JP6512778B2 - Image pickup apparatus, control method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of notifying a user that flicker is occurring under an artificial light source such as a fluorescent lamp.

  Due to the influence of the commercial power supply frequency of an artificial light source such as a fluorescent lamp, so-called flicker in which the illumination light periodically fluctuates occurs. And conventionally, a technique is known which informs the user that the flicker is occurring.

  Patent Document 1 proposes an imaging device that detects the presence or absence of flicker of a light source before photographing and performs a warning display for alerting an operator when it is determined that flicker is present.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-122683

  However, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, flicker may be erroneously detected due to light amount change other than light amount change due to the influence of the commercial power source frequency of an artificial light source such as a fluorescent lamp. In this case, since the warning display is performed based on the erroneously detected flicker, erroneous information on the flicker is transmitted to the user.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress that false information about flicker is transmitted to a user.

  The present invention for achieving the above object comprises: charge storage means for storing charge according to the amount of incident light; flicker detection means for detecting flicker based on an output signal obtained by the charge storage means; Means for notifying the information related to the detection result of the flicker detection means obtained by charge accumulation for obtaining an output signal used for detection of flicker, and update means capable of updating the information notified by the notification means And light emission control means for performing control to make the light emission means emit light, and the update means does not update the information notified by the notification means while the light emission means is emitting light. Do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress that false information about flicker is transmitted to the user.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera that is a first embodiment of an imaging device according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the detection of the flicker of the digital camera which is 1st Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of charge accumulation timing for flicker detection and readout timing of an image signal in the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the icon regarding the detection result of a flicker illustratively. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the flicker display process of the digital camera which is 1st Embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the flicker display process of the digital camera which is 2nd Embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the flicker detection process of the digital camera which is 3rd Embodiment of the imaging device which implemented invention.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) which is a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The camera according to the present embodiment is constituted by a camera body 100, a lens unit 200, and a flash unit 300.

  The camera body 100 is configured such that the lens unit 200 and the flash unit 300 can be removed. In the following description, a state in which the lens unit 200 and the flash unit 300 are attached to the camera body 100 will be described.

  First, the configuration of the camera body 100 will be described. A microcomputer CPU (hereinafter, camera microcomputer) 101 is a control unit that controls each part of the camera body 100 in an integrated manner. The memory 102 is a memory such as a RAM or a ROM connected to the camera microcomputer 101.

  The image pickup device 103 is a charge storage type image pickup device such as a CCD including an infrared cut filter, a low pass filter, or the like, a CMOS, etc., and photoelectrically converts a light flux incident through the lens unit 200 to output an image signal.

  The shutter 104 can operate so as to be in a light blocking state in which the image sensor 103 is shielded from light flux incident through the lens unit 200 and in a retracted state in which light flux incident through the lens unit 200 is guided to the image sensor 103.

  The half mirror 105 can be moved to a position (mirror-up state) for guiding the light flux incident through the lens unit 200 to the imaging device 103 and a position (mirror-down state) for guiding the light beam to the photometric sensor 108. That is, the half mirror 105 can change the optical path of the light beam incident through the lens unit 200 between the state of leading to the image sensor 103 and the state of leading to the photometric sensor 108. In addition, when it is at a position leading to the photometric sensor 108, the light flux incident through the lens unit 200 is imaged on the focusing plate 106.

  The display element 107 is a display element using PN liquid crystal or the like, and is display means for displaying a frame (AF frame) or the like indicating a focus detection area used for automatic focusing control (AF control). The photometric sensor 108 is a charge storage type imaging device such as a CCD, a CMOS or the like that stores a charge according to the amount of incident light, and is a charge storage unit. The photometry sensor 108 can perform not only photometry but also face detection and tracking of the subject, detection of flicker, and the like based on the output image signal.

  The pentaprism 109 guides the light flux incident through the lens unit 200 reflected by the half mirror 105 to the photometric sensor 108 and an optical finder (not shown). The focus detection circuit 110 performs focus detection for AF control, and the AF mirror 111 guides a part of the light beam that has entered through the lens unit 200 and has passed through the half mirror 105.

  The CPU 112 is a CPU (hereinafter referred to as an ICPU) for driving control of the photometric sensor 108 and image processing / calculation, and performs photometry, object face detection, and object tracking based on an output signal (image signal) from the photometric sensor 108. Perform various operations related to The ICPU 112 is also a flicker detection unit that detects flicker based on an output signal (image signal) from the photometric sensor 108.

  Furthermore, the ICPU 112 is also a notification means for notifying the user of information on the flicker detection result by displaying an icon on the display element 107 on the flicker detection result. Furthermore, the ICPU 112 is an updating unit capable of updating (the display of) an icon related to the notified flicker detection result. The details of the flicker detection method and the icon display method related to the flicker detection result described above will be described later.

  The memory 113 is a memory such as a RAM or a ROM connected to the ICPU 112. Although the configuration in which the ICPU 112 is provided separately from the camera microcomputer 101 is described in the present embodiment, the processing executed by the ICPU 112 may be executed by the camera microcomputer 101.

  The operation unit 114 includes a release button for the user to instruct the camera body 100 to start the imaging preparation operation for the subject and a start instruction for the imaging operation, and a setting button for the user to perform various settings of the camera body 100. It is an operation means. The start instruction of the imaging preparation operation or the imaging operation is, for example, the user changing the release button to the SW1 state (half pressing) to instruct the start of the imaging preparation operation, and the user sets the release button to the SW2 state. It is done by changing (full press). The above-described imaging preparation operation includes auxiliary light emission for focus detection (hereinafter referred to as AF auxiliary light emission) using the light emitting unit of the flash unit 300, and the like.

  In addition, the operation unit 114 includes a power switch for the user to switch on / off the power of the camera body 100, a mode dial for the user to select the operation mode of the camera body 100 from a plurality of modes, a touch panel, etc. . Furthermore, the operation unit 114 is provided with a modeling light emission button for instructing start of modeling light emission. The user can perform modeling light emission using the light emitting unit of the strobe unit 300 by operating the modeling light emission button. It should be noted that the configuration may be such that modeling light emission is performed according to the SW1 state of the release switch described above under predetermined conditions, instead of providing the modeling light emission button.

  The display unit 115 is a TFT type LCD (Thin Film Transistor Drive Type Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and is a display unit capable of displaying an output signal (image signal) from the image sensor 103 converted into image data for display. It is. The display unit 115 can also display various information other than the acquired image data.

  Next, the configuration of the lens unit 200 will be described. A lens CPU 201 (hereinafter referred to as LPU) is a lens control unit that controls each part of the lens unit 200, such as a focus lens, a zoom lens, and a drive unit of an aperture, and transmits information about the lens to the camera microcomputer 101. .

  Next, the configuration of the strobe unit 300 will be described. The strobe unit 300 is a light emitting device that can be attached to the camera body 100. A flash CPU (hereinafter referred to as an FCPU) 301 is a light emission control unit that controls the drive and operation of each part of the flash unit 300. The main light emitting unit 302 is a light emitting means capable of performing light emission for illuminating a subject (main light emission) and intermittent light emission (modeling light emission) for confirming how to put a shadow of a subject etc. before imaging. is there. The auxiliary light emitting unit 303 is a light emitting unit capable of performing light emission (AF auxiliary light emission) or the like for focusing on a subject.

  The above-described FCPU 301 is connected to the camera microcomputer 101 of the camera body 100 in a state of being attached to the camera body 100. In this state, in response to the user operating the operation unit 114 or the like to instruct an operation accompanied by light emission of the flash unit 300, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits instructions regarding various light emission to the FCPU 301. Then, the FCPU 301 can perform control of causing a main light emission unit 302 and an auxiliary light emission unit 303 described later to emit light based on the instruction. That is, the FCPU 301 is a light emission control unit that causes the strobe unit 300 to emit light, and can perform intermittent light emission such as modeling light emission.

  Also, the FCPU 301 can transmit information on the state of the flash unit 300 to the camera body 100. The camera microcomputer 101 can detect, for example, the light emission state (main light emission, modeling light emission, AF auxiliary light emission) of the flash unit 300 based on the information received from the FCPU 301. The detected light emission state of the strobe unit 300 is appropriately transmitted to the camera microcomputer 101.

  In the present embodiment, the cameras in the state where the camera body 100, the lens unit 200, and the flash unit 300 provided separately are combined are described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the camera of the present embodiment, the camera main body 100 and the lens unit 200 may be integrally provided. The camera may be configured such that the camera body 100 and the strobe unit 300 are integrally provided. That is, the camera may have a built-in light emitting means such as a flash. In this case, without providing the FCPU 301 of the flash unit 300, the camera microcomputer 101 performs various controls (for example, light emission control) related to the flash unit 300.

  Next, an operation related to flicker detection will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation related to flicker detection of the camera which is the first embodiment of the imaging device of the present invention. When the user operates the power switch to turn on the power of the camera body 100, the ICPU 112 performs a photometric operation using the photometric sensor 108 in step S101. In the photometric operation, charge accumulation by the photometric sensor 108 and readout of the image signal are performed, and based on the obtained image signal, the ICPU 112 performs an operation (hereinafter referred to as photometric operation) related to photometry to acquire a photometric value.

  In this photometry operation, if the accumulation time of the photometry sensor 108 is set to approximately an integral multiple of the flicker cycle so that the photometric value does not vary even if it is under the flicker light source, affecting the light quantity change of the flicker light source. Good. Here, the frequency at which the light amount of the flicker light source changes (hereinafter referred to as flicker frequency) is twice the frequency of the commercial power supply frequency. Therefore, in a region where the commercial power supply frequency is 50 Hz, the flicker frequency is 100 Hz, and the period of light amount change of the flicker light source (hereinafter referred to as light amount change period) is 10 ms as the reciprocal of the flicker frequency. Similarly, in a region where the commercial power supply frequency is 60 Hz, the flicker frequency is 120 Hz, and the light amount change period is 8, 33 ms in inverse number of the flicker frequency.

  In order to cope with these two types of flicker frequencies, the accumulation time of the photometric sensor 108 is set to a time substantially equal to the average value of 10 ms and 8, 33 ms, for example, 9 ms. With this configuration, even if the commercial power supply frequency is 50 Hz or 60 Hz, the accumulation time of the photometric sensor 108 is substantially equal to one cycle of the light amount change of the flicker light source, and stable photometry value is acquired even under the flicker light source. Can.

  Further, based on the obtained photometric value, the camera microcomputer 101 sets an aperture value Av which is an exposure control value, a shutter speed (exposure time) Tv, and an ISO sensitivity (shooting sensitivity) Sv. When setting Av, Tv, and Sv, the camera microcomputer 101 sets using the program diagram stored in advance in the memory 102.

  Next, in step S102, as shown in FIG. 3, the photometric sensor 108 accumulates a plurality of electric charges for flicker detection and reads out an image signal. FIG. 3 is a view for illustratively explaining the accumulation timing of the charge for flicker detection and the readout timing of the image signal in the present invention, and 12 times of accumulation and readout are performed continuously at a cycle of about 1,667 ms at 600 fps. This 600 fps is equal to the least common multiple of the flicker frequency (100 Hz and 120 Hz) assumed in advance. In addition, by performing accumulation 12 times at 600 fps, accumulation is performed in a total of 20 ms, and two periods of change in the light intensity of the flicker light source are included regardless of whether the commercial power supply frequency is 50 Hz or 60 Hz. become.

  The accumulation and readout cycle of the photometric sensor described above is merely an example, and the frame rate may not be approximately 600 fps (approximately 1,667 ms cycle). For example, since the longer the accumulation time is, the more effective the low illuminance environment is, the frame rate may be smaller than 600 fps by making the one accumulation time longer than about 1,667 ms. Alternatively, since the time required for flicker detection becomes shorter as the accumulation / readout cycle becomes shorter, one accumulation time may be shorter than about 1,667 ms. At this time, the frame rate may be larger than 600 fps by setting the vertical pixel addition number to a pixel addition number in which the readout time is shorter than 1,66 ms.

  Returning to FIG. 2, in S102, as described above, the ICPU 112 uses the photometric sensor 108 to store the charge for flicker detection and read out the image signal, as described above. When accumulation and readout of the charge for flicker detection are completed in step S102, the ICPU 112 performs flicker detection calculation based on the read image signal in step S103.

  FIG. 3A is a view exemplarily explaining the charge accumulation timing, the read timing of the image signal, and the transition of the photometric value when the commercial power supply frequency is 50 Hz among FIG. 3 described above. The nth accumulation is "accumulation n", the readout of accumulation n is "read n", and the photometric value obtained from the result of readout n is "AE (n)". Although the photometric value obtained by each accumulation is one, the light quantity of the flicker light source is not constant during the accumulation period. Therefore, the photometric value obtained by each accumulation is regarded as a value corresponding to the light quantity of the flicker light source at the center time point in each accumulation period.

  As described above, when the commercial power supply frequency is 50 Hz, the light intensity change period of the flicker light source is about 10 ms, and 10 ÷ 1,667 ≒ 6. Thus, as shown in FIG. Accumulation is performed at the timing when the light amount of the flicker light source is substantially equal. That is, the relationship of AE (n) ≒ AE (n + 6) is established.

  Similarly, when the commercial power supply frequency is 60 Hz, the light intensity change period of the flicker light source is approximately 8, 33 ms, and since 8, 33 ÷ 1, 667 5 5, as shown in FIG. 3 (b) Accumulation is performed at a timing when the light amount of the flicker light source is substantially equal in a cycle. That is, the relationship of AE (n) ≒ AE (n + 5) is established.

  On the other hand, AE (n) is substantially constant regardless of n under a light source where there is no change in light quantity. Therefore, based on the plurality of photometric values obtained by accumulating for flicker detection, the evaluation value is calculated using the following equations (1) and (2).

  Assuming that the evaluation value calculated using equation (1) is F50 and the evaluation value calculated using equation (2) is F60, flicker is obtained by comparing the evaluation value F50 and the evaluation value F60 with a predetermined threshold F_th. Perform detection.

  Specifically, in the case of F50 <F_th and F60 <F_th, it is determined that flicker does not occur because it can be said that all of a plurality of photometric values acquired by performing accumulation for flicker detection are substantially equal. In the case of F50 <F_th and F60 ≧ F_th, a plurality of photometric values acquired by performing accumulation for flicker detection are substantially equal in six cycles, and are substantially equal in five cycles. It can be said that Therefore, it is determined that flicker with a light intensity change cycle of 10 ms occurs (under a flicker light source with a commercial power supply frequency of 50 Hz). In the case of F50 ≧ F_th and F60 <F_th, a plurality of photometric values obtained by performing accumulation for flicker detection are substantially equal in five cycles, and are substantially equal in six cycles. It can be said that Therefore, it is determined that flicker with a light quantity change period of 8 33 ms has occurred (under a flicker light source with a commercial power supply frequency of 60 Hz).

  In addition, when movement of the imaging apparatus such as panning or movement of the subject occurs while accumulation for flicker detection is performed, the photometric value largely changes to F50 ≧ F_th and F60 ≧ F_th. Conceivable. In that case, flicker detection is performed by comparing F50 and F60. Specifically, in the case of F50thF_th, F60 ≧ F_th, and F50 <F60, it is determined that a flicker having a light intensity change cycle of 10 ms occurs (under a flicker light source with a commercial power supply frequency of 50 Hz). On the contrary, in the case of F50 ≧ F_th, F60 ≧ F_th, and F50> F60, it is determined that a flicker having a light quantity change period of 8 33 ms occurs (under a flicker light source with a commercial power supply frequency of 60 Hz). In the case of F50 ≧ F_th, F60 ≧ F_th, and F50 = F60, it is not possible to determine the light amount change period of the flicker light source, so it may be determined that flicker does not occur or flicker can not be detected. In addition, although the light amount change cycle of the flicker light source was determined when F50 ≧ F_th and F60 ≧ F_th, the flicker detection accuracy is low when F50 ≧ F_th and F60 ≧ F_th, so the accumulation for flicker detection is repeated. May be As described above, the information on the detection result of the flicker detection using the output signal (image signal) obtained by the charge accumulation of the photometric sensor 108 and the information on the detected light amount change cycle of the flicker light source are recorded in the memory 113 Be done.

  Returning to FIG. 2, in step S104, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not an icon related to the flicker detection result is set as the current setting of the camera body 100. The setting for displaying the icon related to the detection result of the flicker described above can be set in advance by the user operating the operation unit 114. As the setting, for example, a configuration capable of setting a mode (flicker display mode) for displaying an icon related to a flicker detection result may be used. In addition, whether or not to display an icon related to the flicker detection result may be arbitrarily switched between ON and OFF.

  In addition, the icon regarding the detection result of the flicker of this embodiment is a "Flicker" icon displayed on the display element 107, as illustrated in FIG. Hereinafter, the icon will be described as a flicker icon. FIG. 4 is a view illustratively showing an icon related to a flicker detection result in the present invention. When the flicker icon is set to be displayed on the camera body 100, the user looks into a finder (not shown) and confirms whether or not the flicker is generated by confirming whether the flicker icon is displayed or not. You can do it. With this configuration, when flicker is detected, it is possible to notify the user that flicker has been detected, and therefore, it is possible to urge photography for reducing the influence of flicker.

  If it is determined that the setting for displaying the flicker icon is not made (NO in step S104), the present flicker detection process is ended. If it is determined that the flicker icon is set to be displayed (YES in step S104), the process advances to step S105. In step S105, the ICPU 112 reads information on the previously acquired flicker detection result from the memory 113, and determines whether flicker has occurred. If it is determined that no flicker has occurred (NO in step S105), the process advances to step S107, the camera microcomputer 101 stops displaying the flicker icon on the display element 107, and ends the current flicker detection process. . When the power is turned on for the first time, the current flicker detection process is ended without displaying the flicker icon.

  If it is determined that flicker has occurred (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the camera microcomputer 101 performs setting processing (hereinafter, referred to as flicker display processing) relating to an operation of displaying an icon related to the flicker detection result. Details of this will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the flicker display process of the camera which is the first embodiment of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention. In step S201, the camera microcomputer 101 reads out information on the state of the flash unit 300 received from the FCPU 301. Then, the camera microcomputer 101 determines, based on the information, whether or not the flash unit 300 is emitting modeling light. In the present embodiment, it is a configuration to determine whether modeling light emission is in progress based on information from the FCPU 301, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the strobe unit 300 is illuminated during charge accumulation in the photometric sensor 108 for obtaining an output signal used for detecting a flicker based on information of a light emission instruction to the FCPU 301. It may be a configuration.

  Here, the details of the modeling light emission will be described. When the modeling light emission button of the operation unit 114 is operated by the user, the main light emission unit 302 of the strobe unit 300 intermittently emits light (flashes) at a predetermined frequency. The subject is illuminated by this intermittent light emission, and it is possible to confirm the appearance of the shadow of the subject and the like before imaging.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the detection of the flicker and the detected light amount change cycle of the detected flicker are detected by detecting the periodic light amount change of the light source, intermittent light emission such as modeling light emission is performed. It may be erroneously detected as flicker. In this case, since the flicker icon is displayed based on the information on the erroneously detected flicker, the user recognizes the erroneous information on the presence or absence of the flicker detection. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described problem is solved by not updating the flicker icon (not updating the display) during the modeling light emission. The details will be described below.

  Referring back to FIG. 5, when it is determined that modeling light emission is not being performed (NO in step S201), the ICPU (update unit) 112 updates the display of the flicker icon on the display element 107 in step S202. In the case of the first process after the power of the camera body 100 is turned on, a flicker icon is displayed on the display element 107.

  If it is determined that modeling light emission is in progress (YES in step S201), the ICPU 112 continues to display the flicker icon that has already been displayed, without updating the flicker icon of the display element 107 in step S203. That is, the icon relating to the previous flicker detection result is continuously displayed on the display element 107. At this time, at least the display of the flicker icon may not be updated. In the case of the first process after the power of the camera body 100 is turned on, the flicker display process is ended without displaying the flicker icon on the display element 107.

  For example, when flicker is detected in the flicker detection process before the start of modeling light emission, a flicker icon is displayed on the display element 107. After that, when the modeling light emission is started and the flicker detection process is performed during the modeling light emission, the flicker icon on the display element 107 is not updated, so the flicker icon remains displayed on the display element 107. Note that “during modeling light emission” described above is a period from the start of the first light emission in one modeling light emission to the end of the last light emission. After the end of the modeling light emission, the flicker icon is updated based on the information on the flicker detection result.

  When the processes of steps S202 and S203 are completed, the flicker display process is ended. Then, the next flicker detection process is started at the same time as the current flicker detection process is finished. After that, the above-described flicker detection process is repeatedly performed. That is, in the camera of this embodiment, flicker detection is repeatedly performed at predetermined intervals, and when modeling light emission is not being performed, information on the flicker detection result is updated at predetermined intervals.

  As described above, the camera of this embodiment is configured not to update the icon related to the flicker detection result notified during modeling light emission. Therefore, it can be suppressed that false information about flicker is transmitted to the user.

Second Embodiment
In the present embodiment, the camera body 100 will be described in which information on the flicker detection result is not notified by not displaying an icon on the flicker detection result while the flash unit 300 emits light. The configurations of the camera body 100, the lens unit 200, and the flash unit 300 constituting the digital camera of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. The flicker detection process other than the flicker display process of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, the flicker display process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of flicker display processing of the digital camera which is the second embodiment of the imaging device according to the present invention. The processes of steps S301 to S302 are the same as the processes of steps S201 to S202 of the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined that modeling light emission is in progress (YES in step S301), the ICPU (display control means) 112 performs control so as not to display the flicker icon of the display element 107 in step S303. At this time, at least a flicker icon of the display element 107 may not be displayed. When the flicker icon is already displayed, control is performed to stop the display of the flicker icon. Further, during the above-described modeling light emission is a period from the start of the first light emission in one modeling light emission to the end of the last light emission, as in the first embodiment described above.

  The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that during modeling light emission, the flicker icon of the display element 107 is not displayed in any case. For example, when the flicker is detected in the flicker detection process immediately before the start of the modeling light emission, a flicker icon is displayed on the display element 107. Thereafter, when the modeling light emission is started, the display of the flicker icon on the display element 107 is stopped during the modeling light emission.

  As described above, the camera of the present embodiment is configured not to notify information related to the detected flicker by not displaying an icon related to the detection result of the flicker during light emission from the camera such as modeling light emission. Therefore, also in the camera of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to suppress the transmission of erroneous information regarding flicker to the user.

Third Embodiment
In the present embodiment, the camera body 100 is controlled such that an operation related to flicker detection is not performed while the strobe unit 300 is emitting light. The configurations of the camera body 100, the lens unit 200, and the flash unit 300 constituting the digital camera of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, the flicker detection process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the flicker detection process of the digital camera which is the third embodiment of the imaging device of the present invention. When the flicker detection process is started, the camera microcomputer 101 reads out information related to the state of the strobe unit 300 received from the FCPU 301 in step S401. Then, based on the information, the camera microcomputer 101 detects whether the main light emitting unit 302 of the flash unit 300 is emitting modeling light. Note that “during modeling light emission” described above is a period from the start of the first light emission in one modeling light emission to the end of the last light emission, as in the first embodiment described above.

  When it is detected that the main light emitting unit 302 is emitting modeling light (YES in step S401), the flicker detection process is ended. That is, the camera of this embodiment does not perform the flicker detection operation and the operation of displaying the flicker icon during the modeling light emission.

  If it is detected that the main light emitting unit 302 is not in modeling light emission (NO in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402. The processes of steps S402 to S406 are the same as the processes of steps S101 to S105 of the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in the process of step S406 that a flicker is generated, the ICPU 112 updates the flicker icon of the display element 107 in step S407 based on the information on the detection result of the flicker and performs the current flicker detection process. finish. If it is determined in the process of step S406 that no flicker has occurred, the ICPU 112 ends the current flicker detection process without displaying the flicker icon on the display element 107 in step S408. When the flicker icon is already displayed on the display element 107, the display of the flicker icon is stopped.

  As described above, the camera according to the present embodiment is configured to control so as not to perform an operation related to flicker detection during light emission from the camera, such as modeling light emission. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the flicker from being erroneously detected during light emission from the camera, and therefore, it is possible to suppress the display of the icon related to the erroneously detected flicker. Therefore, also in the camera of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to suppress the transmission of erroneous information regarding flicker to the user.

  Note that light emission from the above-described camera is light emission at a timing different from that at the time of imaging for acquiring image data for recording, such as during charge accumulation of the imaging element 103. That is, the main light emission of the strobe unit 300 and the like during the main exposure for recording and display is excluded from the light emission from the camera described above.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display of the flicker icon is stopped during the modeling light emission, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, during the modeling light emission, the flicker icon that has already been displayed may be continuously displayed.

  In addition, when the modeling light emission is started during the operation related to the detection of the flicker, the configuration related to the detection of the flicker may be stopped. With this configuration, it is possible to more effectively suppress the flicker from being erroneously detected.

  As mentioned above, although the preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. For example, in the embodiment described above, the icon relating to the flicker detection result is displayed by displaying the icon “Flicker” on the display element 107, but the icon to be displayed is what May be

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the configuration is such that the flicker icon is displayed on the display element 107, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a flicker icon may be displayed on the display unit 115 of the camera body 100, or a flicker icon may be displayed on other display means.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the configuration is such that the information on the detection result of the flicker is notified by displaying the flicker icon, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the camera body 100 may be provided with an LED for notifying the detection of a flicker, and the information on the detection result of the flicker may be notified by blinking of the LED. In addition, as long as it can notify the presence or absence of the occurrence of flicker, any means may be adopted as a notification means for notifying information related to the detection result of the flicker. When the above-described configuration is applied to the above-described first embodiment, the ICPU 112 is configured not to update the on / off state of the LED during modeling light emission.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the flicker detection process, it is configured to determine whether or not modeling light emission is in progress, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to the modeling light emission, and may be configured to determine whether light emission is in progress according to an instruction from the camera. For example, it may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary light emitting unit 303 of the strobe unit 300 is in the AF auxiliary light emission. In intermittent light emission such as modeling light emission or AF auxiliary light emission, the frequency of the intermittent light emission may be erroneously detected as a flicker frequency. Therefore, in the flicker detection process, it may be determined whether or not intermittent light emission is being performed at least by an instruction from the camera.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the configuration in which modeling light emission is performed by the main light emission unit 302 of the strobe unit 300 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Configuration light emission is performed in the auxiliary light emission unit 303 It may be Furthermore, in the strobe unit 300 according to the above-described embodiment, the main light emitting unit 302 and the auxiliary light emitting unit 303 are separately provided. However, the strobe unit 300 has one light emitting unit, and various light emissions are performed by the light emitting units. May be configured to

  In the above-described embodiment, the camera microcomputer 101, the ICPU 112, and the FCPU 301 operate in cooperation with one another to control the operation of the camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, programs according to the flows of FIG. 2 and FIGS. 5 to 7 described above are stored in advance in the memory 102 and the memory 113. Then, the configuration may be such that the operations of the camera body 100, the lens unit 200, the flash unit 300, etc. are controlled by executing the program with the camera microcomputer 101, the ICPU 112, the FCPU 301, etc.

  Further, as long as it has the function of a program, the form of the program may be any one, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS, and the like. The recording medium for supplying the program may be, for example, a hard recording medium, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, or an optical / optical magnetic recording medium.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various recording media. Then, the computer (or CPU or MPU or the like) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program.

100 Camera body (imaging device)
101 Camera microcomputer (light emission control means)
107 Display Element (Display Means)
108 Photometric sensor (charge storage means)
112 ICPU (flicker detection means, notification means, update means)
300 strobe unit 302 flash unit (flash unit)
303 Auxiliary light emitting unit (light emitting means)

Claims (16)

Charge storage means for storing charge corresponding to the amount of incident light;
Flicker detection means for detecting flicker based on the output signal obtained by the charge storage means;
Notification means for reporting information on the detection result of the flicker detection means obtained by performing charge storage for obtaining an output signal used for detection of flicker in the charge storage means;
Updating means capable of updating the information notified by the notifying means;
Light emission control means for performing control to make the light emission means emit light;
Have
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the updating unit does not update the information notified by the notifying unit while the light emitting unit emits light.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the updating unit updates the information notified by the notifying unit while the light emitting unit is not emitting light. The notification unit displays information related to the detection result of the flicker detection unit by displaying an icon related to the detection result of the flicker detection unit on a display unit.
3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update unit does not update the icon related to the detection result of the flicker detection unit notified by the notification unit while the light emission unit emits light. .   When the notification means displays an icon related to the detection result of the flicker detection means immediately before the light emission means emits light, the update means displays the icon while the light emission means emits light. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is displayed without updating. The light emission control means can intermittently emit light from the light emission means.
The update means is characterized in that the information notified by the notification means is not updated from the start of the first light emission in the intermittent light emission of the light emission means to the end of the last light emission. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 4. Charge storage means for storing charge corresponding to the amount of incident light;
Flicker detection means for detecting flicker based on the output signal obtained by the charge storage means;
Notification means for notifying information on the detection result of the flicker detection means;
Light emission control means for performing control to make the light emission means emit light;
Have
The imaging device is characterized in that the notification means does not notify information related to the detection result of the flicker while the light emitting means emits light.   7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notifying unit notifies information on a flicker detection result while the light emitting unit is not emitting light.   8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit notifies information related to the detection result of the flicker detection unit by displaying an icon related to the detection result of the flicker detection unit on a display unit. .   The informing means does not notify the information on the detection result of the flicker by not displaying the icon on the detection result of the flicker detecting means on the display means while the light emitting means is emitting light. Item 9. An imaging device according to item 8. The imaging apparatus comprising the display means, wherein
10. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the display unit does not display an icon related to the detection result of the flicker detection unit until the light emission of the light emission unit ends while the light emission unit emits light. Imaging device. The light emission control means can intermittently emit light from the light emission means.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit does not notify information related to the detection result of the flicker from the start of the first light emission in the intermittent light emission of the light emission unit to the end of the last light emission. The imaging device according to any one of to 10. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5 and 11, wherein the intermittent light emission of the light emitting means is modeling light emission or auxiliary light emission for focus detection. Said flicker detection means, any one of claims 1 to 1 2, characterized in that to detect the flicker on the basis of a plurality of output signals obtained by performing a plurality of charge storage in said charge storage unit The imaging device according to. A control method of an image pickup apparatus comprising charge storage means for storing charge according to incident light quantity, comprising: flicker detection step for detecting flicker based on an output signal obtained by the charge storage means;
A notification step of reporting information related to a detection result in the flicker detection step obtained by performing charge storage for obtaining an output signal used for flicker detection by the charge storage means; and information notified by the notification step The update process to update,
A light emission control step of performing control to make the light emitting means emit light;
Have
In the updating step, while the light emitting means is emitting light, the information notified by the notifying step is not updated. A control method of an image pickup apparatus comprising charge storage means for storing charge according to incident light quantity, comprising: flicker detection step for detecting flicker based on an output signal obtained by the charge storage means;
An informing step of informing information on a detection result in the flicker detecting step;
A light emission control step of performing control to make the light emitting means emit light;
Have
A control method of an image pickup apparatus, wherein in the notification step, information on a flicker detection result is not notified while the light emitting means emits light. A computer readable program for causing a computer to execute the method of controlling an imaging device according to claim 14 or 15 .

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