when the imaging device is set to a sleep state, the foreign substance removal operation can be performed periodically.

[0059] Furthermore, as described in the second embodiment, if the image capture device 100 is an image capture device with interchangeable lenses, this flow may be executed together with the initialization operation when it is detected that the lens unit 102 has been removed.

[0060] Example 4 In the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which a foreign substance removal operation is performed in response to an instruction from a user during operation of the imaging device 100. Fig. 7 is an image diagram of a display screen displayed on a display device 700, which is an external device connected to the imaging device 100 via the communication unit 203.

[0061] The display screen of the display device 700 displays an image 701 captured by the imaging device 100 and operation buttons 702 for inputting operation instructions for the imaging device 100. When the user selects the operation button 702 using a controller or the like as shown in Fig. 7(a), a pop-up screen 703 is displayed as shown in Fig. 7(b). When the user allows the start of the foreign substance removal operation on the pop-up screen 703, the imaging device 100 starts the foreign substance removal operation.

[0062] The rotation position of the imaging unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106 when the user instructs the start of the foreign substance removal operation is stored. After the foreign substance adhering to the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is removed, the rotation drive unit 106 rotates the imaging unit 101 to the rotation position when the user instructs the start of the foreign substance removal operation.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for carrying out the foreign substance removal operation based on an instruction from the user in this embodiment.

[0064] In S801, it is determined whether or not a foreign substance removal operation start instruction has been received from the user. If it is determined that a foreign substance removal operation start instruction has been received from the user, the process proceeds to S802. On the other hand, if it is determined that a foreign substance removal operation start instruction has not been received, the process proceeds to S801.

[0065] In S802, it is determined whether the user has permitted the rotation drive unit 106 to rotate the imaging unit 101. If it is determined that the user has permitted the rotation drive unit 106 to rotate the imaging unit 101, the process proceeds to S803. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has not permitted the rotation drive unit 106 to rotate the imaging unit 101, the process proceeds to S801.

[0066] In S803, since the captured image will be distorted while the foreign object removal operation is being performed, the image distribution is interrupted and the process proceeds to S804.

[0067] In S804, the rotation position of the imaging unit 101 caused by the rotation drive unit 106 is stored in the storage unit 209, and the process proceeds to S805.

[0068] In S805, the angle of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 relative to the direction of gravity is calculated from the motor drive angle and the configuration of the reduction gear, using the position detected by the photointerrupter as a reference, and the process proceeds to S806.

[0069] In S806, it is determined whether or not the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity, based on the angle of the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 with respect to the direction of gravity calculated in S805. If it is determined that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is parallel to the direction of gravity, the process proceeds to S809. On the other hand, if it is determined that the imaging surface of the imaging element 103 is not parallel to the direction of gravity, the process proceeds to S807.

[0070] In S807, the rotation angle calculation unit 205 calculates the amount of drive of the image capture unit 101 by the rotation drive unit 106 so that the image capture surface of the image capture element 103 becomes parallel to the direction of gravity, based on the angle information calculated in S805, and the process proceeds to S808.

[0071] In S808, the image capturing unit 101 is rotated by the rotation driving unit 106 based on the drive amount calculated by the rotation angle calculation unit 205, and the process proceeds to S809.

[0072] In S809, the image sensor vibration unit 105 is driven to vibrate the image sensor 103, and foreign matter adhering to the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 is removed, and the process proceeds to S810.

[0073] In S810, the rotational position of the image capturing unit 101 at the start of the foreign substance removal operation stored in the storage unit 209 is read, and the image capturing unit 101 is rotated to the read position by the rotation drive unit 106, and the process proceeds to S811.

[0074] In S811, the interrupted video distribution is resumed, and this flow ends.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the foreign substance removal operation can be easily performed because the orientation of the imaging surface of the image sensor 103 can be adjusted without the user having to operate the tilt mechanism. Furthermore, after the foreign substance removal operation is performed, the image capture unit 101 returns to the rotation position it had when the foreign substance removal operation was instructed, so that image capture can be resumed at the same angle of view as before the foreign substance removal operation was performed.

[0076] 7B, the example in which the user is notified that the image capture unit 101 will be rotated during the foreign object removal operation has been described, but the user may also be notified that video distribution will be interrupted during the foreign object removal operation. By notifying the user before the foreign object removal operation is performed, the user can be informed that the image capture device will be rotated and video distribution will be interrupted during the foreign object removal operation.

[0077] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0078] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0079] (Configuration 1) an imaging unit including an imaging element; a rotation drive unit that rotates the imaging unit horizontally or vertically; an imaging element vibration unit that vibrates the imaging element to remove foreign matter adhering to an imaging surface of the imaging element; a control unit that controls the image pickup device vibration unit to operate in a state in which the image pickup unit is rotated by the rotation drive unit so that the image pickup surface of the image pickup device forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity; An imaging device comprising:

[0080] (Configuration 2) The imaging device according to configuration 1, further comprising a rotation angle calculation unit that calculates the predetermined angle.

[0081] (Configuration 3) Further, a rotation position detection unit is provided to detect the rotation position of the imaging unit, 3. The imaging device according to configuration 2, wherein the rotation angle calculation unit calculates the predetermined angle based on the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection unit.

[0082] (Configuration 4) Further, an attitude detection unit for the imaging unit is provided, 3. The imaging device according to configuration 2, wherein the rotation angle calculation unit calculates the predetermined angle based on the detection result of the attitude detection unit.

[0083] (Configuration 5) 5. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising an adsorption member for adsorbing foreign matter removed from the imaging surface of the imaging element by the imaging element vibration section.

[0084] (Configuration 6) 6. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the imaging section includes a lens mounting section to which a lens unit is detachably mounted.

[0085] (Configuration 7) The imaging device according to configuration 6, wherein when the foreign matter removal operation is performed by the imaging element vibration unit with the lens unit detached, the control unit controls the rotation drive mechanism to rotate the imaging unit until the imaging surface of the imaging element is perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and then performs the foreign matter removal operation.

[0086] (Configuration 8) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the control unit operates the imaging element vibration unit, and then rotates the imaging unit by the rotation drive mechanism to a position before the imaging unit was rotated to the predetermined angle.

[0087] (Configuration 9) 9. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the control unit controls the imaging element vibration unit to perform a foreign substance removal operation during an initialization operation of the imaging device.

[0088] (Configuration 10) 10. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the control unit controls the imaging element vibration unit to perform a foreign substance removal operation based on an instruction from a user.

[0089] (Configuration 11) 11. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the control unit controls so as not to distribute the video captured by the imaging unit while the imaging element vibration unit is performing the foreign matter removal operation.

[0090] (Configuration 12) The imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the control unit does not cause the rotation drive unit to perform rotational driving of the imaging unit other than the foreign matter removal operation while the imaging element vibration unit is performing the foreign matter removal operation.

[0091] (Configuration 13) an imaging unit including an imaging element; a rotation drive unit that rotates the imaging unit horizontally or vertically; an image pickup device vibration unit that vibrates the image pickup device to remove foreign matter adhering to an image pickup surface of the image pickup device, A control method for an imaging device, characterized by controlling the imaging element vibration unit to operate while the imaging unit is rotated by the rotation drive unit so that the imaging surface of the imaging element is at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. an imaging unit including an imaging element; a rotation drive unit that rotates the imaging unit horizontally or vertically; an imaging element vibration unit that vibrates the imaging element to remove foreign matter adhering to an imaging surface of the imaging element; a control unit that controls the image pickup device vibration unit to operate in a state in which the image pickup unit is rotated by the rotation drive unit so that the image pickup surface of the image pickup device forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity; An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation angle calculation unit that calculates the predetermined angle.

3. Further, a rotation position detection unit is provided to detect the rotation position of the imaging unit, 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation angle calculation unit calculates the predetermined angle based on the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection unit.

4. Further, an attitude detection unit for the imaging unit is provided, 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation angle calculation unit calculates the predetermined angle based on a detection result from the orientation detection unit.

5. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising an adsorption member for adsorbing foreign matter removed from the imaging surface of the imaging element by the imaging element vibration portion.

6. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging section includes a lens mounting section to which a lens unit is detachably mounted.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, characterized in that, when a foreign matter removal operation is performed by the imaging element vibration unit with the lens unit detached, the control unit controls the rotation drive mechanism to rotate the imaging unit until the imaging surface of the imaging element is perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and then performs the foreign matter removal operation.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the imaging element vibration unit and then rotates the imaging unit by the rotation drive mechanism to a position before the imaging unit was rotated to the predetermined angle.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the imaging element vibration unit to perform a foreign substance removal operation during an initialization operation of the imaging device.

10. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the imaging element vibration unit to perform a foreign substance removal operation based on an instruction from a user.

11. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls so as not to distribute the video captured by the imaging unit while the imaging element vibration unit is performing the foreign substance removal operation.

12. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the rotation drive unit not to perform rotational driving of the imaging unit other than the foreign substance removal operation while the imaging element vibration unit is performing the foreign substance removal operation.

13. an imaging unit including an imaging element; a rotation drive unit that rotates the imaging unit horizontally or vertically; an image pickup device vibration unit that vibrates the image pickup device to remove foreign matter adhering to an image pickup surface of the image pickup device, A control method for an imaging device, characterized by controlling the imaging element vibration unit to operate while the imaging unit is rotated by the rotation drive unit so that the imaging surface of the imaging element is at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity.

Images