Control device, lens device, camera device, and operating device

Abstract

To provide a control device which is advantageous in terms of operability.SOLUTION: A control device is provided, comprising a setting unit (104, 105) for setting a displacement of an autofocus range per unit operation of an operating member designed to be operated to move the autofocus range, and a processing unit (107) for moving the autofocus range by an amount different from the displacement set by the setting unit so as to move the position of the autofocus range to a reference position of a movable range of the autofocus range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a lens device, a camera device, and an operation device.

Background Art

[0002] In a lens device having an autofocus function (also referred to as an AF function or an automatic focusing function), it is known to focus on a subject within a target area (also referred to as a focusing area) set by a user in a shooting area. The setting of the target area can be performed by specifying the position and size of a rectangular frame (also referred to as an AF frame) displayed on the screen of the display unit. The setting can be performed on an operation device (for example, a focus demand) communicatively connected to the lens device. The user can set the target area by instructing the movement or size of the AF frame on the operation device. The AF frame can be moved from the center of the screen to an arbitrary position within the screen. Patent Document 1 discloses an autofocus system (control device) that switches between coarse adjustment and fine adjustment of the position of the AF frame according to the magnitude of the tilt angle of a joystick (operation member).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Although the control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can switch between coarse adjustment and fine adjustment, the user cannot set the amount of movement of the frame per unit operation (specific operation) on the operation member, which is disadvantageous in terms of operability. An object of the present invention is to provide, for example, a control device that is advantageous in terms of operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a setting unit that sets the amount of movement of the automatic focusing region per unit operation of an operating member that is operated to move the automatic focusing region, The control device is characterized by having a processing unit that moves the automatic focusing region by an amount different from the amount of movement set by the setting unit, so as to move the position of the automatic focusing region to a reference position of the movable region of the automatic focusing region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a control device that is advantageous in terms of operability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figures showing examples of the configuration of imaging devices according to Embodiments 1 to 4. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the processing results in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating the processing results in Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 3. [Figure 7] A diagram illustrating the processing results in Embodiment 3. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 4. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating the processing results in Embodiment 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout the drawings illustrating the embodiments, the same reference numerals will be used for identical components, etc., unless otherwise specified, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 shows an example configuration of an imaging device according to Embodiments 1 to 4. In the figure, the lens device 100 has a function to change the optical characteristics and forms an image of the target object. The lens device 100 includes an optical member 101, a control unit 102, a position detection unit 103, a setting input unit 104, a setting processing unit 105, a storage unit 106, a placement processing unit 107, a focus state detection unit 108, a target position generation unit 109, and a communication unit 110. The optical member 101 is movable to change the optical characteristics, and in this case, it is a group of lenses for changing the focus (object distance). The control unit 102 controls the position of the optical member 101. The position detection unit 103 detects the position of the optical member 101. The control unit 102 controls the position of the optical member 101 based on the output (detection result) of the position detection unit 103. The setting input unit 104 makes input for setting the AF frame (autofocus area) based on user operation. The setting processing unit 105 processes the settings related to the AF frame based on the input from the setting input unit 104. The setting input unit 104 and the setting processing unit 105 (collectively referred to as the setting unit) set at least one of the amount of movement of the AF frame per unit operation of the operating member (described later) used to indicate the direction of movement of the AF frame, and the size of the AF frame. The setting unit sets the amount of movement (unit movement amount) based on the pixel pitch of the image sensor (described later) that takes an image to acquire the focus state. The storage unit 106 stores the contents of the setting based on the processing of the setting processing unit 105. The placement processing unit 107 moves the AF frame based on the information from the setting processing unit 105 and the communication unit 110 (the setting and the operation of the operating member).

[0010] The focus state detection unit 108 is a so-called phase difference detection unit capable of detecting the amount of defocus, although it is not limited to this. The focus state detection unit 108 includes an image sensor that captures a pair of images of an object formed by a portion of the light transmitted through the optical element 101. The focus state detection unit 108 generates a phase difference signal from the subject image within the AF frame and outputs it to the target position generation unit 109. The target position generation unit 109 obtains information regarding the arrangement of the AF frame from the arrangement processing unit 107 and outputs it to the focus state detection unit 108. Based on the phase difference signal obtained, the target position of the subject is calculated and the target position of the optical element 101 is generated. The generated target position is output to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 controls the position of the optical element 101 based on the target position and the position of the optical element 101 detected by the position detection unit 103. The communication unit 110 has the function of communicating with external devices (such as the camera device 200 and operating device 300 described later).

[0011] In Figure 1, the camera device 200 (also called the imaging device body) has the function of capturing (imaging) an image formed by the lens device 100. The camera device 200 includes a communication unit 201, an imaging unit 202, and a display unit 203. The communication unit 201 has the function of communicating with external devices (such as the lens device 100 and the operating device 300 described later). Here, the communication unit 201 communicates with the communication unit 110 of the lens device 100 by wire or wireless. The imaging unit 202 includes an image sensor that captures (photoelectrically converts) an image formed through the optical element 101 of the lens device 100, and has the function of generating image data (moving data). The display unit 203 has the function of displaying the image data generated by the imaging unit 202. The display unit 203 may constitute a so-called viewfinder (viewfinder). The display unit 203 also has the function of superimposing data received by the communication unit 201 onto the displayed image. Therefore, the display unit 203 can overlay and display information regarding the AF frame transmitted from the communication unit 110 of the lens device 100 and received by the communication unit 201 onto the displayed image.

[0012] Furthermore, in Figure 1, the operating device 300 has the function of operating the lens device 100. The operating device 300 includes a communication unit 301, a first operating member 302, and a second operating member 303. The communication unit 301 has the function of communicating with external devices (such as the lens device 100 and the camera device 200). The communication unit 301 communicates with the communication unit 110 of the lens device 100 by wire or wireless. The first operating member 302 is operated by the user to indicate the direction of movement of the AF frame (for example, one of the directions up, down, left, or right). The information of the direction of movement indicated by the first operating member 302 is transmitted to the lens device 100 via the communication unit 301. As a result, the AF frame is moved in the indicated direction of movement. Here, the amount of movement of the AF frame per unit operation of the first operating member 302 is determined based on the settings made by the setting input unit 104 and the setting processing unit 105 of the lens device 100 described above. The second operating member 303 is operated by the user to indicate the size of the AF frame (for example, the vertical size and at least one of the horizontal size). The size information indicated by the second operating member 303 is transmitted to the lens device 100 via the communication unit 301. As a result, the AF frame is changed to the indicated size.

[0013] As described above, the lens device 100, camera device 200, and operating device 300 are configured such that the placement of the AF frame can be performed by the placement processing unit 107. The information on the placement of the AF frame is used to execute the AF function (generate the target position of the optical element 101) in the target position generation unit 109 of the lens device 100. The placement of the AF frame is also displayed superimposed on the image obtained by imaging on the display unit 203 of the camera device 200. This allows the user to move the AF frame by operating the setting input unit 104 of the lens device 100 and the first operating member 302 and second operating member 303 of the operating device 300 while looking at the display unit 203 of the camera device 200. The placement of the AF frame superimposed on the image corresponds to the autofocus area in the focus state detection unit 108. Therefore, by looking at the placement of the AF frame superimposed on the image, the autofocus area in the focus state detection unit 108 can be confirmed. This allows for accurate placement of the autofocus area in the focus state detection unit 108.

[0014] Here, Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 1. This processing is performed, for example, periodically by the arrangement processing unit 107 after the lens device 100 is started. Note that this processing may be performed by a control device that controls the arrangement of the autofocus area (the same applies to other embodiments). The control device has a setting unit (which may include a setting input unit 104 and a setting processing unit 105) that sets at least one of the amount of movement of the autofocus area per unit operation of an operating member operated to indicate the direction of movement of the autofocus area and the size of the autofocus area. The control device also has a processing unit (which may include the arrangement processing unit 107) that moves the autofocus area based on the operation of the operating member and the setting. Such a control device is not limited to being included in the lens device as shown in Figure 1, but may be included in at least one or at least two of the lens device, camera device, or operating device.

[0015] In Figure 2, first, in step S101, it is determined whether the AF frame is in contact with the edge of the movable area of ​​the AF frame (also called the movable area edge). The movable area may be the same as the imaging area, or it may be a narrower area than the imaging area. If the AF frame is in contact with the edge, the process is terminated. The reason the process is terminated here is that if the AF frame is in contact with the edge of the movable area, the AF frame can only be moved in one direction away from the edge of the movable area, which may result in an excessive amount of movement of the AF frame in some cases. If the AF frame is not in contact with the edge, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the settings related to the AF frame are acquired. These settings include at least one of the amount of movement of the AF frame per unit operation of the first operating member in the operating device 300 (unit movement amount) and the size of the AF frame. In step S103, the distance between the center of the AF frame (representative position) and the center of the movable area (reference position) is acquired (calculated). The distance is obtained for both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0016] In step S104, based on the distance obtained in step S103, it is determined whether the center of the AF frame can move to the center of the movable area (whether the distance between the representative position of the autofocus area and the reference position of the movable area of the autofocus area is an integer multiple of the unit displacement amount). This determination can be made based on whether the distance obtained in step S103 is divisible by the movement amount obtained in step S102. If it is divisible, it is determined that the center of the AF frame can move to the center of the movable area; if it is not divisible, it is determined that the center of the AF frame cannot move to the center of the movable area. If the center of the AF frame can move to the center of the movable area, the process is terminated; if the center of the AF frame cannot move to the center of the movable area, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the AF frame is moved so that the center of the AF frame can move to the center of the movable area (the distance between the representative position of the autofocus area and the reference position of the movable area of the autofocus area is an integer multiple of the unit displacement amount). For this movement, the remainder of the division in step S104 can be used. The AF frame can be moved in the direction closer to the center of the movable area by the amount of the remainder, or the AF frame can be moved in the direction away from the center of the movable area by the difference between the unit displacement amount and the remainder. Here, the smaller of the remainder and the difference is selected and the AF frame is moved in the corresponding direction. That is, it is preferable to move the autofocus area to the position closest to where the distance between the representative position of the autofocus area and the reference position of the movable area of the autofocus area is an integer multiple of the unit displacement amount. By this process, the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable area.

[0017] Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the processing result in Embodiment 1. The upper part of this figure shows the state where the center of the AF frame that was at the center of the movable region (on the center line) when the unit momentum is 4 has been moved by two unit operations of the operation member 302 in the left direction. Since the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable region is 8, the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable region by two unit operations of the operation member 302 in the right direction. However, when the unit momentum is changed from 4 to 5 in the state shown in the upper part of this figure, since the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable region is 8, the center of the AF frame cannot be moved to the center of the movable region. Therefore, in this case, a process of moving the AF frame is performed so that the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable region. For example, the AF frame can be moved 3 to the right to make the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable region 5, or the AF frame can be moved 2 to the left to make the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable region 10. Here, the latter with a smaller movement amount of the AF frame is adopted. As a result, the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable region by two unit operations of the operation member 302 in the right direction. Note that although FIG. 3 illustrates the process regarding the movement in the left - right direction, the same process may be performed for the movement in the up - down direction.

[0018] Through the above - mentioned processing, even when the settings are changed by the setting input unit 104 and the setting processing unit 105, the center of the AF frame can be returned to the center of the movable region by operating the first operation member 302. Therefore, the user can move the center of the AF frame to the center of the movable region or arrange the center of the AF frame at positions symmetric to each other with respect to the center of the movable region, thereby providing a control device that is advantageous in terms of operability.

[0019] Note that the configuration of the imaging device in Figure 1 is an example, and the control device described above may be included in at least one or at least two of the lens device, camera device, or operating device. If the control device is not included in the lens device, the same processing as described above can be performed by transmitting the necessary information to the lens device 100 via the communication unit of each device. Also, if the control device is included in the operating device 300, information obtained by combining the operation of the first operating member 302 and the operation of the second operating member 303 may be transmitted to the lens device 100. Furthermore, the display unit is not limited to the display unit 203 included in the camera device 200, but may be included in at least one of the lens device, camera device, or operating device. In that case, the information on the arrangement of the AF frame generated by the control device (arrangement processing unit 107) is not limited to the display unit of the camera device, but can be displayed on the display unit of the lens device or operating device.

[0020] [Embodiment 2] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 2. This processing is performed periodically, for example, by the arrangement processing unit 107 after the lens device 100 is started. First, in step S201, it is determined whether there is an input based on the operation of the first operating member 302 in the operating device 300. If there is no such input, the processing is terminated. If there is such input, the processing proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the settings related to the AF frame are acquired. These settings include at least one of the amount of movement of the AF frame per unit operation of the first operating member in the operating device 300 (unit movement amount) and the size of the AF frame. In step S203, the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is acquired (calculated). The direction in which this distance is acquired is the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, but here the distance in the direction related to the operation of the first operating member 302 is acquired.

[0021] In step S204, it is determined whether the center of the AF frame can move to the center of the movable area based on the distance obtained in step S203. This determination is made by checking whether the distance obtained in step S203 is divisible by the unit movement amount obtained in step S202. If the distance is divisible by the unit movement amount, the process is terminated. If the distance is not divisible by the unit movement amount, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the AF frame is moved so that its center can move to the center of the movable area. The remainder of the division in step S204 may be used for this movement. The AF frame can be moved either in the direction closer to the center of the movable area by the amount of the remainder, or in the direction further away from the center of the movable area by the difference between the unit movement amount and the remainder. Here, the smaller of the remainder and the difference is selected to move the AF frame in the corresponding direction. This process allows the center of the AF frame to be moved to the center of the movable area.

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates the processing results in Embodiment 2. The upper part of the figure shows the state after two unit operations of the operating member 302 have been performed to the left from the center of the movable area when the unit movement amount is 4, and then the unit movement amount has been changed from 4 to 5. Here, since the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is 8, the center of the AF frame cannot be moved to the center of the movable area with a unit movement amount of 5. The lower part of the figure shows the result of input by unit operation of the operating member 302. The left side of the lower part of the figure shows the case when the unit operation is performed to the left, and the right side of the lower part of the figure shows the case when the unit operation is performed to the right. When the unit operation is performed to the left, the actual movement amount is set to 2 for a unit movement amount of 5, and the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is set to 10. On the other hand, when the unit operation is performed to the right, the actual movement amount is set to 3 for a unit movement amount of 5, and the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is set to 5. In this way, the unit movement amount in subsequent unit operations can be set to 5, and the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable area.

[0023] As described above, when an input related to the operation of the first operating member 302 is received from the operating device 300 after the settings have been changed by the setting input unit 104 and the setting processing unit 105, the AF frame is moved. This allows the center of the operating AF frame to be moved to the center of the movable area by subsequent unit operations of the first operating member 302. This reduces the user's discomfort associated with the movement of the AF frame. Through the above process, even if the settings are changed by the setting input unit 104 and the setting processing unit 105, the center of the AF frame can be returned to the center of the movable area by unit operations of the first operating member 302. Therefore, the user can move the center of the AF frame to the center of the movable area, or position the center of the AF frame symmetrically with respect to the center of the movable area, thereby providing a control device that is advantageous in terms of operability.

[0024] [Embodiment 3] Figure 6 illustrates the processing flow in Embodiment 3. This process is performed periodically, for example, by the placement processing unit 107 after the lens device 100 is started. First, in step S301, it is determined whether an operation to reduce the size of the AF frame by operating the second operating member has been input. If this operation has not been input, the process is terminated. If this operation has been input, the process proceeds to step S302 after the size of the AF frame has been reduced. In step S302, it is determined whether the AF frame before reduction was in contact with the edge of the movable area. If the AF frame before reduction was not in contact with the edge of the movable area, the process is terminated. If the AF frame before reduction was in contact with the edge of the movable area, the process proceeds to step S303. In step S303, information on the unit movement amount is obtained from the setting processing unit 105. In step S304, the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is obtained (calculated). This distance can be measured vertically or horizontally, but here it refers to the distance in which the size of the AF frame is reduced.

[0025] In step S305, it is determined whether the center of the AF frame can move to the center of the movable area based on the distance obtained in step S304. This determination is made by checking whether the distance obtained in step S304 is divisible by the unit movement amount obtained in step S303. If the distance is divisible by the unit movement amount, the process is terminated. If the distance is not divisible by the unit movement amount, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the AF frame is moved to a position where it can move to the center of the movable area. The remainder of the division in step S305 is used for this movement. The AF frame is either moved toward the center of the movable area by the amount of the remainder, or moved toward the center of the movable area by the difference between the unit movement amount and the remainder. In this embodiment, the AF frame is moved toward the side closer to the edge of the movable area within the movable area of ​​the AF frame. Through this process, the AF frame can be positioned so that its center can move toward the center of the movable area.

[0026] Figure 7 illustrates the processing results in Embodiment 3. The upper part of the figure shows the state before the AF frame size is reduced, and the lower part shows the state after the AF frame size is reduced. The upper part shows the state where the AF frame reaches the edge of the movable area in three unit operations to the left from the center of the movable area when the unit movement amount is 10. Here, since the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is 22, the center of the AF frame cannot be moved to the center of the movable area by operating to the right. The lower part shows the case when the size of the AF frame is reduced. As a result of this reduction, the AF frame no longer touches the edge of the movable area. Therefore, the AF frame is moved so that its center can move to the center of the movable area. Here, the center of the AF frame is moved to the position closest to the edge of the movable area, at a distance of 20, which is divisible by the unit movement amount of 10. This makes it possible to move the center of the AF frame to the center of the movable area in two unit operations to the right. Figure 7 illustrates the movement of the AF frame in the left-right direction, but the movement of the AF frame in the up-down direction can be done similarly.

[0027] As described above, when a unit operation is input to the AF frame at the edge of the movable area by the first operating member 302 of the operating device 300, the AF frame is moved, thereby moving the center of the AF frame to the center of the movable area. Therefore, the AF frame can be moved to the edge of the movable area, and the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable area or a position symmetrical with respect to that center, thereby providing a control device that is advantageous in terms of operability.

[0028] [Embodiment 4] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow in Embodiment 4. This processing is performed periodically, for example, by the placement processing unit 107 after the lens device 100 is started. First, in step S401, it is determined whether an operation to move the AF frame has been input by the first operating member 302 of the operating device 300. If no such operation has been input, the process is terminated. If the such operation has been input, the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, information on the unit movement amount is obtained from the setting processing unit 105. In step S403, it is determined whether the center of the AF frame passes through the center of the movable area when the AF frame is moved by the unit movement amount. The distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area can be in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, but here it is the direction related to the operation to move the AF frame. If the center of the AF frame does not pass through the center of the movable area, the process is terminated. If the center of the AF frame passes through the center of the movable area, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, the center of the AF frame is moved to the center of the movable area. That is, if it is determined that the representative position passes the reference position due to a unit operation of the operating member, the representative position is moved by an amount different from the unit movement amount to move the representative position to the reference position. Through this process, the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable area.

[0029] Here, Figure 9 illustrates the processing results in Embodiment 4. In this figure, the upper side shows the state before the movement operation by the first operating member 302 of the operating device 300, and the lower side shows the state after the movement operation by the first operating member 302. The upper side shows the case where the unit movement amount is set to 10 and the distance between the center of the AF frame and the center of the movable area is 8. In this case, even if the unit movement amount is moved to the right, the center of the AF frame cannot be moved to the center of the movable area. The lower side shows the result of moving to the right by only one unit movement amount. In response to this operation, the center of the AF frame has moved to the center of the movable area. As a result, even if the first operating member 302 is operated afterward, the center of the AF frame can be returned to the center of the movable area. Although Figure 9 shows movement only in the left-right direction, the same processing can be performed in the up-down direction as well.

[0030] As described above, if the center of the AF frame passes through the center of the movable area due to operation by a unit amount, the center of the AF frame is stopped at the center of the movable area. Through this process, the center of the AF frame can be moved to the center of the movable area or a position symmetrical with respect to that center without any additional movement of the AF frame, thereby providing a control device that is advantageous in terms of operability. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 104 Setting Input Section 105 Setting Processing Unit 107 Arrangement Processing Unit

Claims

1. a setting unit that sets a unit movement amount of the autofocus region per unit operation amount of an operating member that is operated to move the autofocus region; a processing unit that moves the autofocus area by an amount different from the unit movement amount depending on the distance from the center position of the autofocus area to a reference position of a movable area of ​​the autofocus area.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit sets the unit movement amount based on a pixel pitch of an image pickup element that captures an image for acquiring a focus state.

3. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit moves the autofocus area to a position where the distance is an integer multiple of the unit movement amount.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the processing unit moves the autofocus area when the change in the unit movement amount causes the distance to be no longer an integer multiple of the unit movement amount.

5. 5. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the processing unit moves the autofocus area to the closest position where the distance becomes an integer multiple of the unit movement amount.

6. 6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit moves the autofocus area by an amount different from the unit movement amount so that the autofocus area comes into contact with an end of the movable area.

7. 7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit moves the autofocus area to a position where the distance is an integer multiple of the unit movement amount after reducing the autofocus area.

8. The control device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the operating member is operated by a unit operation amount so that the center position of the autofocus area passes through the reference position, the processing unit moves the autofocus area by an amount different from the unit movement amount, thereby moving the center position of the autofocus area to the reference position.

9. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable area is an imaging area.

10. An optical member that moves during focusing; A lens device comprising the control device according to claim 1 .

11. 11. The lens apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an image sensor for capturing an image for acquiring a focus state.

12. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and an imaging element for capturing an image formed by the optical member.

13. 13. The camera device according to claim 12, further comprising a display unit that displays the autofocus area.

14. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and a first operating member that is operated to move the automatic focusing area.

15. 15. The operating device according to claim 14, further comprising a second operating member that is operated to change the size of the autofocus area.

Images