Optical device, lens device, and camera device

Abstract

The present application relates to an optical device, a lens device, and a camera device. An optical device includes a camera device and a lens device detachable from each other, wherein the lens device includes an optical system, a driver that drives a focus lens unit of the optical system, a detector that detects a position of the focus lens unit, a memory that stores the position of the focus lens unit, a registration operator that causes the memory to store the position of the focus lens unit as a registered position, a call operator that causes the driver to drive the focus lens unit to the registered position, and a lens communicator that communicates with the camera device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to optical devices, lens devices, and camera devices. Background Technology

[0002] In the lens assembly, the focus preset function calls up any preset focus position. By using this function, the focus position (subject distance) of a hypothetical subject can be pre-registered, allowing for immediate and definitive focusing on the target subject when the hypothetical scene occurs.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-266658 discloses a lens device equipped with: multiple storage units capable of registering any focal position, and a restore button corresponding to the registration button and capable of recalling the stored position.

[0004] In one embodiment, the operation of the focus preset function provides visual feedback on the ongoing setup and the registered location.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-266658 discloses a focus preset function that allows registration of multiple points. However, if the operations related to registration of multiple points are concentrated in one place, there is a risk that when a user calls up the registration location while taking an image, an unexpected registration location may be called. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment, an optical device includes a camera device and a lens device, the lens device being attachable to and detachable from the camera device, wherein the lens device includes: an optical system; a driving unit configured to drive a focusing lens unit included in the optical system; a detector configured to detect the position of the focusing lens unit; a first storage unit configured to store the position of the focusing lens unit; a first registration operation unit configured to cause the first storage unit to store the position of the focusing lens unit as a first registered position; a first recall operation unit configured to cause the driving unit to drive the focusing lens unit to the first registered position; and a lens communication unit configured to communicate with the camera device, wherein the camera device includes: a camera communication unit configured to communicate with the lens device; and an imaging element configured to capture an image formed by the lens device, and wherein the information communicated between the lens communication unit and the camera communication unit includes: operation information of at least one of the first registration operation unit and the first recall operation unit; and position information based on the detection by the detector.

[0007] Further features of this disclosure will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the camera body and interchangeable lens of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the camera's preset registration display.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the camera preset call-up display.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart about the third focal memory unit.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the lens preset registration display.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the display of lens presets.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the default standby mode.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a variant embodiment related to the third focal storage unit.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a second embodiment of the focus preset registration location information.

[0017] Figure 10 A variant embodiment showing the preset registration location information of the focus is shown.

[0018] Figure 11 A variant embodiment showing the preset registration location information of the focus is shown.

[0019] Figure 12 A modified embodiment of the camera focus preset function operation unit is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in order to facilitate understanding of these embodiments, the drawings shown below are drawn to a different scale than actual scale.

[0021] [Example 1]

[0022] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the construction of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] 1. The optical device of this embodiment

[0024] [Construction of an optical device]

[0025] The optical device 300 includes an interchangeable lens (lens assembly) 100 and a camera body (camera assembly) 200, the camera body 200 being configured to be mounted to / removed from the interchangeable lens 100.

[0026] First, the specific construction of the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200 will be described.

[0027] The interchangeable lens 100 is mechanically and electrically connected to the camera body 200 via a mount (not shown). The interchangeable lens 100 receives power from the camera body 200 via a power terminal (not shown) disposed on the mount. The power received from the camera body 200 is then used to control various actuators and the lens microcomputer 111, which will be described later. The camera body 200 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 via a communication terminal (not shown) disposed on the mount, and controls the interchangeable lens 100 via communication control commands.

[0028] [Camera Body Structure]

[0029] The structure of the camera body 200 is described below. The camera body 200 is equipped with: an imaging element 201 including a phase difference AF sensor, a signal processing circuit 202, a recording processing unit 203, a display unit 204, an operation unit 205, and a camera microcomputer 206. The camera body 200 of Embodiment 1 is equipped with: a camera preset button (second registration operation unit) 210, a camera recall button (second recall operation unit) 211, a second focus storage unit (second storage unit) 212, and a third focus storage unit (third storage unit) 213.

[0030] The image sensor 201 performs photoelectric conversion on the subject image formed by the camera optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal). An A / D conversion circuit (not shown) converts the analog signal from the image sensor 201 into a digital signal.

[0031] The signal processing circuit 202 performs various image processing operations on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit to generate an image signal. The signal processing circuit 202 also generates the contrast state of the subject image based on the image signal, that is, focus information indicating the focus state of the camera optical system and brightness information indicating the exposure state.

[0032] The signal processing circuit 202 outputs the image signal to the display unit 204, and the display unit 204 displays the image signal as a live view image for checking composition, focus status, etc. Specifically, the display unit 204 is a rear LCD display or electronic viewfinder of the camera body 200. Furthermore, the signal processing circuit 202 outputs the image signal to the recording processing unit 203, and the recording processing unit 203 stores the image signal as still image or moving image data in an external memory or the like.

[0033] The camera microcomputer 206, acting as a camera controller, controls the camera body 200 in response to inputs such as imaging indicator switches and various setting switches to the operation unit 205. The camera microcomputer 206 also handles operations of the camera preset button 210 and the camera recall button 211, which are operation units for operating the focus preset function, a feature of this disclosure.

[0034] In response to AF information generated based on the output of a phase difference detection pixel (not shown) provided in the imaging element, the camera microcomputer 206 sends control commands related to the focusing operation of the focusing lens 105 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera communication unit (camera communication unit). The second focus storage unit 212 and the third focus storage unit 213 are storage units for focus position information associated with the focus preset function described below.

[0035] [Interchangeable lens construction]

[0036] The structure of the interchangeable lens 100 will be described. The interchangeable lens 100 includes: a camera optical system, a drive unit as a drive unit for the camera optical system, a controller for controlling the drive unit, a detector for detecting the position of optical elements, a focusing lens operation ring 110, a lens microcomputer 111, and a focus position sensor 112. In addition, a lens preset button (first registration operation unit) 130, a lens recall button (first recall operation unit) 131, and a first focus storage unit (first storage unit) 132 are provided to implement the focus preset function of this embodiment.

[0037] The lens microcomputer 111 is a controller used to control the operation of various parts in the interchangeable lens 100. The lens microcomputer 111 receives control commands sent from the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit, and receives requests to send lens data or receive camera data. Furthermore, the lens microcomputer 111 performs lens control corresponding to the control commands, sends lens data corresponding to the transmission requests to the camera body 200, and receives data from the camera when a reception request is received. In response to commands related to light adjustment and focus within the control commands, the lens microcomputer 111 performs light adjustment and focus adjustment processing, which will be described later.

[0038] The camera optical system includes: a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102 for zooming, an aperture stop unit 103 for adjusting the amount of light, an image stabilizing lens 104, and a focusing lens 105 for focusing.

[0039] Zoom lens 102 can be followed Figure 1 The zoom lens 102 moves along the optical axis direction indicated by the dashed line and is driven along the optical axis direction by a zoom operation ring connected to the zoom mechanism (not shown) via user operation. The zoom lens 102 is moved to perform zooming to change the focal length of the imaging optical system. The zoom lens position detector 106 uses a position detector such as a variable resistor to detect the position of the zoom lens and outputs the position data to the lens microcomputer 111. The output position data is used to generate focal length information in the lens microcomputer 111.

[0040] The aperture stop unit 103 is equipped with sensors such as aperture stop blades and light cutoff devices. The sensors detect the state of the aperture stop blades and output this information to the lens microcomputer 111. In response to commands from the lens microcomputer 111, the aperture stop control unit 107 outputs drive signals to drive actuators such as stepper motors and voice coil motors. Therefore, the amount of light is adjusted via the aperture stop unit 103.

[0041] The image-stabilized lens 104 moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera optical system to reduce image blur caused by shaking, etc. In response to vibration detected by a vibration sensor (not shown), such as a gyroscope, the image-stabilized lens controller 108, acting as a controller, outputs a drive signal to drive the image-stabilizing actuator via a command from the lens microcomputer 111. Thus, image stabilization is performed to control the displacement of the image-stabilized lens 104.

[0042] The focusing lens 105 is movable along the optical axis indicated by the dashed line in the figure. A focus position sensor 112, such as a light interruptor, is used to detect the position of the focusing lens 105, and the detected position data is output to the lens microcomputer 111. Based on commands from the lens microcomputer 111, the focusing lens controller 109 outputs a drive signal to drive the focusing drive unit 113, and adjusts the focus by moving the focusing lens 105.

[0043] [Focus Function (AF / MF)]

[0044] The present disclosure provides an autofocus (AF), a manual focus (MF), and a focus preset that moves the focusing lens to a preset position as focusing functions to drive the focusing lens 105 to adjust the focus.

[0045] In order to perform the focusing function, the lens communication unit sends focus position information to the camera microcomputer 206 in response to a request to send lens data, and receives a focus drive command in response to a request to receive camera data.

[0046] The focus position information is generated by the lens microcomputer 111 based on information from the focus position sensor 112. The focus position information consists of information such as imaging distance information (optical characteristic information, focusing distance, subject distance) and address information (digital address information) as digital values ​​obtained by dividing the movement range of the focusing lens 105.

[0047] In autofocus (AF), the camera microcomputer 206 calculates the focus position of the focusing lens 105 based on focus information and focus position information generated from the image plane phase difference pixels in the image sensor 201, and sends a focus drive command to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera communication unit. In response to the focus drive command, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs a command to the focusing lens controller 109 to drive the focus drive unit 113 and control the focus adjustment action.

[0048] In MF, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs commands to the focusing lens controller 109 to drive the focusing drive unit 113 and control the focus adjustment operation based on the operation amount of the focusing lens operation ring 110.

[0049] 2. Regarding the focus preset function

[0050] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The focus preset function of the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 of Embodiment 1 is described.

[0051] [Regarding the focus preset function in camera body 200]

[0052] In the focus preset function of the camera body 200, the focus position is stored in the second focus storage unit 212 as the second registered position by operating the camera preset button 210. When the camera call button 211 is operated, the focus position (second registered position) is called.

[0053] When the camera preset button 210 is operated, the camera microcomputer 206 obtains focus position information from the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera communication unit, and stores the obtained focus position information in the second focus storage unit 212. At this time, as... Figure 2 As shown, the display unit 204 displays: camera preset display, which is the operation information of camera preset button 210; and camera preset position display, which is the display of stored position information.

[0054] When the camera activation button 211 is pressed, the camera microcomputer 206 sends a focus drive command to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera communication unit, causing the focusing lens 105 to move to the focus position stored in the second focus storage unit 212. At this time, as... Figure 3 As shown, the camera call display is displayed on the display unit 204. In response to the focus drive command, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs a command to the focus lens controller 109 to drive the focus drive unit 113 and control the focus adjustment action.

[0055] [Focus preset function for interchangeable lenses 100]

[0056] When the lens preset button 130 is operated, the focus position is stored in the first focus storage unit 132 as the first registered position. When the lens recall button 131 is operated, the focus position (first registered position) is recalled.

[0057] When the lens preset button 130 is operated, the lens microcomputer 111 obtains the focus position from the focus position sensor 112 and causes the first focus storage unit 132 to store its position information (first registered position).

[0058] When the lens is activated by button 131, the lens microcomputer 111 sends a command to the focusing lens controller 109 to drive the focusing drive unit 113 to move the focusing lens 105 to the focus position stored by the first focus storage unit 132.

[0059] 3. Display the focus preset function of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200.

[0060] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The display of the camera body 200 is described when the focus preset function is performed in the interchangeable lens 100 according to this embodiment.

[0061] The camera body 200 outputs a lens data transmission request to display related preset functions on the display unit 204, and receives lens preset information in response. The lens preset information includes lens preset operation information that notifies the operation of the lens preset button 130, and lens recall operation information that notifies the operation of the lens recall button 131.

[0062] When the camera communication unit receives the lens preset information, it executes the following: Figure 4 The process shown starts from S100.

[0063] In S101, if the lens preset information is lens preset operation information, the camera microcomputer 206 acquires the focus position information in S102. Then, in S103, the camera microcomputer 206 stores the focus position information in the third focus storage unit 213, and in S104, the display unit 204 displays the image as shown. Figure 5 The lens presets shown are displayed.

[0064] Then, if the focus preset position display is set to ON in S105, then in S106, the camera microcomputer 206 displays the focus position information stored in the third focus storage unit 213 in the lens preset position display in the display unit 204.

[0065] When the lens preset information detected in S101 is lens recall operation information, the camera microcomputer 206 causes the lens recall display to be shown on the display unit 204 in S107. Figure 6 As shown.

[0066] In Embodiment 1, the camera preset position display and the lens preset position display are displayed on the display unit 204 as triangular markers added to the distance bar used to notify the focus position, with one end of the focus position being the near end and the other end being the infinity end.

[0067] exist Figure 7 The image shows the status of both the camera preset position display and the lens preset position display. By displaying the respective position displays of the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 above and below the distance bar, the user can easily identify which operation caused which position movement.

[0068] In Embodiment 1, the focus position information stored in the third focus storage unit 213 is not used as a focus drive command, but rather as a rough position determined by the distance bar. Therefore, the focus position information does not need to be detailed information such as camera distance or address information, but can be the resolution required for displaying the distance bar, such as 100-segment zone information. The zone information is obtained as information including the area of ​​the position detected by the focus position sensor 112, wherein the area is defined by dividing the movement range of the focusing lens 105 into several regions (zones). This is because the focus position information used here is not used for focus drive commands. Therefore, the acquisition, processing, and display of the focus position information can be simplified.

[0069] According to the optical device of this embodiment 1, it is easy to identify which focus preset operation has been performed, whether it is the focus preset operation of the interchangeable lens 100 or the focus preset operation of the camera body 200.

[0070] [Example 2]

[0071] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 The differences between the optical device according to Embodiment 2 and the optical device according to Embodiment 1 are explained. The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that focus preset position information is added as a lens preset information item in the lens data transmission request made by the camera microcomputer 206 via the communication unit.

[0072] The preset focus position information is the following focus position information, which is stored in the first focus storage unit 132 and used for focus drive commands. In response to a request to send lens data from the camera microcomputer 206 to the lens microcomputer 111, the camera microcomputer 206 obtains the preset focus position information from the lens microcomputer 111.

[0073] exist Figure 8 In S202, instead of the focus position information in S102 of Embodiment 1, focus preset position information is obtained from the interchangeable lens 100 and stored in the third focus storage unit 213.

[0074] In Embodiment 1, focus position information based on changes in AF and MF is used, while in Embodiment 2, focus preset position information stored in the first focus storage unit 132 is used. In Embodiment 1, if a lens preset operation is performed simultaneously with driving the focusing lens 105, the time lag between the user operation and S102 may cause a small error between the information stored in the first focus storage unit 132 and the information stored in the third focus storage unit 213. In Embodiment 2, by acquiring the focus preset position information, the generation of this error can be suppressed. Therefore, as... Figure 9 As shown, it can display detailed lens preset positions. Because it can digitally reproduce the focus position in detail, the detailed preset position display simplifies the user's operation when shooting moving images, etc.

[0075] (Other embodiments)

[0076] In Embodiment 1, a display with a distance bar and a triangular marker is used to distinguish between the camera preset position display and the lens preset position display. However, a bar indicating the preset position can be provided within the distance bar, such as... Figure 10 The symbols "A" and "B" are shown in the diagram. In this case, for example, the camera and lens can be identified by changing the display colors of "A" and "B". Figure 11 As shown, even without registered location information, it can display whether each of the camera and lens has registered a preset location. Figure 11 The "A'" and "B'" in the code enable checking the registration status by, for example, whether there is flashing.

[0077] Furthermore, it is not always necessary to display the focus preset related to the camera state, and the user can check this display via the menu screen. The display of Example 2 can be shown not only when performing the focus preset operation, but also when selecting the focus preset operation from the menu screen. Figure 9 The display.

[0078] These embodiments are designed to reduce the display area for focus preset functions in the display unit. By reducing the display area, users can focus more on capturing images.

[0079] In this case, the camera preset button 210, camera recall button 211, lens preset button 130, and lens recall button 131 are described as separate operation parts, but it is not necessary to provide each of these buttons separately.

[0080] For example, alternative embodiments may be adopted, such as a single actuating element (initiated when pressed for a short time and preset when pressed for a long time) and a selector switch (which toggles the function of the actuating element between initiation and preset).

[0081] The camera preset button 210 and the camera recall button 211 are not necessarily provided as physical controls, but can be provided as touch icons displayed on the display unit 204, such as... Figure 12 As shown.

[0082] These embodiments are variations for optimizing the operating unit in an optical device, and are used according to the frequency of user use of the focus preset function in the product.

[0083] While the above embodiments include examples of setting / registering and recalling presets for focus (focusing lens unit), this disclosure is not limited thereto. This can also be applied to setting / registering and recalling presets for optical systems including at least one of focus, zoom (zoom lens unit), and aperture stop, to enjoy the effects of the embodiments described.

[0084] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and variations may be made within the scope of its spirit.

[0085] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An optical device comprising a camera assembly and a lens assembly, wherein the lens assembly is attachable to and detachable from the camera assembly. in, The lens assembly includes: an optical system; a driving unit configured to drive a focusing lens unit included in the optical system; a detector configured to detect the position of the focusing lens unit; a first storage unit configured to store the position of the focusing lens unit; a first registration operation unit configured to cause the first storage unit to store the position of the focusing lens unit as a first registered position; a first recall operation unit configured to cause the driving unit to drive the focusing lens unit to the first registered position; and a lens communication unit configured to communicate with the camera assembly. The camera device includes: a camera communication unit configured to communicate with the lens device; a second storage unit configured to store the position of the focusing lens unit; a second registration operation unit configured to cause the second storage unit to store the position of the focusing lens unit as a second registered position; a second recall operation unit configured to control the drive unit to drive the focusing lens unit to the second registered position; a display unit; and an imaging element configured to capture an image formed by the lens device. The information communicated between the lens communication unit and the camera communication unit includes: first information and second information sent from the lens communication unit to the camera communication unit, wherein the first information includes at least one of the first registration operation unit and the first invocation operation unit; and the second information includes location information based on the detector. The display units perform a first display and a second display in different ways. The first display is based on the first information, or on both the first information and the second information. The second display is based on the third information related to the user's operation of at least one of the second registration operation unit and the second call operation unit, or on the third information and the second information.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The display unit displays the information stored in the second storage unit.

3. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein, The second storage unit stores the location information obtained via the camera communication unit based on the detection in the detector when the first registration operation unit is operated.

4. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein, The second storage unit stores the first registration location obtained via the camera communication unit.

5. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The location information includes at least one of: address information detected by the detector, characteristic information obtained based on the address information, and information about a region including the location detected by the detector, wherein the region is one of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the movement range of the focusing lens unit.

6. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The optical system includes a zoom lens unit.

7. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The optical system includes an aperture stop.

8. A lens device included in an optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A camera device comprising an optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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