Imaging apparatus, method for supporting focusing, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To further reduce preparation before photographing when performing focus control by manual operation.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus has: operation means for moving a position of a focus lens included in an optical system mounted on the apparatus; recording means that, in response to a registration instruction, records the position of the focus lens in a recording medium as an index value in association with information on the optical system including the focus lens and mounted on the apparatus; acquisition means that acquires information for discriminating the optical system mounted on the apparatus; read-out means that, when there is the index value recorded in association with the information on the optical system mounted on the apparatus, reads out the index value from the recording medium on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition means; and control means that controls to display, on display means, the read-out index value and a current position of the focus lens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a focus adjustment assistance method, a program, and a storage medium, and more particularly to a function for assisting a focus adjustment operation in manual focus control. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, when producing video works, the focus on a subject may be adjusted manually during shooting. In this case, there is a function called a focus position guide that supports manual focus operation by registering multiple desired focus lens positions in advance and displaying the registered focus lens positions and the current focus lens position together with the image being prepared for shooting or being shot.

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses that the registered preset position of the focal position is stored in a non-volatile memory of the lens barrel so that it can be referenced again if the power from the camera body is lost due to the lens barrel being detached from the camera body, etc. It also discloses that when the lens barrel is attached to the camera body, the preset position data is read from the non-volatile memory and the focal position of the lens barrel is automatically driven to the preset position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-14892 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, depending on the shooting conditions, there are cases where the user wants to maintain the registration of the multiple registered focus lens positions and cases where the user wants to cancel the registration. In the above conventional example, for example, when the camera is turned off, the lens is replaced, and the power is turned on again, the focus lens position of the lens before the replacement is referenced, and a focus position guide at a position contrary to the user's intention may be displayed.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the stored preset position data is used to automatically drive the focal position of the lens barrel to a preset position, but there is no description of how it can be used in manual focusing.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to further shorten the time required for preparation before shooting when focus control is performed by manual operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the imaging device of the present invention has an operating means for moving the position of a focus lens included in an attached optical system, a recording means for recording the position of the focus lens as an index value in association with information of the attached optical system including the focus lens in response to a registration instruction, an acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying the attached optical system, a reading means for reading out an index value from the recording medium if there is an index value recorded in association with information of the attached optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, and a control means for controlling a display means to display the read index value and the current position of the focus lens. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when focus control is performed by manual operation, the preparation before shooting can be further shortened. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing focus control according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing focus detection processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing AF drive processing according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] Flowchart showing AF restart determination processing according to an embodiment [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart for explaining MF drive processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a focus position guide index determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a focus position guide index registration process according to the first and third embodiments. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart showing a focus position determination process according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of a warning display related to a focus position guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a focus position determination region according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of a focus position determination result according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a focus position guide index determination process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a focus position guide index registration process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a warning display related to a focus position guide according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing a focus position guide index determination process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0012] <First embodiment> Imaging device configuration 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a lens-interchangeable digital camera for taking still images and moving images as an example of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to digital cameras, and the present invention can be applied to various imaging devices.

[0013] The imaging device 1 is mainly composed of a detachable lens unit 200 and a camera body 100, and the lens unit 200 is attached to the camera body 100 when in use.

[0014] In the lens unit 200, the zoom unit 101 includes a zoom lens that changes magnification, and a zoom drive control unit 102 drives and controls the zoom unit 101. The aperture unit 103 has an aperture function, and an aperture drive control unit 104 drives and controls the aperture unit 103. The image blur correction unit 105 includes an image blur correction lens such as a shift lens, and the image blur correction unit 105 and an optical image blur correction control unit 106 perform drive control. The focus unit 107 includes a focus lens that changes the focus position, and a focus drive control unit 108 drives and controls the focus unit 107.

[0015] The lens operation unit 109 includes operation members such as rings for operating the zoom, aperture, and focus (optical system) of the lens described above, and is used by the user to operate the lens unit 200. The lens shake detection unit 110 detects the amount of shake applied to the lens unit 200, and outputs a detection signal to the lens system control unit 111.

[0016] The lens system control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire lens unit 200 and generally controls each drive control unit and correction control unit. The lens system control unit 111 can communicate with the control unit of the camera body unit 100 via a lens communication control unit 112.

[0017] Next, the camera body 100 will be described. In the camera body 100, the shutter unit 113 controls the incidence of light that has passed through the lens unit 200 into the camera body 100. The shutter drive control unit 114 drives and controls the shutter unit 113. The imaging unit 115 includes an imaging element made up of a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like, and photoelectrically converts the light that has passed through the shutter unit 113 to output an electrical signal. Note that the imaging element in this embodiment receives the light that has passed through different exit pupil regions of the lens unit 200, and can output an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light received so that it can be acquired. Then, based on the obtained electrical signal, focus detection can be performed by a so-called imaging surface phase difference method. In addition, electrical signals corresponding to the light that has passed through different exit pupil regions can be added and output.

[0018] The imaging signal processing unit 116 converts the electrical signal output from the imaging unit 115 into a focus detection signal and / or an imaging signal. Then, it outputs the focus detection signal to the camera system control unit 124 and the imaging signal to the video signal processing unit 117. The video signal processing unit 117 processes the imaging signal output from the imaging signal processing unit 116 according to the application. For example, image blur correction can be performed by changing the cut-out position of the video signal according to the correction amount of the electronic image blur correction control unit 123.

[0019] The display unit 118 displays an image based on the video signal output from the video signal processing unit 117, and, if necessary, displays various control information from the lens system control unit 111. The recording unit 119 (recording medium) stores various data including the video information output from the video signal processing unit 117. The power supply unit 120 supplies power to the entire imaging device 1 depending on the application.

[0020] The camera operation unit 121 is used by the user to operate the imaging device 1, and includes a shutter release button for instructing shooting of a still image, a video recording switch for instructing recording of a video, and a selection switch for selecting a playback mode. It also includes a button for selecting whether to enable or disable a focus position guide, which will be described later, and a focus position guide designated value registration decision button, which will be described later. These buttons and switches may be configured as hardware keys or soft keys, or may be configured in combination. It may also have a shift button for operating a focus lens or a zoom lens. Then, a signal according to the operation is output to the camera system control unit 124.

[0021] The shutter release button is configured so that a first switch (SW1) and a second switch (SW2) are turned on in sequence according to the amount of depression. When the user presses the shutter release button about halfway, the first switch SW1 is turned on, and when the user presses the shutter release button all the way, the second switch SW2 is turned on. When SW1 is turned on, the focus drive control unit 108 drives the focus unit 107 to adjust the focus, and the aperture drive control unit 104 drives the aperture unit 103 to set an appropriate exposure amount. When SW2 is turned on, image data obtained from the light image exposed by the imaging unit 115 is stored in the recording unit 119.

[0022] In addition, when the user presses the video record switch, video recording starts, and when the user presses the video record switch again while video recording is in progress, video recording ends. Note that separate switches may be provided to instruct the start and end of video recording.

[0023] A camera shake detection unit 122 detects the amount of shake applied to the camera, and outputs a signal indicating the detected amount of shake to a camera system control unit 124 .

[0024] The camera system control unit 124 includes a CPU and controls the entire imaging device 1. The camera system control unit 124 and the lens system control unit 111 communicate with each other via a camera communication control unit 125 and a lens communication control unit 112. That is, when the lens unit 200 is attached to the camera body 100 and electrically connected, mutual communication is performed via the lens communication control unit 112 and the camera communication control unit 125.

[0025] Focus Control Next, focus control during moving image shooting performed by the camera system control unit 124 of the imaging device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 2. Note that the focus control shown in Fig. 2 is repeatedly performed, for example, while the imaging device 1 is in a mode in which moving image shooting is possible.

[0026] First, in S201, the focus position guide is enabled or disabled. Here, we will explain the focus position guide. Normally, to focus manually, a series of processes from S601 to S604 in Fig. 6 (described later) is performed, and the user must repeatedly perform the task of visually determining the degree of focus, thereby moving the focus lens to the in-focus position. Here, the same operations are required when focusing on one subject, focusing on another subject, and then focusing on the original subject again.

[0027] The focus position guide is a function that supports manual focus operation to reduce the burden on the user and the time loss that occur in such cases. With the focus position guide function, the focus is first adjusted to a desired subject in advance, and the position of the focus lens at that time is registered as a focus position guide index value in the focus position guide function. Then, the registered focus position guide index value and the current focus lens position are displayed together with the image being shot.

[0028] This function allows the user to change the focus to another subject and then manually adjust the focus back to the original subject by visually comparing the registered focus position guide index value with the current focus lens position on the display screen and move the current focus lens position closer to the registered focus position guide index value. In this way, the user can visually grasp the current focus lens position and the amount of manual adjustment required to reach the registered focus position guide index value, making refocusing easier. In this embodiment, the user can select whether to enable or disable the focus position guide using the camera operation unit 121 in FIG. 1.

[0029] In S202, it is determined whether the focus is automatic (AF) or manual (MF), and if it is set to AF, the process proceeds to S203, and if it is set to MF, the process proceeds to S207. If it is set to AF, AF control processing is performed in S203 and thereafter, and if it is set to MF, MF control processing is performed in S207 and thereafter.

[0030] In S203, focus detection processing is performed. Here, defocus information and reliability information for performing image plane phase difference AF are acquired. Details of the focus detection processing in S203 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0031] In S204, the camera system control unit 124 determines whether or not the camera is currently in a focused state and driving of the focus lens is stopped (focusing stopped). If focusing is not stopped, the process proceeds to S205, and if focusing is stopped, the process proceeds to S206. Whether or not focusing is stopped is determined based on the state of a focusing stop flag that is turned on / off by the processes of S205 and S206 described later. The focusing stop flag is set to off as an initial value.

[0032] In S205, AF drive processing is performed based on the information detected in S203, and the process proceeds to S208. Details of the AF drive processing in S205 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0033] In S206, an AF restart determination process is performed to determine whether or not to restart AF control when the subject moves or changes while focusing is stopped, and the process proceeds to S208. Details of the AF restart determination process in S206 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0034] On the other hand, if it is determined in S202 that MF is set, MF drive processing is performed in S207. Details of the MF drive processing in S207 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0035] After the MF drive process, in S208, it is determined whether or not the focus position guide set in S201 of Fig. 2 is valid. If it is valid, the process proceeds to S209, and if it is invalid, the focus position guide is not used and the process ends.

[0036] In S209, a focus position guide index determination, which is a focus assist function, is performed and a focus change flag is set. Details of the process in S209 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0037] In S210, a position that serves as an index of the focus position guide is set based on the focus change flag that was set in S209. Details of the process in S210 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0038] In S211, a focus position guide determination process is performed based on the focus position guide index set in S210 and the drive position information of the focus lens acquired in S404 or S604. Details of the process in S211 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0039] The focus control MF control process executed by the camera system control unit 124 has been described above.

[0040] Next, the focus detection process performed in S203 when AF is set will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, focus detection using a known phase difference method is performed, and will be briefly described below.

[0041] First, in S301, a pair of image signals (signals for focus detection) corresponding to a focus detection area arbitrarily set in an image are obtained. Next, in S302, the pair of image signals obtained in S301 are shifted relatively to each other to obtain a correlation amount at each shift position. Next, in S303, a correlation change amount of the correlation amount at each shift position obtained in S302 is obtained. Then, in S304, an image shift amount is obtained from the correlation change amount calculated in S303.

[0042] Next, in S305, reliability is calculated, which indicates how reliable the image shift amount calculated in S304 is. These processes are performed the same number of times as there are focus detection areas in the image. Then, in S306, the image shift amount is multiplied by a conversion coefficient for each focus detection area to convert it into a defocus amount. Finally, in S307, the focus detection area to be used for AF is determined, and the process returns to FIG. 2. In the processes of S205 and S206 described later, the defocus amount for the focus detection area determined in S307 is used.

[0043] Next, the AF drive process performed in S205 in Fig. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. The AF drive process is a process for driving the focus lens in a state where the focus is not stopped and for determining whether or not the focus is stopped.

[0044] In S401, it is determined whether the defocus amount is within a predetermined multiple of the depth of field for the currently set aperture value and lens state, and whether the reliability calculated in S305 of Fig. 3 is higher than the predetermined reliability. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to S402, and if not, the process proceeds to S403. In this embodiment, in S401, the defocus amount is compared with 1x the depth of field, but it may be set larger or smaller as necessary.

[0045] In S402, the focus stop flag is turned on, and the process returns to the process in Fig. 2. In this way, when it is determined that the subject is in focus, the focus lens transitions from a driven state to a stopped state, and then in S206 in Fig. 2, a restart determination is made.

[0046] On the other hand, in S403, the lens driving speed and driving method are set, and the process proceeds to S404. In S404, the camera system control unit 124 performs lens driving processing for the focus lens based on the defocus amount, and the process returns to the processing in FIG.

[0047] Next, the AF restart determination process performed in S206 in Fig. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. The AF restart determination process is a process for determining whether or not to drive the focus lens again from a state in which it has been determined that the focus is achieved and the focus lens has been stopped.

[0048] First, in S501, it is determined whether the calculated defocus amount is within a predetermined multiple of the depth of field. If it is smaller, the process proceeds to S502, and if it is larger, the process proceeds to S504.

[0049] In S502, it is determined whether the reliability calculated in S305 in Fig. 3 is higher than a predetermined reliability. If it is higher than the predetermined reliability, the process proceeds to S503, and if it is equal to or lower than the predetermined reliability, the process proceeds to S504. In S503, the AF restart counter is reset and the process proceeds to S505. On the other hand, in S504, the AF restart counter is incremented by 1 and the process proceeds to S505.

[0050] In this way, if the defocus amount exceeds a predetermined multiple of the depth of field or if the reliability is lower than a predetermined reliability, the main subject being photographed may have changed, so the AF restart counter is counted up in S504 to prepare for restarting AF. On the other hand, if the detected defocus amount is within a predetermined multiple of the depth of field and the reliability is maintained at a level higher than the predetermined reliability, the AF restart counter is reset in S503 to continue stopping the focus lens.

[0051] Also, the criterion for the amount of defocus set in S501 (a predetermined multiple of the depth of field) may be adjusted to make it easier to restart when the main subject has changed, and to make it harder for the restart to be accidentally initiated when the main subject has not changed. As an example, the depth of field is set to 1, which is the amount of time until the main subject appears blurred. Also, the reliability threshold set in S502 is set to a value that is so unreliable that it is difficult to trust the defocus direction, for example, as the value at which the main subject is considered to have changed. In this way, the threshold set in S501 and S502 is determined depending on the level of the criterion for determining that the main subject has changed.

[0052] Next, in S505, it is determined whether the AF restart counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined AF restart threshold. If it is equal to or greater than the AF restart threshold, the process proceeds to S506, and if it is less than the AF restart threshold, the process ends. In S506, the focus stop flag is turned off to resume the AF drive process shown in FIG. 4, and the process returns to the process in FIG. 2.

[0053] Next, the MF drive process in S207 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0054] In S601, it is determined whether or not an MF operation has been performed. If an operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S602, and if an operation has not been performed, the MF drive process ends.

[0055] In S602, MF operation information is acquired. Here, the operation information of the lens operation unit 109 is received by the lens system control unit 111, the drive direction and drive amount (MF operation information) of the lens operation unit 109 are detected, and the information is transmitted to the camera system control unit 124 via the lens communication control unit 112 and the camera communication control unit 125.

[0056] In S603, the camera system control unit 124 converts the detected MF operation information into a drive amount of the focus lens. Then, in S604, the camera system control unit 124 transmits the drive amount of the focus lens to the lens system control unit 111 via the camera communication control unit 125 and the lens communication control unit 112. The lens system control unit 111 transmits a drive command for the focus lens to the focus drive control unit 108 based on the received drive amount, and finally the focus lens is driven.

[0057] Next, the focus position guide index determination process in S209 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] In S701, it is determined whether or not the focus change flag is set to C. If it is determined that it is C, the process proceeds to S702, and if it is determined that it is not C, the process ends.

[0059] In S702, the type of the attached lens is determined. In this embodiment, the ID information held by each lens is referenced, and it is determined whether or not a setting associated with the ID from a previous use of the focus position guide function remains. If a past focus position guide index value associated with the lens ID remains, the process proceeds to S703, and if no past focus position guide setting value remains, the process proceeds to S704.

[0060] In S703, it is determined whether the accuracy of the past focus position guide index value associated with the lens ID referred to in S702 is sufficient for the current shooting settings, and whether the accuracy of the current focus position guide index value is sufficient when the shooting settings are changed. The shooting settings include settings in which the focus accuracy required when the imaging area, angle of view, resolution, optical path length of the lens, focal length, etc. are changed optically, electronically, or by other means is insufficient, and settings in which the focus accuracy required by image correction such as distortion correction, peripheral light amount correction, high resolution, and camera shake correction is insufficient. As an example, after setting the focus position guide index value at a wide angle of view, when the angle of view becomes telephoto due to image cropping, etc., a focus error that was not noticeable at the wide angle becomes noticeable. In this case, it is determined that the focus accuracy is insufficient. If it is determined that the accuracy of the focus position guide index value is insufficient, proceed to S704, and if it is determined that the accuracy is sufficient, proceed to S705.

[0061] In S704, the focus change flag is set to A, and in S705, the focus change flag is set to B, and the process ends.

[0062] Next, the focus position guide index registration process performed in S210 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0063] First, in S801, it is determined whether or not the focus change flag is A. If it is determined that it is A, the process proceeds to S803, and if it is determined that it is not A, the process proceeds to S802.

[0064] In S802, it is determined whether the focus change flag is B. If it is determined that it is B, the process proceeds to S804, and if it is not B, that is, if it is determined that it is C, the process proceeds to S807.

[0065] In S803, since the focus change flag is A, that is, since there is no past focus position guide index value associated with the lens ID, or even if there is, the accuracy is insufficient, it is determined whether or not to register the current focus position as a focus position guide index value in the currently executed focus position guide function. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the focus position guide index value registration decision button included in the camera operation unit 121 in Fig. 1 (presence or absence of a registration instruction). If it is determined to register, the process proceeds to S805, and if it is determined not to register, the process returns to S202 in Fig. 2.

[0066] In S804, the focus change flag is B, i.e., the previous focus position guide index value associated with the lens ID remains and has sufficient accuracy, so the focus position guide index value of the same lens ID that was previously registered is read out and the process proceeds to S805.

[0067] In S805, the index value of the focus position guide is registered, and the process proceeds to S806.

[0068] In this embodiment, three focus position guide index values ​​can be registered for one lens ID, and a method of setting by dividing Near to Far into 2 to the power of 16 will be described. However, the number of focus position guide index values ​​that can be set and the number of divisions from Near to Far are not limited to this, and the number of registered focus position guide index values ​​that can be set does not necessarily have to match the number of registered sensitivity settings.

[0069] In S805, if it is determined in S803 that the current focus position is to be registered, the current focus position is registered as an index value of the focus position guide. In this embodiment, the current focus position is registered as a focus position guide index value in the recording unit 119 in association with the lens ID acquired in S703 using position information of the focus lens driven in S604 of Fig. 6. Also, when a focus position guide index value of the same lens ID previously registered in S804 is read, the read index value is registered as an index value of the focus position guide.

[0070] In addition, when registering a new focus position guide index value, a mechanism may be provided that allows the user to select whether or not to retain the currently registered focus position guide index value, or the current index value may be automatically overwritten with the newly registered index value, or the number of index values ​​up to the number that can be saved may be saved, and when the upper limit of the number that can be saved is exceeded, the oldest ones may be deleted and overwritten in order.

[0071] Furthermore, it is also possible to automatically delete the registered focus position guide index value. Conditions for automatically rewriting the current index value to a newly registered index value include when it is determined in S704 that the focus position guide index value already registered in association with the corresponding lens ID is not accurate enough, when a certain amount of time has passed since the lens was last attached even if the lens ID is the same, and in that case, a warning as shown in Fig. 10 is displayed to alert the user, and the focus position guide index value stored in the recording unit 119 is deleted for each lens ID.

[0072] When the focus position guide index value is registered, the focus change flag is changed to C in S806, and the process proceeds to S807.

[0073] In S807, a selection is made as to whether or not to change the sensitivity setting regarding the coincidence judgment between the registered focus position guide index value and the current focus position. In this embodiment, the user selects whether or not to change the sensitivity setting via the camera operation unit 121 in Fig. 1, and if the sensitivity setting is to be changed, the process proceeds to S808, and if the sensitivity setting is not to be changed, the process ends.

[0074] In S808, sensitivity setting is performed for determining whether the registered focus position guide index value matches the current focus position. In this embodiment, the sensitivity can be set to five levels, and the area in which the registered focus position guide index value matches the current focus position can be set for each sensitivity, allowing you to set the focusing accuracy of your choice. In this embodiment, the area in which the match is determined can be set as a percentage of the division number from Near to Far, with the focus position guide index value set in S805 as the center.

[0075] Next, the focus position guide determination process performed in S211 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0076] In S901, a match determination is performed using the sensitivity set in S808, the focus position guide index value set in S805, and the drive position information of the focus lens acquired in S604. The number of focus position guide divisions is FocusPosMax, the sensitivity setting is Sens1, and the focus position guide area determined to match is Th1, and the match determination area Th1 can be calculated as shown in formula (1) when Sens1=0.1%. In addition, when the focus position guide index value is FocusPos1, the lower limit of the focus position guide area determined to match is Th1_lo, and the upper limit of the focus position guide area determined to match is Th1_hi, Th1_lo and Th1_hi can be calculated as shown in formula (2) and formula (3), respectively. FIG. 11 shows the area for which a match determination is performed when FocusPosMax is 65535, FocusPos1 is 32767, and Sens1 is 0.1%.

[0077] Th1 = FocusPosMax·Sens1 …(1) Th1_lo = FocusPos1 - (Th1) / 2 …(2) Th1_hi = FocusPos1 + (Th1) / 2 …(3) In S902, the focus position guide is displayed on the display unit 118 based on the match determination result determined in S901, the focus position guide index value, and the focus drive position information. If a match is determined, for example, the periphery of the screen is highlighted to indicate that there is a match to the user, and if there is no match, the highlighting is not performed.

[0078] An example of display when a match is determined is shown in Fig. 12. Triangle icons 1203 and 1204 shown in Fig. 12 are focus position index values ​​set by the user, and the focus positions corresponding to these icons are positions where the corresponding people 1201 and 1202 are in focus. In this case, the highlighting is shown when the user operates the focus on the position of person 1201. In the example shown in Fig. 12, a bar indicating the focus position is displayed on the right edge of the screen, but the display location and method are not limited to this. Furthermore, the threshold value of the match determination area may be changed depending on whether a match is determined or not, and other methods may be used as the conditions for match determination.

[0079] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when performing manual focus adjustment, the focus position guide setting value can be appropriately maintained or deleted even when changing the shooting lens, thereby assisting with pre-shooting preparations and shortening the time required for pre-shooting preparations.

[0080] In this embodiment, the focus position guide is displayed only in the case of MF, but it may also be displayed in the case of AF, in which case the user can confirm the difference between the focus position set in the past and the current focus position obtained by AF. In the case of AF, the drive position information of the focus lens obtained in S404 may be used in S901 of FIG. 9.

[0081] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, an example of setting and deleting a focus position based on the identification information of a lens is described, but in the second embodiment, a case of changing a focus position guide index value when the identification information of a lens cannot be obtained is described. Note that the configuration of the imaging device and other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted.

[0082] Hereinafter, the focus position guide index determination process performed in S209 of Fig. 2 and the focus position guide index registration process performed in S210 of Fig. 2 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. These processes are performed in place of the processes described in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

[0083] First, the focus position guide index determination process in S209 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In S1301, it is determined whether or not the focus change flag is set to C. If it is determined that it is C, the process proceeds to S1302, and if it is determined that it is not C, the process ends.

[0084] In S1302, it is determined whether or not the name of the attached lens can be acquired. If the name of the lens can be acquired, a lens index is created in association with the lens name and the process proceeds to S1304, and if the name cannot be acquired, the process proceeds to S1303.

[0085] In S1303, data representing the characteristics of the lens is obtained. Examples of data representing the characteristics include focal length information, minimum shooting distance information, maximum aperture information, control motor information, generation information, built-in extender information, image stabilization information, AFMF information, etc., and a unique lens index is created from this information so that the lens can be identified, and the process proceeds to S1304.

[0086] In S1304, it is determined whether or not a past focus position guide index value corresponding to the lens name acquired in S1302 or the lens index created in S1303 remains. If a past focus position guide index value remains, the process proceeds to S1305, and if no past focus position guide index value remains, the process proceeds to S1306.

[0087] In S1305, it is determined whether the accuracy of the past focus position guide index value associated with the lens name acquired in S1302 or the lens index created in S1303 is sufficient for the current shooting settings, and whether the accuracy of the current focus position guide index value is sufficient when the shooting settings are changed. The shooting settings are the same as those described in S703 of Fig. 7 in the first embodiment. If it is determined that the accuracy of the focus position guide index value is insufficient, the process proceeds to S1306, and if it is determined that the accuracy is sufficient, the process proceeds to S1307.

[0088] In S1306, the focus change flag is set to A, and in S1307, the focus change flag is set to D, and the process ends.

[0089] Next, the focus position guide index registration process performed in S210 in Fig. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 14. Note that the same step numbers are used for processes that overlap with the processes shown in Fig. 8, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0090] If it is determined in S801 that the focus change flag is A, it is determined in S1402 whether the focus change flag is D. If it is determined that the focus change flag is D, the process proceeds to S1404, and if it is determined that the focus change flag is not D, the process proceeds to S807.

[0091] In S1404, the focus change flag is D, i.e., a previous focus position guide index value associated with the lens name or lens index remains and has sufficient accuracy, so the focus position guide index value of the same lens name or lens index that was previously registered is read out and the process proceeds to S1405.

[0092] In S1405, the index value of the focus position guide is registered, and the process proceeds to S806. Note that the number of focus position guide index values ​​that can be set, the number of divisions from Near to Far, and the setting method are the same as those in S805 of Fig. 8, so the explanation is omitted here, but when saving in the recording unit 119, they are saved in association with the lens name or lens index.

[0093] Furthermore, the user can also delete a specific focus position setting value registered in the past, or delete all focus position guide index values ​​registered in a lump. In this case, the user operates the camera operation unit 121 to select the focus position guide index values ​​stored in the recording unit 119 for each lens name or lens index, and delete them all at once or for each focus position. In this case, a warning such as that shown in FIG. 15 is displayed to alert the user.

[0094] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when performing manual focus adjustment, even if identification information of the shooting lens cannot be obtained, it is possible to appropriately maintain or delete the focus position guide setting value, thereby shortening the time required for preparation before shooting.

[0095] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments, a case where it is determined whether to set or change a focus position guide index value depending on the result of identifying a lens is described. In contrast, in the third embodiment, a case where it is selected whether to set or change a focus position guide index value regardless of the identification of a lens is described. Note that the configuration of the imaging device and other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The focus position guide index determination process performed in S209 in Fig. 2 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 16. Note that the process shown in Fig. 16 is performed in place of the process described in Fig. 7.

[0097] In S1601, it is determined whether or not the focus change flag is set to C. If it is determined that it is C, the process proceeds to S1602, and if it is determined that it is not C, the process ends.

[0098] In S1602, it is determined whether or not to change the focus position guide index value. In this embodiment, the user selects whether or not to change the focus position guide index value via the camera operation unit 121 in Fig. 1, and if it is determined that the focus position guide index value is to be changed, the process proceeds to S1603, and if the focus position guide index value is not to be changed, the process ends.

[0099] In S1603, the focus change flag is set to A, and the process ends.

[0100] Thus, according to the present invention, when a manual focus adjustment mode is provided, it is possible to appropriately change the focus position guide index value without relying on lens discrimination, thereby shortening the preparation time before shooting.

[0101] The method for setting the focus position index value is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and various methods are possible for setting the focus position index value. Also, the MF operation can be performed in various ways, and the operation for deleting the set focus position guide index value can be performed in various ways.

[0102] <Other embodiments> The present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device.

[0103] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0104] <Summary> The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0105] (Configuration 1) an operating means for moving the position of a focus lens included in the attached optical system; a recording means for recording the position of the focus lens as an index value in a recording medium in association with information on the attached optical system including the focus lens in response to a registration instruction; an acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying the attached optical system; a readout means for reading out an index value from the recording medium when the index value is recorded in association with information of the attached optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; and a control means for controlling a display means to display the read index value and the current position of the focus lens; An imaging device comprising:

[0106] (Configuration 2) 2. The imaging device according to configuration 1, wherein the information for identifying the attached optical system is ID information, a lens name, or data representing lens characteristics.

[0107] (Configuration 3) The method further includes a determination unit for determining accuracy of the index value recorded in association with information on the attached optical system, The imaging device described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means controls the display means not to display the read-out index value when the accuracy determined by the determination means is lower than a predetermined accuracy.

[0108] (Configuration 4) The recording means further records a photographing setting related to photographing that is set when the index value is recorded in association with information on the optical system, The determining means determines the accuracy of the read index value based on a difference between a photographing setting related to a current photographing and the recorded photographing setting. 4. The imaging device according to configuration 3.

[0109] (Configuration 5) The imaging device according to configuration 4, wherein the shooting settings include at least one of an imaging area, an angle of view, a resolution, an optical path length of a lens, a focal length, whether or not to perform distortion correction, whether or not to perform peripheral illumination correction, whether or not to perform high resolution, and whether or not to perform image stabilization.

[0110] (Configuration 6) The recording means further records the time when the optical system is attached in association with information about the optical system, The determining means determines the accuracy of the attached optical system based on the time that has elapsed since the optical system was last attached. 6. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 3 to 5.

[0111] (Configuration 7) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 3 to 6, further comprising a deletion means for deleting the index value recorded in association with information on the attached optical system when the accuracy determined by the determination means is lower than a predetermined accuracy.

[0112] (Configuration 8) 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the deletion means deletes all of the index values ​​recorded in association with information about the attached optical system.

[0113] (Configuration 9) When the accuracy determined by the determining means is lower than a predetermined accuracy, the control means causes the display means to display a message for the user to instruct whether or not to delete the index value recorded in association with information on the attached optical system, The method further includes a deletion means for deleting the index value when the deletion is instructed. 7. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 3 to 6,

[0114] (Configuration 10) 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the deletion means deletes all of the index values ​​recorded in association with information about the attached optical system.

[0115] (Configuration 11) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that when a predetermined number of index values ​​associated with information of the attached optical system are recorded in the recording means, in response to an instruction to register another position of the focus lens, the oldest of the recorded index values ​​is deleted and the other position is recorded as an index value.

[0116] (Configuration 12) the control means controls the display means to display a display for allowing a user to select whether or not to delete any of the index values ​​recorded in the recording means; The method further includes a deletion means for deleting any one of the index values ​​when the deletion of the index value is instructed. 11. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

[0117] (Configuration 13) The present invention further includes a coincidence determination means for determining whether or not a position of any one of the read index values ​​coincides with a current position of the focus lens, When the match determination means determines that there is a match, the display means displays a message indicating that there is a match. 13. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12.

[0118] (Configuration 14) 14. The imaging device according to configuration 13, further comprising a setting means for setting a sensitivity for determining whether or not the two coincide with each other.

[0119] (Configuration 15) 15. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 14, wherein the setting means sets the sensitivity based on a depth of field.

[0120] (Configuration 16) 16. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, further comprising imaging means for receiving light incident via an attached optical system and performing photoelectric conversion.

[0121] (Configuration 17) Repeatedly acquiring the position of a focus lens included in the attached optical system; a step of recording the position of the focus lens as an index value in a recording medium in association with information of the attached optical system including the focus lens in response to a registration instruction; acquiring information for identifying the attached optical system; a step of reading out an index value from the recording medium when an index value is recorded in association with information on the installed optical system based on the acquired information for identifying the installed optical system; displaying the read index value and the current position of the focus lens on a display means; A method for assisting focus adjustment, comprising:

[0122] (Configuration 18) A program for causing a computer to function as a recording means, an acquiring means, a reading means, and a control means of the imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16.

[0123] (Configuration 19) A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to configuration 18.

[0124] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 100: imaging device, 101: zoom unit, 102: zoom drive control unit, 103: aperture unit, 104: aperture drive control unit, 105: image stabilization unit, 106: optical image stabilization control unit, 107: focus unit, 108: focus drive control unit, 109: lens operation unit, 110: lens shake detection unit, 111: lens system control unit, 112: lens communication control unit, 113: shutter, 114: shutter drive control unit, 115: imaging unit, 116: imaging signal processing unit, 117: video signal processing unit, 118: display unit, 119: recording unit, 120: power supply unit, 121: camera operation unit, 122: camera shake detection unit, 123: electronic image stabilization control unit, 124: camera system control unit, 125: camera communication control unit

Claims

1. an operating means for moving the position of a focus lens included in the attached optical system; a recording means for recording the position of the focus lens as an index value in a recording medium in association with information on the attached optical system including the focus lens in response to a registration instruction; an acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying the attached optical system; a readout means for reading out an index value from the recording medium when the index value is recorded in association with information of the attached optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; and a control means for controlling a display means to display the read index value and the current position of the focus lens; An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the information for identifying the attached optical system is ID information, a lens name, or data representing lens characteristics.

3. The method further includes a determination unit for determining accuracy of the index value recorded in association with information on the attached optical system, 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the display means not to display the read index value when the accuracy determined by the determination means is lower than a predetermined accuracy.

4. The recording means further records a photographing setting related to photographing that is set when the index value is recorded in association with information on the optical system, The determining means determines the accuracy of the read index value based on a difference between a photographing setting related to a current photographing and the recorded photographing setting.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the shooting settings include at least one of an imaging area, an angle of view, a resolution, an optical path length of a lens, a focal length, whether or not to perform distortion correction, whether or not to perform peripheral light correction, whether or not to perform high resolution, and whether or not to perform image stabilization.

6. The recording means further records the time when the optical system is attached in association with information about the optical system, The determining means determines the accuracy of the attached optical system based on the time that has elapsed since the optical system was last attached.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3.

7. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, further comprising a deletion means for deleting the index value recorded in association with information about the attached optical system when the accuracy determined by the determination means is lower than a predetermined accuracy.

8. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the deletion unit deletes all of the index values ​​recorded in association with information about the attached optical system.

9. When the accuracy determined by the determining means is lower than a predetermined accuracy, the control means causes the display means to display a message for the user to instruct whether or not to delete the index value recorded in association with information on the attached optical system, The method further includes a deletion means for deleting the index value when the deletion is instructed.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3.

10. 10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the deletion unit deletes all of the index values ​​recorded in association with information about the attached optical system.

11. The imaging device described in claim 1, characterized in that when a predetermined number of index values ​​associated with information of the attached optical system are recorded in the recording means, in response to an instruction to register another position of the focus lens, the oldest of the recorded index values ​​is deleted and the other position is recorded as an index value.

12. the control means controls the display means to display a display for allowing a user to select whether or not to delete any of the index values ​​recorded in the recording means; The method further includes a deletion means for deleting any one of the index values ​​when the deletion of the index value is instructed.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

13. a coincidence determination unit that determines whether or not any of the positions of the read index values ​​coincides with a current position of the focus lens; When the match determination means determines that there is a match, the display means displays a message indicating that there is a match.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

14. 14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a setting unit for setting a sensitivity for determining whether or not the signals match.

15. 15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the setting means sets the sensitivity based on a depth of field.

16. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising imaging means for receiving light incident via an attached optical system and performing photoelectric conversion.

17. Repeatedly acquiring the position of a focus lens included in the attached optical system; a step of recording the position of the focus lens as an index value in a recording medium in association with information of the attached optical system including the focus lens in response to a registration instruction; acquiring information for identifying the attached optical system; a step of reading out an index value from the recording medium when an index value is recorded in association with information on the installed optical system based on the acquired information for identifying the installed optical system; displaying the read index value and the current position of the focus lens on a display means; A method for assisting focus adjustment, comprising:

18. A program for causing a computer to function as a recording means, an acquiring means, a reading means, and a control means of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 18.

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