Imaging apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus having a manual focus function for facilitating the movement for matching of the position of an imaging lens to a focus position, a method for controlling the imaging apparatus, and a program.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus having a manual focus operation function and including an imaging lens includes an acquisition part for acquiring the present focus position of the imaging lens, a change part for changing the focus position of the imaging lens, a storage part for storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens, and a control part for performing control to disable the change of the focus position of the imaging lens by the change part, when the present focus position reaches the focus position stored in the storage part, in the case of satisfying a predetermined operation, in a process for changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, and a control method and program for the imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the production of video works, there is a shooting technique in which the focus on the subject is adjusted manually. "Manual Focus (MF)" refers to the operation of adjusting the focus of the camera by the user himself. Among them, a focus position guide function has been proposed that allows the user to operate the manual focus while viewing the relationship between the current focus position and the position displayed by the index by registering the position of the index display for the desired focus position in advance.

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for switching the amount of displacement of the focus position relative to the amount of user operation in order to improve the accuracy of manual focusing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-124497 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when performing manual focus operation using the focus position guide function described above, it is actually difficult to change the position of the imaging lens so as to exactly align it with the "focus position". For example, the position of the imaging lens may stop just before the "focus position", or the position of the imaging lens may pass the "focus position". Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that makes it easy to move the imaging lens to align it with the "focus position".

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus having a manual focus function that makes it easy to move the position of the imaging lens to coincide with the focus position, and a control method and program for the imaging apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging device having an imaging lens with a manual focus function, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a current focus position of the imaging lens; a change unit that changes the focus position of the imaging lens; a storage unit that stores one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control unit that, when a predetermined operation is satisfied during a process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change unit, disables the change unit from changing the focus position of the imaging lens when the current focus position acquired by the acquisition unit reaches a focus position stored in the storage unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect of realizing an imaging apparatus having a manual focus function that makes it easy to move the position of the imaging lens to coincide with the focus position, and a control method and program for the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a video camera 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an expansion unit 200. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram of a connection mode between the video camera 100 and the extension unit 200. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen on which a focus position guide is displayed. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing processing in the imaging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen in which the display form of the focus position is changed; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen on which a notification regarding a change in focus position is displayed. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing processing in an imaging device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments of the present invention will be described using a "video camera (imaging device)" as an example.

[0011] <<First embodiment>> <Figure 1: Configuration diagram of video camera 100> FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a video camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The video camera 100 includes a lens 101, a CMOS image sensor 102, a camera signal processing unit 103, a recording medium 104, a power supply 105, an operation unit 106, a lens communication unit 107, and an input I / F 108. Further, the video camera 100 includes a ROM 109, a RAM 110, a CODEC 111, and an OSD drawing unit 112. Still further, the video camera 100 includes an LCD panel 113, an EVF 114, an external output terminal 115, an output I / F 116, an external I / F 117, a CPU 118, a communication unit 119, and a data bus 120. Each component is controlled by a CPU 118 that operates according to a program recorded in the ROM 109. Each component is configured to be able to transmit and receive required data (information) to and from each other via the data bus 120.

[0012] <Lens 101> The lens 101 is an imaging lens group including a focus, an aperture mechanism, etc., and forms an optical image of a subject on the CMOS image sensor 102 described below. The lens 101 includes an imaging lens for performing manual focus. It is also possible to configure a “changing unit” that changes the focus position of the lens 101 in response to a rotational operation of the lens ring of the lens 101 (imaging lens). Further, it is also possible to configure such that the CPU 118 described later changes the focus position of the lens 101 based on a control signal in the video camera 100.

[0013] <CMOS image sensor 102> The CMOS image sensor 102 is an image sensor that is composed of one photodiode and a CMOS transistor having a switching function in each pixel of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and amplifies a signal for each pixel. The CMOS image sensor 102 includes an A / D converter, converts the optical image formed by the lens 101 into an analog electrical signal, and converts this into a digital signal by the A / D converter and outputs it. Note that the image sensor is not limited to the CMOS image sensor 102, and other image sensors such as a CCD may be used.

[0014] <Camera signal processing unit 103: recording medium 104> The camera signal processing unit 103 performs predetermined resizing processes such as pixel interpolation and pixel reduction, color conversion processes, various correction processes, etc. on the digital signal output from the CMOS 102. Furthermore, the image data subjected to various processes by the camera signal processing unit 103 is image-compressed and encoded at a predetermined bit rate and in a predetermined format by the CODEC 111 described later. Conversely, image data can also be decoded from data that has been image-compressed and encoded by the CODEC 111. The recording medium 104 records the captured image and metadata associated with the captured image in a non-volatile manner. The recording medium 104 can be realized by, for example, a smart card, a USB memory, etc.

[0015] <Power supply 105: Operation unit 106> The power source 105 is composed of an AC power source, a battery, etc., and is configured to supply the necessary power to each part of the video camera 100. The operation unit 106 is composed of buttons and a touch panel for performing various operations on the video camera 100. The operation unit 106 has a switch for controlling the on / off of the power source 105, a button for displaying a menu, a cross key for moving a cursor up, down, left, and right, an assignment button to which a desired function can be assigned, and a touch panel for selecting and operating desired information. The operation unit 106 may also have various other components for giving some kind of instruction to the video camera 100. For example, the operation unit 106 has a switching button for "auto focus" and "manual focus", and is configured to give a manual focus operation instruction to the video camera 100 by a user's switching operation of the switching button. When a manual focus instruction operation is given, the focus position of the lens 101 can be changed manually, for example, in response to the rotation operation of the lens ring described above.

[0016] In addition, the video camera 100 is equipped with a plurality of assignment buttons, and the user can assign a desired function to each assignment button. The assignment setting information indicating the information assigned by the user to the assignment button is stored in at least one of the ROM 109 and the RAM 110. The user can also assign a function for switching from "auto focus" to "manual focus" to one assignment button.

[0017] <Input I / F 108: External I / F 117: Lens communication unit 107: ROM 109: RAM 110: CPU 118> The operation information of the operation unit 106 by the user is given to the CPU 118 and the external I / F 117 via the input I / F 108 and the data bus 120. The lens communication unit 107 communicates (transmits and receives) various information such as the attachment information of the lens 101, the focus position, and the angle of view with the lens 101. The ROM 109 non-volatilely records programs and various data for controlling the video camera 100. The RAM 110 functions as a work area for the CPU 118. The RAM 110 also functions as a temporary storage area for various other information. In addition, the RAM 110 can store one or more desired focus positions (focus positions) of the lens 101. Note that a flash memory or the like, which is a non-volatile memory device, may be separately provided for storing the desired focus position (focus position).

[0018] The CPU 118 expands the program recorded in the ROM 109 into the RAM 110 and executes the expanded program. Thereby, the CPU 118 controls each part of the video camera 100 and executes the control of the entire video camera 100. Therefore, each process related to the embodiment of the present invention is executed by the CPU 118. For example, the CPU 118 also has an acquisition function of communicating with the lens communication unit 107 to acquire the current focus position of the lens 101 (imaging lens).

[0019] <CODEC 111: OSD drawing unit 112> The CODEC 111 reproduces image and audio data stored in the RAM 110, the recording medium 104, etc. The reproduced image by the CODEC 111 is sent to a monitor (not shown) connected to the LCD panel 113, the EVF 114, and the external output terminal 115 (described later) via the output I / F 116 (described later) and displayed. The OSD drawing unit 112 renders (draws) "OSD" such as character strings, icons, various frames, markers, and menus for performing various settings, which indicate the state and setting state of the video camera 100, and writes it to a VRAM (not shown) on the RAM 110. Resource data such as characters and icons constituting the OSD (on-screen display) are recorded in the ROM 109, and rendering is performed by the OSD drawing unit 112 reading it and writing it to the VRAM. In this way, the OSD (on-screen display) rendering function by the OSD drawing unit 112 is a function for displaying various objects such as "patterns such as marks, frames, arrows, etc." superimposed on a captured image.

[0020] <Output I / F116> The output I / F 116 functions as an interface for outputting data to the LCD panel 113, the EVF 114, the external output terminal 115, and the external I / F 117. Specifically, it functions as described below. The output I / F 116 outputs a display signal for displaying the captured image data obtained by the CMOS 102 or the like and the display data such as the OSD generated by the OSD drawing unit 112 on the LCD panel 113, the EVF 114, the external output terminal 115, and the external I / F 117. The output I / F 116 also includes a mixer circuit, and can output the captured image data and the OSD in a superimposed manner. The output I / F 116 can also output a signal resized according to each output. The same OSD content can be displayed on each output, or content specific to the output destination can be displayed.

[0021] <External output terminal 115> The external output terminal 115 is a terminal that meets standards such as SDI and HDMI (registered trademark). The external output terminal 115 is a terminal for outputting image data obtained by the CMOS image sensor 102, image data obtained by subjecting this image data to various processes by the camera signal processing unit 103, etc. to an external device.

[0022] <LCD panel 113: EVF 114: Communication unit 119> The LCD panel 113 is a liquid crystal display device that displays various types of image data, etc. and has a touch operation function. The LCD panel 113 displays the captured image captured by the video camera 100. When the user selects one or more subjects (touch operation) for which they desire to focus by manual focus operation in this captured image, the following processing is executed by the CPU 118. That is, the CPU 118 is configured to store the desired focus position (focus position) for this one or more subjects in the RAM 110 (storage unit).

[0023] <EVF 114: Communication unit 119> The EVF 114 (electronic viewfinder) is for confirming the captured image by projecting the captured image to be captured into the viewfinder. The communication unit 119 performs transmission and reception of captured signals, audio signals, and other various types of information with an external device connected by a wireless or wired cable. Note that the wireless or wired cable is connected to the external output terminal 115, for example.

[0024] <External I / F 117> The external I / F 117 is an interface for enabling the attachment of an external "expansion unit" described later and for performing input and output of display signals, audio signals, control signals, etc. with the "expansion unit".

[0025] <Expansion unit 200> Expansion unit 200 can be connected to video camera 100 or other expansion units, and enables expansion of the functions of video camera 100. In this embodiment, expansion of the functions of video camera 100 includes not only function expansion such as adding functions that video camera 100 does not have, but also expansion functions that improve the performance of functions that video camera 100 has.

[0026] <Figure 2: Configuration diagram of the expansion unit 200> 2 is a block diagram of the expansion unit 200. The expansion unit 200 has a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an operation unit 204, an input I / F 205, an external I / F 206, and a data bus 207. Each component is controlled by the CPU 201 which operates according to a program recorded in the ROM 203. Each component is configured to be able to transmit and receive required data (information) to and from each other via the data bus 207.

[0027] 1 can transmit and receive required information to and from each other via, for example, a data bus 207, an external I / F 206, an external I / F 117, and a data bus 120.

[0028] Therefore, the processing according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by recording a program for executing the processing according to the embodiment of the present invention in ROM 203, having CPU 201 load this program in RAM 202, and executing the loaded program.

[0029] The operation unit 204 has the same functions as the operation unit 106 shown in Fig. 1, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted. Note that the operation unit 204 does not necessarily need to be equipped with all the switches, buttons, etc. of the operation unit 106 shown in Fig. 1, and only the necessary switches, buttons, etc. of the operation unit 106 may be equipped on the operation unit 204. The input I / F 205 is an interface for sending operation information corresponding to an operation performed by a user using the operation unit 204 onto the data bus 207. Note that the CPU 201 and the external I / F 206 are configured to receive image data and various data on the data bus 207. The external I / F 117 has the same basic functions as the external I / F 117 shown in Fig. 1, and therefore a description will be omitted.

[0030] As described above, the external I / F 117 in Fig. 1 is an interface to which the expansion unit 200 in Fig. 2 can be attached and which performs input and output of display signals, audio signals, control signals, etc. between the expansion unit 200. The external I / F 117 of the video camera 100 and the external I / F 206 of the expansion unit 200 are connected to transmit and receive required data (information) between them.

[0031] The expansion unit 200 is equipped with a plurality of assign buttons (not shown), and the setting information when the user assigns functions to the assign buttons is stored in at least one of the ROM 109 and the RAM 110 of the video camera 100. The expansion unit 200 connected to the video camera 100 can further mount and connect another expansion unit via its external I / F 206. The external I / F 206 is configured to have a size and function that allows it to communicate with the external I / F 117 of the video camera 100 and to mount and connect another expansion unit. This makes it possible to add not only the functions of one expansion unit but also the functions and performance of multiple expansion units to the video camera 100.

[0032] <FIG. 3: Connection between the video camera 100 and the extension unit 200> FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a connection mode between the video camera 100 and the extension unit 200. As shown in FIG.

[0033] 3A shows only the video camera 100. Fig. 3B shows the video camera 100 with the expansion unit 200 connected. By connecting the external I / F 117 of the video camera 100 and the external I / F 206 of the expansion unit 200, the expansion unit 200 and the video camera 100 can be connected.

[0034] <Figure 4: Example of focus position guide display> Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen on which a focus position guide is displayed. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an OSD drawn by the OSD drawing unit 112, which is output to each output destination via the external output terminal 115 and displayed.

[0035] A "focus position meter 401" is displayed on the right side of the screen 400. A "focus position 402", a "focus position 403", and a "focus position 404" are superimposed on the "focus position meter 401". The focus positions 402 and 403 are positions where the subjects "house (A)" and "person (B)" are in focus, respectively. In this embodiment, the CPU 118 stores the focus position 402 and the focus position 403 in the RAM 110. The user manually selects "house (A)" and "person (B)" as subjects to be focused on. In FIG. 4, the reference numeral 402 denotes the "focus position" for the "house (A)", and the reference numeral 403 denotes the "focus position" for the "person (B)". The "focus position" displayed relatively lightly as indicated by reference numeral 402 is for a relatively distant subject (house A), and the "focus position" displayed relatively darkly as indicated by reference numeral 403 is for a relatively close subject (person B).

[0036] Also, the "focus position" indicated by the reference numeral 404 is an object that is drawn with different display modes between "normal" and "with edge" described later, and moves up and down by manually moving the position of the imaging lens. The focus position 404 may coincide with the focus position 403, or it may not coincide with the focus position 402. As described later, the display mode of the focus position 404 differs depending on whether or not a button arbitrarily set by the user is being pressed. This makes it easy for the user to visually confirm that the button is being pressed.

[0037] <FIG. 5: Processing in the video camera 100 according to the first embodiment> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing in the video camera 100 (imaging device) according to the first embodiment. The processing shown in Fig. 5 is performed by the CPU 118 expanding a program stored in the ROM 109 or the recording medium 104 or a program acquired by the communication unit 119 into the RAM 110 and executing the expanded program. This allows the CPU 118 to control each unit of the video camera 100. It is assumed that one or more subjects are selected by the user, and that the CPU 118 has already stored the focus position for the selected subject in the RAM 110 (this also applies to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8). The processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is triggered by the start-up of the video camera 100.

[0038] First, in S501, the CPU 118 controls the OSD drawing unit 112 to draw the following on the image obtained by the CMOS image sensor 102 and the camera signal processing unit 103. That is, the OSD drawing unit 112 draws, for example, a "focus position meter (corresponding to 401)", a "focus position (corresponding to 403)", and a "focus position (corresponding to 404)" on the right edge of the captured image. Image data including the drawing contents is output to each output destination via the external output terminal 115 and displayed. Thereafter, the CPU 118 advances the process to S502.

[0039] Next, in S502, CPU 118 acquires from lens communication unit 107 "manual focus operation information" indicating whether or not there is an instruction for manual focus operation from lens 101. If CPU 118 determines that there is no instruction for manual focus operation (No), CPU 118 advances the process to S503. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines that there is an instruction for manual focus operation (Yes), CPU 118 advances the process to 506. Note that the subject of determination by CPU 118 for determining whether or not there is an instruction for manual focus operation is not limited to the "manual focus information" acquired from lens 101. CPU 118 may make the determination based on, for example, the presence or absence of a button operation of video camera 100 or a control signal by which video camera 100 controls another communication device (external device). Alternatively, CPU may make the determination based on a control signal within video camera 100.

[0040] In S503, the CPU 118 acquires "focus position stop information" indicating whether or not the "focus position stop button" is being pressed from the lens 101 via the lens communication unit 107. If the CPU 118 determines that the "focus position stop button" is being pressed (Yes), the process proceeds to S505. On the other hand, if the CPU 118 determines that the "focus position stop button" is not being pressed (No), the process proceeds to S504.

[0041] Although the CPU 118 determines whether the focus position is stopped while the focus position stop button is being pressed, the present invention is not limited to determining whether the focus position is stopped while the focus position stop button is being pressed. For example, an assign button mounted on the lens 101 or an assign button mounted on the video camera 100 may be subject to the same determination as the focus position stop button. In addition, when multiple focus positions are stored, a focus position stop button may be set for each focus position. Also, one focus position stop button may be configured to handle processing for multiple focus positions.

[0042] <Drawing process for the focus position in "normal" display mode> In S504, CPU 118 changes the display mode of the focus position to "normal". The "normal" display mode is the display mode when the focus position stop position button is not being pressed by the user (similar to the first embodiment below). CPU 118 controls OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. OSD drawing unit 112 draws a "focus position meter", a "focus position", and a "focus position with a 'normal' display mode" on an image obtained by CMOS type imaging element 102 or the like. Image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via external output terminal 115 and displayed. CPU 118 then advances the process to S513.

[0043] <Drawing process for focus position with "edge" display mode> On the other hand, in S505, CPU 118 changes the focus position display mode to "with edge". The "with edge" display mode is the display mode when the focus position stop position button is being pressed by the user (similar to the first embodiment below). CPU 118 controls OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. OSD drawing unit 112 draws a "focus position meter", a "focus position", and a "focus position with a display mode of 'with edge'" on an image obtained by CMOS type imaging element 102 or the like. Image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via external output terminal 115 and displayed. CPU 118 then advances the process to S513.

[0044] <Figure 6: Example of a screen where the focus position display format has been changed> Here, an example of a screen in which the display mode of the focus position has been changed will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the "focus position guide" when the display mode of the focus position is "normal" and when it is "with edge". On the right edge of screen 600, a focus position meter 601, focus position 602, focus position 603, and focus position 604 in the "normal" display mode are superimposed and displayed. Focus position 602 and focus position 603 correspond to the subjects "house (A)" and "person (B)", respectively.

[0045] On the other hand, a focus position meter 606, a focus position 607, a focus position 608, and a focus position 609 with a display mode of "with edge" are superimposed on the right edge of the screen 605. The focus positions 607 and 608 correspond to the subjects "house (A)" and "person (B)", respectively. As can be seen by comparing the two figures, the objects indicating the "focus positions" drawn with the reference numerals 604 and 609 are visually distinguishable between the display mode "normal" and the display mode "with edge". That is, the color of the focus position 609 with the display mode "with edge" is darker than that of the focus position 604 with the display mode "normal". Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed. The display modes of the focus position 604 and the focus position 609 are not limited to this, and other display modes may be used as long as they allow distinction between "normal" and "with edge".

[0046] Now, in S506, the CPU 118 acquires the amount of manual focus operation in the lens 101 from the lens communication unit 107, and proceeds to S507. In S507, the CPU 118 acquires "focus position stop information" indicating whether the focus position stop button is being pressed or not from the lens 101 via the lens communication unit 107. If the CPU 118 determines that the focus position stop button is being pressed (Yes), it proceeds to S510. On the other hand, if the CPU 118 determines that the focus position stop button is not being pressed (No), it proceeds to S508.

[0047] <Drawing process for the focus position when the display mode is "normal" during manual focus operation> In S508, CPU 118 changes the display mode of the focus position to "normal." That is, CPU 118 controls OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. OSD drawing unit 112 draws the focus position and the focus position with the display mode of "normal" on the image obtained by CMOS type image sensor 102 or the like, and proceeds to S509. Note that image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via external output terminal 115 and displayed.

[0048] Next, in S509, CPU 118 changes the focus position according to the amount of manual focus operation acquired in S506. After that, CPU 118 advances the process to S513. Note that, in S509, if the focus position stop button is not being pressed (No in S507), CPU 118 may execute the process described below. That is, CPU 118 may change the focus position according to the amount of manual focus operation acquired in S506, and may further change the focus position of lens 101 by accepting a change in focus position by the user.

[0049] <Drawing process for the focus position when the display mode is "normal" during manual focus operation> On the other hand, in S510, the CPU 118 controls the OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. The OSD drawing unit 112 draws the focus position and the focus position in the display mode of "with edge" on the image obtained by the CMOS type image sensor 102 or the like, and proceeds to the process of S511. Note that image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via the external output terminal 115 and displayed.

[0050] In S511, CPU 118 determines whether or not the focus position is within a predetermined range for "focus position." If CPU 118 determines that the focus position is not within the predetermined range for the focus position (No), CPU 118 advances the process to S513. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines that the focus position is within the predetermined range for the focus position (Yes), CPU 118 advances the process to S512.

[0051] In S512, the CPU 118 changes the focus position according to the amount of manual focus operation acquired in S506, and the process proceeds to S513. At this time, when the focus position reaches the "focus position", the CPU 118 fixes the focus position at that position. If the determination in S511 is "Yes", it is the case that it is determined that the position difference between the focus position and the current focus position is within a predetermined range. If this predetermined range is set to an extremely narrow range where the two match, the CPU 118 controls the focus position to match the "focus position" in S512. After the two match, the CPU 118 controls so that the user cannot freely change the focus position. After all, the CPU 118 changes the lens 101 to a position according to the amount of manual focus operation acquired in S506, but if the predetermined range is set to an extremely narrow range where the two match, the focus position is controlled so that it matches the "focus position". Then, after the match, the CPU 118 controls so that the user cannot freely change the focus position.

[0052] This can also be viewed from a different perspective as follows. When a predetermined operation is satisfied during the process of moving the focus position of the lens 101, the CPU 118 can be considered to control the focus position of the lens 101 so that it cannot be changed when the current focus position reaches the focus position stored in the RAM 110. In this case, too, the CPU 118 controls so that the user cannot freely change the focus position after the focus position coincides with the "focus position." Note that the predetermined operation in these cases is pressing the "focus position stop button."

[0053] In S513, the CPU 118 determines whether or not to continue the operation of the focus position guide. If the CPU 118 determines not to continue (No), the CPU 118 ends the process. On the other hand, if the CPU 118 determines to continue (Yes), the CPU 118 advances the process to S503.

[0054] In addition, when the amount of focus displacement per unit time is large, or due to the relationship of the time difference from the focus operation to the actual control of the focus position, the "focus position" may not be included in a predetermined range with respect to the "focus position". In this case, the "focus position" may pass the "focus position". In that case, even if the focus position stop button is pressed, the "focus position" may be changed. Alternatively, based on the relationship between the amount of operation per unit time and the amount of focus displacement, it may be determined that the "focus position" will pass the "focus position" if the operation is continued, and the user may be notified of this fact.

[0055] <Figure 7: Example of a screen displaying a notification about changing the focus position> Fig. 7 is an example of a screen that displays a notification about a change in focus position. Specifically, Fig. 7 is an example of a screen that displays a notification that the "focus position" will pass the "focus position".

[0056] On the right edge of the screen 700, a "focus position meter 701", a "focus position 702", a "focus position 703", and a "focus position 704 in which the display mode is 'normal'" are superimposed and displayed.

[0057] In this example, screen 700 shows an example of superimposing a notification display 705 for notifying the user that the "focus position" will pass the "focus position". Note that the wording displayed in notification display 705 is not limited to this example, and any wording may be used as long as it informs the user that the focus position will pass the focus position. Note that when the amount of focus shift is large, CPU 118 may perform control to reduce the amount of focus shift relative to the amount of manual focus operation as the "focus position" approaches the "focus position".

[0058] As described above, in the first embodiment, the effect of easily moving the position of the imaging lens to the focus position is obtained. In this embodiment, after determining whether or not it is a "manual focus operation", it is determined whether or not the "focus position" and the "focus position" are within a predetermined range, and the focus position is changed. However, the CPU 118 may first determine whether or not the "focus position" and the "focus position" are within a predetermined range, and if it is determined that they are within the predetermined range, the manual focus operation may be invalidated.

[0059] <<Second embodiment>> Next, in the second embodiment, a method of controlling the "focus position guide" by manual focus operation using a touch panel will be described. The configuration of the control device is the same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described here. However, the operation unit 106 for providing operation contents and the like to the video camera 100 is configured with a touch panel. When the user touches the touch panel, the CPU 118 accepts the instruction for manual operation. The CPU 118 can also determine whether the pressure of the user's touch operation on the touch panel is a predetermined strength or not.

[0060] <FIG. 8: Processing in the video camera 100 (imaging device) according to the second embodiment> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing in video camera 100 (imaging device) according to the second embodiment. The processing shown in Fig. 8 is performed by CPU 118 loading a program stored in ROM 109 or recording medium 104 or a program acquired by communication unit 119 into RAM 110 and executing the loaded program. This enables CPU 118 to control each unit of video camera 100. The processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 is started with the start-up of video camera 100 as a trigger.

[0061] First, in S801, the CPU 118 controls the OSD drawing unit 112 to draw the following on the image obtained by the CMOS image sensor 102 and the camera signal processing unit 103. That is, the OSD drawing unit 112 draws, for example, a "focus position meter (corresponding to 401)", a "focus position (corresponding to 403)", and a "focus position (corresponding to 404)" on the right edge of the image. Image data including the drawing contents is output to each output destination via the external output terminal 115 and displayed. Thereafter, the CPU 118 advances the process to S802.

[0062] Next, in S802, CPU 118 acquires "manual focus operation information" indicating whether or not there is an instruction for a "manual focus operation" from lens 101 via a touch panel mounted on operation unit 106. If CPU 118 determines that there is no instruction for a manual focus operation (No), CPU 118 advances the process to S803. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines that there is an instruction for a manual focus operation (Yes), CPU 118 advances the process to S806. Note that the subject of determination by CPU 118 for determining whether or not there is an instruction for a manual focus operation is not limited to the "manual focus operation information" acquired from the touch panel mounted on operation unit 106. CPU 118 may make the determination based on, for example, the presence or absence of a button operation on video camera 100 or a control signal by which video camera 100 controls another communication device or the like.

[0063] In S803, CPU 118 determines whether the pressure of the touch operation in S802 is equal to or greater than a predetermined strength. If CPU 118 determines that the pressure is not equal to or greater than the predetermined strength (No), CPU 118 advances the process to S804. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines that the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined strength (Yes), CPU 118 advances the process to S805.

[0064] <Drawing process for the focus position in "normal" display mode> In S804, CPU 118 changes the display mode of the focus position to "normal". The "normal" display mode is the display mode when the pressure of the touch operation on the "touch panel" set by the user is not greater than a predetermined strength (similar to the second embodiment below). CPU 118 controls OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. OSD drawing unit 112 draws a focus position meter, a focus position position, and a focus position with a "normal" display mode on an image obtained by CMOS type imaging element 102 or the like. Image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via external output terminal 115 and displayed. CPU 118 then advances the process to S813.

[0065] <Drawing process for focus position with "edge" display mode> On the other hand, in S805, CPU 118 changes the display mode of the focus position to "with edges". The "with edges" display mode is the display mode when the user's touch operation on the "touch panel" is pressed with a predetermined strength or more (similar to the second embodiment below). CPU 118 controls OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. OSD drawing unit 112 draws a focus position meter, a focus position position, and a focus position with a "display mode of "with edges"" on an image obtained by CMOS type imaging element 102 or the like. Image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via external output terminal 115 and displayed. CPU 118 then advances the process to S813.

[0066] In S806, CPU 118 acquires the amount of manual focus operation in lens 101 via a touch panel mounted on operation unit 106, and proceeds to S807. In S807, CPU 118 determines whether the pressure of the touch operation in S802 is greater than or equal to a predetermined strength. If CPU 118 determines that the pressure is not greater than or equal to the predetermined strength (No), it proceeds to S808. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines that the pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined strength (Yes), it proceeds to S810.

[0067] <Drawing process for the focus position when the display mode is "normal" during manual focus operation> In S808, CPU 118 changes the display mode of the focus position to "normal." That is, CPU 118 controls OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. OSD drawing unit 112 draws the focus position and the focus position with the display mode of "normal" on the image obtained by CMOS type image sensor 102 or the like, and proceeds to the process of S809. Note that image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via external output terminal 115 and displayed.

[0068] Next, in S809, the CPU 118 changes the focus position in accordance with the "manual focus operation amount" acquired in S806. After that, the CPU 118 advances the process to S813.

[0069] <Drawing process for focus position with "edge" display mode during manual focus operation> On the other hand, in S810, the CPU 118 controls the OSD drawing unit 112 to perform the following drawing. The OSD drawing unit 112 draws the focus position and the focus position in the display mode of "with edge" on the image obtained by the CMOS type image sensor 102 or the like, and proceeds to the process of S811. Note that image data and the like including the drawing contents are output to each output destination via the external output terminal 115 and displayed.

[0070] In S811, CPU 118 determines whether or not the focus position is within a predetermined range for the focus position. If CPU 118 determines that the focus position is not within the predetermined range for the focus position (No), the process proceeds to S813. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines that the focus position is within the predetermined range for the focus position (Yes), the process proceeds to S812.

[0071] In S812, CPU 118 changes the focus position according to the "manual focus operation amount" acquired in S806, and proceeds to S813. In S813, CPU 118 determines whether or not to continue the operation of the focus position guide. If CPU 118 determines not to continue (No), CPU 118 ends the process. On the other hand, if CPU 118 determines to continue (Yes), CPU 118 proceeds to S803.

[0072] In this manner, also in the second embodiment, the effect of easily moving the position of the imaging lens to the focus position can be obtained by determining the touch operation on the touch panel by the user and the strength of the pressure applied thereto.

[0073] <<Other>> The present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate. In addition, the present invention also includes a case where a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device having a computer capable of executing the program directly from a recording medium or via wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed.

[0074] Therefore, the program code itself that is supplied and installed to a computer to realize the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. In other words, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention. In addition, the recording medium for supplying the program may be, for example, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical storage medium, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, etc. In addition, the method of supplying the program may be such that the program of the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network and the connected client computer downloads the program.

[0075] <Additional Note> The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, an acquisition unit that acquires a current focus position of the imaging lens; A change unit that changes a focus position of the imaging lens; a storage unit that stores one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control unit that, when a predetermined operation is satisfied during a process of changing a focus position of the imaging lens by the change unit, controls the change unit to be unable to change the focus position of the imaging lens when the current focus position acquired by the acquisition unit reaches a focus position stored in the memory unit. (Configuration 2) The imaging device according to configuration 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of pressing a button arbitrarily set by a user. (Configuration 3) The control unit further includes: The imaging device described in configuration 2 is characterized in that, when a user does not press the button that has been arbitrarily set, the change unit can change the position of the imaging lens even if the focus position reaches the focus position stored in the memory unit. (Configuration 4) The imaging device according to configuration 2, further comprising a form change unit that changes the display form of the focus position of the imaging lens depending on whether the button, which is arbitrarily set by a user, is pressed or not pressed. (Configuration 5) The change unit is 2. The imaging device according to configuration 1, wherein a focus position of the imaging lens is changed in response to a rotation operation of a lens ring of the imaging lens. (Configuration 6) The change unit is 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the focus position of the imaging lens is changed based on a control signal within the imaging device. (Configuration 7) An imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens. an acquisition unit that acquires a current focus position of the imaging lens; A change unit that changes a focus position of the imaging lens; a storage unit that stores one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control unit that controls the change unit to disable changing the focus position of the imaging lens when a difference between the focus position stored in the memory unit and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition unit is within a predetermined range and a predetermined operation is satisfied. (Configuration 8) The imaging device according to configuration 7, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of pressing a button arbitrarily set by the user. (Configuration 9) The imaging device according to configuration 1 or 7, wherein the predetermined operation is a touch operation on a touch panel serving as an operation unit of the imaging device itself. (Configuration 10) The imaging device according to configuration 1 or 7, further comprising a notification unit that displays a notification when the focus position of the imaging lens passes through the focus position stored in the memory unit during the process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change unit. (Configuration 11) The predetermined operation is: The imaging device described in configuration 1 or 7, characterized in that when there are multiple desired focus positions stored in the memory unit, the operation is performed by pressing a corresponding button among buttons provided for each of the multiple focus positions, or by pressing a single button for the multiple desired focus positions. (Configuration 12) The control unit further includes: 8. The imaging device according to configuration 1 or 7, wherein the amount of displacement of the focus position is controlled to be smaller as the current focus position approaches the desired focus position stored in the storage unit. (Method 1) A method for controlling an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, comprising the steps of: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change of the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step when a predetermined operation is satisfied during the process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step reaches the focus position stored in the storage step. (Method 2) A method for controlling an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, comprising the steps of: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change step from changing the focus position of the imaging lens when a difference between the focus position stored in the storage step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step is within a predetermined range and a predetermined operation is satisfied. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, comprising: The control method includes: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change of the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step when a predetermined operation is satisfied during the process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step reaches the focus position stored in the storage step. (Program 2) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, comprising: The control method includes: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change step from changing the focus position of the imaging lens when a difference between the focus position stored in the storage step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step is within a predetermined range and a predetermined operation is satisfied.

[0076] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiment to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having a computer processor of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Video Camera 101 Lens 102 CMOS type image sensor 103 Camera signal processing unit 104 Recording media 105 Power supply 106 Operation section 107 Lens Communication Department 108 Input Interface 109 ROM 110 RAM 111 CODEC 112 OSD drawing section 113 LCD Panel 114EVF 115 External output terminal 116 Output I / F 117 External I / F 118 CPU 119 Communications Department 120 Data Bus 200 Expansion Unit 201 CPU 202 RAM 203 ROM 204 Operation section 205 Input I / F 206 External I / F 207 Data Bus

Claims

1. An imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, an acquisition unit that acquires a current focus position of the imaging lens; A change unit that changes a focus position of the imaging lens; a storage unit that stores one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control unit that, when a predetermined operation is satisfied during a process of changing a focus position of the imaging lens by the change unit, controls the change unit to be unable to change the focus position of the imaging lens when the current focus position acquired by the acquisition unit reaches a focus position stored in the memory unit.

2. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of pressing a button arbitrarily set by a user.

3. The control unit further The imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, when a user does not perform an operation of pressing the button that has been arbitrarily set, even if the focus position reaches the focus position stored in the memory unit, the position of the imaging lens can be changed by the change unit.

4. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, further comprising a form changing unit that changes a display form of the focus position of the imaging lens depending on whether the button arbitrarily set by a user is pressed or not pressed.

5. The change unit is 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a focus position of the imaging lens is changed in response to a rotation operation of a lens ring of the imaging lens.

6. The change unit is 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the focus position of the imaging lens is changed based on a control signal within the imaging device.

7. An imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens. an acquisition unit that acquires a current focus position of the imaging lens; A change unit that changes a focus position of the imaging lens; a storage unit that stores one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control unit that controls the change unit to disable changing the focus position of the imaging lens when a difference between the focus position stored in the memory unit and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition unit is within a predetermined range and a predetermined operation is satisfied.

8. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of pressing a button arbitrarily set by a user.

9. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is a touch operation on a touch panel serving as an operation unit of the imaging apparatus itself.

10. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user that the focus position stored in the memory unit is passed during the process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change unit.

11. The predetermined operation is The imaging device according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that when there are multiple desired focus positions stored in the memory unit, the operation is performed by pressing a corresponding button among buttons provided for each of the multiple focus positions, or by pressing a single button for the multiple desired focus positions.

12. The control unit further 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus position is controlled so that the amount of displacement of the focus position is reduced as the current focus position approaches the desired focus position stored in the storage unit.

13. A method for controlling an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, comprising the steps of: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change of the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step when a predetermined operation is satisfied during the process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step reaches the focus position stored in the storage step.

14. A method for controlling an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, comprising the steps of: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change step from changing the focus position of the imaging lens when a difference between the focus position stored in the storage step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step is within a predetermined range and a predetermined operation is satisfied.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, The control method includes: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change of the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step when a predetermined operation is satisfied during the process of changing the focus position of the imaging lens by the change step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step reaches the focus position stored in the storage step.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an imaging device having a manual focus function and an imaging lens, The control method includes: acquiring a current focus position of the imaging lens; a changing step of changing a focus position of the imaging lens; a storing step of storing one or more desired focus positions of the imaging lens; and a control step of disabling the change step from changing the focus position of the imaging lens when a difference between the focus position stored in the storage step and the current focus position acquired by the acquisition step is within a predetermined range and a predetermined operation is satisfied.

Images