JP2007013272A - Electronic camera and electronic camera control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera capable of executing photographing while overcoming drawbacks of the camera-shake correction system. <P>SOLUTION: When a camera-shake correction mode is selected (S116), the electronic camera drives an imaging element in an ordinary read mode wherein imaging signal electric charges of all pixels of the imaging element are sequentially read (S117), detects its blur amount (S118), corrects the blur (S119) and carries out photographing (S120). When no camera-shake correction mode is selected, the electronic camera discriminates whether a camera-shake reduction photographing mode or a sensitivity increasing photographing mode is set (S125), when either of the modes above is set, the electronic camera sets an exposure time again (S126), selects a vertical & horizontal summation read mode wherein imaging signal electric charges of pixels in the same color of the imaging element in vertical and horizontal directions are summated and read, drives the imaging element (S127), and carries out photographing (S128). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera that captures and records a subject and an electronic camera control program.

  Conventionally, as an optical camera shake correction method adopted in a camera, a method of detecting a shake such as an angular velocity of a camera body and moving a correction shift lens in an up / down / left / right direction perpendicular to an optical axis (Patent Document 1). Or a method of shifting the CCD or the imaging surface side in the vertical and horizontal directions (see Patent Document 2) and the like.

As described above, in the case of the optical camera shake correction method, the correction shift lens and the CCD are driven in the vertical and horizontal directions by an actuator or the like. It becomes a factor to reduce. Accordingly, a switch and a mode setting key for turning on / off the camera shake correction operation are provided so that the optical camera shake correction operation is performed only when the user has set the camera on.
JP-A-62-57012 JP 60-143330 A

  However, in the case of the optical camera shake correction method, as described above, an on / off function is provided in consideration of the battery life, so that the camera shake correction is in an off state, When the camera is mistakenly recognized as being in an on state, shooting is performed, and as a result, an image with camera shake may be shot. In addition, image blur due to camera shake can be corrected, but image blur due to a moving subject (moving subject blur) cannot be corrected.

  There is also an electronic camera shake correction method that corrects camera shake by moving the effective pixel area that is read after shooting in accordance with the detected camera shake. Similarly, image shake caused by camera shake is also corrected. Although it can, image blur caused by a moving subject (moving body blur) cannot be corrected.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera and an electronic camera control program capable of shooting while eliminating the drawbacks of the camera shake correction method.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an optical system that forms an image of a subject and a plurality of pixels, and images an image formed by the optical system when exposed. Imaging means for generating an image signal, camera shake detecting means for detecting camera shake, and camera shake detected by the camera shake detecting means. A first blur correction unit that corrects blur; a second blur correction unit that causes the imaging unit to perform addition processing of adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal; and the first and second blur correction units. And a control means for controlling the operation.

  Accordingly, since the second blur correction unit operates and the imaging unit performs an addition process of adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal, a sensitization process is performed by the pixel addition process. The exposure time (exposure time) of the imaging means can be shortened. Therefore, by reducing the exposure time, it is possible to perform blur-reduction shooting with reduced camera shake and subject blur. Therefore, even when the first blur correction unit is stopped or when a moving subject (moving body blur) is shot, shooting can be performed while correcting the image blur caused by this.

  Further, when the pixel addition process is executed, the image size is reduced accordingly. However, the first blur correction unit is an optical or electronic blur correction method that corrects a blur of an image captured by the imaging unit based on a blur of the camera body detected by the camera shake detection unit. Therefore, the image size is not reduced. Therefore, for the camera shake, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the image size is inevitably reduced by stopping the second shake correction unit and operating the first shake correction unit.

  In the electronic camera according to the second aspect of the present invention, the electronic camera further includes setting means for setting whether or not to operate the second blur correction means, and the control means is configured to set the first camera by the setting means. When the operation of the first blur correction unit is not set, the second blur correction unit is operated. Therefore, even if the first camera shake correction unit is stopped according to the switch operation, even if it is mistakenly recognized that the camera is in an operating state, an image with camera shake is shot. The case where it ends is not generated.

  The electronic camera according to a third aspect of the present invention further includes setting means for setting whether or not to operate the second blur correction means, and the control means is configured according to the setting of the setting means. Then, the second blur correction means is operated or stopped. Therefore, the electronic camera having both the optical blur correction function and the electronic blur correction function can be arbitrarily set to an electronic camera having only the optical blur correction function by the setting by the setting means.

  Further, in the electronic camera according to the invention described in claim 4, does the control unit satisfy a predetermined condition for causing the imaging unit to perform an addition process of adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal? A determination unit that determines whether or not the image capturing unit performs the addition process by operating the second blur correction unit when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. Let

  In other words, when the pixel addition processing is performed as described above, the exposure time of the imaging unit can be shortened accordingly, and by reducing the exposure time, blur reduction shooting that reduces camera shake and subject blur can be performed. While possible, the image size is reduced. However, if it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the pixel addition process is not executed. Therefore, when shooting is performed under a condition where it is not necessary to perform blur correction, an image is inevitably generated by pixel addition. It is possible to prevent inconvenience that the size is reduced.

  In the electronic camera according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means blurs an image picked up by the image pickup means based on the shake of the camera body detected by the camera shake detection means. First determination means for determining whether or not a first condition to be corrected is satisfied, and a second condition for causing the imaging means to perform addition processing for adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal are satisfied. Second judging means for judging whether or not the first and second judging means are used, and the operations of the first and second blur correcting means are controlled in accordance with the judgment results of the first and second judging means. Accordingly, the camera shake correction shooting is automatically performed by operating the first camera shake correction unit under conditions where camera shake is likely to occur, and the camera shake correction unit is also operated under conditions where camera shake as well as camera shake is likely to occur. Thus, it is possible to perform blur reduction shooting that reduces camera shake and subject blur.

  The electronic camera according to the invention of claim 6 further includes mode selection means for setting a predetermined mode and another mode, and the control means uses the mode setting means to execute the predetermined mode. Is set, the operation of the first and second shake correction means is controlled according to the determination results of the first and second determination means, and other modes are set. The first and / or second blur correction means is forcibly operated. Therefore, when a predetermined shooting mode (for example, automatic shooting mode) is set, the first and second blur correction units are operated according to the determination results of the first and second determination units, and the other When the mode (camera shake correction shooting mode) is set, the first camera shake correction means is forcibly operated, or when another mode (blur reduction shooting mode) is set, The two shake correction means can be forcibly operated, and both the first and second shake correction means can be forcibly operated.

Moreover, in the electronic camera according to the invention of claim 7, the first condition is:
(1) When the focal length of the imaging lens constituting the optical system is larger than a predetermined value,
(2) When the imaging lens is driven and the macro mode or the close-up mode is set,
(3) When the amount of blur detected by the camera shake detection means is larger than a predetermined value,
Including at least one of the following conditions:

The second condition is
(1) When the subject brightness detected by the detecting means for detecting the brightness of the subject is lower than a predetermined value,
(2) When the strobe of the camera is forcibly set off,
(3) When the exposure time of the imaging means set based on the photometric value measured by the photometric means is longer than a predetermined exposure time,
(4) If the image movement amount due to the movement of the subject within the set exposure time of the imaging means is larger than a predetermined value or a preliminarily calculated allowable confusion circle diameter, If determined,
(5) From the white balance set by the setting means for setting the white balance, the judging means for judging whether or not the subject is a dark room or a subject under electric light illumination, and the subject in the dark room or under the electric light illumination. It includes at least one condition when it is determined that there is.

  That is, (1) to (3) constituting the first condition are photographing conditions that are likely to cause camera shake, and (1) to (5) constituting the second condition are photographing that is likely to cause subject blur. It is a condition. Therefore, by using the first condition and the second condition, the camera shake correction shooting is automatically performed by operating the first camera shake correction unit automatically under the condition where camera shake is likely to occur. However, under conditions where subject blur is likely to occur, the second blur correction unit is also operated to enable blur-reducing shooting that reduces camera shake and subject blur.

  In the electronic camera according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the control means forcibly operates both the first shake correction means and the second shake correction means. Therefore, the optical blur correction by the first blur correction unit and the electronic blur correction by the second blur correction unit can be performed on the image, thereby reliably preventing the camera shake and the subject blur. Reduced blurring shooting is possible.

  In the electronic camera according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the case where the control means operates both the first shake correction means and the second shake correction means, the control means previously stores the image pickup means. Means for resetting the set exposure time; That is, as described above, the second blur correction unit operates and the imaging unit performs the addition process of adding the neighboring pixel components in the image signal, so that the sensitization process is performed by the pixel addition process. Accordingly, the exposure time (exposure time) of the image pickup means can be shortened, and by reducing the exposure time, it is possible to perform blur-reducing shooting with reduced camera shake and subject blur. Therefore, shortening the exposure time by resetting not only reduces the occurrence of camera shake, but also reliably reduces image blur caused by moving subjects (moving motion blur). Shooting can be performed.

  In the electronic camera according to the tenth aspect, the control unit includes a determination unit that operates the first blur correction unit and determines whether or not a predetermined photographing condition is satisfied. When the determination means determines that the predetermined photographing condition is satisfied, the first and second blur correction means are operated together. Therefore, basically, the first blur correction unit is operated to correct the blur of the image captured by the imaging unit based on the blur of the camera body detected by the camera shake detection unit, and to perform predetermined shooting. When the condition occurs, not only the first blur correction unit but also the second blur correction unit can be operated to perform addition processing for adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the eleventh aspect, when the addition process is executed by the imaging unit, a pixel interpolation process for interpolating the pixels of the image signal is performed to correct the image size. Image size correcting means is further provided. That is, if the pixel addition process is performed as described above, the image size is reduced accordingly, but an image having a predetermined image size can be taken by correcting the image size.

  The electronic camera according to claim 12 is a recording unit that records the image signal generated by the imaging unit, and a designation that specifies an image size of the image signal recorded in the recording unit. And the image size correction means executes the pixel interpolation process when the image size of the image signal subjected to the addition process is smaller than the image size designated by the designation means. Therefore, even if the image size is reduced by the pixel addition process, an image having a predesignated image size can be taken by executing the pixel interpolation process.

  In the electronic camera control program according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical system for forming an image of a subject and a plurality of pixels, and an image formed by the optical system is captured by exposure. Imaging means for generating an image signal, camera shake detecting means for detecting camera shake, and camera shake detected by the camera shake detecting means. A second blur correction unit that causes a computer included in an electronic camera including a first blur correction unit to correct blur to execute an addition process of adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal to the imaging unit; It functions as a control means for controlling the operations of the first and second shake correction means. Therefore, when the computer executes processing according to this program, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the second blur correction unit operates, and the imaging unit executes the addition process of adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal, so that the sensitization process is performed by the pixel addition process. Accordingly, the exposure time (exposure time) of the imaging means can be shortened accordingly. Therefore, by reducing the exposure time, it is possible to perform blur-reduction shooting with reduced camera shake and subject blur. Therefore, even when the first blur correction unit is stopped or when a moving subject (moving body blur) is shot, shooting can be performed while correcting the image blur caused by this.

  Further, when the pixel addition process is executed, the image size is reduced accordingly. However, the image size is not reduced by the blur correction by the first blur correction unit. Therefore, even when shooting a moving subject (moving body blur) while avoiding the inconvenience that the image size is inevitably reduced, it is necessary to correct the image blur caused by this and perform shooting. Can do.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a digital camera 1 common to the embodiments. The digital camera 1 includes a shooting control unit 101. The shooting control unit 101 includes a shake correction control unit 102, a zoom control / AF control unit 103, an exposure setting unit 104, a pixel addition readout switching control unit 105, a sensitivity. / Gain control means 106, interpolation processing control means 107, and interpolation magnification setting means 108. The shake correction control means 102 is supplied with outputs from the shake detection means 109, the correction amount detection section 110, and the shooting mode setting means 111, and the zoom control / AF control section 103 has distance measurement means / focus detection means. 112 and an output from the photographing condition setting means 113 are provided. The exposure setting means 104 is supplied with a photometry signal from the photometry means 114 and an output from the photographing condition setting means 113, and the pixel addition readout switching control means 105 is supplied with the blur correction control means 102 and exposure setting means. 104, outputs from the sensitivity / gain control means 106, the shooting mode setting means 111, and the image size / printing paper size setting means 115. The sensitivity / gain control means 106 is given an output from the photographing condition setting means 113, the output from the pixel addition read switching control means 105 is given to the interpolation processing control means 107, and the interpolation magnification setting means 108 is interpolated. Outputs from the processing control unit 107 and the image size / printing paper size setting unit 115 are respectively provided.

  On the other hand, on the optical axis of the photographic optical system 120, a correction optical system 119 is disposed in front of it, and a diaphragm 121, a shutter 122, and an imaging unit 123 are disposed behind it. The correction optical system 119 is provided by the correction drive unit 118, the photographing optical system 120 is provided by the optical system drive unit 124, the diaphragm 121 is provided by the diaphragm drive unit 125, the shutter 122 is provided by the shutter drive unit 126, and the imaging unit 123 is provided by the CCD drive circuit 127. , Each driven. The CCD drive circuit 127 includes a switch 128 that switches between a normal read drive & scan signal and a pixel addition read drive & scan signal. The correction driving unit 118 is controlled by the blur correction control unit 102, the optical system driving unit 124 is controlled by the zoom control / AF control unit 103, and the aperture driving unit 125 and the shutter driving unit 126 are the exposure setting unit 104. The CCD drive circuit 127 is controlled by the pixel addition / read switching control means 105 to control the switch 128.

  The signal processing circuit 129 is a circuit that processes an analog signal from the imaging unit 123 and converts it into a digital signal. The signal processing circuit 129 includes a CDS 130, an Amp 131, an ADC 132, a WB (white balance) control unit 133, and a pixel interpolation processing unit 134. A contour enhancement processing unit 135, a color interpolation unit 136, a γ correction unit 137, a color matrix 138, and a switch 139 for switching between the pixel interpolation processing unit 134 and the contour enhancement processing unit 135. The overall operation of the signal processing circuit 129 is controlled by the CCD drive circuit 127, the Amp 131 is controlled by the sensitivity / gain control means 105, the switch 139 is controlled by the interpolation processing control means 107, and pixel interpolation is performed. The processing means 134 executes pixel interpolation processing according to the interpolation magnification set by the interpolation magnification setting means 108. Further, the digital image data from the signal processing circuit 129 is supplied to the image compression / encoding unit 141 via the image buffer memory 140, compressed and encoded, and then recorded on the image recording unit 142. It is configured.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the digital camera 1. In the figure, the operation unit 23 is composed of a set of keys for setting various modes shown in flowcharts to be described later, a key group such as a release button that can be half-pressed and fully pressed, and the operation information of these key groups is as follows. The signal is input to the control unit 25 through the input circuit 24. The control unit 25 is a microcomputer including a CPU and its peripheral circuits, a RAM that is a working memory of the CPU, and the like, and controls each unit.

  The control unit 25 includes a display memory 26, a display drive block 27, an image buffer memory 28, an image signal processing unit 29, a compression encoding / decompression decoding unit 30, a still image / moving image memory 31, a program memory 32, data A memory 33, a memory IF 34, an external I / O interface 35, a communication control block 36, a power supply control block 37, and a photographing control unit 38 are connected. The display memory 26 temporarily stores various display data displayed on the display unit 14. The display drive block 27 drives the display unit 14, and the image buffer memory 28 temporarily stores the image data when processing it.

  The image signal processing unit 29 is a DSP that executes various processes on an image signal taken in by the control unit 25 from an image sensor described later. The compression encoding / decompression decoding unit 30 decompresses the image data processed by the image signal processing unit at the time of recording, and decompresses and decodes the recorded image data at the time of reproduction. The still image / moving image memory 31 records and saves image data (still image data) captured by operating the release button.

  The program memory 32 stores a control program for the control unit 25 shown in the flowchart described later, and also includes an AE, AF, AWB control program, and an aperture value corresponding to an appropriate exposure value (EV) at the time of shooting. Stored are program AE data, an EV value table, and the like constituting a program diagram showing combinations of (F) and shutter speeds. The data memory 33 stores various data in advance and stores data other than image data. The memory IF 34 is connected to a removable external memory medium 39. The external I / O interface 35 is connected to the USB connector 40, the communication control block 36 is connected to the antenna 42 via the wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 41, and the battery 43 is connected to the power control block 37. The electric power from the battery 43 is supplied to each unit via the power control block 37 and the control unit 25.

  The photographing control unit 38 is connected to each irradiation drive unit 44 for driving the irradiation angle of the strobe 6 and a strobe illumination driving unit 45 for driving the irradiation. The light receiving angle driving unit 47 to be driven, the color temperature detecting unit 48 for detecting and outputting the color temperature from the photometric / ranging sensor 46, the photometric unit 49 for detecting and outputting the photometric data, and the distance measuring data are detected and output. A distance measuring unit 50 is connected. Further, in the photographing control unit 38, a first angular velocity sensor 16 for detecting an angular velocity in the vertical direction and a second angular velocity sensor 17 for detecting an angular acceleration in the horizontal direction are provided with angular velocity detecting units 51 and 52 and integrators 53 and 54, respectively. Connected through.

  On the other hand, the zoom lens unit 55 is provided with an image pickup device 20 composed of the rotary mirror 18, the lens group 19, a CCD, and the like, and a drive mechanism 56 that rotationally drives the rotary mirror 18. A diaphragm 57 interposed in the lens group 19 is provided, and a shutter 58 is disposed on the front surface of the image sensor 20.

  The photographing control unit 38 includes an electric mirror Y direction driving unit 59, an electric mirror X direction driving unit 60, a focus lens driving unit 61, a zoom lens driving unit 62, an aperture driving unit 63, a shutter driving unit 64, and a video signal processing unit. 65 and a timing control & driver 66 are connected. The electric mirror Y direction drive unit 59 drives the drive mechanism 56 to rotate the rotary mirror 18 in the vertical direction, and the electric mirror X direction drive unit 60 rotates in the left-right direction. That is, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment has vertical and horizontal directions input from the first and second angular velocity sensors 16 and 17 via the angular velocity detectors 51 and 52 and the integrators 53 and 54. Based on the angular velocity, it has an optical blur correction function for controlling the photographing optical axis to be kept constant by rotating the rotary mirror 18.

  The focus lens driving unit 61 drives the focus lens in the lens group 19, and the zoom lens driving unit 62 is configured to enlarge or reduce the subject image according to the operation of the zoom operation key 9. The zoom lens is driven. The aperture driving unit 63 drives the aperture 57, and the shutter driving unit 64 drives the shutter 58. The video signal processor 65 is supplied with an A / D circuit that converts an analog signal from the image sensor 20 into a digital signal, a CDS that holds the digital image signal from the A / D circuit, and an image signal from the CDS. It consists of a gain adjustment amplifier (AGC), which is an analog amplifier.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present embodiment. The control unit 25 executes processing as shown in this flowchart based on the program stored in the program memory 32. First, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is set by an operation of the operation unit 23 by the user (step S101). If the shooting mode is not set, it is determined whether or not the setting mode (shooting setting mode) is set (step S102). If neither the shooting mode nor the setting mode is set, the other mode is set. The process proceeds to mode processing (step S103).

  If the shooting setting mode is set, it is determined whether or not the automatic switching setting is selected (step S104). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the “shooting setting” mode is selected by operating the MENU key and the cursor key (Δ ▽) on the operation unit 23 (step S102; YES), the display unit 14 displays the same figure (a−). A shooting setting menu screen as shown in 1) is displayed. When “blur reduction shooting” is selected on this menu screen, the automatic switching setting is selected, and the step S104 becomes YES, and the blur reduction shooting setting shown in FIG. Move to the menu.

  When the automatic switching setting is selected, whether or not to automatically switch to blur reduction shooting (ON / OFF) is set in the auto shooting mode in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user ( Step S105). That is, “ON” and “OFF” are displayed together with other options for “blur reduction” in the setting menu for blur reduction shooting in FIG. If “ON” is selected from these options, automatic switching ON is set. If “OFF” is selected, automatic switching OFF is set.

  If it is determined in step S104 that the automatic switching setting is not selected, it is determined whether or not the switching condition setting is selected (step S106). When setting of the switching condition is selected, a shooting condition for automatically switching to blur reduction shooting is selected and set according to the user's operation (step S107).

  That is, if it is determined in step S104 that the automatic switching setting has not been selected, the shooting setting menu shown in FIG. When “Custom setting for blur reduction shooting” is selected from this menu screen, the setting of the switching condition is selected, and step S106 becomes YES, and the custom setting menu for blur reduction shooting of FIG. Move to the display. When “Pixel addition switching condition setting” is selected on this menu screen, a transition is made to the setting menu screen for the switching condition to blur reduction shooting in FIG.

  This setting menu screen for switching to blur reduction shooting is based on "according to shooting scene", "according to exposure time", "according to subject brightness", "according to subject speed", "according to focal length" “In the case of macro photography”, and the like. When any one of these options is selected, for example, “according to the shooting scene” is selected, the screen transits to a switching setting screen corresponding to the shooting scene in FIG. In this state, by selecting a switching condition according to the photographing condition such as “OFF”, “auto”,..., The processing in step S107 is executed, and a photographing condition or the like for automatically switching to blur reduction photographing is selected. Will be set.

  If it is determined in step S106 that the switching condition setting is not selected, other setting processing is executed (step S108).

  On the other hand, when the shooting mode is set, shooting conditions input by the user's operation on the operation unit 23, auto shooting mode, manual shooting mode, various shooting conditions such as shutter speed in each shooting mode, which will be described later. In addition to setting shooting conditions such as a shake correction mode, a shake reduction shooting mode, or an intensifying shooting mode, an image size based on an operation by the user with the operation unit 23 is selected (step S109). Further, zoom processing and AF processing are executed (step S110), and a through image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S111). Therefore, the user asks for a photo opportunity by adjusting the direction of the digital camera 1 while viewing the through image displayed on the display unit 14.

  On the other hand, the control unit 25 determines whether the release button has been pressed and a shooting instruction has been issued (step S112). If not, other keys corresponding to the key operated by the user on the operation unit 23 are determined. Processing is executed (step S113). When the release button is pressed and there is a shooting instruction, photometric processing and WB processing are performed (step S114), and exposure is performed according to the photometric value obtained thereby and the shooting conditions set in step S109. Conditions are set (step S115).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the blur correction mode is set (step S116). If it is set, the image sensor 20 is set in the normal read mode in which the image signal charges of all the pixels of the image sensor 20 are sequentially read. Drive (step S117). Further, the blur amounts in the vertical direction and horizontal direction of the digital camera 1 detected by the two acceleration sensors 16 and 17 are detected and sequentially recorded in the data memory 33 (step S118). Further, a blur correction process for holding the photographing optical axis constant is executed by rotating the rotary mirror 18 according to the detected blur amount (step S119). Further, with these processes, the exposure / photographing operation is started according to the photographing conditions (step S120), and the shutter 58 is opened and the image sensor 20 is exposed by the process in step S120.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed has ended (step S121). The processing from step S118 is repeated until the exposure time ends, and when the exposure time ends, the shutter 58 is closed and the exposure / photographing operation is stopped (step S122). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the acquired image size acquired by the photographing is larger than the image size selected in step S109 (step S123). If “acquired image size> set image size” and the acquired image size is larger than the set image size, thinning or resizing compression processing is executed (step S124).

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S116 is that the shake correction mode has not been set, processing proceeds from step S116 to step S125. Then, through the processing in step S109, it is determined whether or not blur reduction shooting or sensitization shooting mode is set (step S125). If set, the pixel addition magnification of the image sensor 20 is calculated according to the photometric value obtained in the photometric process of step S114 and the photographing condition set in step S109, and the exposure time is set. Is reset (step S126).

  Next, the imaging device 20 is driven by switching to the vertical & horizontal addition readout mode in which the imaging signal charges of the pixels of the same color in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the imaging device 20 are added and read (step S127). At the same time, an exposure / photographing operation is started according to the photographing conditions (step S128), and the shutter 58 is opened and the image sensor 20 is exposed by the processing in step S128. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed has ended (step S129), and the exposure / photographing operation (step S128) is continued until the exposure time ends.

  Here, the exposure / photographing operation is performed in the vertical & horizontal addition readout mode, so that the image sensor 20 mixes when the signal charges of the same color pixels separated from each other in the same column are transferred from the vertical transfer CCD to the horizontal transfer CCD. In addition to adding, signal charges of pixels of the same color filter separated from each other in the same row are added and read out in the horizontal transfer CCD. Therefore, since signals for a plurality of rows can be output at a time, the frame rate can be increased, and high-resolution moving image shooting can be performed at a high frame rate according to the number of vertical and horizontal additions. When this is applied to still image shooting, the number of pixels becomes vertical ½ × horizontal ½ = 1/4 pixels by four-pixel addition readout of two vertical pixels and two horizontal pixels, but the required exposure amount is also Since a photographic image corresponding to the appropriate exposure can be obtained at about 1/4, it is possible to shoot with a sensitization of about 4 times. That is, since the exposure time required for obtaining an appropriate exposure with a subject under the same conditions can be shortened to about ¼, image blurring due to camera shake or subject blur can be reduced and photographing can be performed.

  Then, when the determination in step S129 is YES and the exposure time ends, the shutter 58 is closed and the exposure / photographing operation is stopped (step S130). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the acquired image size acquired by this shooting is smaller than the image size selected in step S109 (step S131). If “acquired image size <set image size” and the acquired image size is smaller than the set image size, pixel interpolation processing is executed (step S132). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S123.

  If the result of determination in step S125 is that blur reduction shooting or sensitization shooting mode has not been set, the flow advances from step S125 to step S133. Then, it is determined whether or not the auto shooting mode is set (step S133). If it is not set, the process shifts to another shooting mode (step S134). If it is set, it is determined whether automatic switching is ON (step S134). That is, it is determined whether or not “automatic switch to blur reduction shooting in the auto shooting mode” is “ON” by the processing in step S105. If it is “OFF”, the process proceeds to step S137 without executing the process of step S136. If it is “ON”, it is determined whether or not the predetermined photographing condition is set (step S136). That is, in step S107, it is determined whether or not the shooting condition is set to automatically switch to blur reduction shooting set by the user.

  If there is a shooting condition for automatically switching to blur reduction shooting set by the user, the process proceeds from step S136 to step S126. However, if the shooting condition is not automatically switched to the vibration reduction shooting set by the user, and if the step S125 is NO and the automatic switching is OFF, the imaging signal charges of all the pixels of the imaging device 20 are set. The image sensor 20 is driven in the normal reading mode for sequentially reading (Step S137). At the same time, an exposure / photographing operation is started according to the photographing conditions (step S138), and the shutter 58 is opened by the processing in step S138, and the image sensor 20 is exposed. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed has ended (step S139). When the exposure time ends, the exposure / photographing operation is stopped and the shutter 58 is closed (step S140). Later, the process proceeds to step S123.

  In step S141 following any of steps S123, S124, and S132, the captured image is compressed and encoded, and the compressed and encoded captured image is recorded in the external memory medium 39 (step S142). Further, the photographed image is reviewed and displayed on the display unit 14 (step S143).

  Therefore, when the camera shake correction mode is set, camera shake correction is performed by optical camera shake correction. When the camera shake correction mode is not set, camera shake reduction or sensitization shooting mode is set. Of course, even when the auto shooting mode is set, in the case of the predetermined shooting conditions that are likely to cause image blur due to camera shake or subject blur, intensifying shooting for blur reduction by pixel addition readout processing By switching to the mode and photographing, the required exposure time can be shortened by the sensitization effect according to the vertical addition number × horizontal addition number. Therefore, not only image blur due to camera shake but also image blur due to the movement of the subject (moving body blur) can be reduced, so it is effective for shooting that tends to cause subject blur, such as shooting children and pets, sports scenes, etc. Become.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation example of the normal read mode executed in steps S117 and S137 and the vertical & horizontal addition read mode executed in step S127. In FIG. 2, (a) is an all-pixel readout mode executed as the normal readout mode, and all pixels are read out with a high resolution although it is as low as a fraction of a second. The (b) frame readout mode, (c) high-speed draft mode, (d) 4/16 line readout & vertical pixel addition mode, and (e) 4/18 line readout & horizontal pixel addition mode are executed in step S127. & The operation example of the horizontal addition readout mode. (C) In the high-speed draft mode, only 2 lines out of 8 lines are read out, and the entire area is scanned at a high speed such as 1/30.

  As for the vertical pixel addition reading operation, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-55952, a solid-state imaging device having a color filter with a repetitive arrangement of two vertical pixel periods and capable of vertical addition reading By adding and reading pixels in the vertical direction at, it is possible to obtain a signal obtained by adding signal charges of the same color separated by two pixels in the vertical direction in the vertical transfer register. Similarly, with respect to horizontal pixel addition readout, similarly to the horizontal readout operation in the imaging devices described in JP-A-11-234691, JP-A-11-234688, JP-A-2000-115643, and the like, This can be done by adding and reading pixels of the same color filter in different columns in the same row in the horizontal direction on the horizontal transfer CCD. Combination of vertical and horizontal pixel addition, for example, vertical 2 pixel addition × horizontal 2 pixel addition = 4 pixel addition readout, vertical 3 pixel addition × horizontal 3 pixel addition = 9 pixel addition readout, etc. You can also change this.

  Next, an outline of the horizontal pixel addition reading operation will be described below using the solid-state imaging device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-115643 as an example. FIG. 6A shows a time chart of the drive signal in the normal readout mode, FIG. 6B shows a time chart of the drive signal in the horizontal addition readout mode, and FIG. 7 shows the signal charge of the horizontal pixel addition readout. An example of the state operation is shown below. This solid-state imaging device has a transfer gate portion between a vertical register and a horizontal register, and in this transfer gate portion, the transfer charges of the first phase and the second phase are staggered for every fixed column of the vertical register. The transfer electrode of the vertical register and the transfer electrode of the transfer gate portion are formed in a two-layer structure, and the signal charge can be separately transferred to the horizontal register for each fixed column unit of the vertical register. The signal charges that are operated and transferred separately can be mixed in the horizontal register.

  Further, charge transfer is performed so that the number of transfers in the vertical register is periodically different with respect to the vertical register column, and signal charges of pixels of the same color separated from each other in the same row are sequentially transferred from the vertical register to the horizontal register. After the signal charge of the pixel transferred to the horizontal register is transferred in the horizontal register, it is added to the signal charge of the same color pixel transferred to the horizontal register later. Signal charges of pixels of the same color separated from each other in the same row can be added in the horizontal register.

  In the normal read operation, the four-phase drive pulses φV1 to φV4 as shown in FIG. 6A are applied to the input terminals tV1 to tV4 of the vertical CCD register, and the input terminals tV′1 to tV′4 are separately provided. The four-phase drive pulses φV′1 to φV′4 are applied. The electrode group to which the drive pulses φV′1 to φV′4 are applied performs transfer twice as many times as the electrode group to which the drive pulses φV1 to φV4 are applied.

  Therefore, signal charges are sequentially sent from the electrode group to which the drive pulses φV1 to φV4 are applied to the electrode group to which the drive pulses φV′1 to φV′4 are applied, whereas the drive pulses φV′1 to φV′4 are applied. In the electrode group, the signal charges are transferred in the horizontal CCD register direction so that there are signal charge packets and empty packets.

  Now, it is assumed that the charge on the jth row is transferred from the electrode group to which the driving pulses φV1 to φV4 are applied to the electrode group to which the driving pulses φV′1 to φV′4 are applied through the second transfer period T3. On the other hand, since the electrode group to which the drive pulses φV1 to φV4 are applied has the first transfer period T2 in addition to the second transfer period T3, the horizontal CCD registers [1] and [2] and the vertical CCD register [3] [4], the difference in the number of packets is absorbed, and the signal charges in the j-th row accumulated in the horizontal scanning period T1 can be transferred to the horizontal CCD register.

That is, in the first transfer period T2 of the horizontal blanking period H _BLK , the jth signal charge in the vertical CCD registers [1] and [2] is transferred to the horizontal CCD register, and the vertical CCD registers [3] and [4]. The signal charges in the jth row are vertically transferred by one packet to the last stage of the horizontal CCD register. Next, in the second transfer period T3, the J-th signal charge in the vertical CCD registers [3] and [4] is transferred to the horizontal CCD register and the vertical CCD registers [1], [2] and [3]. , [4] signal charges on the (j−1) th row are transferred to the vertical CCD register. Therefore, in the normal read operation, the signal charges in the first row are sequentially output.

  In the horizontal pixel addition operation, four-phase drive pulses φV1 to φV4 as shown in FIG. 6B are applied to the input terminals tV1 to tV4 of the vertical CCD register, and four phases are applied to the input terminals tV′1 to tV′4. Drive pulses φV′1 to φV′4 are applied. In addition, two-phase drive pulses φH1 and φH2 are applied to the vertical CCD register.

The state of the signal charge in FIG. 7 and the drive pulse in FIG.
1) First, the end of the horizontal scanning period T1 in FIG. 6B corresponds to FIG.
2) Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the first period T2 of the horizontal blanking period _HBLK , the signal charges of the vertical CCD registers [1] and [2] are transferred to the horizontal CCD register. At the same time, the signal charges in the vertical CCD registers [3] and [4] are vertically transferred to the final stage to the vertical CCD register.
3) Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the second period T2, two packets are transferred by the horizontal CCD register, and the signal charges separated in the direction of the two pixels in the same row are the same. Moved to a column.
4) Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, in the third period T4, the signal charges at the final stage of the vertical CCD registers [3] and [4] are transferred to the horizontal CCD register by vertical transfer. Are added to the signals of the vertical CCD registers [1] and [2] transferred to the horizontal CCD register. That is, signal charges separated in the column direction by two pixels in the same row in the horizontal CCD register are added. At the same time, the signal charges of the next row are transferred from the vertical CCD registers [1] and [2] to the empty packet of the horizontal CCD register.
5) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7E, in the fourth period T5, two packets are transferred in the horizontal CCD register, and the signal charges separated in the direction of the two pixels in the next row are transferred. Are moved to the same column.
6) Next, as shown in FIG. 7F, in the fifth period T6, it is added to the signal charges of the vertical CCD registers [1] and [2] by vertical transfer.

  That is, signal charges separated in the column direction by two pixels in the next row in the horizontal CCD register are added. As a result, two rows of signal charges obtained by adding two pixels in the horizontal direction are accumulated in the horizontal CCD register. Therefore, in the horizontal scanning period T1, the horizontal CCD register is driven in two phases and the horizontal scanning is performed once, so that a signal for two digits is output from the output terminal of the CCD solid-state imaging device. When a color filter having a horizontal two-pixel cycle is used for such a color CCD solid-state imaging device, even-numbered and odd-numbered columns of pixels in each row have the same color, so no color mixing occurs even if they are mixed. . Further, by adding and mixing signal charges that are two pixels apart in the horizontal direction, the data rate in the horizontal direction can be reduced to ½. Thereby, operation can be performed at high speed. In addition, since the signal of the entire pixel in the image area is mixed, the angle of view does not change even if the number of data in the horizontal direction is halved.

  The horizontal direction N2 pixel addition has been described above. However, addition of two horizontal pixels or more is also possible. In addition, by combining with the above-described vertical pixel addition readout operation, readout scanning with various addition magnifications can be performed by switching both the vertical and horizontal addition numbers, such as vertical 2 pixel × horizontal 2 pixel addition = 4 pixel addition readout. Yes. Needless to say, the vertical and horizontal pixel addition reading may be performed using an imaging device having a configuration different from that of the solid-state imaging device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-115643, such as a transfer path and a transfer gate electrode. Absent.

  (Second Embodiment)

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in a camera provided with a camera shake correction device, an “automatic shooting mode”, a “camera shake correction shooting mode” by a camera shake correction device, and a “blur reduction shooting mode” that performs sensitization processing by pixel addition. In the shooting mode such as the automatic shooting mode, if the shooting conditions are likely to cause image blur due to camera shake, the mode is automatically switched to “camera shake correction mode”. In the case of shooting conditions in which not only blur but also image blur due to movement of the subject is likely to occur, the camera is automatically switched to a “blur reduction shooting mode” in which sensitization processing is performed by pixel addition.

  First, it is determined whether or not a shooting mode is set by an operation of the operation unit 23 by the user (step S201). If the shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to other mode processing (step S202). If the shooting mode is set, shooting conditions such as a shutter speed are set, and a paper size or an image size is selected according to the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user (step S203). Next, zoom processing and AF processing are executed (step S204), and a through image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit 14 by driving in the draft mode (step S205). Therefore, the user asks for a photo opportunity by adjusting the direction of the digital camera 1 while viewing the through image displayed on the display unit 14.

  On the other hand, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the release button is half-pressed or AE-locked by the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user (step S206), and the release button is half-pressed or AE-locked. If not, other key processing corresponding to the key operated by the user on the operation unit 23 is executed (step S207). When the release button is pressed halfway or AE is locked, photometric processing and WB processing are performed (step S208), and the photometric value obtained thereby and the shooting conditions set in step S203 are selected. Then, the exposure condition is set (step S209).

  Subsequently, the movement vector of the subject is detected from the continuous imaging signal output at a predetermined timing from the imaging device 20, and the movement angle of the subject is calculated (step S210). Further, the blur amounts in the vertical direction and horizontal direction of the digital camera 1 detected by the both acceleration sensors 16 and 17 are detected and sequentially recorded in the data memory 33 (step S211). Further, it is determined whether or not the release button has been fully pressed to give a shooting instruction (step S212), and the processing from step S206 is repeated until a shooting instruction is given.

When the release button is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is given,
(1) Whether or not the focal length (f) of the current zoom lens unit 55 subjected to zoom processing and AF processing in step S204 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S213).
(2) Whether or not macro shooting is performed (step S214)
(3) Whether or not the blur amount detected in step S211 is greater than or equal to a predetermined blur amount (step S215)
(4) Whether the photometric value obtained in step S208 is less than a predetermined value (step S216)
(5) Whether or not the strobe is forcibly turned off when the photometric value is less than the predetermined value (step S217)
(6) Whether an exposure time corresponding to the exposure condition set in step S209 exceeds a predetermined time (step S218)
(7) Whether or not the image moving speed by moving the subject calculated based on the moving angular velocity of the subject calculated in step S210 and the blur amount sequentially recorded in step S211 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed (step S219).
Judging.

  If all of these determinations (1) to (7) are NO, normal shooting is performed. That is, the image pickup device 20 is driven in the normal read mode in which the image pickup signal charges of all the pixels of the image pickup device 20 are sequentially read (step S220). At the same time, the exposure / shooting operation is started according to the shooting conditions (step S221), and the shutter 58 is opened and the image sensor 20 is exposed by the processing in step S221. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed has ended (step S222), and when the exposure time ends, the shutter 58 is closed and the exposure / photographing operation is stopped (step S233).

  Also, if any of (1), (2), and (3) is YES, that is, whether the focal length (f) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, macro shooting, or the amount of blur is greater than or equal to the predetermined blur amount. In some cases, blur correction shooting is performed.

  That is, the image sensor 20 is driven in the normal read mode in which the image signal charges of all the pixels of the image sensor 20 are sequentially read (step S224). Further, the blur amounts in the vertical direction and horizontal direction of the digital camera 1 detected by the two acceleration sensors 16 and 17 are detected and sequentially recorded in the data memory 33 (step S225). Further, a blur correction process for holding the photographing optical axis constant is executed by rotating the rotary mirror 18 according to the detected blur amount (step S226). Further, with these processes, the exposure / photographing operation is started according to the photographing conditions (step S227), and the shutter 58 is opened and the image sensor 20 is exposed by the process in step S227. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed has ended (step S228). Then, the processing from step S224 is repeated until the exposure time ends, and when the exposure time ends, the shutter 58 is closed and the exposure / photographing operation is stopped (step S229).

  On the other hand, if any of the above (5), (6), and (7) is YES, that is, the flash is forcibly turned off, the exposure time exceeds a predetermined time, or the image moving speed due to subject movement is a predetermined speed. In the case of the above, sensitization photographing by addition reading is performed.

  That is, the exposure time is reset so as to shorten the exposure time as described above according to the addition magnification at the time of performing the sensitization photographing by the addition reading (step S230). Next, the imaging device 20 is driven by switching to the vertical & horizontal addition reading mode in which the imaging signal charges of pixels of the same color in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the imaging device 20 are added and read (step S232). At the same time, an exposure / photographing operation is started according to the photographing conditions (step S232), and the shutter 58 is opened and the image sensor 20 is exposed by the processing in step S232. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time reset in step S230 has ended (step S233), and the exposure / photographing operation (step S232) is continued until the exposure time ends. Then, when the determination in step S233 becomes YES and the exposure time ends, the shutter 58 is closed and the exposure / photographing operation is stopped (step S234).

  Therefore, with a camera equipped with a conventional optical image stabilization device, image blur due to movement of the subject (moving object blur) could not be prevented even though image blur due to camera shake could be reduced. For example, if camera shake is likely to occur, the camera automatically switches to “camera shake correction mode”. If it is likely to cause motion blur due to subject movement, it automatically switches to “blur reduction mode” where sensitization is performed by pixel addition. Therefore, even when shooting is likely to cause motion blur as well as camera shake, it is possible to shoot without blur.

  In the present embodiment, as the predetermined photographing condition, (1) to (7) are determined, and when at least one of (5) to (7) is YES, pixel addition reading is performed. However, depending on the white balance setting state or the detection state of automatic white balance control based on color temperature detection, it may be necessary to use a fluorescent lamp or tungsten light bulb, or when the color temperature is set to an equivalent value. Pixel addition reading may also be performed when it is determined that the subject is under illumination.

  In such a subject state and shooting conditions, the brightness of the dark subject or the subject is low, and the exposure time (shutter speed) in the proper exposure condition tends to be long (slow), so subject blur is likely to occur together with camera shake. Alternatively, subject movement is fast with respect to the exposure time, and subject blurring tends to occur. Even under shooting conditions that tend to cause image blur due to subject movement (moving body blur), the camera automatically switches to a sensitized shooting mode to reduce blurring, and shoots by sensitizing processing by pixel addition readout. In addition to increasing sensitivity, not only camera shake but also image blur due to subject blur (moving body blur) can be reduced and photographed.

  (Third embodiment)

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the detected blur amount is larger than a predetermined value in the blur correction shooting mode, the sensitization shooting by the pixel addition reading is performed, and the exposure time is set again to perform the shooting. .

  First, it is determined whether or not the blur shooting mode is set by an operation of the operation unit 23 by the user (step S301). If the blur shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to other mode processing (step S302). When the blur shooting mode is set, shooting conditions such as a shutter speed are set, and an image size is selected in accordance with an operation on the operation unit 23 by the user (step S303). Next, zoom processing and AF processing are performed (step S304), and the through image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit 14 by driving in the draft mode (step S305). Therefore, the user asks for a photo opportunity by adjusting the direction of the digital camera 1 while viewing the through image displayed on the display unit 14.

  On the other hand, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the release button is half-pressed or AE-locked by the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user (step S306), and the release button is half-pressed or AE-locked. If not, other key processing corresponding to the key operated by the user on the operation unit 23 is executed (step S307). When the release button is pressed halfway or AE is locked, photometric processing and WB processing are performed (step S308), and according to the photometric value obtained thereby and the photographing conditions set in step S303. Then, the exposure condition is set (step S309).

  Subsequently, the blur amounts in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the digital camera 1 detected by the both acceleration sensors 16 and 17 are detected and sequentially recorded in the data memory 33 (step S310). Further, it is determined whether or not the release button has been fully pressed to give a shooting instruction (step S312), and the processing from step S306 is repeated until a shooting instruction is issued.

When the release button is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is given,
(1) Whether the blur amount detected in step S311 is a predetermined value or more,
(2) Whether an exposure time corresponding to the exposure condition set in step S309 is a predetermined time or more,
(3) It is determined whether or not it is a predetermined condition for setting the other vertical & horizontal addition readout mode (step S312).

  If any of the determinations (1) to (3) made in step S312 is NO, the image pickup device 20 is set in the normal read mode in which the image pickup signal charges of all the pixels of the image pickup device 20 are sequentially read. Drive (step S313). If any one of the above (1) to (3) is YES, the vertical & horizontal addition reading is performed by adding the imaging signal charges of the pixels of the same color in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the imaging device 20 and reading them out. The mode is switched to drive the image sensor 20 (step S314). Further, as described above, the exposure time is reset so as to be shortened according to the addition magnification at the time of performing the sensitization photographing by the addition reading (step S315).

  Then, in step S316 following step S313 or step S315, the vertical and horizontal blur amounts of the digital camera 1 detected by the two acceleration sensors 16 and 17 are detected and sequentially recorded in the data memory 33 ( Step S316). Further, a blur correction process for holding the photographing optical axis constant is executed by rotating the rotary mirror 18 according to the detected blur amount (step S317). Further, with these processes, the exposure / photographing operation is started according to the photographing conditions (step S318), and the shutter 58 is opened and the image sensor 20 is exposed by the process in step S318. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed has ended (step S319). Then, the processing from step S224 is repeated until the exposure time ends, and when the exposure time ends, the shutter 58 is closed and the exposure / photographing operation is stopped (step S320).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the acquired image size acquired by this shooting is smaller than the image size selected in step S303 (step S320). If “acquired image size <set image size” and the acquired image size is smaller than the set image size, pixel interpolation processing is executed (step S327). If the determination in step S320 is no, it is determined whether the acquired image size is larger than the image size selected in step S303 (step S320). If “acquired image size> set image size” and the acquired image size is larger than the set image size, thinning or resizing compression processing is executed (step S321). If both the determinations in step S321 and step S323 are NO and “acquired image size = set image size”, the process proceeds to step S325 without performing the processes in steps S322 and S324.

  In step S3325 following one of steps S322, S323, and S324, the captured image is compressed and encoded, and the compressed and encoded captured image is recorded in the external memory medium 39 (step S330). Further, the photographed image is reviewed and displayed (step S331).

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, both the camera shake correction device and the pixel addition readout mode are provided, and the camera shake is large enough to exceed the limit for correcting the camera shake, or the subject shake is likely to occur. Under the above conditions, sensitization correction is performed by pixel addition readout without performing camera shake correction operation, so that the exposure time can be shortened and image blur due to camera shake or subject blur can be effectively reduced. .

  In the second embodiment described above, the detected blur amount is compared with the predetermined blur amount in step S215, and the image moving speed due to the subject movement is compared with the predetermined speed in step S219. In other words, both are compared with a predetermined blur amount and a predetermined speed which are fixed values. However, these values (predetermined blur amount and predetermined speed) may be variably controlled and automatically set, and the determination may be made based on the automatically set allowable value or allowable amount.

FIG. 10 shows a procedure for calculating these allowable values and allowable amounts, more specifically, allowable image blur amount (image displacement amount), allowable image blur speed (image moving speed), allowable blur amount (angle), allowable It is a flowchart which shows the calculation procedures, such as a blurring angular velocity. First, the set print paper size (diagonal S) and imaging size (diagonal Y) are read (step S401). Next, it is determined whether or not the printed image is observed from the diagonal equivalent distance of the paper (step S402). If so, an allowable blur amount (allowable confusion circle diameter) δ is set according to the imaging size Y using the following exemplary equation (step S403).
(Example) Allowable blur δ = Y × tan (2′40 ″)

Also, if the determination in step S402 is NO and the observation is made from a constant clear vision distance, the allowable blur amount (in accordance with the print paper size S and the shooting size Y) using the following exemplary equation: An allowable confusion circle diameter δ is set (step S404).
(Example) Allowable blur δ = (Y / S) × 250 [mm] tan (2′40 ″)

Next, the set exposure time (T) and lens focal length information (f) are read (step S405), and the following blur is used according to the allowable blur δ, the lens focal length f, and the set exposure time T (seconds). Thus, the allowable image blur amount, the allowable blur amount (or the apparent moving speed of the subject), and the allowable blur angular velocity (or the apparent moving speed of the subject) are calculated (step S406).
(Example)
Allowable blur amount (image displacement amount) = δB≈δ,
Allowable image blur speed (image moving speed) VB = δB / T≈δ / T,
Allowable blur amount (angle) θS = 2 × tan ⁻¹ (δB / 2f),
Allowable blur angular velocity ωS = θS / T

  When the type of printing paper or the size (dimension) of the printing paper is selected, the image size (horizontal × vertical pixel) that provides the required resolution according to the printing resolution (dpi) of the printer device, the display resolution of the image monitor device, etc. Number). On the other hand, when the image size is selected, for example, 200 dpi, 300 dpi, or the like can be determined by calculating the limit of the print paper size that provides a sufficient resolution according to the printing resolution (dpi) of the printing apparatus.

For example, to calculate a sufficient image size from the print paper size:
(A) For borderless printing,
Horizontal (or vertical) image size = horizontal (or vertical) paper size (mm) × printing resolution (dpi) /25.4 (mm / inch), or
(B) When printing with borders (margins) on the top, bottom, left and right,
Horizontal (or vertical) image size = {horizontal (or vertical) paper size (mm) −2 × margin size (mm} × printing resolution (dpi) ÷ 25.4 (mm / inch) Yes, and vice versa.

Further, the allowable image blur amount can be calculated based on, for example, the size of allowable blur (allowable circle of confusion). The 35mm-size silver salt film uses a permissible blur of about 0.033mm, but there are several ways of thinking about the permissible blur when using an image sensor such as a CCD of a digital camera or changing the print size. is there. In general, the ability to distinguish small objects with the naked eye is about 1 minute (1 ') in angle, but for subjects that change continuously, such as photos, a slightly loose angle 2-3 minutes ( It is said that it is about 2 'to 3'), and smaller ones are not seen to be blurred and look sharp.
1) Considering this as a reference, when observing a photograph or photographic paper from a distance of 25 cm with the naked eye, 0.15-0.22 mm (250 mm × tan (2 ′)-250 mm) × tan (3 ′) It will not be noticed that it is blurred to the human eye up to about blur.
2) On the other hand, there is a concept that it is natural to view a photograph from a distance corresponding to the diagonal dimension of the paper, for example, depending on its size. On the basis of this, with a cut paper with a diagonal of 27 cm, which is close to the clear viewing distance, a blur of about 0.2 mm is allowed, and the enlargement ratio from the 35 mm size to the eight size is 6 times. For this reason, 002 ÷ 6 = 0.033 mm is adopted as an allowable blur (permissible circle of confusion) of a general 35 mm (36 × 24 mm) film.

  In the method of 2), conversely, the permissible circle of confusion within a predetermined angle (2 ′ to 3 ′) may be used in accordance with the size of the film or the image sensor, regardless of the paper size and the enlargement ratio. Although it is convenient for conversion, rougher focus, blurring and blurring are allowed as the printing paper and enlargement ratio are larger.

Also,
1) Allowable blur when observing a distance corresponding to the paper size (diagonal) regardless of the printing paper is a predetermined value (for example, an angle corresponding to 35 mm = 0 ° 02′40 ″) or less. When setting,
Allowable confusion circle diameter δ [mm] on the image plane
= {Image size diagonal (Y) / print paper size diagonal (S)} × print paper size diagonal S [mm] × tan (2′40 ″),
= Image size diagonal (Y) [mm] x tan (2'40 ") is calculated, and allowable blur can be set.
2) For any paper size, when observing from a constant clear viewing distance (about 25 cm), the allowable circle of confusion δ [mm] on the imaging surface
= {Image size diagonal (Y) / printing paper size diagonal (S)} × clear viewing distance (250 mm) × tan (2′40 ″)
And the allowable blur can be set based on this.
3) Alternatively, the allowable confusion circle diameter δ [mm] may be set to a desired and arbitrary value by the user.

Further, if the allowable image blur amount δB is substantially equal to the allowable confusion circle diameter δ, the allowable moving speed VB, the allowable blur amount (or the apparent moving angle of the subject) θS, and the permissible exposure time T The blur angular velocity (or the apparent moving angular velocity of the subject) ωS is the allowable blur (allowable confusion circle diameter) δ [mm] on the imaging surface calculated above, the photographing lens focal length f [mm], and the set exposure time. From T [seconds]
Allowable blur amount (image displacement amount) δB≈δ,
Allowable image moving speed VB = δB / T≈δ / T,
Allowable blurring amount (or apparent movement angle of the subject) θS = 2 × tan ⁻¹ (δB / 2f),
Allowable blur angular velocity (or apparent moving angular velocity of the subject) ωS = θS / T,
It can be calculated and set.

Alternatively, when the subject distance L is known by macro photography or the like, the subject range X = image size Y × L / f.
Allowable displacement XB of subject blur or camera shake = allowable image blur amount δB × L / f,
Acceptable subject movement speed VB = XB / T≈δB × L / (f × T),
Etc.

  These may be set as a predetermined blur amount or image blur amount according to the printing paper in the above-described embodiment, and the switching condition to the blur reduction shooting / sensitization shooting mode by pixel addition reading may be determined.

  Therefore, in this example, an allowable image blur amount, an allowable blur amount, etc. are set according to the user-desired printing paper size or image size, and accordingly, the condition for switching to the blur reduction shooting mode by pixel addition readout is set. Therefore, it is possible to perform necessary and sufficient blur reduction shooting that does not stand out in accordance with the size at the time of viewing, so that image quality deterioration due to interpolation processing or the like can be minimized.

  In the embodiment, the optical camera shake correction device is used as the first camera shake correction unit. However, an electronic camera shake correction device may be used as the first camera shake correction unit. In the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a camera that captures a still image. However, the present invention may be applied to a camera that captures a moving image.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a digital camera common to each embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the digital camera. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure of the example of a display of the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in various readout modes of CCD, and the vertical & horizontal pixel addition readout mode. It is a timing chart which shows the CCD drive signal at the time of horizontal pixel addition reading scanning. It is a figure which shows the operation example of CCD at the time of horizontal pixel addition reading scanning. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the calculation procedure of allowable blurring amount.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 14 Display part 16 1st acceleration sensor 17 2nd angular velocity sensor 19 Lens group 20 Image pick-up element 23 Operation part 24 Input circuit 25 Control part 26 Display memory 27 Display drive block 28 Image buffer memory 29 Image signal processing part 30 Compression code | symbol Decoding / decompression decoding unit 31 Still image / moving image memory 32 Program memory 33 Data memory 38 Shooting control unit 39 External memory medium 55 Zoom lens unit 56 Drive mechanism 57 Aperture 58 Shutter 61 Focus lens drive unit 62 Zoom lens drive unit 64 Shutter Drive unit 65 Video signal processing unit 66 Driver

Claims (13)

An optical system for imaging a subject;
An imaging unit that has a plurality of pixels and that captures an image formed by the optical system by exposure to generate an image signal;
Camera shake detection means for detecting camera shake,
A first blur correction unit that corrects a blur of an image captured by the imaging unit based on the blur of the camera body detected by the camera shake detection unit;
Second blur correction means for causing the imaging means to perform addition processing for adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal;
Control means for controlling the operation of the first and second blur correction means;
An electronic camera comprising: Further comprising setting means for setting whether or not to operate the second blur correction means;
2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the second shake correction unit when the operation of the first shake correction unit is not set by the setting unit. Further comprising setting means for setting whether or not to operate the second blur correction means;
3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates or stops the second shake correction unit according to the setting of the setting unit. The control means includes
Determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition for causing the imaging means to perform addition processing for adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal is satisfied;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second shake correction unit is operated to cause the imaging unit to execute the addition process. 3. The electronic camera according to any one of items 3. The control means includes
First determination means for determining whether or not a first condition for correcting blurring of an image picked up by the image pickup means is satisfied based on the camera shake detected by the camera shake detection means; ,
A second determination unit that determines whether or not a second condition that should cause the imaging unit to perform an addition process of adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal is satisfied;
2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the first and second shake correcting means is controlled in accordance with the judgment results of the first and second judging means. Further comprising mode selection means for setting a predetermined mode and another mode,
When the predetermined mode is set by the mode setting unit, the control unit operates the first and second blur correction units according to the determination results of the first and second determination units. Control
6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein when the other mode is set, the first and / or second blur correction unit is forcibly operated. The first condition is
(1) When the focal length of the imaging lens constituting the optical system is larger than a predetermined value,
(2) When the imaging lens is driven and the macro mode or the close-up mode is set,
(3) When the amount of blur detected by the camera shake detection means is larger than a predetermined value,
Including at least one of the following conditions:
The second condition is
(1) When the subject brightness detected by the detecting means for detecting the brightness of the subject is lower than a predetermined value,
(2) When the strobe of the camera is forcibly set off,
(3) When the exposure time of the imaging means set based on the photometric value measured by the photometric means is longer than a predetermined exposure time,
(4) If the image movement amount due to the movement of the subject within the set exposure time of the imaging means is larger than a predetermined value or a preliminarily calculated allowable confusion circle diameter, If determined,
(5) From the white balance set by the setting means for setting the white balance, the judging means for judging whether or not the subject is a dark room or a subject under electric light illumination, and the subject in the dark room or under the electric light illumination. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the electronic camera includes at least one condition when it is determined that the electronic camera is present.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates both the first blur correction unit and the second blur correction unit.   The control means includes means for resetting an exposure time set in advance in the imaging means when the first shake correction means and the second shake correction means are operated together. The electronic camera according to claim 8.   The control unit includes a determination unit that operates the first blur correction unit and determines whether or not a predetermined shooting condition is satisfied. When the determination unit determines that the predetermined shooting condition is satisfied, 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first and second shake correcting means are operated together.   11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image size correction unit that corrects an image size by performing a pixel interpolation process for interpolating a pixel of the image signal when the addition unit is executed by the imaging unit. Any one of the electronic cameras. Recording means for recording the image signal generated by the imaging means;
Further comprising designation means for designating an image size of the image signal recorded in the recording means,
The image size correction means performs the pixel interpolation process when the image size of the image signal subjected to the addition process is smaller than the image size designated by the designation means. 11. The electronic camera according to 11. An optical system that forms an image of a subject, an imaging unit that has a plurality of pixels and that captures an image formed by the optical system by exposure and generates an image signal, and a hand that detects camera shake A computer included in an electronic camera, comprising: a shake detecting unit; and a first blur correcting unit that corrects a blur of an image captured by the imaging unit based on a blur of the camera body detected by the camera shake detecting unit. ,
Second blur correction means for causing the imaging means to perform addition processing for adding neighboring pixel components in the image signal;
Control means for controlling the operation of the first and second blur correction means;
An electronic camera comprising:

Images