Lens barrel and control apparatus

Abstract

To provide a lens barrel and a control apparatus which can suppress overwriting of a set focus position.SOLUTION: A lens barrel includes a detection section that detects a state of an optical element, a driving section that drives so as to change a state of the optical element, and a storage section that stores a predetermined state of the optical element. The lens barrel can be switched between a storage mode for storing the predetermined state in the storage section and a reproduction mode in which the driving section transfers the state of the optical element to the predetermined state. The lens barrel enables the storage section to repeatedly store the predetermined state in the storage mode and prohibits the storage section from storing the predetermined state in the reproduction mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens barrel and a control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to instantaneously and surely focus on a subject in an assumed scene during shooting of sports or the like, an interchangeable lens having a focus preset function for calling a preset focus position is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a setting button provided on the release side of a camera and a call button provided in front of the lens are used to set and call a focus position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=?]] [[ID=?]]

【Patent Document ] Japanese Patent No. 4171980

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is a case where another focus position may be unintentionally overwritten on the set focus position. When the focus preset function is executed in such a case, an unintended focus position is called, leading to missing the scene to be photographed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel and a control device capable of suppressing overwriting of a set focus position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=4?]] It should be noted that the tags with "?" in the translation are the same as the original tags in the input text, as required by the rules. The original text seems to have some tags with consecutive "?" which might be a formatting or input error in the original, but they are preserved as is during translation.A lens barrel as one aspect of the present invention comprises a detection unit for detecting the state of an optical element, a drive unit for driving a change in the state of the optical element, and a storage unit for storing a predetermined state of the optical element. The lens barrel is switchable between a storage mode in which the storage unit stores a predetermined state and a reproduction mode in which the drive unit transitions the state of the optical element to the predetermined state. In the storage mode, the storage unit can repeatedly store the predetermined state, and in the reproduction mode, the storage unit is prohibited from storing the predetermined state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens barrel and control device that can suppress the overwriting of the set focus position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the camera system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the operation buttons in the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the camera system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the camera system according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numeral is used for identical components, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera system includes an interchangeable lens (lens barrel) 100 and a camera body 200.

[0011] 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) provided on the mount, and uses the supplied power to control various actuators and a lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "lens microcontroller") 111, which will be described later.

[0012] The camera body 200 includes an image sensor 201 including a phase-detection AF sensor, a signal processing circuit 202, a recording processing unit 203, a display unit 204, an operation unit 205, and a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as camera microcontroller) 206. The camera body 200 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 via a communication terminal (not shown) provided on the mount and controls the interchangeable lens 100 by sending control commands.

[0013] The image sensor 201 converts the subject image formed by the imaging optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 into an electrical signal (analog signal) via photoelectric conversion and outputs an electrical signal. An A / D conversion circuit (not shown) converts the analog signal from the image sensor 201 into a digital signal.

[0014] The signal processing circuit 202 performs various image processing operations on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit to generate a video signal, and outputs the generated video signal to the recording processing unit 203 and the display unit 204. The signal processing circuit 202 also generates focus information, which indicates the contrast state of the subject image, i.e., the focal state of the imaging optical system, and luminance information, which represents the exposure state, from the video signal.

[0015] The recording processing unit 203 stores the video signal as still images or moving image data in external memory or the like.

[0016] The display unit 204 is the rear LCD or electronic viewfinder of the camera body 200, and displays the video signal as a live view image used to check the composition, focus status, etc.

[0017] The camera microcomputer 206 controls the camera body 200 in response to inputs such as the imaging instruction switch and various setting switches included in the operation unit 205. The camera microcomputer 206 transmits a control command regarding the focus adjustment operation of the focus lens 105 according to the focus information generated from the output of the phase difference detection pixels (not shown) provided in the imaging device 201 to the lens microcomputer 111.

[0018] The interchangeable lens 100 includes an imaging optical system including optical elements, various actuators which are drive units that drive to change the state of the optical elements, various control units that control the actuators, a focus lens operation ring 110, and a lens microcomputer 111. Further, the interchangeable lens 100 includes a set button 130, a changeover switch (operation unit) 131 for switching various modes, and a storage unit 132.

[0019] The imaging optical system includes a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102 that performs zooming, an aperture unit 103 that adjusts the light amount, an image shake correction lens 104, and a focus lens 105 that performs a focus adjustment operation.

[0020] The lens microcomputer 111 controls the operations of each part within the interchangeable lens 100. Also, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the control commands transmitted from the camera body 200 and performs lens control corresponding to the control commands. Further, the lens microcomputer 111 receives a transmission request for lens data or a reception request for camera data, and transmits the lens data corresponding to the transmission request to the camera body 200 or receives data from the camera body 200.

[0021] The lens microcomputer 111 issues commands to the aperture control unit 107 and the focus lens control unit 109 in response to commands regarding light amount adjustment and focusing among the control commands, and drives the aperture unit 103 and the focus lens 105. Also, the lens microcomputer 111 issues a command to the focus lens control unit 109 according to the operation amount of the focus lens operation ring 110, drives the focus lens 105, and controls the focus adjustment operation.

[0022] Further, the lens microcomputer 111 may have a function of acquiring the mode set in the interchangeable lens 100 and a function of prohibiting execution of operations other than the operations of the set mode as will be described later. Alternatively, a control device having an acquisition unit that acquires the mode set in the interchangeable lens 100 and a control unit that prohibits execution of operations other than the operations of the set mode may be configured as a device separate from the interchangeable lens 100.

[0023] When a zoom operation ring connected to a zoom mechanism (not shown) is operated by the user, the zoom lens 102 moves along the optical axis indicated by a broken line in the figure. By moving the zoom lens 102, zooming is performed to change the focal length of the photographic optical system. The zoom lens position detection unit 106 detects the position of the zoom lens using a position detection sensor such as a variable resistor and outputs position data to the lens microcomputer 111. The output position data is used by the lens microcomputer 111 to control the generation of focal length information.

[0024] The aperture unit 103 includes sensors such as aperture blades and a photo interrupter. The state of the aperture blades is detected by the sensor and output to the lens microcomputer 111. The aperture control unit 107 outputs a drive signal in accordance with a command from the lens microcomputer 111 to drive an actuator such as a stepping motor or a voice coil motor. Thereby, the aperture unit 103 adjusts the amount of light.

[0025] The image shake correction lens 104 moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographic optical system to reduce image shake caused by camera shake or the like. The image shake correction lens control unit 108 outputs a drive signal in accordance with a command from the lens microcomputer 111 in response to the detected shake by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro to drive an anti-shake actuator. Thereby, anti-shake processing for controlling the shift operation of the image shake correction lens 104 is performed.

[0026] The focus lens 105 is movable along the optical axis shown by the dashed line in the figure. A focus position detection sensor 112, such as a photointerrupter, detects the position of the focus lens 105 and outputs the position information of the focus lens 105 to the lens microcontroller 111. The focus lens control unit 109, in response to a command from the lens microcontroller 111, outputs a drive signal to drive the focus drive unit 113, thereby adjusting the focus by moving the focus lens 105.

[0027] The focusing operation using the focus lens 105 includes autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF), which adjusts the focus automatically, and manual focus (hereinafter referred to as MF), which adjusts the focus manually. In addition, there is a focus preset that moves the focus lens 105 to a predetermined focus position, that is, moves the focus lens 105 to a predetermined state.

[0028] In AF mode, the camera microcontroller 206 calculates the focus position of the focus lens 105 from focus information generated from the output of phase-difference detection pixels located in the image sensor 201, and transmits a control command related to focusing to the lens microcontroller 111. In response to the control command, the lens microcontroller 111 issues a command to the focus lens control unit 109 to drive the focus drive unit 113 and control the focus adjustment operation.

[0029] In manual focus mode, the lens microcontroller 111 controls the focus adjustment operation by issuing commands to the focus lens control unit 109 to drive the focus drive unit 113 according to the amount of movement of the focus lens operation ring 110. (First embodiment) The focus preset of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the camera system of this embodiment, and is a top view of the camera system of Figure 1.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2(a), the set button 130 and the toggle switch 131 are located on the outer circumference of the interchangeable lens 100. The toggle switch 131 is movable along the optical axis and is operated to position it in the position indicating "A", "B", or "C". In this embodiment, the function switches depending on the position of the toggle switch 131, and the function corresponding to the position of the toggle switch 131 is executed by operating the set button 130.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the toggle switch 131 is positioned to display "A", the interchangeable lens 100 enters a function execution mode in which it can execute a function arbitrarily selected by the user. In the function execution mode, when the lens microcontroller 111 recognizes the operation of the set button 130, the lens microcontroller 111 transmits operation information to the camera microcontroller 206. Based on the operation information, the camera microcontroller 206 executes a pre-assigned custom function operation. Custom function operations include, for example, switching the AF mode ON / OFF, switching the electronic zoom ON / OFF, and starting / stopping video recording.

[0032] When the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "B", the interchangeable lens 100 enters memory mode, which is the function assigned to display "B". In memory mode, when the lens microcontroller 111 recognizes the operation of the set button 130, the focus position setting operation is executed. Specifically, the user moves the focus position to an arbitrary position using AF or MF, and then operates the set button 130. Subsequently, when the set button 130 is operated in memory mode, the lens microcontroller 111 acquires the position information of the focus lens 105 from the focus position detection sensor 112 and stores the acquired position information in the storage unit 132. In this embodiment, in memory mode, the position information of the focus lens 105 acquired from the focus position detection sensor 112 is called the setting information of the focus lens 105 (a predetermined state of the focus lens 105). In memory mode, it is possible to repeatedly store the setting information of the focus lens 105 in the storage unit 132.

[0033] Furthermore, when the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "C", the interchangeable lens 100 enters the reproduction mode, which is the function assigned to the "C" display. In reproduction mode, when the lens microcontroller 111 recognizes the operation of the set button 130, the focus position recall operation is performed. In reproduction mode, when the set button 130 is operated, the lens microcontroller 111 obtains the setting information of the focus lens 105 from the memory unit 132. Subsequently, the lens microcontroller 111 issues a command to the focus lens control unit 109 to drive the focus lens 105 to the set position.

[0034] In this embodiment, the memory mode and the recall mode are mutually exclusive. That is, in this embodiment, it is prohibited to perform any operation other than the operation of the mode corresponding to the position of the toggle switch 131. Specifically, in recall mode, it is prohibited to perform the operation of setting the focus position, i.e., to store the setting position of the focus lens 105 in the memory unit 132. With this configuration, when the user completes the operation of setting the focus position and switches the toggle switch 131, it is possible to suppress overwriting of the set focus position due to erroneous operation. This makes it possible to reliably recall the set focus position when using the focus preset function.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the toggle switch 131 is positioned to display "A", the interchangeable lens 100 is in a mode that allows it to perform general-purpose functions other than focus preset. This makes it possible for users who do not use focus preset to effectively use the set button 130.

[0036] Furthermore, a three-level toggle switch like the 131 has the problem of being difficult to stop in the middle position. Therefore, in this embodiment, the function assigned to the middle position of the toggle switch 131 is set to a memory mode that is not operated during shooting. In addition, the functions assigned to the ends of the operating area of ​​the toggle switch 131 are set to a function execution mode and a playback mode that are operated during shooting, making it possible to easily switch instantaneously during shooting.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2(b), the set button 130 may be placed on the toggle switch 131. With this configuration, it is possible to operate the set button 130 and the toggle switch 131 without changing the position of the hand, so that switching between various modes and executing operations can be done more immediately.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(c), a parameter switch 133 may be provided to indicate which parameter—focus, zoom, or aperture value—to process. When the parameter switch 131 is in the position indicating "FOCUS," operating the set button 130 will perform the operation to set the focus position or recall the focus position. When the parameter switch 131 is in the position indicating "IRIS," operating the set button 130 will perform the operation to set the aperture value or recall the aperture value. When the parameter switch 131 is in the position indicating "ZOOM," operating the set button 130 will perform the operation to set the zoom position or recall the zoom position. Alternatively, the camera body 200 may have the same functionality as the parameter switch 133 instead of providing it on the interchangeable lens 100. (Second embodiment) The focus preset of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram relating to the operation amount of the set button 130. The basic operation of the focus preset of this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the set button 130 differs from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration that differs from that of the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the similar configuration will be omitted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the set button 130 can be operated to a first position with a shallow range of motion and a second position with a deeper range of motion, as shown in Figure 3. When the set button 130 is in the first position, a focus position recall operation or a custom function operation is performed. When the set button 130 is in the second position, a focus position setting operation is performed.

[0040] In this embodiment as well, it is prohibited to perform any operation other than the operation of the mode corresponding to the position of the toggle switch 131. For example, when the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "C", that is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to the reproduction mode, the focus position setting operation will not be performed even if the set button 130 is operated to the second position. Also, when the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "B", that is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to the memory mode, the focus position recall operation will not be performed even if the set button 130 is operated to the first position. With this configuration, even if the user forgets to switch the toggle switch 131, they can realize that they have forgotten to switch it because the focus position recall operation will not be performed when the set button 130 is operated to the first position. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress overwriting of the focus position due to erroneous operation. (Third embodiment) The focus preset of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the camera system of this embodiment, and is a top view of the camera system of Figure 1. The basic operation of the focus preset of this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the set button 130 is different from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration that differs from that of the first embodiment will be described, and the similar configuration will not be described.

[0041] In this embodiment, the set button 130 includes a first set button 130a and a second set button 130b. Operating the first set button 130a executes a focus position recall operation or a custom function operation. Operating the second set button 130b executes a focus position setting operation.

[0042] In this embodiment as well, it is prohibited to perform any operation other than the operation of the mode corresponding to the position of the toggle switch 131. For example, when the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "C", that is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to reproduction mode, the focus position setting operation will not be performed even if the first set button 130a is operated. Also, when the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "B", that is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to memory mode, the focus position recall operation will not be performed even if the second set button 130b is operated. With this configuration, it is possible to place the operation buttons in an easy-to-operate position. For example, the set button 130b for performing the focus position setting operation is used when various settings are made, so it should be placed in a position that is easy to operate with the right hand while operating the focus lens operation ring 110 with the left hand. Also, the set button 130a for performing the focus position recall operation and custom function operation should be placed in a position that is easy to operate while supporting the camera system near its center of gravity. (Fourth embodiment) The focus preset of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the camera system of this embodiment, and is a top view of the camera system of Figure 1. The basic operation of the focus preset of this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the set button 130 is different from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration that differs from that of the first embodiment will be described, and the similar configuration will not be described.

[0043] In this embodiment, the set button 130 includes a third set button 130c and a fourth set button 130d. The third set button 130c is operated when performing any of the following: recalling the first focus position, setting the first focus position, or performing a custom function operation. The fourth set button 130d is operated when performing either recalling the second focus position or setting the second focus position.

[0044] In this embodiment, for example, when the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "B", that is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to memory mode, the operation to set the first focus position is performed by operating the third set button 130c. Also, the operation to set the second focus position is performed by operating the fourth set button 130d. When the toggle switch 131 is in the position indicating "C", that is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to recall mode, the operation to recall the first focus position is performed by operating the third set button 130c. Also, the operation to recall the second focus position is performed by operating the fourth set button 130d. With this configuration, it is possible to control the setting and recall operations of multiple focus positions at once, and it is also possible to suppress overwriting of focus positions due to erroneous operation even when multiple focus positions are set.

[0045] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 interchangeable lenses (lens barrels) 102 Zoom lens (optical element) 103 Aperture unit (optical element) 105 Focusing lens (optical element) 106 Zoom lens position detection unit (detection unit) 112 Focus position detection sensor (detection unit) 113 Focus drive unit (drive unit) 132 Storage section

Claims

1. A detection unit for detecting a state of the optical element; A driving unit that drives the optical element so as to change the state of the optical element; A storage unit that stores a predetermined state of the optical element; an operation unit capable of switching among a storage mode in which the storage unit stores the predetermined state, a reproduction mode in which the drive unit transitions the state of the optical element to the predetermined state, and a function execution mode in which a function arbitrarily selected by a user can be executed; a lens barrel switchable among the storage mode, the reproduction mode, and the function execution mode, In the storage mode, the predetermined state can be repeatedly stored in the storage unit, The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein in the reproduction mode, the predetermined state is prohibited from being stored in the storage unit.

2. 2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the storage mode and the reproduction mode exist exclusively.

3. 3. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is switched to at least one of the reproduction mode and the function execution mode when the operation portion is located at an end of an operation area.

4. The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lens barrel is switched to the reproduction mode when the operation unit is located at a first end of an operation area, and is switched to the function execution mode when the operation unit is located at a second end of the operation area.

5. Further comprising an operation button; 5. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein in the memory mode, the predetermined state is stored in the memory section, and in the reproduction mode, the drive section transitions the state of the optical element to the predetermined state, in response to operation of the operation button.

6. The lens barrel as described in claim 5, characterized in that in the function execution mode, the function is executed in response to operation of the operation button.

7. The device further includes a first operation button and a second operation button, In the storage mode, the predetermined state is stored in the storage unit in response to an operation of the first operation button, 7. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein in the reproduction mode, the drive section changes the state of the optical element to the predetermined state in response to an operation of the second operation button.

8. a control device for controlling a lens barrel switchable between a detection unit that detects a state of an optical element, a drive unit that drives the optical element to change the state, a storage unit that stores a predetermined state of the optical element, and an operation unit that can switch among a storage mode in which the storage unit stores the predetermined state, a reproduction mode in which the drive unit transitions the state of the optical element to the predetermined state, and a function execution mode in which a function arbitrarily selected by a user can be executed; an acquisition unit that acquires a mode set in the lens barrel; a control unit that, when the lens barrel is set to the memory mode, enables the memory unit to repeatedly store the specified state, and, when the lens barrel is set to the reproduction mode, prohibits the memory unit from storing the specified state.

Images