JP2016128858A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device that allows a high-speed of a frame speed to be attained, and allows power saving during charging a stroboscope while continuously shooting and an increase in operability of users during charging the stroboscope when continuously shooting to be attained.SOLUTION: An imaging device controlling an exposure time with an electronic front curtain shutter blade and an electronic rear curtain shutter blade has: stroboscope shooting determination means; a shutter drive member; a rear curtain shutter spring; charging means; drive means; fixing means; release means; lock means; lock release means; an image pick-up element; and read means. In a read period at a time of continuously shooting, after the shutter blade is charged to a fixed state with the shutter blade closed by the lock means, a determination is made whether the stroboscope is fired or not, and when shooting of a next frame is the shooting not accompanied by the stroboscope firing, the shutter drive member is driven to a release state. Further, when the shooting of the next frame is the shooting accompanied by the stroboscope firing, the shutter drive member is configured to stay in the fixed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, some single-lens reflex type digital cameras perform image pickup operations using both a mechanical shutter and an electronic shutter. In recent years, with the advent of mirrorless type digital cameras not equipped with a finder-related mechanism, single-lens reflex type cameras Digital cameras are also becoming smaller.

  A mirrorless type digital camera is configured with a mechanical shutter as a rear curtain, and shooting is performed by driving an electronic shutter that starts charge accumulation to an image sensor prior to the running of the rear curtain.

  In addition, when performing an imaging operation using an electronic shutter, for example, in an imaging device using a CMOS sensor, first, the accumulated charge amount of the pixel is set to zero for each pixel or for each region (for example, each line) composed of a plurality of pixels. Reset scanning is performed. Thereafter, by performing scanning for reading out a signal after a predetermined time has elapsed for each pixel or area for which reset scanning has been performed, an imaging operation using an electronic shutter can be realized. Hereinafter, such an imaging operation is referred to as electronic front curtain scanning.

  When using an electronic shutter and a mechanical shutter together to control the exposure of the image sensor, first reset the pixel (pixel) for each pixel in the traveling direction of the mechanical shutter or for each area (for example, each line) composed of a plurality of pixels of the image sensor. Charge accumulation is started, and charge accumulation is started. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light to the image sensor is sequentially shielded by the trailing shutter of the mechanical shutter, and then readout scanning is performed to sequentially read out the charges accumulated in each pixel. Therefore, the electronic front curtain scanning of the electronic shutter is adapted to the running characteristics of the rear curtain of the mechanical shutter. Hereinafter, such a configuration of electronic front curtain scanning of the electronic shutter and rear curtain traveling of the mechanical shutter is referred to as an electronic front curtain shutter.

  As proposed in Patent Document 1, in an image pickup apparatus that is a single-lens reflex type and includes a mechanical front curtain and a mechanical rear curtain, in the charge processing of the shutter member and the mirror member during continuous shooting operation, the mirror phase There is a technique of increasing the frame speed by controlling the phase at which the shutter member is stopped according to the state.

JP 2011-48194 A

  Conventionally, various measures for increasing the frame speed have been desired for the mechanical structure of a digital camera composed of a mechanical front curtain and a rear curtain.

  In recent years, for a digital camera having a mechanical configuration that does not have a mirrorless type mechanical front curtain shutter, it is desired to increase the frame speed similarly. In addition, it is desired to save power and improve user operability in a shooting mode different from normal continuous shooting, for example, continuous shooting operation with strobe light emission.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a high frame rate in an imaging device that does not have a mechanical front curtain shutter and is a mirrorless type, saves power during strobe charging during continuous shooting, and strobe charging during continuous shooting An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can improve user operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an imaging apparatus for controlling the exposure time by means of an electronic front curtain shutter and a rear curtain shutter blade, and determines whether or not the next frame shooting is shooting with flash emission. A shooting determination unit; a shutter driving member that drives a rear curtain shutter blade; a rear curtain shutter spring that urges the rear curtain shutter driving member; a charging unit that charges the rear curtain shutter spring; and the charging unit A driving means for driving; a fixing means for fixing the shutter driving member by the driving means; a releasing means for releasing the shutter driving member by the driving means; and a state in which the trailing shutter blades are closed. A locking means for holding, a locking releasing means for releasing the locking means, an image sensor for imaging a subject by photoelectric conversion, And a reading unit that reads image data captured by the image element, and in a reading period by the reading unit during continuous shooting, the shutter unit closes the shutter blade and the charging unit closes the shutter blade to charge it to a fixed state. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to emit light by a photographing determination means, and when the next frame is photographing without strobe light emission, the shutter driving member is driven to the release state. Further, when the next frame is shot with strobe light emission, the shutter driving member is left in a fixed state.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the frame speed in an image pickup apparatus that is a mirrorless type and does not have a mechanical front curtain shutter. Further, it is possible to realize power saving during charging of the strobe during continuous shooting and improvement of user operability during charging of the strobe during continuous shooting.

1 is an external view of a control system for an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the control system of the imaging device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic of the shutter unit of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of imaging | photography operation | movement of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external view of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus of the present invention. The display unit 28 is a display unit that displays images and various types of information. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing a shooting instruction. The mode dial 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The connector 112 is a connector between the connection cable 111 and the digital camera 100. The operation unit 70 is an operation unit including operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel for receiving various operations from the user.

  The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70. Reference numeral 72 denotes a power switch that switches between power on and power off. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the digital camera 100. A lid 203 is a lid of the recording medium slot 201. Reference numeral 113 denotes a strobe device. Reference numeral 400 denotes a lens device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, a shutter 101 performs exposure control on the image sensor. The imaging unit 22 is an imaging device configured with a CCD, a CMOS device, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert an analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal.

  The image processing unit 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained calculation result. Thereby, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing of the TTL (through-the-lens) method are performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  Output data from the A / D converter 23 is directly written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15 or via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23 and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, a moving image and sound for a predetermined time. The memory 32 also serves as an image display memory (video memory).

  The D / A converter 13 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit 28. Thus, the display image data written in the memory 32 is displayed on the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 13. The display unit 28 performs display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 13 on a display such as an LCD. A digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13 and sequentially transferred to the display unit 28 for display as an electronic viewfinder. It functions and can display through images.

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable / recordable memory, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50. Here, the program is a program for executing various flowcharts described later in the present embodiment.

  The system control unit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100. By executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 described above, each process of the present embodiment to be described later is realized. A system memory 52 is a RAM. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are expanded. The system control unit also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 13, the display unit 28, and the like.

  The system timer 53 is a time measuring unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

  The mode switch 60, the first shutter switch 62, the second shutter switch 64, and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50.

  The mode switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image recording mode, a reproduction mode, and the like. Modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, various scene modes for shooting settings for each shooting scene, a program AE mode, a custom mode, and the like. The mode changeover switch 60 can directly switch to any of these modes included in the still image shooting mode. Alternatively, after switching to the still image shooting mode once with the mode switch 60, the mode may be switched to one of these modes included in the still image shooting mode using another operation member. Similarly, the moving image shooting mode may include a plurality of modes.

  The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 provided in the digital camera 100 is being operated, so-called half-press (shooting preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. In response to the first shutter switch signal SW1, operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are started.

  The second shutter switch 62 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, so-called full press (shooting instruction), and a second shutter switch signal SW2 is generated. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting processing operations from reading a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data on the recording medium 200.

  Each operation member of the operation unit 70 is appropriately assigned a function for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28, and functions as various function buttons. Examples of the function buttons include an end button, a return button, an image advance button, a jump button, a narrowing button, and an attribute change button. For example, when a menu button is pressed, various setting menu screens are displayed on the display unit 28. The user can make various settings intuitively using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, and the four-way button and the SET button.

  The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70, and is used when a selection item is instructed together with a direction button. When the controller wheel 73 is rotated, an electrical pulse signal is generated according to the operation amount, and the system control unit 50 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 based on the pulse signal. From this pulse signal, it is possible to determine the angle at which the controller wheel 73 is rotated, how many rotations, and the like.

  The controller wheel 73 may be any operation member that can detect a rotation operation. For example, it may be a dial operation member that generates a pulse signal by rotating the controller wheel 73 itself according to the rotation operation of the user. Further, an operation member made of a touch sensor may detect the rotation operation of the user's finger on the controller wheel 73 without rotating the controller wheel 73 itself (so-called touch wheel).

  The power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit 50, and supplies a necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

  The power supply unit 30 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with the recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and includes a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

  The strobe device 300 is a strobe that is detachably attached to the digital camera 100. The strobe control unit 301 is a CPU, for example, and controls the operation of each block of the strobe 300 according to an instruction input from the camera control unit 50 via the I / F 33. Specifically, the strobe system control unit 301 controls the light emission amount, the light emission time, the light emission angle, and the like. The light emitting unit 304 emits the strobe with the voltage instructed by the strobe system control unit 301.

  The lens device 400 is a detachable lens unit, and is a lens group including a zoom lens, a focus lens, an anti-vibration lens, and a diaphragm blade. The lens control unit 401 is a CPU, for example, and controls each block of the lens according to an instruction input from the camera control unit 50 via the I / F 34. Specifically, the lens control unit 401 performs zoom lens control, focus lens control, anti-vibration lens control, and diaphragm blade control.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the shutter unit according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to the shutter 101 in FIG. The shutter unit according to the present embodiment is a focal plane shutter that determines the exposure amount, and the exposure time is controlled by the electronic front curtain and the rear curtain shutter blades.

  Reference numeral 603 denotes a cam gear for performing shutter charging, which is rotated by a shutter driving motor 607. Reference numeral 601 denotes a rear-curtain shutter blade group that travels after completion of a set exposure time, and is connected by a rear-curtain shutter drive arm 602 and a plurality of blades operate in conjunction with each other. Reference numeral 610 denotes a rear curtain shutter drive lever that operates by engaging with the rear curtain shutter blade group 601. Reference numeral 609 denotes a rear-curtain shutter blade group drive spring, which opens and closes the rear-curtain shutter blade group 601 by urging the rear-curtain shutter drive lever 610.

  Reference numeral 608 denotes a tightening member for the rear curtain shutter blades, and the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 is held at the travel standby position by being in the tightened state. Also, the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 is caused to travel at a predetermined timing by setting the tight release state. For example, as a tightening means, there is a magnet energization method by energization. Reference numeral 604 denotes a locking lever for locking the rear curtain shutter, which is a tightening member that engages with the locking release lever 605. Reference numeral 606 denotes an actuator for driving the locking release lever 605. By driving, the locking lever 605 releases the locking, and the trailing shutter blade group 601 in the charged state operates in the opening direction.

  FIG. 4A shows a fixed state. In the fixed state, the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 is in the standby position of the shutter unit, and the rear curtain shutter drive lever 610 is fixed in engagement with the cam gear 603.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a release state. In the released state, the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 is in the standby position of the shutter unit, and the rear curtain shutter drive lever 610 is released from the cam gear 603. Further, the tension member 608 is holding the shutter drive lever 610.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a traveling completion state. In the traveling state, the tightening member 608 releases the tightening of the shutter drive lever 610 and the rear curtain shutter group 601 travels to a position that closes the window that allows light to pass through the imaging unit 22 of the shutter unit. The locking release lever 605 is in a state where the locking lever 604 is locked.

  FIG. 4D shows a charge state. In the charging state, driving the shutter driving motor 607 rotates the cam gear 603 to charge the rear curtain shutter driving lever. The lock release lever 605 is in a state where the lock lever 604 is locked, and can be charged while the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 is closed. Further, after the charging operation is completed, the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 is operated to open by releasing the locking lever 604.

  FIG. 5 is a control flow chart of the shutter of the photographing operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. At the time of shooting standby, the shutter 101 is in a fixed state.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart when the release switch is operated and a single image is taken, and is a flowchart showing the operating state of the imaging unit 22 and the operating state of the shutter 101 during shooting. Upon receiving a shooting start instruction, the imaging unit 22 transitions from an exposure state to a readout state, and in parallel, the shutter 101 transitions from a release state to a travel completion state to a charge state. Thereafter, after the reading of the imaging unit 22 is completed, the locking is released and the photographing is completed.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram at the time of continuous shooting operation. Upon receiving a start instruction, the imaging unit 22 transitions from an exposure state to a reading state, and in parallel with this, the shutter 101 is in a shooting release state → running completion state → Transition to charge state. In this charging state, the cam gear 603 is rotated until the engagement is fixed, and then continuously rotated until the engagement is released. At this time, energization of the magnet which is the tension member 608 of the shutter is started. After that, when the locking is released after the reading of the imaging unit 22 is completed, the shutter transits to a release state. At this time, since the magnet serving as the shutter tension member 608 is energized, the shutter is held at the travel standby position. Thereafter, the magnet energization as the shutter tensioning member 608 is stopped, and the shutter is shifted to the running state. By these processes, the frame speed can be improved.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram at the time of continuous shooting with strobe light emission, and is an operation state of the image pickup unit 22 at the time of shooting and an operation state of the shutter 101. FIG. Upon receiving a shooting start instruction, the imaging unit 22 transitions from an exposure state to a readout state, and in parallel, the shutter 101 transitions from a release state to a travel completion state to a charge state. In the charging state, only the charging process is performed, the locking is released after the reading of the imaging unit 22 is completed, and then the strobe is charged. After the charging is completed, an operation is performed so as to shift to the released state for the next shooting. As a result, it is possible to reduce power consumption by energizing the magnet to maintain a tight state during flash charging and to improve responsiveness by a user's shooting stop operation.

  The operation of each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

<First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the shutter drive control method is switched between a case where strobe light emission is involved and a case where strobe light emission is not involved in the continuous photographing operation.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the activation process in the first embodiment. Each process in the flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding and executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52.

  In step S101, the system control unit 50 performs signal detection of the first shutter switch 62, so-called half-press detection of the release switch. If it is detected that the release switch is half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S <b> 102, the system control unit 50 requests a photometric value from the image control unit 24. The image control unit 24 performs a predetermined calculation process according to the amount of light incident on the imaging unit 22 via the lens 402, acquires a photometric value, and transmits the photometric value to the system control unit 50. The process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the system control unit 50 communicates with the strobe system control unit 301 via the strobe I / F 33 to determine whether or not the strobe device 300 is ready to emit light. If the strobe device 300 can emit light, the process proceeds to step S104. If the light cannot be emitted, the process proceeds to step S105.

  Here, a strobe device will be described. The strobe device according to the present invention may be a strobe that is detachably connected to the digital camera 100, or may be a strobe device built in the digital camera 100. In particular, a strobe built into the digital camera 100 is charged by a battery attached to the digital camera 100.

  In step S <b> 104, the system control unit 50 determines whether shooting is necessary for strobe light emission based on the photometric value acquired in step S <b> 102, and stores information on whether or not strobe light emission is necessary. The process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S <b> 105, the system control unit 50 performs signal detection of the second shutter switch 64, so-called full release detection of the release switch. If it is detected that the release switch is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S106. If full press is not detected, the process proceeds to step S101.

  In step S106, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shutter 101 is in a released state. For example, the determination means may determine based on a control flag or a phase signal. In this embodiment, since the first image is always in a fixed state, the detection of the phase signal may be unnecessary. Determination is performed for the second and subsequent shots during the continuous shooting operation. If it is in the fixed state, the process proceeds to step S107. If it is in the released state, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S107, the system control unit 50 starts energizing the shutter driving motor 607. Further, the phase signal of the cam gear 603 is detected, and when the rear curtain shutter drive lever 610 detects that the engagement with the cam gear 603 has been released, the energization of the shutter drive motor 607 is stopped. In the released state, the tension member 608 continues energization of the magnet in order to hold the rear curtain shutter blade group 601 at the travel standby position. The process proceeds to step S108.

In step S <b> 108, the system control circuit 50 outputs an electronic front curtain travel start signal to the image sensor 22. The image sensor 22 is controlled so as to be in an exposure state in order from the top of the image sensor in response to the travel start signal. Thereafter, the tension of the shutter drive lever 610 is released by the tension member 608 at a predetermined timing, and the trailing shutter group 601 is caused to travel. Specifically, the tension member 608 stops the magnet energization in order to cause the trailing shutter blade group 601 to travel. The system control circuit 50 controls the travel timing of the electronic front curtain and rear curtain shutter according to a predetermined exposure time. The process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the system control unit 50 starts energizing the shutter drive motor 607. Further, the phase signal of the cam gear 603 is detected, and when the rear curtain shutter drive lever 610 detects that the engagement with the cam gear 603 is fixed, the energization of the shutter drive motor 607 is stopped. The process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the system control unit 50 determines whether the FLG 2 is true or false. FLG2 is a flag controlled in step S119, which will be described later, and is a control flag for temporarily storing information as to whether or not Sw2 has been released after shooting one frame before. The system control unit 50 initializes FLG2 after determining the authenticity of FLG2. If FLG2 is true, the process proceeds to step S122. If FLG2 is false, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S122, processing similar to that in step S112 is performed. The system control unit 50 starts energizing the actuator 606 for driving the locking release lever 605. When the lock release lever 605 releases the lock lever 604, the trailing shutter blade group 601 moves to a fixed or released position according to the charge amount of the cam gear 603. After the locking lever 604 is released, the power supply to the actuator 606 is stopped. The process proceeds to step S123.

  In step S111, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the current shooting is shooting with strobe light emission. In the case of shooting with strobe light emission, the process proceeds to step S114. In the case of shooting without strobe light emission, the process proceeds to step S112.

  In step S112, processing equivalent to that in step S107 is performed. The system control unit 50 starts energizing the shutter driving motor 607. Further, the phase signal of the cam gear 603 is detected, and when the rear curtain shutter drive lever 610 detects that the engagement with the cam gear 603 has been released, the energization of the shutter drive motor 607 is stopped. The process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S113, the system control unit 50 sets the control flag FLG1 to true. FLG1 is a control flag for temporarily storing information as to whether or not the processing in S114 has been performed. The process proceeds to step S114.

  In step S114, the system control unit 50 waits for shooting completion conditions. For example, the waiting conditions include completion of data reading from the image sensor 22, completion of aperture opening of the lens device 400, and waiting for memory release of the memory 32. The process proceeds to step S115.

  In step S115, the system control unit 50 starts energizing the actuator 606 for driving the locking release lever 605. When the lock release lever 605 releases the lock lever 604, the trailing shutter blade group 601 moves to a fixed or released position according to the charge amount of the cam gear 603. After the locking lever 604 is released, the power supply to the actuator 606 is stopped. The process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S116, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the next shooting is shooting with strobe light emission. In the case of shooting with strobe light emission, the process proceeds to step S117. In the case of shooting without strobe light emission, the process proceeds to step S119.

  In step S117, the system control unit 50 first waits for completion of data reading from the image sensor 22. When the completion of reading is detected, the system control unit 50 communicates with the strobe system control unit 301 via the strobe I / F 33 and transmits a strobe charging start request. Energization is started so as to store charges in a capacitor that stores energy emitted by the strobe light emitting unit 304. The process proceeds to step S118.

  Here, the reason for waiting for the completion of data reading from the image sensor 22 will be described. The charging current to the strobe is large, and the effect of noise on the camera can be considered. For example, if the charging operation is performed in parallel with the reading process, there is a possibility that noise is added to the image. In addition, if the charging operation is performed in parallel with the motor driving process, the energizing current amount increases with the energizing current of the motor, so that the circuit is loaded. For these reasons, the effect on the camera is reduced by performing strobe charging after reading is completed.

  In step S118, the system control unit 50 waits for completion of charging of the strobe. The system control unit 50 communicates with the strobe system control unit 301 via the strobe I / F 33 and performs control to stop energization when receiving a strobe charging completion notification. The process proceeds to step S119.

  In step S119, the system control unit 50 performs signal detection of the second shutter switch 64, so-called full release detection of the release switch. If it is detected that the release switch is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S106. If full press is not detected, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, the system control unit 50 sets the control flag FLG2 to true. FLG2 is a control flag for temporarily storing information on whether or not Sw2 has been released. The process proceeds to step S121.

  In step S121, the system control unit 50 determines whether FLG1 is true or false. The system control unit 50 initializes FLG1 after determining the authenticity of FLG1. If FLG1 is true, the process proceeds to step S106. If FLG1 is false, the process proceeds to step S123.

  In step S123, processing for outputting a live view display to the display unit 28 is performed. Specifically, the image processing unit 24 performs image processing so as to achieve appropriate exposure and white balance, and transfers the image data to the memory 32. The memory control unit 15 transfers the image data to the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 13 and performs live view display.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to increase the frame speed in continuous shooting without strobe. In addition, it is possible to save power in continuous shooting with a strobe. In addition, an interruption operation can be performed in response to a shooting interruption request during flash charging between continuous flash shootings, and user operability can be improved.

  Note that the processing of the above-described embodiment may provide a system or apparatus with a storage medium that records software program codes that embody each function. The functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading out and executing 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 storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like can be used. Alternatively, a CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

  The functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. Including the case where the OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. It is.

  Further, 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. After that, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

13 D / A converter, 15 Memory control unit, 18 Recording medium I / F, 22 Imaging unit,
23 A / D converter, 24 image processing unit, 28 display unit, 30 power supply unit, 32 memory,
33 Strobe I / F, 34 Lens I / F, 50 System control unit,
52 system timer, 53 system memory, 56 non-volatile memory,
57 Backup memory, 60 mode selector switch, 61 Shooting button,
70 operation unit, 72 power switch, 73 controller wheel, 80 power control unit,
100 digital video camera, 111 connection cable, 112 connector,
200 recording medium, 201 recording medium slot, 202 lid, 300 strobe device,
301 Strobe system control unit, 304 light emitting unit, 400 lens device,
401 System control unit for lens

Claims (8)

An imaging device that controls the exposure time by means of an electronic front curtain shutter and a rear curtain shutter blade,
Strobe shooting determination means for determining whether shooting of the next frame is shooting with flash emission,
A shutter driving member for driving the trailing shutter blades;
A rear curtain shutter spring for urging the rear curtain shutter drive member;
Charging means for charging the trailing shutter spring;
Driving means for driving the charging means;
Fixing means for fixing the shutter driving member by the driving means;
Release means for releasing the shutter drive member by the drive means;
Locking means for holding the rear curtain shutter blade closed;
Unlocking means for releasing the locking means;
An image sensor for imaging a subject by photoelectric conversion;
Reading means for reading out image data captured by the image sensor;
Have
In the readout period by the readout means at the time of continuous shooting, after the shutter blades are closed by the locking means and charged to the fixed state by the charging means, the strobe shooting determination means determines whether to emit light, and the next frame is determined. In the case of shooting without flash emission, the shutter driving member is driven to the release state. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that the shutter driving member remains fixed when the next frame is shot with strobe light emission. A read completion notification means for detecting a data read completion notice by the reading means, and after detecting the read completion by the read completion notice means, the latch release means releases the latch and the rear curtain shutter The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a wing is opened. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a strobe charging unit configured to charge a capacitor of the strobe device, wherein the strobe charging is performed after the locking is released. A strobe charging completion notifying means for detecting a strobe charging completion notification by the strobe charging means, and detecting the completion of the strobe charging by the strobe charging completion notifying means, and starting the next photographing operation. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Strobe emission determining means for determining whether or not to emit a strobe light. The strobe light emission determining means determines whether or not to emit the strobe light before the first image is taken, and one image is taken during continuous shooting. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging is performed according to the light emission determination of the eyes. Shooting stop request means for requesting shooting stop by opening the release switch, and when the shooting stop request is received by the shooting stop request means in the released state, continuous shooting is performed after the next shooting is performed. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the imaging apparatus is stopped. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a time obtained by adding the driving time by the fixing unit and the driving time by the releasing unit is shorter than the reading time. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the strobe device is a built-in strobe device or an external strobe device.