JP2001285687A - Electronic camera and unit for the electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera that can revise part of functions without giving effect on the entire camera. SOLUTION: The electronic camera is provided with a drive system unit 2, a flash system unit 3 and an image processing system unit 4 which are designed separately as units depending on their functions and fitted to a camera body 1 removably and they are provided with an LCPU 10, an FCPU 11 and an iCPU 12, and a main control section 9 of the camera, body 1 gives only commands to the LCPU 10, the FCPU 11 and the iCPU 12 to totally apply drive control to the entire camera thereby preventing revision of part of functions from giving effect on the entire camera.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera and an electronic camera unit that captures a subject image using a two-dimensional image sensor or the like, and in particular, to an electronic camera and an electronic camera unit that can partially change functions without affecting the entire camera. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a subject image is formed on a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an image pickup optical system and converted into an electric signal. A so-called electronic camera that records data on a recording medium such as a disk has been widely used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional electronic camera. As shown in FIG. 8, in a conventional electronic camera,
The control unit 100 has undertaken drive control of all functions including the drive system A, the flash system B, and the image processing system C.

[0004]

By the way, if all the functions are driven and controlled only by the control unit 100 as described above, the control unit 100 is required to change a part of the system, for example, only the drive system A. Has to be changed, and as a result, there is a problem that the influence is exerted on the entire camera.

[0005] Also, with each function becoming more sophisticated every day,
There has been a problem that the drive control performed by the control unit 100 is significantly complicated.

Further, such a configuration has a problem that it is unsuitable for a system in which a user arbitrarily exchanges various parts according to a photographing situation or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an electronic camera and an electronic camera unit that can partially change functions without affecting the entire camera. The purpose is to:

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic camera according to the present invention is separately unitized for each function and is configured to be detachable from a camera body. A control unit for driving and controlling each unit is provided, and only the control signal for instructing each unit to operate is transmitted from the main control unit of the camera body to the control means of each unit, thereby integrating the entire camera. An electronic camera in which a plurality of units separately configured for each function are detachably mounted on the camera body, and the drive control is performed between the plurality of units and the camera body. A serial connection means for connecting the serial communication path only through a shared serial communication path, and the serial communication means provided in each of the plurality of units. A first control means for driving and controlling the whole unit based on a control signal for instructing each unit to be operated transmitted from the camera body via the camera body; and And a second control unit for integrally driving and controlling the entire camera by transmitting to the first control unit via a communication path.

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, since control means for controlling the drive of each unitized function is provided, it is possible to prevent a change in a part of the function from affecting the entire camera. It is possible to prevent the main control means of the camera body from becoming unnecessarily complicated with the advancement of functions, and it is also suitable for a system in which the user can arbitrarily exchange various parts according to shooting conditions and the like. It becomes possible.

Further, by connecting each control unit of a plurality of units and the main control unit of the camera body only through a common serial communication path, the data between each unit can be increased without increasing the number of connection lines. Transfers are possible.

Further, in the electronic camera according to the present invention, it is preferable that a connecting portion provided on the camera main body and electrically connected to each unit is configured in a common mode for all of the plurality of units. .

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, for example, even if any unit is connected to each of the plurality of connection units, it is possible to operate them.

Further, the electronic camera according to the present invention includes the second camera.
When the control means instructs a predetermined operation to a plurality of units, it is preferable to transmit the same control signal indicating that effect to all the first control means simultaneously.

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, one-to-many control can be performed at the same time, so that an operation instruction that causes a time lag such as a release can be simultaneously performed to each unit.

Further, in the electronic camera according to the present invention, it is preferable that the camera body includes a unit identifying means for identifying a connected unit.

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with an arbitrary unit exchange or the like by the user.

[0017]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, this electronic camera has a camera body 1, a drive system unit 2, a flash system unit 3, an image processing system unit 4, and a display system separately formed independently of the camera body 1. It comprises a unit 5, a recording / reproducing system unit 6, a power supply system unit 7, and an operation system unit 8.

The drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, the image processing system unit 4, the power supply system unit 7, and the operation system unit 8 are detachably provided on the camera body 1, and the display system unit 5 and the The recording / reproducing system unit 6 is detachably provided on the image processing system unit 4.

The drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4 share a common serial data from a main control unit 9 provided in the camera body 1 and which integrally controls the drive of the entire camera. LCPU 10 and FCPU 1 that drive and control each according to commands transferred using bus a and chip enable line b
1 and an iCPU 12 are provided.

The features of this electronic camera are, as seen in the drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4, separately formed for each function and detachable from the camera body 1. ,And,
LCPU10, FCPU1 for driving and controlling these, respectively.
1 and an iCPU 12, and an LCPU 10, an FCPU 11 and an iCP
By transmitting only a command for instructing each unit to operate to U12 and integrally controlling the driving of the entire camera, it is possible to prevent a change in some functions from affecting the entire camera. It is possible to prevent the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1 from being unnecessarily complicated with the advancement of functions, and it is also suitable for a system in which the user can arbitrarily exchange various parts according to the shooting situation and the like. This point will be described in detail below.

First, the principle of operation of the electronic camera will be described.

After passing through the zoom lens 13, the amount of the subject light is controlled by the diaphragm 14. Zoom lens 1
3 is driven by a zoom motor 15, and the aperture 14 is driven by an aperture actuator 16. The subject light that has passed through the zoom lens 13 and the aperture 14 is subjected to vibrations such as camera shake by the image stabilizing unit 17 so that AF
(Automatic focus adjustment) Focusing is controlled by the lens 18.
The anti-vibration unit 17 is driven by an anti-vibration actuator 19, and the AF lens 18 is driven by an AF motor 20. The anti-vibration unit 17 and the AF lens 1
The subject light that has passed through 8 is split into two by a mirror 21, one subject light is guided to an optical finder 23 by a mirror 22, and the other subject light is captured by an imaging circuit of the image processing system unit 4 when the mechanical shutter 24 is opened. 28. The mechanical shutter 24 is a shutter actuator 25
Driven by Further, a zoom motor 15, an aperture actuator 16, an anti-vibration actuator 19, an AF motor 20, and a shutter actuator 24
Driven by The control of the drive circuit 26, that is, the drive system unit 2 is executed by the LCPU 10 based on the detection result of the camera shake detection sensor 27 and the command from the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1.

When the subject light enters the image pickup circuit 28, a subject image is formed on an image pickup surface provided in the image pickup circuit 28. In this imaging surface, a plurality of pixels that perform photoelectric conversion are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and a color filter is arranged to accumulate signal charges corresponding to the formed subject image. The signal charges accumulated on the imaging surface are read out as electric signals called pixel signals, converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 29, and temporarily stored in a buffer memory 30 such as a DRAM. It is memorized.

A moving image compression / expansion circuit 31 and a still image compression / expansion circuit 32 are connected to the buffer memory 30.
Further, a moving picture recording / reproducing circuit 33 and a still picture recording / reproducing circuit 34 are connected to the moving picture compression / decompression circuit 31 and the still picture compression / decompression circuit 32, respectively. Video compression / decompression circuit 31
And the still image compression / expansion circuit 32
A compression process for reading out the image signal stored in the storage unit and performing a compression (encoding) process to make the recording / playback unit 6 suitable for recording on the moving image recording medium 33 or the still image recording medium 34 And a decompression processing unit that reads out image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 35 or the still image recording medium 36 of the recording / reproduction system unit 6 and performs decompression (decoding) processing. Also,
Moving picture recording / reproducing circuit 33 and still picture recording / reproducing circuit 34
Records image data on the moving image recording medium 35 or the still image recording medium 36 of the recording / reproducing system unit 6 and reproduces image data from the moving image recording medium 35 or the still image recording medium 36 of the recording / reproducing system unit 6. Perform processing. As the moving image recording medium 35 or the still image recording medium 36 of the recording / reproducing system unit 6, a memory card composed of a semiconductor memory such as a card-type flash memory is generally used, but is limited to a memory card. Instead, various types of magnetic recording media such as a hard disk and a floppy (registered trademark) disk can be used.

The image signal stored in the buffer memory 30 is also guided to a contrast detection circuit 37, which performs arithmetic processing mainly on cumulative addition of pixel signals from each pixel. Then, an AE (automatic exposure) evaluation value corresponding to the brightness of the subject is obtained based on the cumulative addition value. At this time, an AF (automatic focus adjustment) evaluation value corresponding to the contour component amount on the high frequency side is also obtained at the same time. Then, the AE evaluation value and the AF evaluation value are transmitted to the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1 via the iCPU 12.

Further, the image signal stored in the buffer memory 30 is also guided to the display processing circuit 38 of the display unit 5, where it is converted into a form suitable for display output.
It is supplied to a display device 39 such as an LCD and displayed as an image. The imaging circuit 28 and the A / D converter 2
9, the buffer memory 30, the moving image compression / expansion circuit 31, the still image compression / expansion circuit 32, the moving image recording / reproducing circuit 33, and the still image recording / reproducing circuit 34, i.e., the image system unit 4 is controlled by the iCPU 12 by the main control of the camera body 1. It is executed based on a command from the unit 9.

The strobe light emitting section 40 is a light source for photographing a dark subject image.
To control the amount of light emission. The strobe control circuit 41 includes a strobe capacitor capable of storing a predetermined amount of electric charge, and drives the strobe light emitting unit 40 by charging and discharging the strobe capacitor. The flash control circuit 41, that is, the flash unit 3
Is controlled by the FCPU 11 by the main controller 9 of the camera body 1.
Execute based on command from.

On the other hand, the main control section 9 of the camera body 1 controls each section based on a command from the operation input section 46 of the operation system unit 8, and includes a drive system unit 2, a flash system unit 3, and an image processing unit. Regarding the processing system unit 4, the LCPU 10 and the FCPU
The drive control is executed indirectly by transmitting a command to the iCPU 11 and the iCPU 12.

As described above, in this electronic camera, the drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4 are driven by the LCPU 10 based on the command from the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1, FCPU
11 and the iCPU 12, respectively,
It is possible to prevent the change of each function from affecting the entire camera, and to prevent the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1 from becoming unnecessarily complicated with the advancement of each function. This makes it suitable for a system in which various parts are arbitrarily exchanged in accordance with a shooting situation or the like.

Further, since they are connected to each other via a shared data bus, data can be transferred between units without increasing the number of connection lines.

The power supply unit 42 of the power supply system unit 7 includes:
The power from the battery 43 or the external power supply 44 is supplied and controlled to each circuit. Further, the power supply state detection unit 45 detects the state of the battery 43 from the power supply unit 42 and transmits the detection result to the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1.

The operation input unit 46 of the operation system unit 8
Generates a command signal for performing various operations based on a user operation, and transmits the command signal to the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplifying a pin configuration of a plurality of connectors provided on the camera body 1 for mounting the drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, this connector has a common pin configuration for the drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4, and includes a power supply line (Vcc) and a chip enable line ( CEx), a data bus (DATA), a clock line (CLK), and a ground line (GND). A chip enable number is assigned to a chip enable line of each connector in advance, and a unit to be attached is tentatively determined as shown in FIG.

From the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1, the LCPU 10, FCPU 11 and iCPU 1 of the drive system unit 2, the flash system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4.
2 is performed by enabling only a chip enable line to which the unit is connected and outputting data serially on a data bus. On the other hand, each unit takes in the data serially output on the data bus only when the chip enable line is enabled. Therefore, an operation instruction command that causes a time lag such as a release can be transmitted to all units simultaneously by merely outputting all the chip enable lines serially to the data bus with the chip enable lines enabled. The output and capture of the serial data are synchronized by the clock signal on the clock line.

When the power is turned on, the main controller 9 of the camera body 1 enables the chip enable lines one by one, and outputs a command for requesting the return of the identification code on the data bus each time. I do. On the other hand, in response to this command, each unit outputs the assigned identification code to the data bus as shown in FIG. Then, the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1 determines whether or not a unit is attached to each connector and the identification of the attached unit by reading whether or not the identification code is returned and reading the returned identification code.

The main controller 9 of the camera body 1
As shown in FIG. 5, at the time of shooting, the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4
LCPU10, FCPU11 and i
On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the iCPU 12 transmits a command to the CPU 12 to instruct only the image processing system unit 4 to operate.
Send a command to

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an operation procedure at the time of connection check and release operation of each unit in the electronic camera will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the connection check of each unit performed when the power is turned on or the like.

First, the main controller 9 of the camera body 1 checks the presence or absence of the unit and the identification of the mounted unit with respect to the connector having the chip enable line in which the chip enable number is assigned 1 (step A1). Here, if the mounted unit cannot be identified, or if it is confirmed that the unit is not allowed to be connected to this connector (NO in step A2), error processing such as outputting a warning message is executed. After this (Step A10), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the unit is not mounted or when the mounted unit can be identified (YE in step A2).
S), the check result is determined as connection information of the connector (step A4).

Next, the main control section 9 of the camera body 1 checks the presence or absence of the unit and the identification of the mounted unit with respect to the connector having the chip enable line assigned with the chip enable number of 2 (step A4). . Here, if the mounted unit cannot be identified, or if the mounting of a unit that is not allowed to be mounted on this connector is confirmed (NO in step A5), error processing such as outputting a warning message is executed. After this (Step A10), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the unit is not mounted or when the mounted unit can be identified (YE in step A5).
S), the check result is determined as connection information of the connector (step A6).

Similarly, the main control section 9 of the camera body 1 checks the presence or absence of the unit and the identification of the mounted unit with respect to the connector having the chip enable line assigned with the chip enable number of 3 (step A7). . Here, if the mounted unit cannot be identified, or if the mounting of a unit that is not allowed to be mounted on this connector is confirmed (NO in step A8), error processing such as outputting a warning message is executed. After this (Step A10), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the unit is not mounted or when the mounted unit can be identified (YES in step A8), the check result is determined as the connection information of the connector (step A9).

Thus, it is possible to operate any unit connected to any connector within an allowable range (not limited to the units assumed to be mounted as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). In addition, it is possible to appropriately cope with arbitrary unit replacement or the like by the user.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a release operation command is issued from the operation input unit 44.

The release button of this electronic camera is a two-stage multi-stage switch, instructing the start of photographing preparation including driving of the AF lens 18 and the like in a so-called half-pressed state of only the first stage. The start of the actual photographing process is instructed in the so-called fully-pressed state until. When the first-stage release-on is notified from the operation input unit 46, the main control unit 9 of the camera body 1 sends the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4 to each other.
A command indicating release-on of the first stage is simultaneously transmitted to all the LCPU 10, FCPU 11 and iCPU 12 (step B1). On the other hand, the LCPU 10 and the FCPU 11 of the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3 and the image processing system unit 4 which have received this command.
The iCPU 12 controls the drive of the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4 to start the preparation for photographing.

Next, the main controller 9 of the camera body 1 checks the state change of the release button (step B2), and the second-stage release button is not turned on (NO in step B3), If the release button of the first stage is turned off (N in step B4)
O), this process ends without taking a picture. On the other hand, when the release button of the first stage is kept on (YES in step B4), the process from step B2 is repeated.

When the release button of the second stage is turned on (YES in step B3), the main control section 9 of the camera body 1 controls the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4. LCPU10, F
A command indicating the second-stage release-on is simultaneously transmitted to all the CPU 11 and the iCPU 12 (step B5), and the LCPU 10 of the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3 and the image processing system unit 4 which have received this command. , FCPU11 and iCPU12
Controls the drive of the drive system unit 2, the strobe system unit 3, and the image processing system unit 4 to start the photographing process (step B6).

Thus, it is possible to simultaneously issue a release operation instruction which causes a time lag to each unit.

[0051]

As described in detail above, according to the electronic camera of the present invention, each function is separately unitized to be detachable from the camera body, and each of the unitized units is drive-controlled. Since the main control unit of the camera body transmits only control signals to the control means of each of these units to drive and control the entire camera in an integrated manner, some functions may be changed. Can be prevented from affecting the entire camera, and it is possible to prevent the main control means of the camera body from becoming unnecessarily complicated with the advancement of each function.
The present invention is also suitable for a system in which the user arbitrarily exchanges various parts according to a shooting situation or the like.

Also, by connecting each control unit of a plurality of units and the main control unit of the camera body only through a common serial communication path, the data between each unit can be increased without increasing the number of connection lines. Transfers are possible.

Further, by forming a connection portion provided on the camera body for electrically connecting with each unit in a common manner for all of the plurality of units, for example, any of the plurality of connection portions may be provided. These units can be operated even if the units are connected.

Also, the main control unit of the camera body transmits the same control signal to all the control units at the same time, so that each unit can issue an operation instruction that causes a time lag such as a release operation. You can do it all at once.

Further, the main control section of the camera body identifies the connected unit, so that it is possible to appropriately cope with an arbitrary unit exchange by the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view exemplifying a pin configuration of a connector provided on a camera body for mounting a drive system unit, a flash system unit, and an image processing system unit in the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a unit tentatively assumed to be attached to each chip enable line to which a chip enable number is assigned in the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of an identification code assigned to each unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing types of units for which the main control unit of the electronic camera according to the embodiment instructs operations at the time of shooting and playback.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a connection check of each unit performed when the electronic camera of the embodiment is turned on.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing an operation procedure when a release operation command is issued from the operation input unit of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional electronic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera main body 2 ... Drive system unit 3 ... Flash system unit 4 ... Image processing system unit 5 ... Display system unit 6 ... Recording / reproduction system unit 7 ... Power supply system unit 8 ... Operation system unit 9 ... Main control part 10 ... LCPU 11 ... FCPU 12 ... iCPU 13 ... Zoom lens 14 ... Aperture 15 ... Zoom motor 16 ... Aperture actuator 17 ... Anti-vibration unit 18 ... AF lens 19 ... Anti-vibration actuator 20 ... AF motor 21 ... Mirror (semi-transmissive) 22 ... Mirror ( 23 ... Optical finder 24 ... Mechanical shutter 25 ... Shutter actuator 26 ... Drive circuit 27 ... Camera shake detection sensor 28 ... Imaging circuit 29 ... A / D converter 30 ... Buffer memory 31 ... Video compression / expansion circuit 32 ... Still image compression / expansion Circuit 33: Moving picture recording / reproducing circuit 34: Still picture recording / reproducing circuit 35 moving image recording medium 36 still image recording medium 37 contrast detection circuit 38 display processing circuit 39 display device 40 strobe light emitting unit 41 strobe control circuit 42 power supply unit 43 battery 44 external power supply 45 battery state Detection unit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/92 HF term (reference) 5C022 AA00 AA13 AB12 AB15 AB22 AB55 AB65 AC01 AC42 AC69 AC74 AC77 AC80 5C052 AA17 AB04 GA01 GA02 GA03 GA04 GA07 GC02 GE08 5C053 FA08 FA23 FA27 GB21 JA30 KA04 KA24 KA25 LA01 LA06 LA11

Claims (7)

[Claims] An electronic camera in which a plurality of units separately configured for respective functions are detachably connected to a camera body, wherein only a serial communication path shared between the plurality of units and the camera body is used. Serial connection means connected to the plurality of units, and the whole unit is driven based on a control signal for instructing operation of each unit transmitted from the camera body via the serial communication path, provided in each of the plurality of units. A first control unit for controlling, the control unit being provided in the camera body, transmitting the control signal to each of the first control units via the serial communication path, thereby integrally driving and controlling the entire camera. An electronic camera, comprising: second control means; 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a connection portion provided on the camera body for electrically connecting with each unit is configured in a common manner for all of the plurality of units. Electronic camera. 3. The second control means, when instructing the plurality of units to perform a predetermined operation, simultaneously transmits the same control signal indicating that to the first control means. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined operation is a photographing start operation. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera body includes a unit identification unit for identifying a connected unit. 6. A plurality of units which are separately configured for each function and have first control means for driving and controlling the whole unit based on a control signal transmitted from the camera body and instructing operation of each unit. Is an electronic camera that is detachably connected, wherein the camera body is connected to the plurality of units only through a common serial communication path, and serial connection means; and the control signal is transmitted to the serial communication path. An electronic camera, comprising: a second control unit that integrally controls driving of the entire camera by transmitting to the first control unit via the control unit. 7. An electronic camera unit separately configured for each function and detachably connected to a camera body, wherein a serial connection is established between the electronic camera unit and the camera body only through a shared serial communication path. Means for controlling an entire unit based on a control signal for instructing operation of each unit transmitted from the camera main body via the serial communication path, for an electronic camera. unit.