Optical controller, optical apparatus, and control method

Abstract

To control a movable optical portion to be in a control target state corresponding to time at the time set outside.SOLUTION: An optical controller includes: timing generation means 16 that generates a timing signal indicating timing for controlling a movable optical portion 11; and control means 14, 18 that controls the movable optical portion to be in a first control target state at first timing corresponding to first time in the timing signal in response to reception of a time signal, a time synchronization signal for synchronizing the timing signal with the time signal, and a first signal indicating the first control target state of the movable optical portion at the first time in the time signal, from outside of the optical controller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical control device that controls an optical device such as a lens device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical device having a movable optical portion such as a lens, which is controlled in accordance with a control target generated by an external device separate from the optical device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-118709 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the optical device of Patent Document 1 does not perform control based on a time signal generated by an external device, and therefore does not meet the demand for controlling the optical device to be in a predetermined state (zoom position, etc.) at a predetermined time set by an external device to capture an image. Specifically, due to delays and fluctuations in communication between the optical device and the external device, delays in processing within the optical device, and further delays related to control, it may not be possible to control the optical device to be in a predetermined state at a predetermined time set by the external device. In addition, when the optical device controls a movable optical part using digital signal processing, if the generation timing of the control signal generated at discrete timings within the optical device does not match the predetermined time, the optical device cannot be controlled to be in a predetermined state at a predetermined time.

[0005] The present invention provides an optical control device and a control method capable of controlling an optical control system to a control target state corresponding to an externally set time at or near the time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An optical control device according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by having a timing generation means for generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling a movable optical unit, and a control means for controlling the movable optical unit to be in a first control target state at a first timing corresponding to the first time in the timing signal in response to receiving from an outside of the optical control device a time signal, a time synchronization signal for synchronizing the timing signal with the time signal, and a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time in the time signal.An optical control device according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized by having a timing generation means for generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling the movable optical unit, and a control means for controlling the movable optical unit using a second control target state of the movable optical unit at a second timing different from the first time in the timing signal and a control amount from the second control target state to the first control target state in response to receiving from an outside of the optical control device a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time different from the timing indicated by the timing signal. In addition, an optical device having the above-mentioned optical control device and a movable optical part, or an optical device system including the optical device and an external device that generates a time signal and a first control target signal also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

[0007] A control method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling a movable optical unit, and a step of controlling the movable optical unit to be in a first control target state at a first timing corresponding to the first time in the timing signal in response to receiving from an external device a time signal, a time synchronization signal for synchronizing the timing signal with the time signal, and a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time in the time signal.A control method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling the movable optical unit, and a step of controlling the movable optical unit using a second control target state of the movable optical unit at a second timing different from the first time in the timing signal and a control amount from the second control target state to the first control target state in response to receiving from an external device a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time different from the timing indicated by the timing signal.Note that a program for causing a computer to execute a process according to the above control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to control the movable optical portion to a control target state corresponding to an externally set time at or near the time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lens apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a time signal Tref, a count signal Tcnt, and a time synchronization signal Tref0 in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between a time signal Tref, a count signal Tcnt, and a control target value Y in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a process in the lens apparatus of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lens apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in the lens apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lens apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between a time signal Tref, a count signal Tcnt, and a control target value Y in the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing a process in the lens apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in the lens apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lens apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging system according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0011] 1 shows the configuration of a lens device 1 as an optical device according to the first embodiment. The lens device 1 is made up of a movable optical unit 11, a position detection unit 12, a drive unit 13, a signal processing unit 14, a communication unit 15, a counter unit 16, a counter correction unit 17, and a conversion unit 18. The signal processing unit 14, the communication unit 15, the counter unit 16, the counter correction unit 17, and the conversion unit 18 make up an optical control device. Furthermore, the counter unit 16 makes up a timing generation means, and the signal processing unit 14 and the conversion unit 18 make up a control means.

[0012] The external device 100 is a device separate (external) from the lens device 1. The external device 100 generates a time signal Tref and a first control target signal Ctl(Tref, Y) as a first signal indicating a control target value Y (first control target state: hereinafter referred to as control target position Y) for position control associated with the time signal Tref. The external device 100 also generates a time synchronization signal Tref0. The time synchronization signal Tref0 will be described later.

[0013] The lens device 1 receives inputs of a time signal Tref, a time synchronization signal Tref0, and a first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) from the external device 100. Then, the lens device 1 converts the input first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) into a second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt,Y) as a second signal associated with the count signal Tcnt in the lens device 1, and controls the movable optical unit 11 based on this second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt,Y).

[0014] The movable optical unit 11 has movable members such as a focus lens, a zoom lens, an aperture, an anti-vibration lens, an extender lens, and a filter lens provided within the lens device 1. In the following description, the movable optical unit 11 is a zoom lens.

[0015] The position detection unit 12 is composed of an encoder, etc., receives a position detection trigger signal Act (Tcnt) from the signal processing unit 14, detects the position of the movable optical unit 11, and outputs a position signal Fol (Tcnt) indicating the detected position to the signal processing unit 14.

[0016] The drive unit 13 drives the movable optical unit 11 in response to a control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt) from the signal processing unit 14.

[0017] The signal processing unit 14 operates in accordance with the timing indicated by the count signal Tcnt. The signal processing unit 14 outputs a control signal Ctl_1(Tcnt) to the driving unit 13 in response to the second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt,Y) from the conversion unit 18 and the position signal Fol(Tcnt) from the position detection unit 12. This feedback controls the movable optical unit 11 to the control target position Y. That is, the lens device 1 controls the position of the movable optical unit 11 in response to the first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) from the external device 100.

[0018] The communication unit 15 communicates with the external device 100 via an external communication network such as a LAN, and receives the time signal Tref, the time synchronization signal Tref0, and the first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) from the external device 100.

[0019] The counter unit 16 generates and outputs a count signal (timing signal) Tcnt for controlling the control timing of the movable optical unit 11. The counter unit 16 also corrects the count signal Tcnt based on a counter correction signal ReTcnt from a counter correction unit 17.

[0020] The counter correction unit 17 as a correction means outputs a counter correction signal ReTcnt in response to the time synchronization signal Tref0 input from the external device 100 by communication and the count signal Tcnt from the counter unit 16.

[0021] The conversion unit 18 receives an input of a first control target signal Ctl(Tref, Y) associated with the time signal Tref from the external device 100, a count signal Tcnt from the counter unit 16, and a time synchronization signal Tref0 from the external device 100 (communication unit 15). Then, the conversion unit 18 converts the first control target signal Ctl(Tref, Y) into a second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt, Y) associated with the count signal Tcnt, and outputs it to the signal processing unit 14. That is, the conversion unit 18 generates a second control target signal indicating a control target position at a first count value (first timing) corresponding to the first time in the count signal from the first control target signal indicating a control target position at a first time in the time signal Tref.

[0022] The following describes in detail the operations of the counter correction unit 17 and the conversion unit 18. Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the time synchronization signal Tref0, the time signal Tref, and the count signal Tcnt. First, the operation of the counter correction unit 17 will be described.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows how the count signal (count value) Tcnt deviates from the time signal (true time) Tref, which is generated by the external device 100 and serves as the time reference, due to external factors such as the accuracy and individual differences (variations) of the electronic components that make up the counter section 16 and temperature.

[0024] 2, a count signal in the lens device 1 corresponding to a time signal Tref_X indicating a certain time in the external device 100 within an interval in which a time synchronization signal Tref0 is input is Tcnt_X which is shifted from the time signal Tref_X by D. The conversion unit 18 converts the first control target signal Ctl(Tref_X,Y) into a second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt_X,Y) and outputs it.

[0025] The counter correction unit 17 periodically corrects the count signal Tcnt based on the time synchronization signal Tref0 that is periodically (periodically) generated by the external device 100, and eliminates the deviation of the count signal Tcnt from the time signal Tref. That is, when the time synchronization signal Tref0 is input, the counter correction unit 17 corrects the count signal Tcnt so that D=0 is satisfied, that is, so that the count signal Tcnt is synchronized with the time signal Tref. This technology is explained in IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1588. The period of the time synchronization signal Tref0 and the period for correcting the count signal Tcnt may be determined in consideration of the accuracy of the time synchronization.

[0026] Next, an overview of the process executed in the lens device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the time signal Tref, the count signal Tcnt, and the control target position (including the control start position) Y of the movable optical part 11. In FIG. 3, the control target positions when the count signal is Tcnt_1, Tcnt_2, ..., Tcnt_4 are Y1, Y2, and Y4, respectively. Also, the control target position when the time signal is Tref_3 (first time) is Y3. It is assumed that Tref_3 of the time signal corresponds to Tcnt_2 (first timing) of the count signal, and the control target position (first state) Y2=Y3. It is also assumed that control starts when the count signal is Tcnt_1, and the position of the movable optical part 11 at that time is Y1.

[0027] The flowchart in Fig. 4 shows the flow of processing executed within the lens device 1. The signal processing unit 14, communication unit 15, counter unit 16, counter correction unit 17, and conversion unit 18 are configured by one or more computers such as CPUs or MPUs, and execute this processing according to a program. In Fig. 4, ST means a step.

[0028] In ST 01 , the communication unit 15 receives the time synchronization signal Tref 0 and the time signal Tref from the external device 100 , and the conversion unit 18 obtains the count signal Tcnt from the counter unit 16 .

[0029] In ST02, the counter correction unit 17 corrects the count signal Tcnt based on the time synchronization signal Tref0.

[0030] In ST03, the conversion unit 18 acquires from the communication unit 15 the first control target signal Ctl(Tref_3, Y3) associated with the time signal Tref.

[0031] In ST04, the conversion unit 18 sets (Tcnt, Y)=(Tcnt_2, Y2) from the relationship shown in FIG. 3, and converts the first control target signal Ctl(Tref_3, Y3) into the second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt_2, Y2).

[0032] In ST05, the signal processing unit 14 calculates the difference between the second control target signal Ctl (Tcnt_2, Y2) and the control start position Fol (Tcnt_1, Y1) of the movable optical unit 11. Then, from the difference, it calculates the target speed Sped of the movable optical unit 11 required for the movable optical unit 11 to reach the position Y2 at the time of the count value Tcnt_2. Specifically, it calculates the target speed Sped from |Y2-Y1| / (Tcnt_2-Tcnt_1). Note that it is preferable to determine the target speed Sped by adjusting |Y2-Y1| / (Tcnt_2-Tcnt_1) in consideration of the control characteristics of the movable optical unit 11 when it starts moving or stops.

[0033] In ST06, the signal processing unit 14 updates the count value Tcnt of the second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt_2, Y2) and the control start position Fol(Tcnt_1, Y1) to their current values, and the position Y of the movable optical unit 11. This results in an updated control target signal (control target position) Ctl(Tcnt, Y) and control start position (current position) Fol(Tcnt, Y).

[0034] In ST07, the signal processing unit 14 calculates a difference β between the control target position Ctl(Tcnt, Y) updated in ST06 and the current position Fol(Tcnt, Y).

[0035] In ST08, the signal processing unit 14 generates a control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt, Sped, β) for controlling the movable optical unit 11 (drive unit 13). This control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt, Sped, β) is determined by the difference β between the control target position and the current position in the count signal Tcnt and the target speed Sped. For example, the control signal is generated by multiplying the difference β by a coefficient that takes into account the target speed Sped.

[0036] In ST09, the signal processing unit 14 adds an additional control amount α required for further control to the control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt, Sped, β). This additional control amount α is determined, for example, taking into consideration the friction component of the drive system of the movable optical unit 11. In this embodiment, α is set to 0.

[0037] In ST10, the signal processing unit 14 controls the driving unit 13 in response to the control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt, Sped, β) to drive the movable optical unit 11. This controls the movable optical unit 11 to drive it to position Y2=Y3 in the count signal Tcnt_2 corresponding to the time signal Tref_3. Then, this process ends in ST11.

[0038] Through the above processing, the lens device 1 synchronizes the count signal Tcnt of the lens device 1 with the time signal Tref of the external device 100 to control the driving of the movable optical portion 11. This makes it possible to control the movable optical portion 11 to be in a predetermined state (to reach a control target position) at a predetermined time set in the external device 100.

[0039] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the control target position Y2 is set at the start timing (count signal Tcnt_1) of the drive control of the movable optical part 11, but the control target position may also be updated during the drive control of the movable optical part 11. EXAMPLES

[0040] 5 shows the configuration of the lens device 2 of the embodiment 2. The lens device 2 of the embodiment is obtained by adding a determination unit 291 and a control signal correction unit 292 to the lens device 1 of the embodiment 1. An optical control device is configured with the signal processing unit 14, the communication unit 15, the counter unit 16, the counter correction unit 17, the conversion unit 18, the determination unit 291, and the control signal correction unit 292. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 14, the conversion unit 18, the determination unit 291, and the control signal correction unit 292 configure a control means.

[0041] In FIG. 5, the external device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

[0042] The determination unit 291 receives the count signal Tcnt, the second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt,Y) and the position signal Fol(Tcnt) and outputs a determination signal Jug(Tcnt). The determination signal Jug(Tcnt) indicates a determination result regarding a difference β between the control target position (first state) indicated by the second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt,Y) and the current position as the controlled position of the movable optical unit 11. The control signal correction unit 292 constitutes a control means together with the signal processing unit 14, and the operation thereof will be described later.

[0043] The flowchart in Fig. 6 shows the flow of processing executed within the lens device 2. The signal processing unit 14, the communication unit 15, the counter unit 16, the counter correction unit 17, the conversion unit 18, the determination unit 291, and the control signal correction unit 292 are configured by a computer, which executes this processing according to a program.

[0044] The processes from ST01 to ST10 are the same as those denoted by the same reference numerals in the first embodiment (FIG. 4), and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0045] In ST12 following ST10, the determination unit 291 determines whether the movable optical unit 11 has stopped after being driven, and if it is determined that the movable optical unit 11 has stopped, the process proceeds to step ST13, and if it is determined that the movable optical unit 11 has not stopped, the process returns to step ST07. At this time, the determination unit 291 determines that the movable optical unit 11 has stopped, for example, when the position signal Fol(Tcnt) is stable within a predetermined range within a predetermined time.

[0046] In ST13, the determination unit 291 determines whether the difference β between the control target position calculated in ST07 and the current position is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and if the difference β is equal to or less than the predetermined value, proceeds to step ST15, otherwise proceeds to step ST14. The predetermined value here may be set to a value that allows β, which is the deviation between the current position where the driven movable optical unit 11 is stopped and the control target position, to be within an allowable range for control of the movable optical unit 11. More specifically, it may be set to a value that allows imaging to be performed under predetermined conditions (zoom state, etc.) at a predetermined time.

[0047] In ST14, the determination unit 291 sets the determination signal Jug (Tcnt) to a determination result of 1. In addition, in ST15, the determination unit 291 sets the determination signal Jug (Tcnt) to a determination result of 0. When Jug (Tcnt) indicates the determination result of 1, the control signal correction unit 292 additionally generates a control signal for reducing the deviation between the current position (stop position) and the control target position. For example, when the driven movable optical unit 11 stops before the control target position, the control of the drive of the movable optical unit 11 is resumed (continued) and the movable optical unit 11 is controlled at a low speed to the control target position. Furthermore, in ST14 and ST15, the conversion unit 18 as an output means converts the determination signal Jug (Tcnt) associated with the count signal Tcnt into a determination signal Jug (Tref) associated with the time signal Tref, and outputs it to an external device via the communication unit 15. Then, this process ends in ST11.

[0048] The external device that receives the determination signal Jug(Tref) generates a new first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) according to the determination result indicated by the determination signal Jug(Tref), and outputs it to the lens device 2. This makes it possible to suppress a deviation between the first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) generated by the external device and the control result of the movable optical portion 11 in the lens device 2 in response to the first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y).

[0049] In addition, if there is an allowable range for the specified time when imaging is performed under specified conditions, the judgment signal Jug(Tcnt) may be set to 0 if the difference between the time when the movable optical unit 11 stops at the control target position and the specified time is within the allowable range, and set to 1 if it is outside the allowable range.

[0050] In addition, if the control target position is updated at any time during control of the drive of the movable optical part 11, the judgment signal Jug(Tcnt) may be generated by calculating the deviation between the current position of the movable optical part 11 and the control target position for each count signal Tcnt.

[0051] In addition, the predetermined value for β may take into consideration the optical characteristics of the movable optical unit 11 that affect the imaging state of the lens device. For example, when the zoom sensitivity, which is the rate of change of the zoom magnification relative to the driving amount of the movable optical unit 11, is small, β may be large if it satisfies the request to capture an image under predetermined conditions at a predetermined time, so the predetermined value can be set large. In addition, since the zoom sensitivity generally differs depending on the position of the movable optical unit 11, the predetermined value may be changed depending on the position of the movable optical unit 11. Specifically, the predetermined value according to the position of the movable optical unit 11 may be set by referring to the designed zoom sensitivity for each position of the movable optical unit 11 and the zoom sensitivity actually measured when the lens device is assembled or during operation.

[0052] Furthermore, even when the movable optical unit 11 is an optical element other than a zoom lens, the predetermined value may be set in consideration of optical characteristics that affect the imaging state. For example, the predetermined value may be set in consideration of the rate of change of focus movement (focus sensitivity) or the rate of change of depth of field relative to the driving amount of the focus lens, or the rate of change of light amount or the rate of change of depth of field relative to the driving amount of the aperture. EXAMPLES

[0053] Fig. 7 shows the configuration of the lens device 3 of the third embodiment. In the lens device 3 of this embodiment, the signal processing unit 14 of the lens device 1 of the first embodiment is replaced with a signal processing unit 34. Although not shown, the signal processing unit 34 has a built-in control conversion unit. The signal processing unit 34 and the conversion unit 18 constitute the control means. Note that the external device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is not shown.

[0054] 8 shows the relationship between the time signal Tref, the count signal Tcnt, and the position Y of the movable optical unit 11 in this embodiment. Compared to FIG. 3, the time (first time) of the time signal Tcnt_3 and the timing (second timing) of the count signal Tcnt_2 are different. In this embodiment, the control signal is generated at discrete timing, so the generation timing (count signal Tcnt_2), that is, the control timing of the movable optical unit 11, does not match with the time signal Tref_3. In this case, with the configuration of embodiment 1, it is difficult to control the movable optical unit 11 to be in a predetermined state at a predetermined time.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, the signal processing unit 34 generates a control signal with a control target position of Y2 at the count signal Tcnt_2. Then, during the period between Tcnt_2 and Tcnt_4, when the control signal cannot be generated, the control conversion unit in the signal processing unit 34 supplements the control by adding an additional control amount α. That is, the control target position Y3 (first control target state) at the time of the time signal Tref_3 is replaced with the sum of the control target position Y2 (second control target state) at the timing of the count signal Tcnt_2, which is different from Tref_3, and the additional control amount α.

[0056] 9 shows the flow of processing executed within the lens device 3. The signal processing unit 34, the communication unit 15, the counter unit 16, the counter correction unit 17, and the conversion unit 18 are configured by a computer, which executes this processing according to a program.

[0057] The processes from ST01 to ST03 are the same as those denoted by the same reference numerals in the first embodiment (FIG. 4), and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0058] In ST16 after ST03, the signal processing unit (control conversion unit) 34 calculates count signals Tcnt_2, Tcnt_4, Y2, and Y4 from Ctl (Tcnt_3, Y3) acquired in ST03. Here, as the count signals (second timing) Tcnt_2 and Tcnt_4, the signals with the timing closest to (just before and just after) the time signal Tref_3 among the count signals are used. In addition, the positions Y2 and Y4 are predicted positions as the positions of the movable optical unit 11 that will be reached at the timing of the count signals Tcnt_2 and Tcnt_4 when the driving of the movable optical unit 11 is controlled based on the control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt, Sped, β) described in the first embodiment.

[0059] Next, in ST17, the signal processing unit 34 determines whether or not |Y2-Y3| is greater than a predetermined value. If |Y2-Y3| is greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to ST19, and if it is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to ST18.

[0060] In ST18, the signal processing unit 34 sets (Tcnt, Y)=(Tcnt_2, Y2) and then proceeds to ST22.

[0061] In ST19, the signal processing unit 34 determines whether or not |Y4-Y3| is greater than a predetermined value, and proceeds to ST04 if |Y4-Y3| is greater than the predetermined value, and proceeds to ST20 if |Y4-Y3| is equal to or less than the predetermined value. The predetermined value here is the same as the predetermined value in ST17.

[0062] In step ST20, the signal processing unit 34 sets (Tcnt, Y)=(Tcnt_4, Y4) and then proceeds to ST22.

[0063] In ST22, the signal processing unit 34 clears the additional control amount α to 0. Then, the process proceeds to ST05.

[0064] On the other hand, in ST04, similarly to the first embodiment, the converter 18 sets (Tcnt, Y)=(Tcnt_2, Y2) and converts the first control target signal Ctl(Tref_3, Y3) into the second control target signal Ctl(Tcnt_2, Y2). Then, the process proceeds to ST21.

[0065] In ST21, the signal processing unit 34 acquires an additional control amount α at the position Y2 of the movable optical unit 11. This additional control amount α is a control amount (drive amount) for making the movable optical unit 11 reach the position Y3 at the time signal Tref_3. In other words, it is a control amount for controlling the drive of the movable optical unit 11 by the difference (Y3-Y2) between the control target positions indicated by the first and second control target signals, respectively. Note that the additional control amount α may be determined in consideration of optical characteristics such as zoom sensitivity that differ depending on the position of the movable optical unit 11, and control characteristics of the movable optical unit 11 that are influenced by frictional force, inertial force, etc. when the movable optical unit 11 is driven. Then, proceed to ST05.

[0066] The processes from ST05 to ST10 are the same as those of the same reference numerals in the first embodiment. In ST09 after ST21 in this embodiment, a non-zero additional control amount α is added to the control signal Ctl_1 (Tcnt, Sped, β). As a result, in ST10, control of the movable optical unit 11 is performed, including driving to position Y2 at the count signal Tcnt_2 and driving by the additional control amount α. As a result, the movable optical unit 11 is driven to position Y3 at a timing that roughly corresponds to the time signal Tref_3.

[0067] Through the above processing, the lens device 3 obtains predicted positions Y2, Y4 to be reached at the timings Tcnt_2, Tcnt_4 that are closest to Tref_3 for the first control target signal Ctl(Tref_3, Y3) acquired from an external device. Then, if the magnitude of deviation between Y2 or Y4 and Y3 is tolerable, Y2 or Y4 is set as the control target position to control the driving of the movable optical portion 11. On the other hand, if the magnitude of deviation is not tolerable, control based on the additional control amount α is added, so that the movable optical portion 11 can be controlled to be in a predetermined state (to reach the control target position Y3) at a predetermined time (Tref_3).

[0068] As described above, it is preferable to set the additional control amount α in consideration of the optical characteristics and control characteristics of the movable optical portion 11. The control characteristics are affected by the frictional force and inertial force during driving of the movable optical portion 11, which change depending on the ambient temperature and attitude of the lens device 3, the driving speed of the movable optical portion 11, etc. For example, the additional control amount α is set small at high temperatures when the grease applied to the movable optical portion 11 becomes soft and the driving torque becomes small, during high-speed driving when the inertial force increases, and in an attitude where the driving torque becomes small due to the influence of gravity. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary overshoot of the movable optical portion 11.

[0069] As for the optical characteristics, for example, if the zoom sensitivity is small, the effect on the imaging state is small and the deviation between the control target position and the stop position of the movable optical unit 11 can be tolerated to some extent, so the additional control amount α is set small. This also makes it possible to suppress unnecessary overshoot of the movable optical unit 11.

[0070] Furthermore, in general, the frictional force and inertial force when the movable optical unit 11 is driven differ depending on the position of the movable optical unit 11, similar to the zoom sensitivity. For this reason, the additional control amount α may be set in consideration of the control characteristics according to the position of the movable optical unit 11. Specifically, the additional control amount α according to the position of the movable optical unit 11 may be set with reference to the frictional force, inertial force, etc. in design for each position of the movable optical unit 11 and the frictional force, inertial force, etc. actually measured when the lens device is assembled or during operation.

[0071] In this embodiment, the control is performed based on the first control target signal Ctl (Tref_3, Y3) associated with the time signal Tref generated by the external device, but the control may be performed based on a control target signal that is not associated with the time signal Tref. In other words, the same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained by applying the process of this embodiment when the discrete generation timing of the control signal does not match the arrival time at the control target position.

[0072] The function of the process related to the additional control amount α described in the first and third embodiments and the determination unit 291 and the control signal correction unit 292 shown in the second embodiment may be included in an external device. In other words, the external device may constitute a part of the optical control device. EXAMPLES

[0073] FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the lens device 4 of the fourth embodiment. The lens device 4 includes the signal processing unit 14, the communication unit 15, the counter unit 16, the counter correction unit 17, and the conversion unit 18 shown in the first embodiment, and the determination unit 291 and the control signal correction unit 292 described in the second embodiment. It further includes a time synchronization signal switching unit 30. The time synchronization signal switching unit 30 receives a highly accurate time signal (hereinafter referred to as a GPS time signal) included in a GPS signal or the like. Then, it switches between using the GPS time signal as the time synchronization signal Tref0 or using the time synchronization signal Tref0 input from the external device 100 as in the first to third embodiments. Specifically, it compares the reliability as a signal between the time synchronization signal Tref0 input from the external device and the GPS time signal, and selects which one to use as the time synchronization signal Tref0. The time synchronization signal switching unit 30 may redistribute the GPS time signal or the time synchronization signal Tref0 once input. This allows the time signal to be synchronized starting from the lens device, making it possible to use a more reliable time signal, and also contributing to increased flexibility in system construction.

[0074] 10 shows the flow of processing executed by the lens device of this embodiment. The signal processing unit 14, communication unit 15, counter unit 16, counter correction unit 17, conversion unit 18, determination unit 291, control signal correction unit 292 and time synchronization signal switching unit 30 are configured by a computer, which executes this processing according to a program.

[0075] The processes from ST01 to ST22 are the same as those of the same symbols in the first embodiment (FIG. 4), the second embodiment (FIG. 6), and the third embodiment (FIG. 9). However, in ST01, a time signal included in a GPS signal or the like may be acquired as the time synchronization signal Tref0 through the time synchronization signal switching unit 30. EXAMPLES

[0076] 12 shows an imaging system (optical device system) 5 including an information processing device 300 as an external device, a plurality of lens devices 301 to 303, and camera devices 311 to 313 connected to the lens devices. Note that the camera devices may be the external devices.

[0077] The information processing device 300 is configured by a personal computer or the like, and outputs a time signal Tref, a time synchronization signal Tref0, and a first control target signal Ctl(Tref,Y) to an information communication network such as a LAN. The information processing device 300 also acquires a determination signal Jug(Tref) output from the lens device 301 or the like via the information communication network.

[0078] The lens device 301 acquires the above-mentioned signals output from the information processing device 300 via an information and communication network. Moreover, the lens device 302 acquires the above-mentioned signals acquired by the camera device 312 connected thereto via the information and communication network by communicating with the camera device 312. The lens device 303 acquires the above-mentioned signals output from the information processing device 300 via the information and communication network directly or via the camera device 313 connected thereto.

[0079] The camera devices 311 to 313 capture images according to the state (zoom state, etc.) of the lens device connected to each of them.

[0080] According to the imaging system 5 of this embodiment, it is possible to control each lens device so that the movable optical part 11 is driven to the corresponding position Y at the time Tref corresponding to the first control target signal Ctl(Tref, Y) generated by the information processing device 300.

[0081] The above embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0082] (Configuration 1) An optical control device for controlling a movable optical unit, a timing generating means for generating a timing signal for controlling the movable optical portion; an optical control device comprising: a control means for controlling the movable optical unit to attain the first control target state at a first timing corresponding to the first time in the timing signal in response to receiving a time signal from outside the optical control device, a time synchronization signal for synchronizing the timing signal with the time signal, and a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time in the time signal. (Configuration 2) 2. The optical control device according to configuration 1, further comprising a correction means for periodically correcting the timing signal so as to synchronize with the time signal, using the time synchronization signal. (Configuration 3) The optical control device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means converts the first signal into a second signal indicating the first control target state at the first timing, and controls the movable optical unit based on the second signal. (Configuration 4) An optical control device for controlling a movable optical unit, a timing generating means for generating a timing signal for controlling a control timing of the movable optical portion; an optical control device comprising: a control means for controlling, in response to receiving from outside the optical control device a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time different from the timing indicated by the timing signal, the movable optical unit using a second control target state of the movable optical unit at a second timing different from the first time in the timing signal and a control amount from the second control target state to the first control target state. (Configuration 5) The optical control device described in configuration 4, characterized in that the control means controls the movable optical unit using a sum of a control signal that controls the movable optical unit to be in the second control target state at the second timing and the control amount. (Configuration 6) 6. The optical control device according to claim 4, wherein the second timing is the timing closest to the first time among the timings indicated by the timing signal. (Configuration 7) The control means When a difference between the first control target state and the second control target state is smaller than a predetermined value, the movable optical portion is controlled to the second control target state; 7. The optical control device according to any one of configurations 4 to 6, wherein, when the difference is greater than the predetermined value, the movable optical portion is controlled to the first control target state. (Configuration 8) 5. The optical control device according to configuration 4, wherein the control means controls the movable optical portion using the control amount corresponding to at least one of an optical characteristic and a control characteristic of the movable optical portion. (Configuration 9) 9. The optical control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the control means performs a determination regarding a difference between a controlled state of the movable optical portion and the first control target state. (Configuration 10) 10. The optical control device according to configuration 9, wherein the control means continues to control the movable optical portion depending on the result of the determination. (Configuration 11) The control means outputting a determination signal indicating a result of the determination and associated with the time signal to the outside; 10. The optical control device according to configuration 8 or 9, wherein the optical control device receives an input of the first control target signal generated externally in response to the determination signal. (Configuration 12) An optical control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11; An optical device comprising the movable optical unit. (Configuration 13) The optical device according to aspect 12, An optical instrument system comprising: an external device, different from the optical instrument, that generates the time signal and the first control target signal. (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0083] The embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and various modifications and alterations are possible for each embodiment when implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1~4 Lens device 11 Movable optical section 14,34 Signal processing section 16 Counter section 18 Conversion section

Claims

1. An optical control device for controlling a movable optical unit, a timing generating means for generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling the movable optical portion; an optical control device characterized in having a control means for controlling the movable optical unit to attain the first control target state at a first timing corresponding to the first time in the timing signal in response to receiving a time signal from outside the optical control device, a time synchronization signal for synchronizing the timing signal with the time signal, and a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time in the time signal.

2. 2. The optical control device according to claim 1, further comprising a correction means for periodically correcting the timing signal so as to synchronize the timing signal with the time signal, using the time synchronization signal.

3. 2. The optical control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means converts the first signal into a second signal indicating the first control target state at the first timing, and controls the movable optical unit using the second signal.

4. An optical control device for controlling a movable optical unit, a timing generating means for generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling the movable optical portion; an optical control device characterized in that it has a control means for controlling the movable optical unit using a second control target state of the movable optical unit at a second timing different from the first time in the timing signal and a control amount from the second control target state to the first control target state in response to receiving a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time different from the timing indicated by the timing signal from outside the optical control device.

5. The optical control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means controls the movable optical unit using the sum of a control signal that controls the movable optical unit to be in the second control target state at the second timing and the control amount.

6. 5. The optical control device according to claim 4, wherein the second timing is the timing closest to the first time among the timings indicated by the timing signal.

7. The control means When a difference between the first control target state and the second control target state is smaller than a predetermined value, the movable optical portion is controlled to the second control target state; The optical control device according to claim 4 , wherein, when the difference is greater than the predetermined value, the movable optical portion is controlled to the first control target state.

8. 5. The optical control device according to claim 4, wherein the control means controls the movable optical portion by using the control amount corresponding to at least one of an optical characteristic and a control characteristic of the movable optical portion.

9. 5. The optical control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs a determination regarding a difference between a controlled state of the movable optical portion and the first control target state.

10. The optical control device according to claim 9 , wherein the control means continues to control the movable optical portion depending on the result of the determination.

11. The control means outputting a determination signal indicating a result of the determination and associated with the time signal to the outside; 11. The optical control device according to claim 10, wherein the optical control device receives the first signal generated externally in response to the determination signal.

12. An optical control device according to claim 1 or 4; An optical device comprising the movable optical unit.

13. An optical instrument according to claim 12; An optical instrument system comprising: an external device that generates the time signal and the first control target signal, the external device being different from the optical instrument.

14. A control method for controlling a movable optical unit, comprising: generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling the movable optical portion; a step of controlling the movable optical unit to attain the first control target state at a first timing corresponding to the first time in the timing signal in response to receiving from an external time signal, a time synchronization signal for synchronizing the timing signal with the time signal, and a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time in the time signal.

15. A control method for controlling a movable optical unit, comprising: generating a timing signal indicating a timing for controlling the movable optical portion; a step of controlling the movable optical unit using a second control target state of the movable optical unit at a second timing different from the first time in the timing signal and a control amount from the second control target state to the first control target state in response to receiving from an external device a first signal indicating a first control target state of the movable optical unit at a first time different from the timing indicated by the timing signal.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute a process according to the control method according to claim 14 or 15.

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