Optical device and imaging device

Abstract

To provide an optical device in which a photographer can identify the lens specifications.SOLUTION: There is provided an optical device which includes a barrel that holds an optical element and in which an optical unit is attachable to and detachable from the barrel. The optical unit includes a detection object part that indicates identification information related to the optical unit. The optical device further includes: a detection part that acquires the identification information by detecting the detection object part in such a state that the optical unit is attached to the barrel; and a control part that outputs device information related to the optical device on the basis of the identification information acquired by the detection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical device and an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in the case of shooting for news reporting or filming, a camera having an image sensor size suitable for the shooting purpose is combined with a lens device having optical performance characteristics such as focal length, brightness, and resolution to achieve a variety of image expressions. In such shooting purposes, shooting is performed using a plurality of lens devices to accommodate various angles of view and blur effects. On the other hand, instead of preparing a plurality of lens devices, there are also cases where an optical unit such as a converter is attached to a lens device to change the optical performance to accommodate shooting as desired by the photographer. In order to create a shooting environment with reduced shooting equipment, users are demanding a lens device that can be used with cameras with different specifications by replacing the optical unit included in the lens device and that can be changed to various optical performances.

[0003] On the other hand, when an optical unit such as a converter is attached to a lens device to change the optical performance, lens specifications such as focal length and brightness change, so it is important that the photographer can determine the lens specifications after the optical unit is fixed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which the lens device reads a barcode on the converter and displays the focal length after the converter is connected on the lens device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-201695 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a general-purpose converter is attached to a lens device to change the lens specifications, so that the optical performance of the lens device may not achieve the desired performance depending on the optical performance of the converter.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an optical device that allows a photographer to distinguish lens specifications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the optical device of the present invention is an optical device comprising a barrel for holding an optical element, an optical unit which is detachable from the barrel, the optical unit having a detectable portion which indicates identification information relating to the optical unit, and further comprising a detection portion which obtains the identification information by detecting the detectable portion when the optical unit is attached to the barrel, and a control portion which outputs device information relating to the optical device based on the identification information obtained by the detection portion. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical device that allows a photographer to distinguish the lens specifications. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a lens device 100 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the lens device 100 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of a substrate 30 in this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a lens apparatus 100 and a camera apparatus 200 in the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flow chart showing a device information display flow when the lens device 100 in this embodiment is connected to the camera device 200. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a lens device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings shown below are drawn at a different scale than the actual scale in order to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment. EXAMPLES

[0011] A lens device (optical device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a relay unit (optical unit) 20 that is detachable from a lens device 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the relay unit 20. Fig. 3 shows a front view of a substrate 30. Fig. 4 shows a configuration diagram of an imaging device 300 that includes the lens device 100 and a camera device 200 having an imaging element 240 that receives an image formed by the lens device 100.

[0012] In the lens device 100, by rotating a focus operation ring or a zoom operation ring (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of a zoom housing (lens barrel) 10 that holds optical elements, an optical moving group (not shown) is moved in the optical axis direction to a position according to the rotation angle, thereby performing focus adjustment or zoom adjustment. Also, by rotating an aperture operation ring (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the zoom housing 10, the aperture diameter can be changed according to the rotation angle to adjust the amount of light.

[0013] The lens device 100 has, in order from the front (the object side, the left side in FIG. 4), a focus lens group 1, a zoom lens group 2, an aperture 3, and a relay lens group (optical unit) 4. The relay unit 20 has the relay lens group 4 fixed therein. By replacing the relay unit 20 with a relay unit 20 to which a relay lens group 4 of different optical specifications is attached, it is possible to change the optical specifications of the lens device 100, such as the diameter of the image circle (the corresponding image sensor size) and the focal length. The relay unit 20 has a detection target 21 that is a two-dimensional code, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) (optical detection target), and has identification information related to the relay unit 20 (optical unit) that is detected (acquired) by the lens device 100 when the relay unit 20 is attached to the lens device 100. The identification information is ID information required to identify which relay unit 20 (optical unit) the lens device 100 that detected this identification information is, and may be, for example, a product name, an individual name, a serial number, a model number, or a combination thereof. This identification information may include information regarding the fixed positions (attached state) of the optical elements of the relay lens group 4, i.e., position information regarding the position of each optical surface in the optical axis direction, the amount of eccentricity, the amount of inclination, etc. Here, the fixed positions of the optical elements of the relay lens group 4 may be the fixed positions of the relay lens group 4 relative to the relay unit 20, or the fixed positions of the relay lens group 4 relative to the lens device 100 when the relay unit 20 is fixed to the lens device 100.

[0014] The lens device 100 has a board 30 on which a CPU (control unit) 31 is mounted, and the board 30 is fixed to the zoom housing 10 via a spacer 11. The CPU 31 holds device information of a plurality of lens devices 100 that may be changed when the relay unit 20 is replaced. Here, in this specification, the device information is defined as device information related to the lens device 100 in a state in which the relay unit 20 is attached, associated with the identification information detected from the relay unit 20. This device information may include the lens type and optical aberration information, the display content per rotation angle of the zoom operation ring and the aperture operation ring, the diameter of the image circle (the corresponding image sensor size) and information on the focal length, and may further include information on the optical performance resulting from the position information of the optical elements of the relay unit 20. Furthermore, as described later, the device information also includes warning information for alerting the user when the identification information cannot be normally detected from the connected relay unit 20.

[0015] The substrate 30 is also provided with an image reading sensor 32 as a reading means. The sensor 32 is disposed so as to directly face (oppose) the detection target portion 21 when the relay unit 20 is fixed to the zoom housing 10, and is spaced apart so as to receive light from the detection target portion 21 and thereby read the identification information.

[0016] In this embodiment, the discrimination means of the relay unit 20 is described as being configured using the detected portion 21 and the sensor 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and lens identification may be achieved by directly operating a dip switch connected to the board 30 each time the relay unit 20 is attached. Also, a structure may be adopted in which a switch corresponding to the relay unit 20 to be replaced is provided on the board 30, and the switch on the board 30 is directly operated by replacing the relay unit 20.

[0017] A relay housing 50 and a mount housing 60 for fixing the lens mount 40 to the zoom housing 10 are fixed to the rear (image side) of the relay unit 20. In addition, the lens mount 40 having a lens electrical contact 41 for communicating with the camera device 200 and connecting to a power source is arranged, and the lens electrical contact 41 and the substrate 30 are connected by a harness 42.

[0018] The camera device 200 has a camera mount (not shown) for connecting to and fixing the lens mount 40 of the lens device 100. The camera mount has camera electrical contacts 210 for connecting to lens electrical contacts 41 of the lens mount 40 and performing communication and power supply. Therefore, when the lens device 100 is connected to the camera device 200, power is supplied from the camera device 200 to the sensor 32 and CPU 31 of the board 30. In addition, device information of the lens device 100 can be displayed on a viewfinder 220 and an external display device 230 provided in the camera device 200 via the camera electrical contacts 210.

[0019] The replacement of the relay unit 20 in the lens device 100 having the above configuration will now be described. First, the lens mount 40 and the mount housing 60 are removed from the lens device 100. Next, the fastening members (fastening parts) such as screws are loosened to remove the relay unit 20 from the zoom housing 10, and another relay unit 20 to be attached is fastened and fixed to the zoom housing 10 with fastening members such as screws. Next, the mount housing 60 and the lens mount 40 are fixed to the zoom housing 10. With the above operations, the replacement operation of the relay unit 20 of the lens device 100 is completed. The relay unit 20 is the lens unit located closest to the image side in the lens device 100, and therefore can be replaced relatively easily.

[0020] Next, the display of device information on the camera device 200 based on the detection result of the identification information of the relay unit 20 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram showing the device information display flow when the relay unit 20 in this embodiment is replaced.

[0021] First, a specific relay unit 20 is fixed to the lens device 100 having the zoom housing 10, and the mount housing 60 and the lens mount 40 are fixed to the zoom housing 10. The lens device 100 that has been completely assembled is connected to the camera device 200, and the camera device 200 is powered on (step S1).

[0022] Power is supplied from the camera device 200 to the lens device 100 via the lens electrical contacts 41 of the mount (step S2). In response to the power supply from the camera device 200, the sensor 32 provided on the substrate 30 of the lens device 100 is activated (step S3). The sensor 32 reads the detection target 21 provided on the relay unit 20 (step S4). Here, it is determined whether the sensor 32 can read the detection target 21 (step S5). Based on the detection result of the sensor 32, if it can be read, the process proceeds to step S6, and if it cannot be read, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0023] The state of step S9 is a state in which the lens apparatus 100 is connected to the camera apparatus 200 in an abnormal mounting state in which the relay unit 20 is not fixed in a correct position relative to the lens apparatus 100, and the sensor 32 cannot read the detected portion 21. Here, since the identification information cannot be read from the detected portion 21 of the relay unit 20 fixed to the lens apparatus 100, a warning that the relay unit 20 is not fixed correctly is output from the lens apparatus 100 to the camera apparatus 200 as device information. The camera apparatus 200 displays the warning information (device information) received from the lens apparatus 100 on a display unit such as the viewfinder 220 and / or the external display device 230 provided in the camera apparatus 200.

[0024] On the other hand, when the relay unit 20 is fixed at a correct position relative to the lens device 100, the detected portion 21 of the relay unit 20 is read by the sensor 32 of the substrate 30, and the identification information held by the relay unit 20 is transmitted to the CPU 31 (step S6). The CPU 31 holds an identification information list for checking against the identification information. The identification information list holds a list of identification information (identification information list) of relay units that can be attached to the lens device 100 in exchange for the relay unit 20 (the optical performance when attached has been recognized or confirmed). When the CPU 31 receives the identification information detected by the relay unit 20, it can check against the identification information list it holds to identify the attached relay unit 20. Based on the result of checking the received identification information against the identification information list, the CPU 31 can select the corresponding lens type and lens performance information from the information stored in the CPU 31 (step S7), and output it to the camera device 200 as device information. Here, in the comparison between the identification information and the identification information list, it is determined whether or not the detected identification information is included in the identification information list. If the detected identification information is included in the identification information list, it is the case that the lens device 100 recognizes what type of relay unit the attached relay unit 20 is. In this case, the optical performance, etc. of the lens device 100 to which the relay unit 20 is attached is recognized. On the other hand, if the detected identification information is not included in the identification information list, it is the case that the lens device 100 does not recognize what type of relay unit the attached relay unit 20 is. In this case, it is the case that the optical performance of the lens device 100 to which the relay unit 20 is attached cannot be guaranteed. For example, the image angle of view may be limited due to a mismatch with the image sensor of the image circle size, or image quality may be deteriorated due to aberration.

[0025] The camera device 200 displays the device information received from the lens device 100 on a display unit such as the viewfinder 220 or a liquid crystal screen (step S8). The device information to be displayed may include the optical performance of the lens device 100 resulting from the arrangement of the optical elements included in the relay lens group 4. For example, the device information may include information expressed by symbols such as ABC, where A is the best state and C is the state with the greatest variation. Furthermore, by replacing the relay unit 20, it is also possible to change the image sensor size corresponding to the image size of the lens device 100 and aberrations such as spherical aberration of the lens device 100. In that case, the device information may include the image size (corresponding image sensor size) of the lens device 100 and aberration information such as spherical aberration of the lens device 100.

[0026] In this way, the lens apparatus 100 has a replaceable relay unit 20, which is an essential optical element for the optical system of the lens apparatus 100, and a lens apparatus 100 with a different image size or focal length can be obtained by replacing the relay unit 20. This also makes it possible to realize shooting with lens apparatuses with a wide range of specifications having optical characteristics by simply replacing the relay unit 20, without having to possess a plurality of lens apparatuses 100 with different optical characteristics. Furthermore, even when the relay unit 20 is replaced, the lens apparatus 100 with the identification information of the relay unit 20 recognized is attached to the camera apparatus 200, so that the photographer can shoot while checking the device information of the lens apparatus 100 being used. Here, the relay unit 20 being an essential optical element for the optical system of the lens apparatus 100 means that the relay unit (optical unit) 20 does not form an image of an object when it is not attached to the lens barrel, but forms an image when it is attached.

[0027] By configuring a lens device 100 having the features of the present invention in which a plurality of relay units 20 can be selectively replaced for one zoom housing 10, a photographer can take pictures in a camera device 200 to which the lens device 100 is connected while understanding the optical performance state of the lens device 100. This makes it possible to prevent the photographer from taking pictures unintentionally without recognizing that a lens device 100 with unintended optical performance (optical specifications) is connected to the camera device 200. This ultimately produces the effect of being able to provide lens devices 100 with various optical specifications by simply replacing the relay units 20.

[0028] By providing a separate detected portion 21 for each of the plurality of relay units 20, the identification information of the lens apparatus 100 may be changed by replacing the relay unit 20.

[0029] In this embodiment, the optical element to be replaced in the lens device 100 has been described as the relay unit 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. By applying the configuration of the present invention to an exchangeable optical element such as a zoom lens group, a focus lens group, or an optical filter included in the lens device 100, providing a detectable portion 21, and making the detectable portion 21 detectable by the lens device 100, the effects of the present invention can be enjoyed.

[0030] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0031] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An optical device comprising a barrel for holding an optical element, an optical unit being detachable from the barrel, the optical unit having a detectable portion that indicates identification information regarding the optical unit, the optical device further comprising: a detection portion that obtains the identification information by detecting the detectable portion when the optical unit is attached to the barrel; and a control portion that outputs device information regarding the optical device based on the identification information obtained by the detection portion. (Configuration 2) 2. The lens device according to configuration 1, wherein the control unit outputs the device information based on a result obtained by comparing the identification information with an identification information list. (Configuration 3) 3. The lens device according to claim 1, wherein the device information includes information regarding a mounting state of the optical unit relative to the lens barrel. (Configuration 4) 4. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the detection section obtains the identification information by receiving light from the detection target section. (Configuration 5) The lens device according to configuration 4, wherein the detected portion is a two-dimensional code. (Configuration 6) 6. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the identification information includes information regarding the positions of optical elements included in the optical unit. (Configuration 7) 7. The lens device according to claim 6, wherein the information on the position includes information on at least one of an amount of eccentricity and an amount of inclination with respect to an optical axis of an optical element of the optical unit. (Configuration 8) 8. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the device information includes information regarding the optical performance of the optical device when the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel. (Configuration 9) 9. The lens apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the apparatus information includes information regarding aberration of the optical apparatus when the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel. (Configuration 10) 10. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the device information includes information regarding a size of an image circle of the optical device when the optical unit is attached. (Configuration 11) 11. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the device information includes information regarding a focal length of the optical device when the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel. (Configuration 12) 12. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the optical unit does not image an object when it is not attached to the lens barrel, and the optical unit images the object when it is attached to the lens barrel. (Configuration 13) 13. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the optical unit has a fastening portion for fixing it to the lens barrel. (Configuration 14) 14. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the optical unit is detachable from the lens barrel on the image side of an optical element held by the lens barrel that is closest to the image side. (Configuration 15) 15. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the optical unit has a plurality of optical elements. (Configuration 16) 16. The lens device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein the optical unit has an optical filter. (Configuration 17) An optical device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, comprising the optical unit. (Configuration 18) 18. An imaging device comprising: the optical device according to any one of configurations 1 to 17; and an imaging element that receives light from the optical device. (Configuration 19) 19. The imaging device according to configuration 18, further comprising a display unit that displays the device information output from the control unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 4: Relay lens group (optical unit) 10: Zoom body (lens barrel) 20: Relay unit 21: Detected part 31: CPU (control unit) 32: Sensor (detection part)

Claims

1. An optical device comprising a lens barrel for holding an optical element, and an optical unit is detachably attached to the lens barrel, the optical unit has a detection target portion that indicates identification information regarding the optical unit; a detection unit that detects the detection target portion to obtain the identification information in a state in which the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel; The optical device further comprises a control unit that outputs device information regarding the optical device based on the identification information acquired by the detection unit.

2. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit outputs the device information based on a result obtained by comparing the identification information with an identification information list.

3. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the device information includes information regarding a mounting state of the optical unit relative to the lens barrel.

4. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection section obtains the identification information by receiving light from the detection target section.

5. The optical device according to claim 4 , wherein the detected portion is a two-dimensional code.

6. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information includes information relating to the positions of optical elements included in the optical unit.

7. 7. The optical device according to claim 6, wherein the information on the position includes information on at least one of an amount of eccentricity and an amount of inclination with respect to an optical axis of an optical element included in the optical unit.

8. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the device information includes information regarding optical performance of the optical device in a state in which the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel.

9. 9. The optical device according to claim 8, wherein the device information includes information regarding aberration of the optical device in a state in which the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel.

10. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the device information includes information regarding a size of an image circle of the optical device when the optical unit is attached.

11. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the device information includes information regarding a focal length of the optical device when the optical unit is attached to the lens barrel.

12. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit does not form an image of an object when it is not attached to the lens barrel, and forms an image of the object when it is attached to the lens barrel.

13. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit has a fastening portion for fixing the optical unit to the lens barrel.

14. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit is detachable from the lens barrel at a position closer to the image side than an optical element held by the lens barrel that is closest to the image side.

15. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical unit comprises a plurality of optical elements.

16. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical unit includes an optical filter.

17. The optical device according to claim 1 , further comprising the optical unit.

18. 17. An imaging device comprising: the optical device according to claim 1; and an imaging element that receives light from the optical device.

19. The imaging apparatus according to claim 18 , further comprising a display unit that displays the apparatus information output from the control unit.

Images