Imaging apparatus

Abstract

Imaging apparatus in which vibration and vibration sound generated by vibration device do not affect photographing SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus capable of capturing a still image and a moving image includes a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake applied to the imaging apparatus, a blur correction unit configured to perform blur correction based on an output result of the shake detection unit, a blur correction switching unit configured to switch on and off of the blur correction unit, an operation unit configured to perform an input operation to the imaging apparatus by a photographer, and a control unit configured to: An imaging apparatus comprising: a vibration device unit including a vibration unit that reproduces a tactile sense by generating vibration in a first frequency band; a sound collection unit that acquires and records sound; and an imaging mode determination unit that acquires an imaging mode and determines whether or not to record sound, wherein the vibration unit vibrates in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band in accordance with an input operation of the operation unit when the imaging mode determination unit determines that the imaging mode is a mode in which sound is recorded or the blur correction switching unit is on SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with a vibration device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, imaging devices have been known to blur images captured during exposure due to shaking of the photographer's hands, or so-called camera shake. To address this situation, imaging devices have been known that are equipped with a camera shake correction function that corrects camera shake that occurs during exposure.

[0003] Furthermore, in recent years, imaging devices are generally used not only for capturing still images but also for capturing moving images that also record audio.

[0004] Furthermore, in recent imaging devices, the operating sensation such as a clicking sensation in response to the photographer's operation of operating members such as a release button, dial, or rotating ring is not generated mechanically, but rather some imaging devices are equipped with a vibration device within the imaging device and are equipped with technology that generates the operating sensation by vibrating the vibration device in response to the photographer's operation.

[0005] Patent document 1 discloses a digital camera equipped with an optical image stabilization unit and a vibration device that reproduces tactile sensations in response to operation, and in which the vibration directions of the optical image stabilization unit and the vibration device are made different to reduce the impact of vibrations generated by the optical image stabilization unit and the vibration device on shake detection.

[0006] Patent document 2 discloses an imaging device that has image sensor shift type image stabilization and is capable of providing feedback to the photographer of vibrations that approximate the feeling of capturing an image by vibrating a vibration generating device, and that can provide feedback to the photographer of the captured image without affecting image stabilization control by differentiating the vibration frequency used for image stabilization from the frequency of the vibration device for haptic feedback. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-219650 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 087504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, when a vibration device is applied to an imaging device, the vibrations and vibration sounds generated by the vibration device can affect the shooting. Specifically, when shooting still images or videos, the vibrations generated by the vibration device can affect the shooting quality in the same way as camera shake, and when recording audio such as in videos, the vibration sounds can be unintentionally recorded. Neither the digital camera nor the imaging device described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 mentions the problem of collecting sound when shooting videos. Therefore, when shooting videos with the imaging devices described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, there is a problem in that the vibrations and vibration sounds of the vibration device, which reproduce the feeling of operation, affect the shooting.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an imaging apparatus in which the vibrations and vibration sounds generated by a vibration device do not affect imaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first invention, which is a means for solving the above problem, is an imaging device capable of taking still images and videos, comprising: a shake detection unit that detects shakes applied to the imaging device; a shake correction unit that performs shake correction based on the output result of the shake detection unit; a shake correction switching unit that switches the shake correction unit on and off; an operation unit that allows the photographer to input operations to the imaging device; a vibration device unit having a vibration unit that reproduces a tactile sensation by generating vibrations in a first frequency band in response to input operations on the operation unit; a sound collection unit that acquires and records audio; and a shooting mode discrimination unit that acquires the shooting mode and determines whether or not to record audio, wherein when the shooting mode discrimination unit determines that the mode is one in which audio is recorded or the shake correction switching unit is on, or both, the vibration unit vibrates in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band in response to input operations on the operation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus in which the vibrations and vibration sounds generated by the vibration device do not affect imaging. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an image stabilization mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] 1 is a timing chart showing detection by the camera shake detection unit 201 and vibration by the vibration unit 302 according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0014] 1 is a block diagram showing an image capture device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which has an image stabilization mechanism 20 and a vibration device 30. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control of the image stabilization mechanism 20 and the vibration device 30 of the image capture device 1.

[0015] The configuration of an imaging device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the imaging device 1 according to this embodiment, a lens barrel and a housing that houses a control unit 10, an imaging element, etc. are integrated to form the imaging device 1. It should be noted that the imaging device 1 may also have an interchangeable lens barrel.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the image stabilization method corrects camera shake by moving some of the optical elements that make up the optical system of the lens barrel approximately perpendicular to the optical axis. This is what is known as optical image stabilization. Note that the imaging device 1 may have an image sensor (not shown) and correct camera shake by moving the image sensor, a so-called image sensor shift method.

[0017] The imaging device 1 of the present invention includes a control unit 10, an image stabilization mechanism 20, a vibration device 30, and the like.

[0018] The control unit 10 has an operation unit 101, an input detection unit 102, a setting acquisition unit 103, a sound collection unit 104, a display unit 105, etc., and each unit is electrically connected to the control unit 10 and controlled by the control unit 10. The control unit 10 controls the entire imaging device 1 in accordance with a control program stored in a memory (not shown).

[0019] Image stabilization mechanism 20 has image stabilization detection unit 201, image stabilization control calculation unit 202, and image stabilization drive unit 203. Image stabilization control calculation unit 202 calculates the drive amount for image stabilization drive unit 203 based on data related to image stabilization detected by image stabilization detection unit 201, i.e., based on shaking applied to image capture device 1 due to camera shake or the like, and image stabilization drive unit 203 drives a correction lens (not shown) in accordance with the calculation result, thereby changing the image formation at the image sensor and moving the correction lens so as to cancel out shifts or movements in the image formation due to shaking applied to image capture device 1. Note that if the image stabilization method of image capture device 1 is an image sensor shift method, the object driven by image stabilization drive unit 203 changes from the correction lens to the image sensor.

[0020] The vibration device 30 has a vibration control unit 301 and a vibration unit 302. The vibration device 30 is disposed inside the housing of the imaging device 1. The vibration unit 302 is capable of changing vibration settings such as vibration intensity and vibration frequency. In accordance with a signal from the control unit 10, the vibration control unit 301 can appropriately adjust the vibration frequency, timing, and vibration pattern of the vibration unit 302.

[0021] The operation unit 101 is used when the photographer performs input operations on the imaging device 1. Therefore, the imaging device 1 is equipped with multiple operation units 101. The operation units 101 include a release button and a switch / selection button for selecting settings related to shooting. In recent years, it has become possible for the photographer to operate the imaging device 1 via a liquid crystal display by directly touching a display device such as a liquid crystal display or organic EL display provided in the imaging device 1, in which case the liquid crystal display also corresponds to the operation unit 101.

[0022] The input detection unit 102 detects that each operation unit 101 has been operated by the photographer, and outputs an input detection signal to the control unit 10. Note that the operation unit 101 needs to distinguish between buttons such as the release button and the switch / select button used to select settings related to photography, and therefore outputs different input detection signals depending on the button that has been operated.

[0023] The setting acquisition unit 103 acquires and stores current settings related to shooting of the imaging device 1. Specific examples of settings related to shooting include settings related to shooting conditions such as whether image stabilization is enabled or disabled, shooting modes such as still image shooting or video shooting, whether feedback is provided to the photographer's input via the operation unit 101, shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, etc. The shooting mode may also be a mode in which audio before and after shooting a still image is simultaneously recorded along with the still image, in addition to still image shooting and video shooting. Note that if the photographer changes the shooting settings, the settings acquired by the setting acquisition unit 103 are updated, so there is no problem if the setting acquisition unit 103 does not check the settings each time.

[0024] The sound collection unit 104 corresponds to a microphone that collects sound when recording audio during video shooting, etc. The sound collection unit 104 corresponds to a built-in microphone located inside the imaging device 1 or a microphone connected from the outside.

[0025] The display unit 105 corresponds to a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that is displayed when the photographer changes or checks settings related to shooting of the imaging device 1. The display unit 105 displays a through image, which is the shooting range that is the subject when shooting still images, video images, etc., and an image after shooting is completed.

[0026] The camera shake detection unit 201 detects shaking of the imaging device 1 due to camera shake or the like, and outputs data related to the camera shake based on the detected shaking. The data related to the camera shake is information related to the direction and degree of the camera shake. The camera shake detection unit 201 is also configured to include various acceleration sensors and gyro sensors.

[0027] The camera shake control calculation unit 202 calculates the direction and amount of movement of some of the optical elements that make up the lens barrel (not shown), the so-called correction lens, based on the data related to camera shake output by the camera shake detection unit 201, and outputs the calculation results.

[0028] The camera shake driver 203 drives a correction lens (not shown) based on the calculation results calculated by the camera shake control calculator 202 .

[0029] The vibration control unit 301 controls the vibration unit 302 based on the input detection signal output from the input detection unit 102. Specifically, it controls the vibration frequency generated by the vibration unit 302, the timing of starting and ending vibration, and the like.

[0030] The vibration unit 302 generates vibrations under the control of the vibration control unit 301. The vibration unit 302 is configured to include a piezoelectric element, a piezo actuator, a linear actuator, an eccentric motor, etc., and the generated vibrations are transmitted to the photographer via the housing of the imaging device 1 through an amplifying spring, thereby providing feedback in response to the photographer's input to the operation unit 101.

[0031] Next, the control of the vibration device 30 by the imaging device 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0032] When the imaging device 1 is powered on, the initialization of various functions is completed, and the device is ready to take pictures, the process proceeds to step #1. Note that the settings related to photography of the imaging device 1 are acquired by the setting acquisition unit 103 at the time of initialization. Also, the settings immediately before the power is turned off are stored in a storage unit (not shown), and so the settings are generally read from the storage unit and carried over, but this is not always the case.

[0033] In step #1, the control unit 10 checks whether the feedback function for the input by the photographer via the operation unit 101 is enabled or not to the setting acquisition unit 103. If the feedback function is enabled, the process proceeds to step #2. If the feedback function is disabled, the process proceeds to step #5.

[0034] In step #2, control unit 10 confirms with setting acquisition unit 103 the settings related to the image stabilization function and the shooting mode. Specifically, it confirms whether the image stabilization function is enabled and whether the shooting mode is still image shooting or video shooting. If the confirmation result shows that the image stabilization function is enabled, or if the shooting mode is video shooting and involves saving audio data, it proceeds to step #3. If the confirmed settings related to the image stabilization function and shooting mode show that the image stabilization function is disabled and does not involve saving audio data, such as still image shooting, it proceeds to step #5.

[0035] In this embodiment, two shooting modes are used: still image shooting and video shooting, and video shooting corresponds to a shooting mode that saves audio data. Furthermore, in addition to still image shooting and video shooting, the shooting mode may be a shooting mode that saves audio data before and after shooting together with image data of still images, or a mode that saves only audio. These shooting modes correspond to shooting that saves audio data.

[0036] In step #3, the control unit 10 monitors the timing to start saving audio data and the timing to start driving the image stabilization mechanism 20. Specifically, the control unit 10 monitors the detection signal output from the input detection unit 102 when the photographer presses the release button all the way down to start shooting video, and the detection signal output from the input detection unit 102 when the photographer presses the release button to the first position (so-called half-pressed state) to shoot a still image. As soon as the control unit 10 detects any of the input detection signals, it proceeds to step #4. On the other hand, it remains in step #3 until any of the input detection signals is detected.

[0037] A specific example will be described below. If the shooting mode confirmed in step #2 is video shooting (shooting accompanied by saving of audio data), saving of audio data also starts when video shooting starts, so the control unit 10 monitors the input detection signal output by the input detection unit 102 when it detects that the photographer has fully pressed the release button, which is one of the operation units 101.

[0038] Furthermore, if it is confirmed in step #2 that the image stabilization function is enabled, when the release button is pressed to the first position (i.e., halfway down), the operation of image stabilization mechanism 20 is initiated simultaneously with the focusing operation. In this case, as described above, when the release button is halfway down, control unit 10 monitors the input detection signal output from input detection unit 102. As soon as control unit 10 detects the input detection signal, the process proceeds to step #4. Furthermore, depending on the settings of imaging device 1, even if the release button is not halfway down, if the image stabilization function is enabled for the through image displayed on the liquid crystal display of display unit 105, control unit 10 will monitor the input detection signal of the button on operation unit 101 that determines the display of the through image, which initiates the operation of image stabilization mechanism 20. As soon as the input detection signal is detected, the process proceeds to step #4.

[0039] From the above, the detection signal output from the input detection unit 102 monitored by the control unit 10 in step #3 changes as appropriate depending on various settings related to photography, such as the camera shake correction function and photography mode.

[0040] In step #4, the function of the vibration device 30 is disabled. In response to an input from the photographer via the operation unit 101, an input detection signal output from the input detection unit 102 is input to the vibration control unit 301, but the vibration control unit 301 is controlled to vibrate at 0 Hz. In other words, the vibration control unit 301 controls the vibration unit 302 so that it does not vibrate. Therefore, the feedback function is disabled for input from the operation unit 101 by the photographer. The process proceeds to step #5.

[0041] In step #5, shooting is performed. If the process proceeds directly from step #1 or step #2, the control unit 10 confirms the shooting-related settings with the setting acquisition unit 103 and, according to the acquired shooting mode and various shooting conditions, sets the device in a standby state so that it can respond to inputs, including the start of shooting according to each shooting mode by the photographer (such as halfway or full pressing of the release button). After the control unit 10 detects an input detection signal to start shooting to the operation unit 101 by the photographer (e.g., full pressing of the release button), the control unit 10 performs a known imaging operation to acquire shooting data such as image data, video data, and audio data. Next, it determines whether shooting in the shooting mode has ended. In the case of still image shooting, it determines whether shooting has ended in accordance with the shooting-related settings acquired from the setting acquisition unit 103, such as exposure time, shutter speed, and settings such as continuous shooting and interval shooting. In the case of video shooting, the control unit 10 confirms that an input detection signal corresponding to the photographer's input operation to end shooting has been output from the input detection unit 102 via the operation unit 101, and then ends shooting. Then, it proceeds to step #6.

[0042] Next, if the process has transitioned from step #4, preparations for shooting are made in step #2 according to the shooting-related settings acquired from the setting acquisition unit 103. If an input detection signal for starting shooting is detected in step #3, the process performs a known imaging operation to acquire shooting data such as image data, video data, and audio data, and then transitions to step #6. Specifically, if the shooting mode is still image shooting, the control unit 10 moves a focusing lens group (not shown) to focus on the subject, and then acquires image data by exposing an image sensor (not shown). Next, if the shooting mode is video shooting, the control unit 10 collects audio data from the sound collection unit 104 and performs image processing together with the video data acquired from the image sensor (not shown). Also, if the image stabilization function is enabled in step #3 and the feedback function is disabled in step #4 to start driving the image stabilization mechanism 20 when the release button is half-pressed, the process does not detect an input detection signal for fully pressing the release button, which is the start of shooting, so the process remains in step #5. Upon detection, the control unit 10 takes a picture and then transitions to step #6. If the control unit 10 can no longer detect the input detection signal that the input detection unit 102 detects when the release button is pressed to the first position and outputs it, i.e., if the half-press state is released, the process returns to step #3. At the same time, in step #4, the vibration unit 302 was previously controlled to vibrate at 0 Hz in response to the photographer's input on the operation unit 101, but this is changed to vibrate at the vibration frequency before the change. The feedback function is then enabled.

[0043] In step #6, various processes are performed on the shooting data, video data, audio data, and other shooting data acquired in step #5, and then the data is stored in an external storage medium (not shown) or a storage medium provided inside the imaging device 1. Once the storage process for the shooting data is completed, the process proceeds to step #1.

[0044] Furthermore, if the photographer inputs a change to the settings related to photography into the input detection unit 102 during the processing of each step, the processing of that step is stopped and the process returns to step #1 again.

[0045] 3 is a timing chart showing the detection timing of the camera shake detection unit 201 and the vibration timing of the vibration unit 302. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis of (a) to (d) represents time (t), and the vertical axis of (b) to (d) represents the signal level.

[0046] (a) in Fig. 3 shows the detection timing of the camera shake detection unit 201. The detection timing is convex, occurring every 1 kHz. (b) in Fig. 3 shows the output of the vibration unit 302, which has a vibration frequency of 200 Hz. (c) in Fig. 3 shows the actual shake that has been applied to the image capture device 1, i.e., the shake that the camera shake detection unit 201 should detect. (d) in Fig. 3 shows the shake that has been applied to the image capture device 1 and that has been detected by the camera shake detection unit 201.

[0047] If the image stabilization mechanism 20 and the vibration device 30 are driven simultaneously, there is a problem that the image stabilization effect is insufficient or the visual quality is reduced due to the image stabilization. Specifically, when the vibration device 30 is driven, the vibration shown in FIG. 3(b) is generated. As described above, the vibration generated by the vibration unit 302 constituting the vibration device 30 is also detected by the image stabilization detection unit 201 via the amplifying spring and the housing of the image capture device 1. As a result, the detection result of the image stabilization detection unit 201 is shown in FIG. 3(d), which is a combination of the shake applied to the image capture device 1 shown in FIG. 3(c) and the vibration generated by the vibration unit 302 shown in FIG. 3(b). Based on this result in FIG. 3(d), the image stabilization control calculation unit 202 calculates the direction and amount of movement of the correction lens driven by the image stabilization drive unit 203. However, since the actual shake applied to the image capture device 1 is that shown in FIG. 3(c), even if the image stabilization driver 203 drives the compensation lens in accordance with the calculation result based on FIG. 3(d), sufficient image stabilization effect cannot be achieved, as described above. Of the four detection timings of the image stabilization driver 201 shown in FIG. 3(a), a difference occurs between FIG. 3(c) and FIG. 3(d) in the second and third detections by the image stabilization driver 201 (the numbers in boxes shown below FIG. 3(d)). In this case, since the image stabilization driver 203 drives the compensation lens in accordance with the calculation result based on FIG. 3(d) for FIG. 3(c), which shows the actual shake applied to the image capture device 1, the through image displayed on the display unit 105 of the image capture device 1 is not an image in which the image stabilization has been corrected. As a result, a visually degraded through image is displayed on the display unit 105, which results in a degradation in visual quality due to the image stabilization, as described above.

[0048] Next, when the vibration device 30 is driven during shooting in shooting mode with audio data storage, there is a problem that the quality of the recorded audio data is degraded. Specifically, as mentioned above, the vibration frequency generated by the vibration unit 302 is 200 Hz. This is included in the frequency band (20 to 20 KHz, the range of human audible sound) that is the target of sound collection by the sound collection unit 104. As a result, when vibrations are emitted from the vibration unit 302 during sound collection, that is, when feedback occurs in response to input via the operation unit 101 by the photographer, the vibration sound of the vibration unit 302 is unintentionally recorded as noise in the audio data.

[0049] Therefore, in the present invention, step #1 checks whether the vibration device 30 is driven, and step #2 checks whether the image stabilization function is enabled or disabled and the shooting mode to check whether audio data is to be saved. If steps #1 and #2 determine that the vibration device 30 is driven and either or both of the conditions of the image stabilization function being enabled or the shooting mode involving audio data saving are met, the vibration frequency of the vibration unit 302 is changed in step #4 and onward. As a result, the detection results of the shake applied to the imaging device 1 by the image stabilization detection unit 201 are no longer affected, enabling shooting that achieves the full effect of image stabilization. Furthermore, in a shooting mode involving audio data saving, the aforementioned problem can be solved by suppressing the driving of the vibration unit 302, which is a source of vibration that causes noise in the audio data.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vibration frequency of the vibration unit 302 in response to inputs from the operation unit 101 by the photographer is 200 Hz, but the vibration frequency is not limited to this and any vibration frequency between 20 and 20 KHz will suffice, and more preferably between 100 and 500 Hz.

[0051] Next, in step #4 of this embodiment, the vibration frequency of the vibration unit 302 was changed from 200 Hz to 0 Hz. This indicates that the vibration control unit 301 controls the vibration unit 302 so that it does not vibrate even if the input detection signal output from the input detection unit 102 is input to the vibration control unit 301 in response to an input from the photographer to each operation unit 101. Therefore, if the vibration unit 302 does not vibrate in response to an input from the photographer to each operation unit 101, for example, by not outputting any control signal to the vibration unit 302 even if the input detection signal from the input detection unit 102 is input to the vibration control unit 301, this is included in setting the vibration frequency of the vibration unit 203 to 0 Hz. Furthermore, the vibration frequency of the vibration unit 302 after the change in step #4 is acceptable as long as it does not affect the detection results of the camera shake detection unit 201 and does not introduce noise into the audio data. Specifically, a range from 0 Hz to 100 Hz, the lower limit of the frequency characteristics of the sound collection unit 104 used in this embodiment, is preferred.

[0052] Furthermore, although the feedback function is disabled from step #4 onwards, there is no problem if the LCD display of the display unit 105 or the like displays a message indicating that an input has been made via the operation unit 101 in response to an input from the photographer via the operation unit 101. Alternatively, a power lamp or an access lamp provided on the imaging device 1 may be made to blink. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Imaging device 10 Control Unit 101 Operation section 102 Input detection unit 103 Setting acquisition unit 104 Sound collection section 105 Display section 20 Image stabilization mechanism 201 Camera shake detection unit 202 Camera shake control calculation unit 203 Hand-shake drive unit 30 Vibration Device 301 Vibration control unit 302 Vibration part

Claims

1. An imaging device capable of taking still images and videos, a shake detection unit that detects a shake applied to the imaging device; a shake correction unit that performs shake correction based on the output result of the shake detection unit; a shake correction switching unit that switches the shake correction unit on and off; an operation unit through which a photographer performs an input operation to the imaging device; a vibration device unit having a vibration unit that reproduces a tactile sensation by generating vibrations in a first frequency band in response to an input operation of the operation unit; a sound collection unit that acquires and records sound; a photography mode determination unit that acquires a photography mode and determines whether or not to record audio; and When the photography mode determination unit determines that the photography mode is a mode in which sound is recorded, or when the image stabilization switching unit is on, or when both of these conditions are met, The vibration unit vibrates in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band in response to an input operation of the operation unit. An imaging device characterized by

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second frequency band is a frequency band lower than the first frequency band.

3. The imaging device is Release button and a release detection unit that detects the state of the release button; and When the photography mode determination unit determines that the photography mode is a mode in which sound is recorded, or when the image stabilization switching unit is on, or when both of them are true, While the release detection unit detects that the release button is pressed, the sound collection unit acquires and records sound, the shake correction unit performs shake correction, and the vibration unit vibrates in the second frequency band in response to an input operation of the operation unit, depending on the determination result of the shooting mode determination unit and the state of the shake correction switching unit.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the vibration section vibrates in a first frequency band in response to an input operation of the operation section when the release detection section does not detect pressing of the release button.

5. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the second vibration frequency is 0 Hz.

6. 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein while the release detection unit is detecting the pressing of the release button, the input operation is reflected in a display on a display unit that displays a through image or the like.

Images