JP2008141675A - Imaging device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device that can derive an image that is corrected for camera shake, by allowing continuous shoot with setting optimal photographic conditions, taking into account the differences among individuals in camera shake, and performing registration of a plurality of images in a processing after the photographing, while compositing the images. <P>SOLUTION: The method comprises measuring of the luminance of the subject (step S601); acquiring information on a focal distance of a lens (step S602); measuring the amount of hand movement of a photographer (step S603); and determining shooting conditions, such as the shutter speed or the number of continuous shot images from photometric measurement information obtained by the measurement, the acquired lens focal distance information, and the measured amount of the camera shake of the photographer (step S607). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that performs camera shake correction by combining a plurality of images and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed and put into practical use for correcting camera shake that occurs during hand-held shooting such as a silver salt camera, video camera, and electronic still camera.

  For example, there is a technique for suppressing the influence of camera shake on a captured image by detecting camera shake using an angular velocity sensor and swinging the optical system or driving the correction optical system in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Such an anti-vibration function is already used in interchangeable lenses for single-lens reflex cameras, video cameras, electronic still cameras, and the like.

  The anti-vibration function as described above makes it possible to shoot without being affected by camera shake in more situations, and the effect is great. However, due to the addition of the angular velocity sensor and the correction optical system, there is a problem that an increase in size and cost are inevitable compared to an interchangeable lens, a video camera, an electronic still camera, etc. for a single lens reflex camera that does not have a camera shake correction function. there were.

  On the other hand, video cameras shoot at 1/60 second or 1/50 second intervals according to television systems such as NTSC and PAL, so that the motion vector between each captured image can be detected, and the angular velocity The amount of camera shake can be measured instead of the sensor. As for camera shake correction, a camera shake correction function is realized without having a movable part such as a correction optical system by changing the cutout position for extracting an image from the image sensor in accordance with the detected amount of camera shake. According to this technique, an increase in size and an increase in cost can be avoided.

  However, in an electronic still camera, it is difficult to apply such a camera shake correction technique as it is because of the difference between a moving image and a still image. This is because, in the electronic still camera, as in the case of the silver salt camera, charge is continuously accumulated in the image sensor during the exposure time determined by the photometric result. Since it is difficult to read out image data in parallel with this accumulation, an electronic still camera cannot obtain a motion vector from an image in real time during exposure. Also, with regard to camera shake correction, since an image on which camera shake is superimposed is already accumulated on the image sensor during exposure, camera shake correction cannot be performed even if the image cutout position is changed.

  Therefore, as a suitable camera shake correction technique in an electronic still camera, multiple images are shot continuously at a shutter speed that does not cause camera shake, and the multiple images are combined while being aligned in the post-shooting process. For example, a technique for obtaining an image free from camera shake has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The technique proposed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is a method of performing image composition after performing image transformation of a plurality of screens corresponding to positional shifts over time, and performing such image processing. Regarding camera shake correction, it is necessary that each image to be combined is not blurred. Therefore, it becomes a problem how to photograph each of a plurality of images so as not to be blurred.

  Further, techniques regarding how to set shooting conditions related to blur correction are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 7.

Japanese Patent No. 3110797 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-150540 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-9832 JP 09-80534 A JP 09-261526 A JP 2001-086398 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-32540 JP-A-60-166911 JP 60-166910 A

  As described above, regarding camera shake correction by image processing, it is important to set the number of images to be captured and the shutter speed of each captured image so as not to blur individual images to be combined. In this case, it is desirable to set the number of images to be combined as small as possible from the viewpoint of processing time, memory capacity for processing and image data storage, recording medium capacity, and the like. In addition, the magnitude of camera shake varies greatly depending on individual differences such as the degree of proficiency with respect to shooting and how to hold the camera. Therefore, it is desirable to determine shooting conditions such as the number of combined images and the shutter speed during shooting in consideration of individual differences.

  However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to set the exposure condition of each captured image.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for shifting and setting the shutter speed to the low speed side in the exposure program diagram in the shake correction mode. Similarly, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for issuing a low brightness warning and shifting the shutter speed to the low speed side in the shake correction mode. However, those disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 do not presuppose image stabilization by image processing, and do not change the setting depending on individual differences.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for changing the shift amount of a program diagram according to the size of a shake or the like. However, it is not premised on camera shake correction by image processing, and changes in the number of shots are not considered.

  Patent Documents 5 and 6 disclose a technique for determining the shutter speed and the number of shots from the brightness condition and the focal length of the lens in the blur correction by image processing. However, the magnitude of shake due to individual differences is not considered.

  Further, Patent Document 7 discloses a technique for measuring blur during exposure in blur correction by image processing and stopping exposure when the blur reaches a certain amount. However, since a blur detection sensor is required separately, there is a problem that the size and cost are increased, and the exposure of each image changes due to the blur, which makes it difficult to synthesize.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of images are continuously shot by an imaging device, and the image is corrected by performing the post-shooting processing while aligning the plurality of images, an image of hand shake correction is obtained. It is an object to be able to set optimal shooting conditions in consideration of the difference.

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that outputs an image signal of a captured image, a control unit that controls the imaging unit to continuously capture a plurality of images in order to perform camera shake correction, and luminance of a subject. A photometric means for measuring the lens, a lens focal length information acquiring means for acquiring the focal length information of the lens, a camera shake amount measuring means for measuring the camera shake amount of the photographer, and a camera shake amount measured by the camera shake measuring means. A camera shake amount recording unit that records the obtained camera shake amount, and the control unit measures photometric information measured by the photometry unit, lens focal length information acquired by the lens focal length information acquisition unit, and the camera shake amount. The imaging condition is determined based on the amount of camera shake recorded in the recording means.
The image pickup apparatus control method according to the present invention includes an image pickup means for outputting an image signal of a photographed image, a photometry means for measuring the luminance of the subject, and a lens focal length information acquisition means for acquiring information on the focal length of the lens. And a shake amount measuring means for measuring the shake amount of the photographer, and a shake amount recording means for recording the shake amount determined based on the shake amount measured by the shake measurement means. The image pickup unit is controlled so as to continuously capture a plurality of images to perform camera shake correction, and photometric information measured by the photometric unit at that time and acquired by the lens focal length information acquisition unit And a procedure for determining the photographing condition based on the lens focal length information and the camera shake amount recorded in the camera shake amount recording means.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of images are continuously shot by an imaging device, and after the shooting, the images are combined while aligning the images to obtain an image subjected to camera shake correction. It is possible to set an optimum shooting condition in consideration of the difference.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 100 is detachably attached to an imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment via a lens mounting mechanism of a mount unit (not shown). The mount portion is provided with an electrical contact unit 107, and the imaging apparatus 200 communicates with the photographing lens 100 via the electrical contact unit 107 to adjust the focus lens 101 in the photographing lens 100 and an aperture for adjusting the light amount. The drive of 102 is controlled. In FIG. 1, only the focus lens 101 is shown as a lens in the photographic lens 100. However, a variable power lens and a fixed lens are provided in addition to this, and these constitute a lens unit.

  A light beam from a subject (not shown) is guided to a quick return mirror 203 in the imaging apparatus 200 via a lens unit including a focus lens 101 in the photographing lens 100 and a diaphragm 102. The quick return mirror 203 is disposed obliquely with respect to the optical axis in the photographing optical path, and guides the light beam from the subject to the upper viewfinder optical system (position shown in FIG. 1) and the outside of the photographing optical path. It can be moved to the second position retracted to (position on the viewfinder optical system side).

  The central part of the quick return mirror 203 is a half mirror, and when the quick return mirror 203 is in the first position, a part of the light flux from the subject passes through the half mirror part. The light beam that has passed through the half mirror part is reflected by a sub mirror 204 provided on the back side of the quick return mirror 203 and guided to a phase difference AF sensor 205 that constitutes an automatic focus adjustment unit together with a focus detection circuit 206. The focus detection circuit 206 uses the phase difference AF sensor 205 to detect the focus state (focus detection) of the photographing lens 100 using a known phase difference AF (autofocus) technique.

  On the other hand, the light beam reflected by the quick return mirror 203 reaches the eyes of the photographer through a finder optical system including a finder screen 202, a pentaprism 201, and an eyepiece lens 207 existing on the focus surface.

  When the quick return mirror 203 is in the second position, the light beam from the subject reaches the image sensor 212 via the focal plane shutter 210 and the optical filter 211 that are mechanical shutters. When the quick return mirror 203 is in the second position, the sub mirror 204 is also folded with respect to the quick return mirror 203 and retracts out of the photographing optical path.

  The image sensor 212 is an image sensor typified by a CCD or CMOS sensor (imaging means). The optical filter 211 disposed closer to the subject than the image sensor 212 has a function of cutting infrared rays and guiding only visible light to the image sensor 212 and a function as an optical low-pass filter.

  The focal plane shutter 210 disposed on the subject side of the optical filter 211 is configured to have a front curtain and a rear curtain, and controls transmission and blocking of a light beam from the photographing lens 100.

  The imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a system controller 230 that controls the entire imaging apparatus. The system controller 230 is constituted by a CPU, MPU, and the like, and is connected to each circuit and the like, and gives commands to them to control operations (control means). Hereinafter, a circuit that operates in response to a command from the system controller 230 will be described.

  The lens control circuit 104 and the aperture control drive circuit 106 provided in the photographing lens 100 communicate with the system controller 230 via the electrical contact unit 107.

  The lens control circuit 104 controls the lens driving mechanism 103 that drives the focus lens 101 for focusing in the optical axis direction in accordance with a signal from the system controller 230. Thus, the subject image is formed on the image sensor 212 in a focused state. The lens driving mechanism 103 has a stepping motor or a DC motor as a driving source. The lens control circuit 104 communicates from the system controller 230 with performance information such as a focal length and an open aperture value of the photographing lens 100, lens ID (identification) information that is unique information for identifying the photographing lens 100, and the system controller 230. A memory (not shown) is provided for storing the information received by. The performance information, the lens ID information, and the like are transmitted to the system controller 230 by initial communication at the time of mounting on the imaging apparatus 200, and the system controller 230 stores these information in an EEPROM 223 described later.

  The aperture control drive circuit 106 controls the aperture drive mechanism 105 that drives the aperture 102 in accordance with a signal from the system controller 230. In this case, the system controller 230 outputs a control signal based on the set Av value (aperture value) to the aperture control drive circuit 106.

  The shutter control circuit 215 controls driving of the front curtain and rear curtain of the focal plane shutter 210 in accordance with a signal from the system controller 230. In this case, the system controller 230 outputs a control signal based on the set Tv value (shutter speed) to the shutter control circuit 215.

  The photometric circuit 209 is connected to a photometric sensor 208 disposed in the vicinity of the eyepiece lens 207, and operates the sensor in accordance with a command from the system controller 230 to measure the luminance of the subject (photometric means). The measurement result of the photometry circuit 209 is sent to the system controller 230.

  The EEPROM 223 (storage means) includes parameters that need to be adjusted to control the imaging apparatus 200, camera ID (identification) information that is unique information for identifying the individual imaging apparatus, and a reference lens (this imaging apparatus). The adjustment value of the parameter related to photographing, which is adjusted using the photographing lens used at the time of adjustment in the factory, is stored. These pieces of information stored in the EEPROM 223 are called from the system controller 230 when appropriate.

  The shutter charge mechanism 214 performs spring charge of the focal plane shutter 210 in accordance with a signal from the system controller 230. The front curtain and the rear curtain of the focal plane shutter 210 have a drive source constituted by a spring, and after the shutter travels, a spring charge is required for the next operation, so the shutter charge mechanism 214 is necessary.

  The mirror driving mechanism 213 performs up-down driving of the quick return mirror 203 in accordance with a signal from the system controller 230.

  The camera DSP 227 is a correction data sample circuit and a correction circuit configured by a DSP (digital signal processor). Specifically, control of the image sensor 212 and correction and processing of image data input from the image sensor 212 are executed based on a command from the system controller 230. Auto white balance is also included in the items of image data correction and processing. The auto white balance is a function that corrects the maximum luminance portion in the photographed image to a predetermined color (white), and the correction amount of the auto white balance can be changed by a command from the system controller 230.

  A timing generator 219, an A / D converter 217, a video memory 221, and a work memory 226 are connected to the camera DSP 227 via a selector 222.

  The timing generator 219 determines the drive timing of the entire imaging apparatus 200 and is connected to the driver circuit 218, the CDS / AGC circuit 216, and the A / D converter 217.

  Based on the signal from the timing generator 219, the driver circuit 218 causes the image sensor 212 to drive the image sensor 212 horizontally and vertically for each pixel to generate an image signal.

  The CDS / AGC circuit 216 removes reset noise and the like contained in the output of the image sensor 212 from the electrical signal from the image sensor 212 by a known method such as correlated double sampling, and amplifies the output to a predetermined signal level. To do. The A / D converter 217 converts the noise-removed and amplified electric signal from the CDS / AGC circuit 216 into a predetermined digital signal in order for each pixel. These CDS / AGC circuit 216 and A / D converter 217 also operate based on the timing signal from timing generator 219.

  The output from the A / D converter 217 is input to the memory controller 228 via the selector 222 for selecting a signal based on the signal from the system controller 230, and is all transferred to the DRAM 229 which is a frame memory.

  After completing the shooting operation, the memory controller 228 transfers the contents of the DRAM 229 storing the shooting data to the camera DSP 227 via the selector 222. The camera DSP 227 generates each color signal of RGB based on each pixel data of each shooting data stored in the DRAM 229.

  In a video camera or a compact digital camera, in a state before shooting, a result of generating RGB color signals based on each pixel data of each shooting data stored in the DRAM 229 is periodically stored in the video memory 221 (each frame Every). Thereby, a finder display (live view) or the like is performed on the monitor display unit 220.

  On the other hand, in a single-lens reflex digital camera, since the image pickup device 212 is usually shielded by the quick return mirror 203 and the focal plane shutter 210 before shooting, live view cannot be performed. In this case, the live view operation can be performed by raising the quick return mirror 203 and retracting it from the photographing optical path and then opening the focal plane shutter 210. In addition, the contrast evaluation value can be obtained by processing the image signal from the image sensor 212 by the camera DSP 227 or the system controller 230 during live view. The evaluation value can be used to perform contrast AF (autofocus).

  At the time of shooting, each pixel data for one frame is read from the DRAM 229 according to a control signal from the system controller 230, subjected to image processing by the camera DSP 227, and temporarily stored in the work memory 226. Then, the data in the work memory 226 is compressed based on a predetermined compression format by the compression / decompression circuit 225, and the result is stored in the external nonvolatile memory (external memory) 224. As the external nonvolatile memory 224, a flash memory is used in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a hard disk, a magnetic disk, or the like may be used.

  The camera DSP 227 also has a motion vector detection function for camera shake correction, which will be described later. When motion vector detection is performed, pixel data for two frames stored in the DRAM 229 is read, and correlation calculation is performed by the camera DSP 227 to obtain a motion vector. The method for obtaining the motion vector will be described later in detail.

  When observing stored image data that has been shot, the data compressed and stored in the external non-volatile memory 224 is expanded into data for each normal shooting pixel through the compression / decompression circuit 225. Then, by transferring the decompressed result to the video memory 221 connected to the camera DSP 227, display can be performed through the monitor display circuit 220.

  The system controller 230 further includes a display circuit 231, a release switch SW 1 (233), a release switch SW 2 (234), an image stabilization mode SW 235 for switching the image stabilization mode ON / OFF state, a shooting mode and camera shake measurement. Are connected to a mode dial 236 for switching to a calibration mode for operation and operation switches 232 for setting other shooting modes and making various selections.

  The display circuit 231 displays the operation state of the camera set or selected by the above switches using a display element such as a liquid crystal element, an LED (light emitting diode), or an organic EL.

  The release switch SW1 (233) is a switch for starting a shooting preparation operation such as a photometry / focus detection area. The release switch SW2 (234) is a switch for starting a photographing operation (mirror up for acquiring a still image, aperture driving, shutter driving, charge accumulation, charge reading operation, and the like).

  The mode dial 236 is an operation unit for arbitrarily setting a plurality of modes, and has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, for example. FIG. 2 is a top view of the mode dial 236 used in the present embodiment. In this example, the mode dial 236 is formed in a disk shape, and is provided at a predetermined position of the housing of the imaging device 200 so as to be rotatable about the center thereof.

  In FIG. 2, on the surface of the mode dial 236, “OFF” indicating the power-off state, “P (program mode)”, “Tv (shutter speed priority mode)”, “Av (aperture priority mode) indicating various shooting modes are displayed. ) ”,“ M (manual mode) ”, and“ CAL (camera shake calibration mode) ”modes for hand shake measurement. Each mode can be set by rotating the mode dial 236 and aligning with each notation.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is provided with a vibration gyro 240 that is an angular velocity sensor for measuring the amount of camera shake. In this figure, only one is shown, but in actuality, to measure the camera shake that affects shooting, two axes in the yawing direction (left-right direction with respect to the screen) and the pitching direction (up-down direction with respect to the screen) are shown. It is equipped with a vibration gyro that detects The output of the vibration gyro 240 is A / D converted by the A / D converter 241 and input to the system controller 230. The output of the vibration gyro 240 is an angular velocity, and an integration process for angular displacement is required to convert it into a shake amount. This process is performed by the system controller 230.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts of a main routine of the imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. The details will be described below.

  First, in step S101 of FIG. 3, the system controller 230 initializes a flag, a control variable, and the like by turning on power such as battery replacement.

  Next, in step S102, the system controller 230 determines the setting position of the mode dial 236. If the mode dial 236 is set to power OFF (see FIG. 2), the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the display on each display unit is changed to the end state, and necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are recorded in the EEPROM 223. Then, predetermined end processing such as shutting off unnecessary power sources of the respective units of the imaging apparatus 200 is performed, and the process returns to step S102.

  If the mode dial 236 is set to CAL (camera shake calibration mode) (see FIG. 2), the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the system controller 230 executes a camera shake calibration process, and when the process is completed, the process returns to step S102. Details of the camera shake calibration process will be described later.

  If the mode dial 236 is set to the photographing mode such as P, Tv, Av, M (see FIG. 2), the process proceeds to step S105. In step S <b> 105, the system controller 230 determines whether there is a problem in the operation of the imaging apparatus 200 due to the remaining capacity of the power source (not shown) configured by a battery or the like and the operation status. If there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S107, a predetermined warning display is performed by an image or sound using the display circuit 231, and then the process returns to step S102. If there is no problem, the process proceeds to step S106.

  Next, in step S <b> 106, the system controller 230 determines whether the operation state of the nonvolatile memory 224 that is a recording medium has a problem in the operation of the imaging apparatus 200, particularly the recording / reproducing operation of image data with respect to the nonvolatile memory 224 that is the recording medium. Determine whether. If there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S107, a predetermined warning display is performed by an image or sound using the display circuit 231, and then the process returns to step S102. If there is no problem, the process proceeds to step S108.

  Next, in step S108, the system controller 230 displays various setting states of the imaging apparatus 200 by using an image or sound using the display circuit 231, and proceeds to step S109.

  Next, in step S109, the system controller 230 checks the setting state of the image stabilization mode SW235. If the image stabilization function is ON, the process proceeds to step S110, the image stabilization function flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S112 (FIG. 4). If the image stabilization function is OFF, the process proceeds to step S111, the image stabilization function flag is canceled, and the process proceeds to step S112. Here, the state of the image stabilization function flag is stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229.

  Next, in step S112, the system controller 230 determines whether or not the release switch SW1 (233) has been pressed. If release switch SW1 (233) is not pressed, the process returns to step S102. If release switch SW1 (233) is pressed, the process proceeds to step S113.

  Next, in step S113, the system controller 230 performs distance measurement / photometry processing. Specifically, the system controller 230 performs phase difference distance measurement processing by the phase difference AF sensor 205 and the focus detection circuit 206, and communicates with the lens 100 side according to the result, and the lens control circuit 104, lens driving mechanism. The focus of the taking lens 101 is adjusted to the subject by 103. Further, the system controller 230 performs photometric processing to determine the aperture value and the shutter time. In the photometric process, although not shown or described in the present embodiment, setting of a flash built in or externally attached to the imaging apparatus 200 is also performed if necessary. Details of the distance measurement / photometry processing (step S113) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the distance measurement / photometry process (step S113) is completed, the process proceeds to step S114, and it is determined whether or not the release switch SW2 (234) is pressed. If release switch SW2 (234) is pressed, the process proceeds to step S116. If release switch SW2 (234) is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S115.

  If release switch SW1 (233) is also released in step S115, the process returns to step S102. If release switch SW1 (233) is kept pressed, the process returns to step S114 again and waits until release switch SW2 (234) is pressed.

  In step S116, a photographing process is performed. Specifically, the system controller 230 executes an exposure process for writing image data captured in the DRAM 229 via the image sensor 212, the A / D converter 217, the camera DSP 227, and the memory controller 228. Further, through the memory controller 228 and, if necessary, the camera DSP 227, image data written in the DRAM 229 is read and development processing for performing various processing is executed. Details of the above photographing process (step S116) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the photographing process (step S116) is completed, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, the system controller 230 reads the captured image data written in the DRAM 229, and executes various image processing using the memory controller 228 and, if necessary, the camera DSP 227. Thereafter, image compression processing corresponding to the set mode is performed using the compression / decompression circuit 225, and then image data is written to the nonvolatile memory 224 that is a recording medium. Details of the above recording process (step S117) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the recording process (step S117) is completed, the process proceeds to step S118. In step S118, the system controller 230 determines whether or not the release switch SW2 (234) remains pressed. If release switch SW2 (234) has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S119. If the release switch SW2 (234) is released, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S119, the system controller 230 determines the state of the continuous shooting flag stored in the internal memory or the DRAM 229. If the continuous shooting flag has been set, the flow returns to step S116 to perform continuous shooting, and the next shooting is performed. If the continuous shooting flag is not set, the process returns to step S118, and the processes of steps S118 to S119 are repeated until the release switch SW2 (234) is released.

  In step S120, it is determined whether or not release switch SW1 (233) has been pressed. If the release switch SW1 (233) is pressed, the process returns to step S114 to prepare for the next shooting. If the release switch SW1 (233) is in the released state, the series of shooting operations are finished, and the process returns to step S102.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the distance measurement / photometry processing in step S113 of FIG. The details will be described below.

  First, in step S <b> 201, the system controller 230 uses the focus detection circuit 206 as an image on the phase difference AF sensor 205 for a part of the light beam from the subject that is transmitted through the half mirror part of the quick return mirror 203 and reflected by the sub mirror 204. read out. Then, the distance to the subject is measured by a known phase difference AF technique. Here, the measured distance information is stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229.

  Next, in step S <b> 202, the system controller 230 communicates a lens drive command to the lens control circuit 104 via the electrical contact unit 107. The lens control circuit 104 drives the focus lens 101 via the lens driving mechanism 103 based on the command value.

  In step S <b> 203, the system controller 230 performs distance measurement again using the focus detection circuit 206 and the phase difference AF sensor 205.

  Next, in step S204, the system controller 230 determines whether or not the in-focus state. If it is determined that the in-focus state is reached, the process proceeds to photometric processing in step S205. If it is determined that the in-focus state is not achieved, the processes in steps S201 to S204 are repeated until the in-focus state is achieved.

  Next, in step S <b> 205, the system controller 230 measures the subject brightness with the photometric sensor 208 via the photometric circuit 209. Here, the measured photometric value is stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229 as photometric information.

  Next, in step S206, the system controller 230 determines the state of the image stabilization function flag stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229. If the image stabilization function is ON, the process proceeds to step S207, and image stabilization AE control is performed. If the image stabilization function is OFF, the process proceeds to step S208 and normal AE control is performed. Here, information on various setting values calculated by the AE control is stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229.

  When the image stabilization function is ON, a plurality of images are taken, and thereafter, addition / synthesis is performed while correcting the positional deviation of the image by the camera DSP 227 or the like. The shutter speed at this time needs to be determined to be faster than the shutter speed during normal AE control. The optimum shutter speed at which camera shake is unlikely to occur is set in consideration of the number of sheets to be combined and the amount of camera shake described later.

  Thus, the distance measurement / photometry process ends. The AE control (step S207) when the image stabilization function is ON will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the photographing process in step S116 of FIG. The details will be described below.

  First, in step S301, when the photographing process is started, the system controller 230 moves the quick return mirror 203 to the second position where the quick return mirror 203 is raised and retracted out of the photographing optical path via the mirror driving mechanism 213. At this time, the sub mirror 204 is also folded with respect to the quick return mirror 203 and retracted out of the photographing optical path.

  Next, in step S302, the system controller 230 uses the electrical contact unit 107 to obtain the Av value obtained from the time of photometry to the aperture control drive circuit 106 during AE calculation (FIG. 5, steps S205 to S208). Based on this, the aperture drive command is communicated. Based on the command value, the aperture control drive circuit 106 drives the aperture 102 to narrow down via the aperture drive mechanism 105.

  Next, in step S303, the system controller 230 outputs a control signal to the shutter control circuit 215, causes the shutter front curtain to travel, and opens the shutter. By this operation, exposure to the image sensor 212 is started in step S304.

  Next, in step S305, the system controller 230 determines whether the time corresponding to the Tv value set in the distance measurement / photometry processing (FIG. 5, steps S201 to S208) has passed by an internal timer or the like from the start of exposure. Judging. If the time has not elapsed, step S305 is looped until the time elapses, and the process waits. If the time has elapsed, it is determined that the exposure has ended, and the process proceeds to step S306.

  Next, in step S306, the system controller 230 outputs a control signal to the shutter control circuit 215, causes the shutter rear curtain to travel, closes the shutter, and ends the exposure of the image sensor 212.

  Next, in step S307, the system controller 230 communicates an aperture drive command for opening the aperture to the aperture control drive circuit 106 via the electrical contact unit 107. The diaphragm control drive circuit 106 drives the diaphragm 102 to the open state via the diaphragm drive mechanism 105 based on the command value.

  Next, in step S308, the system controller 230 lowers the quick return mirror 203 via the mirror driving mechanism 213 and moves it to the first position for guiding the light beam from the subject to the viewfinder optical system.

  Next, in step S309, the system controller 230 performs a spring charge by the shutter charge mechanism 214 in preparation for the next shooting.

  Next, in step S310, the system controller 230 gives a command to the camera DSP 227 to read out image data formed on the image sensor 212 during exposure. The read image data is amplified by the CDS / AGC circuit 216 via the timing generator 219 connected to the camera DSP 227 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 217 for each pixel.

  In step S311, the read data is input to the memory controller 228 via the selector 222, transferred to the DRAM 229, which is a frame memory, and stored.

  Next, in step S312, the system controller 230 determines the state of the image stabilization function flag stored in the internal memory or the DRAM 229. If the image stabilization function is ON, the process proceeds to step S313, and exposure end determination is performed. If the image stabilization function is OFF, the shooting operation is terminated.

  In step S313, it is determined whether or not the vibration proof continuous shooting has been completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S301, and the above steps S301 to S313 are repeated until the image stabilization continuous shooting is completed. If the image stabilization continuous shooting is completed, the process proceeds to step S314.

  In step S314, image stabilization processing for image stabilization is performed. Specifically, first, the system controller 230 initializes to 1 a variable n that indicates what number is processed with the variables used in the image processing for image stabilization in the DRAM 229.

  Next, in step S315, the system controller 230 calculates a motion vector between the n-th frame image and the n + 1-th frame image of the image stabilization continuous shooting using the motion vector detection function of the camera DSP 227. Various methods are known as a motion vector detection method, and any of these methods can be used. As an example, the method described later with reference to FIG. 7 is used.

  Next, in step S316, in order to perform image composition, the system controller 230 uses the camera DSP 227 so that the n + 1-th frame image overlaps the n-th frame image using the motion vector value obtained in step S315. Perform coordinate transformation on.

  Next, in step S317, the n + 1-th frame image coordinate-converted in step S316 is added and synthesized with the n-th frame image.

  Next, in step S318, the image synthesized in step S317 is recorded in the DRAM 229.

  Next, in step S319, “n = n + 1” is set, and the process proceeds to step S320, where it is determined whether or not the image subjected to image stabilization continuous shooting has ended. If not completed, the process returns to step S315 and the processes from step S315 to S320 are repeated. If it has been completed, the shooting process is terminated.

  Here, an example of the motion vector detection method in step S315 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which the screen is divided into small blocks. Reference numeral 300 denotes a photographed image. Here, it is assumed that an image having 3072 horizontal pixels, 2048 vertical pixels and a total number of pixels of 6,291,456 pixels is captured. In order to obtain a motion vector, here, the entire screen is divided into small blocks 301 each having 256 pixels horizontally and 256 pixels vertically. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is divided into 12 horizontal blocks and 8 vertical blocks.

  Next, for each small block 301, a two-dimensional correlation value with another image for obtaining the motion vector 302 is obtained. As the correlation value, the small block 301 is shifted in units of pixels, the sum of the absolute values of the differences between the corresponding pixels is successively obtained, and the shift amount that minimizes the sum is determined as the motion vector of the small block 301. 302. In this way, a motion vector 302 as shown in FIG. 7B is obtained in all the small blocks 301.

  Further, the frequency of the motion vector 302 obtained as described above is examined. FIG. 7C shows a histogram in which the frequencies are plotted in order from the mode value. A motion vector between two images is obtained from the histogram thus obtained. For example, in the case of FIG. 7C, (2, 1) is the mode value, which is a motion vector between the two images.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the recording process in step S117 of FIG. The details will be described below.

  First, in step S401, the system controller 230 reads the captured image data written in the DRAM 229 using the memory controller 228 and, if necessary, the camera DSP 227, and sets the vertical / horizontal pixel ratio of the image sensor 212 to 1: 1. Perform pixel square processing for interpolation. Thereafter, the processed image data is written into the work memory 226 using the camera DSP 227.

  Next, in step S402, the system controller 230 reads out the image data written in the work memory 226 by the compression / decompression circuit 225, and performs image compression processing according to the set mode.

  Next, in step S403, the system controller 230 writes the compressed image data into the non-volatile memory 224 such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card. When the writing to the recording medium is completed, the recording process is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the camera shake calibration mode in step S103 of FIG. The details will be described below.

  The camera shake calibration mode in the present embodiment refers to an operation mode in which approximately how much camera shake will occur in advance and recorded when a photographer holds a camera and performs a shooting operation. The functions described here correspond to the shake amount measuring means and the shake amount recording means of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the amount of camera shake is measured while the release switch SW1 (233) is ON, and the amount of camera shake per unit time is recorded. In addition, since the amount of camera shake varies greatly from measurement to measurement, the more stable the camera shake amount is obtained as the calibration operation is performed based on the learning effect in consideration of past measurement results. The obtained camera shake amount and the number of calibrations are recorded in the EEPROM 223 which is a nonvolatile memory.

  When the mode dial shown in FIG. 2 is set to the calibration position (CAL), the process is started. First, in step S501, the system controller 230 turns on the vibration gyro 240 and activates the vibration gyro. Let

  Next, in step S502, the vibration gyro 240 and the low-pass filters of its peripheral circuits have a predetermined time constant, and it takes some time until the output is stabilized. Therefore, the process waits until the output is stabilized, and if it is stabilized, the process proceeds to step S503. .

  In step S503, the process waits until the release switch SW1 (233) is turned on. When the release switch SW1 (233) is turned on, the process proceeds to step S504.

  Next, in step S504, measurement of the amount of camera shake is started, and the output of the vibration gyro 240 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 241. The output of the vibration gyro 240 measures the output for two axes in the pitching direction and the yawing direction.

  Here, during camera shake calibration, the camera shake is measured when the camera is held with respect to the subject that corresponds to the actual shooting, and the camera is enlarged during the measurement by panning operation, etc. It can be shaken. If the data at such time is measured as the amount of camera shake, the result is unreliable, so panning is determined and the data at such time is not stored. Further, when such panning is detected, the data stored from the start of the calibration until the start of the calibration is once discarded by the reset operation in step S514, and the calibration operation is resumed by returning to step S504 again. Note that panning is determined in step S505 described below.

  In step S505, the panning is determined by comparing the output measured in step S504 with the threshold A. Specifically, since the output of the vibration gyroscope is an angular velocity signal, the absolute value of the angular velocity is compared with a threshold value A (angular velocity) to determine whether panning is performed. If the angular velocity is larger than the threshold A, it is determined that panning is performed, and the process proceeds to step S514 without storing it as data. After the reset operation, the process returns to step S504 to restart the calibration operation. As described above, the output of the vibrating gyroscope can be output for two axes, and is determined by the absolute value. If it is equal to or less than the threshold A, the process proceeds to step S506.

  In step S506, the vibration gyro output is integrated and converted into angular displacement.

  Next, in step S507, it is determined whether panning is performed based on the magnitude of the angular displacement as in the process of step S505. If it is larger than the threshold value B (angular displacement), it is determined that panning is performed, and the process proceeds to step S514. After the reset operation, the process returns to step S504 to restart the calibration operation. If it is equal to or less than the threshold value B, the process proceeds to step S508.

  Next, in step S508, the angular displacement calculated in step S506 is stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229.

  Next, in step S509, the amount of camera shake per unit time is obtained peak-to-peak from the stored angular displacement data, that is, camera shake data. Details will be described below with reference to FIG. 10 schematically showing peak-to-peak.

  FIG. 10 shows the measured angular displacement data connected by a line in order and represented as camera shake data. As the amount of camera shake, the absolute value of the peak-to-peak angular displacement amount in the pitching direction and yawing direction per unit time of the camera shake data is stored as camera shake data.

  Next, in step S510, it is determined whether or not the release switch SW1 (233) is being pressed. While the button is pressed, that is, while the release switch SW1 (233) is ON, the process returns to step S504, and the processing of steps S504 to S510 is continued. If the release switch SW1 (233) is turned off, the process proceeds to step S511.

  Next, in step S511, the camera shake amount stored in the past and the value indicating the number of times of the calibration operation, that is, the number of calibration trials so far are read out. Here, the data relating to the past camera shake amount to be read is stored in the EEPROM 223.

Next, in step S512, the amount of camera shake is calculated. Note that the camera shake amount calculated here is calculated by the following equation in order to reflect the learning effect.
(Shake amount) = (past hand shake amount × calibration count + current data) / (calibration count + 1)

  In step S513, the newly calculated camera shake amount and the trial count data obtained by adding 1 to the previous calibration count are recorded in the EEPROM 223, and the camera shake calibration mode processing is completed.

  In this embodiment, only one CAL position of the mode dial 236 is prepared. However, since there is individual difference in camera shake, it is configured so that calibration data of a plurality of persons can be stored and switched. May be. In this case, the mode dial 236 may be provided with positions such as CAL1 and CAL2, for example, and the camera shake data of each person may be recorded in each position.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the anti-vibration AE control in step S207 of FIG. The details will be described below.

  First, in step S601, the photometric value measured in step S205 and stored in the internal memory of the system controller 230 or the DRAM 229 is read out.

  Next, in step S602, the system controller 230 reads out lens information such as focal length information of the photographing lens 100 from the lens control circuit 104 via the electrical contact unit 107 by communication (lens focal length information acquisition unit).

  Next, in step S603, the camera shake amount calculated in the camera shake calibration mode and recorded in the EEPROM 223 is read.

  Next, in step S604, an optimum shutter speed Tva ′ that makes it difficult for the photographer to shake at the lens focal length is obtained from the lens focal length information obtained in step S602 and the camera shake amount obtained in step S603. . The optimum shutter speed Tva 'can be obtained as follows. Conventionally, for example, in a camera using a 35 mm film, if the focal length of a photographing lens is fmm, it is said that camera shake is hardly affected if the shutter speed is 1 / f (sec). In general, an image pickup device of a digital camera is smaller than a 35 mm film, but a focal length equivalent to a 35 mm film camera is obtained from a ratio of the size of the image pickup device to the 35 mm film and an actual focal length of the photographing lens, and is obtained as f ′. And Then, the reciprocal (1 / f ′ (sec)) is set as the shutter speed, and first, the shutter speed Tva that is difficult to shake is obtained. Here, a higher shutter speed may be set in consideration of an enlarged display on a PC monitor or the like.

  For example, in a full-size image sensor having an image area equivalent to that of a 35 mm film, when a lens with a focal length of 50 mm is used, a photographer with a standard camera shake amount is 1/60 (sec) as with a 35 mm film. That is, the shutter speed “Tv value: 6” may be regarded as the upper limit shutter speed Tva.

  With this upper limit shutter speed Tva as a reference, the upper limit speed can be shifted to 1/30 sec if the camera shake amount is less than the standard, and 1/15 sec if the person has a smaller amount of camera shake. On the contrary, if the person has more blur than the standard, it is necessary to shift the upper limit speed to 1/125 sec and 1/250 sec to the high-speed second time side. Whether the shutter speed is shifted is determined based on the amount of camera shake in the camera shake calibration mode, whether the shutter speed is shifted to the low speed side or the high speed side. In this way, the optimum shutter speed Tva 'for the photographer reflecting the camera shake calibration is determined.

  Note that the standard camera shake amount to be compared with the camera shake amount measured by the camera shake calibration is arbitrarily set in advance.

  In step S605, the shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av are calculated from the photometric value read in step S601 and the program diagram set in the system controller 230.

Next, in step S606, the shutter speed Tva ′ calculated in step S604 is compared with the shutter speed Tv calculated in step S605. If Tv is larger, it means that the shutter is released at a higher speed than the time when the camera shakes, so that the process ends. If Tv is smaller, the process proceeds to step S607, and the number of shots is calculated. The number of shots N can be obtained from the following equation.
N = 2 ^(Tva'-Tv)

For example, if the optimal shutter speed is 1/125 sec (Tva ′ = 7) and the shutter speed determined from the program diagram is 1/30 sec (Tv = 5), the required number of shots N is N = 2 ^{(Tva '-Tv)} = 2 ^(7-5) , 4 cards.

  From the optimum shutter speed thus obtained, the appropriate exposure amount determined by AE control, the aperture value and sensitivity value set on the camera side, etc., the ratio between the exposure amount and the appropriate exposure amount when one image is taken is obtained. be able to. From this ratio, it is possible to determine how many photographed images should be added in order to obtain appropriate exposure. For example, if the exposure amount per sheet is ¼ of the appropriate exposure amount, the number of shots is four, and an image with appropriate exposure can be obtained by adding four images.

  If the number of shots during image stabilization is small, the image stabilization effect will be small. If the number is too large, the exposure amount per image will be too small, and it will be difficult to perform motion vector detection processing in post-processing. Since processing takes time, 4 to 8 sheets are appropriate.

  In the description of the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the alignment reference is the image captured first of the two images. However, as a result, it is only necessary to perform alignment. Can be placed anywhere. For example, based on the first image, the motion vectors of the first image, the second image, the first image, the third image, the first image, and the fourth image are obtained, and the second image to the fourth image are acquired. It does not matter if it is overlapped.

  In this embodiment, an example in which four sheets are combined has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to cases other than four sheets, such as eight sheets.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, by measuring the magnitude of camera shake at the time of shooting by the photographer during calibration, There is an effect that it is possible to set shooting conditions for optimal camera shake prevention shooting according to the ability. Specifically, the shutter speed at which camera shake is difficult is obtained from the lens focal length information, and the shutter speed that is calculated in the camera shake calibration mode is reflected on this shutter speed to determine a more optimal shutter speed according to the individual ability. be able to. In other words, the shutter speed can be appropriately changed according to the amount of camera shake, and the shutter speed related to the optimum photographing condition according to the individual ability can be determined. Then, by comparing the optimum shutter speed with the shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av and the optimum exposure speed determined by the AE control based on the program diagram determined from the photometric value, the number of continuously photographable images can be determined.

  In the present invention, various modifications other than those described in the present embodiment are possible. For example, in this embodiment, the magnitude of the camera shake is determined by the camera shake peak-to-peak per predetermined time in the camera shake calibration mode, but the average or standard deviation of the displacement is taken to determine the magnitude. You may make it use. Alternatively, frequency analysis of camera shake may be performed to determine the magnitude of camera shake due to frequency, and it may be determined up to which second time the camera can be photographed with less camera shake in consideration of the shutter speed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example of detecting with an angular velocity sensor has been described as a method for detecting camera shake, but the detection method is not limited to this. For example, an acceleration sensor may be used. In addition, by using a phase difference line sensor used for AF (autofocus), an image on the line sensor may be read at regular time intervals, and a camera shake amount may be detected by correlating each image. . Such a technique is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9.

  There is also a camera that uses a sensor having multiple pixels of about 500 to 1000 pixels that are divided into two dimensions and divided as a photometric sensor. Using such a camera, an image on the multi-pixel photometric sensor may be read at regular intervals in the same manner as the phase difference line sensor, and a motion vector may be detected to detect the amount of camera shake.

  Further, the amount of shift between the images when the image composition described in the present embodiment is performed may be regarded as the amount of camera shake, and may be the amount of camera shake to be taken into consideration at the next shooting.

  In addition, a compact type digital camera performs so-called live view display in which images on the image sensor are sequentially displayed on a liquid crystal such as a back surface during framing. The present invention can also be applied to such a camera. It is. In this case, it is also possible to detect a motion vector between images displayed in live view, thereby detecting the amount of camera shake. As described above, various known means may be applied as a method for detecting camera shake.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an interchangeable lens single-lens reflex type imaging device has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a so-called digital compact camera in which a lens and a lens barrel are integrated with a main body. I do not care. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a video camera or the like having a still image shooting function. In that case, the lens focal length information may be stored in the EEPROM 223 or the like and called at the time of AE calculation.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the AE and AF processes are performed using the photometric sensor 208 and the phase difference AF sensor 205 other than the image sensor 212 is shown. However, in a compact digital camera, the AE, AF is usually performed by a signal from the image sensor. AF is performed. It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable even to such a digital compact camera.

  Further, the operation system is not the same as the mode dial 236, and the mode may be switched by a combination of push switches.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the parallel movement (motion vector) of the image has been described, but it goes without saying that the composition may be performed in consideration of image rotation and deformation such as affine transformation.

  In addition, the number of divided pixels of the small block is not limited to the division described in the present embodiment, and may be divided by a block having an arbitrary size such as 128 pixels × 128 pixels. Also, the motion vector for the entire screen may be determined by selecting, for example, two or three motion vector candidate values in the order of frequency, and obtaining them by interpolation. Further, other known methods may be used. For example, a feature vector may be extracted from the screen, and a motion vector may be obtained by searching for a corresponding point. Instead of examining the entire screen, a small block may be used to reduce the amount of calculation. Some of them may be selected and obtained from motion vectors for them. As described above, various methods are known, but the motion vector may be obtained by any one of them.

  In this embodiment, the case where the alignment and composition processing is performed in the camera has been described. However, only continuous shooting is performed on the camera side, and a plurality of captured images are taken into a PC, a printer, or the like, where post-processing is performed. Alignment and composition processing may be performed. In addition, the image processing in that case also allows the user to bring the image stored in the storage medium into the lab, such as a silver salt film lab, or send the image to the lab side by a communication function such as the Internet, It is also possible to perform an image composition process on the lab side.

  The nonvolatile memory 224 is a flash memory, but is not limited to this. For example, not only memory cards such as PCMCIA cards and compact flash (registered trademark), hard disks, but also micro DAT, magneto-optical disks, optical disks such as CD-R and CR-WR, phase change optical disks such as DVD, etc. Of course, there is no problem even if it is done.

  Of course, there is no problem even if the nonvolatile memory 224 is a composite medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated. Further, there is no problem even if a part of the composite medium is detachable.

  In the present embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 224 is described as being separated from the imaging device 200 and can be arbitrarily connected. However, any or all recording media may remain fixed to the imaging device 200. Of course there is no problem.

  In the imaging apparatus 200, the nonvolatile memory 224 may be configured to be connectable to an arbitrary number of single or plural.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the nonvolatile memory 224 is mounted on the imaging apparatus 200 has been described. However, the recording medium may have any combination of single or plural recording media.

  Image processing for performing image composition may be realized by software or hardware. In addition to the above, various modifications may be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  Note that the present invention may use a storage medium that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments. In this case, the object of the present invention is achieved by supplying the storage medium to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Needless to say, the OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code.

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, based on the instruction of the written program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the mode switch of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main routine of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main routine of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the ranging / photometry process of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the imaging | photography process of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection method of the motion vector which the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention detects. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a recording process of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in a camera shake calibration mode of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection method of the camera-shake amount which the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention detects. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of anti-vibration AE control of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Shooting lens 101 Focus lens 102 Diaphragm 103 Lens drive mechanism 104 Lens control circuit 105 Diaphragm drive mechanism 106 Diaphragm control drive circuit 107 Electrical contact unit 200 Imaging device 205 Phase difference AF sensor 206 Focus detection circuit 208 Photometric sensor 209 Photometric circuit 212 Image sensor 220 Monitor display 221 Video memory 223 EEPROM
227 Camera DSP
228 Memory controller 229 DRAM
230 System Controller 236 Mode Dial 240 Vibrating Gyro

Claims (10)

Imaging means for outputting an image signal of the captured image;
Control means for controlling the imaging means so as to continuously take a plurality of images in order to perform camera shake correction;
Photometric means for measuring the brightness of the subject;
Lens focal length information acquisition means for acquiring information on the focal length of the lens;
A camera shake amount measuring means for measuring the camera shake amount of the photographer;
A shake amount recording means for recording the shake amount determined based on the shake amount measured by the shake measurement means;
The control means sets the photographing condition based on the photometry information measured by the photometry means, the lens focal length information acquired by the lens focal length information acquisition means, and the camera shake amount recorded in the camera shake recording means. An imaging apparatus characterized by determining.   The control means determines a shutter speed at which camera shake is difficult from the lens focal length information, changes the shutter speed according to the recorded camera shake amount, determines a shutter speed according to the shooting condition, and The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of continuous shots is determined from photometric information and a shutter speed according to the shooting condition.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a camera shake correction unit that obtains an image obtained by performing camera shake correction by combining the plurality of images while performing alignment.   The camera shake amount recorded in the camera shake amount recording means is the latest camera shake amount measured by the camera shake amount measuring means, the camera shake amount recorded by the camera shake amount recording means, and the camera shake amount measured so far. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is calculated based on the number of times of the imaging.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera shake amount measuring unit is at least one of an angular velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor.   5. The camera shake amount measuring unit measures a camera shake amount from a time correlation of an image on the distance measuring sensor using a phase difference type distance measuring sensor. 6. The imaging device described. The photometric means has a photometric sensor divided into two dimensions.
The camera shake amount measuring means calculates the correlation of the small blocks obtained in time series by dividing the photometric area of the photometric sensor into small blocks, and measures the camera shake amount from the motion vector obtained for each small block. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera shake amount measuring unit measures a camera shake amount from a motion vector. A display means for displaying an image; and a live view means for displaying the image captured by the imaging device on the display means in real time,
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera shake amount measuring unit measures a camera shake amount from a time correlation of an image during live view. Imaging means for outputting an image signal of a photographed image, photometry means for measuring the luminance of the subject, lens focal length information acquisition means for acquiring information on the focal length of the lens, and a camera shake amount for measuring a camera shake amount of the photographer A method for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising: a measuring unit; and a camera shake amount recording unit that records a camera shake amount obtained based on a camera shake amount measured by the camera shake measuring unit,
The image pickup means is controlled to continuously take a plurality of images for camera shake correction, and the photometric information measured by the photometry means at that time and the lens focal point acquired by the lens focal length information acquisition means A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: a procedure for determining an imaging condition based on distance information and a camera shake amount recorded in the camera shake amount recording unit.

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