IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor which photo-electrically converts an object image, an optical element arranged nearer to an object than a light-receiving section of the image sensor, a foreign substance removing member which removes a foreign substance adhering to the surface of the optical element, and a display unit which displays the status of foreign substance removal by the foreign substance removing member using a video image acquired by the image sensor during the operation of the foreign substance removing member. This invention can notify a photographer of the progress status of the dust removal process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2D are views for explaining a cleaning unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are flowcharts showing a dust removal step according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the operation of the camera while the dust removal step is in progress according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views for explaining the result of an enlargement process of a dust image according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7D are charts for explaining a method of enlarging a dust image according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a dust removal step according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining a cleaning unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A to 12D are flowcharts showing a dust removal step according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing the result of an enlargement process of a dust image according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A to 14E are charts for explaining a method of enlarging a dust image according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a dust removal step according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image capturing apparatus comprising: an image capture unit configured to photo-electrically convert an object image;an optical element arranged nearer to an object than a light-receiving section of said image capture unit;a foreign substance removing unit configured to remove a foreign substance adhering to a surface of said optical element; anda display unit configured to display a status of foreign substance removal by said foreign substance removing unit using a video image acquired by said image capture unit during operation of said foreign substance removing unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays a video image which is acquired by said image capture unit and shows a behavior of a foreign substance accompanied by the operation of said foreign substance removing unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays information associated with existence statuses of a foreign substance before and after the foreign substance removal operation by said foreign substance removing unit.

4. A control method for an image capturing apparatus which comprises image capture unit configured to photo-electrically convert an object image, and an optical element arranged nearer to an object than a light-receiving section of the image capture unit, comprising: a foreign substance removal step of causing foreign substance removing unit to remove a foreign substance adhering to a surface of the optical element; anda display step of displaying a status of foreign substance removal by the foreign substance removing unit in the foreign substance removal step using a video image acquired by the image capture unit during an operation of the foreign substance removing unit.

5. A program characterized by causing a computer to execute a control method defined in claim 4.