Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus which reduces labor required in setting of an imaging setting value such as diaphragm value setting generated when a control source is switched by an integrated type lens or the like.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprising a body part in which a lens can be attached comprises: a first control unit that performs change control of an imaging setting value at a lens side; a second control unit that performs change control of the imaging setting value at a body part side; a control source switching unit that switches which of the first control unit and the second control unit is defined to be the control source; an operation unit that is provided in the lens and is for performing change control by the first control unit; and a storage unit that stores the imaging setting value which is changed and controlled by the second control unit as a second imaging setting value. In a case of a configuration where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control unit, the second control unit performs change control of the second imaging setting value stored in the storage unit, and the body part is characterized to communicate that the body part is the control source to the lens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known cameras in which the aperture value can be set on the lens side, and cameras in which the aperture value can be set on the camera side. For example, a known mode for switching between controlling the aperture value on the lens side and controlling it on the camera side is as shown in FIG. 3. The integrated lens unit 301 shown in FIG. 3 has a mechanism (also called an "integrated lens") in which a control source switching unit for switching the control source to the camera side is integrated with the aperture side end of the operation unit (aperture operation ring 208) that sets the aperture value on the lens side. Here, "control source" refers to the side that performs control.

[0003] Another example is a lens (also called a "separate lens") in which an operation unit for setting the aperture on the camera side and a control source switching unit for switching the control source are separate, such as the separate lens unit 302 in Fig. 3. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for these lenses that clearly indicates to the user which aperture value to change, when changing the aperture value on the lens side or when changing the aperture value on the camera side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-076807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Unlike separate lenses, in an integrated lens, a control source switching unit that switches the control source to the camera side is integrated into the end of the aperture operation ring 208 on the aperture side (corresponding to the part marked "A" in FIG. 301). Therefore, when switching the control source to the camera side, it is necessary to always go through the aperture value area (312). For this reason, in a conventional integrated lens, when switching the control source to the camera side, the aperture value is temporarily controlled to the minimum or maximum value. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, although it is easy to determine the control source, it is still necessary to reset the aperture value due to such circumstances when switching the control source to the camera side. For this reason, the user had to go through a lot of trouble when switching the control source.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that reduces the effort required to set imaging settings such as aperture value when switching the control source with an integrated lens, and a control method and program therefor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging device including a lens and a main body to which the lens can be attached, the imaging device including a first control unit that performs change control of imaging setting values ​​on the lens side, a second control unit that performs change control of imaging setting values ​​on the main body side, a control source switching unit that switches between the first control unit and the second control unit as a control source, an operation unit provided on the lens for performing change control by the first control unit, and a storage unit that stores imaging setting values ​​changed and controlled by the second control unit as second imaging setting values, wherein the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source is switched to the second control unit, the second control unit changes and controls the second imaging setting value stored in the memory unit, and the main body unit communicates to the lens that the main body unit is the control source, and in a configuration in which the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control unit, the second control unit further updates the second imaging setting value to a first imaging setting value which is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit communicates that it will control the lens with the updated imaging setting value. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required to set imaging settings such as aperture value when switching the control source in an integrated lens. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of a camera. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the camera. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an integrated lens and a separate lens. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a live view image of a camera. [Diagram 5] 3 is a flowchart showing a process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart showing a process according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment 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. Note that in this embodiment, a digital camera will be taken as an example of an imaging device. Hereinafter, the "body side" will also be referred to as the "camera side".

[0011] <Figure 1: Camera external configuration> Fig. 1 is an external configuration diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a digital camera 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as "camera"). Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of the camera 100 seen from the front side, and Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view of the camera 100 seen from the back side.

[0012] On the top surface of the camera 100, a shutter button 101, a power switch 102, a mode changeover switch 103, a main electronic dial 104, a sub electronic dial 105, a movie button 106, and an outside viewfinder display unit 107 are provided.

[0013] The shutter button 101 is an operation unit for preparing to capture an image or for the user to give an instruction to capture an image. The power switch 102 is an operation unit for switching the power of the camera 100 on and off. The mode changeover switch 103 is an operation unit for switching between various modes. The main electronic dial 104 is a rotary operation unit for changing image capture setting values ​​such as shutter speed and aperture. The sub electronic dial 105 is a rotary operation unit for moving a selection frame (cursor) and forwarding content clips such as still images and videos. The video button 106 is an operation unit for giving an instruction to start and stop video capture (recording). The outside viewfinder display unit 107 is a small display unit that displays various setting values ​​such as shutter speed and aperture.

[0014] Also provided on the rear surface of camera 100 are a display unit 108, a touch panel 109, direction keys 110, a SET button 111, an AE lock button 112, a magnification button 113, a playback button 114, and a menu button 115. Furthermore, provided on the rear surface of camera 100 are an eyepiece unit 116, an eyepiece finder 117, an eyepiece detection unit 118, and a touch bar 119.

[0015] Display unit 108 displays images and various information. Touch panel 109 detects touch operations on the display surface (touch operation surface) of display unit 108, and display unit 108 and touch panel 109 are used together. Directional keys 110 are an operation unit made up of pressable keys (four-way keys) indicating up, down, left, and right directions. The four-way directional keys 110 are configured to enable operations according to the directions in which they are pressed.

[0016] The SET button 111 is an operation section that is pressed mainly when deciding a selection item. The AE lock button 112 is an operation section that is pressed when fixing an exposure state in an image capture standby state. The enlargement button 113 is an operation section for switching the enlargement mode on and off in a live view display (LV display) in the image capture mode. When the enlargement mode is on, the live view image (LV image) is enlarged or reduced by operating the main electronic dial 104. The enlargement button 113 is also used when enlarging an image or increasing the enlargement ratio in the playback mode. The playback button 114 is an operation section for switching between the "image capture mode" and the "playback mode". In the "image capture mode", pressing the playback button 114 transitions to the "playback mode", and the latest image among the clips recorded in the recording medium 227 described later is displayed on the display section 108.

[0017] Menu button 115 is an operation unit that is pressed to display a menu screen on display unit 108 that allows various settings. The user can intuitively perform various settings by operating direction keys 110 and SET button 111 while looking at the menu screen displayed on display unit 108. Eyepiece unit 116 is for placing an eye on eyepiece finder (peek-in type finder) 117. The user can view an image displayed on an internal EVF 217 (Electronic View Finder) through eyepiece unit 116.

[0018] Eyepiece detection unit 118 is a sensor that detects that the user has placed his / her eye close to eyepiece unit 116. Touch bar 119 is a line-shaped touch operation unit (line touch sensor) that can receive touch operations. Touch bar 119 is disposed at a position that can be touched and operated with the thumb of the right hand when grip unit 120 is held with the right hand (holding with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand) so that shutter button 101 can be pressed with the index finger of the right hand.

[0019] That is, the touch bar 119 can be operated in a state (imaging attitude) where the eye is placed close to the eyepiece 116, the eye is looked into the eyepiece viewfinder 117, and the direction key 110 can be pressed at any time. The touch bar 119 is configured to be able to accept tap operations (operations in which a touch operation is performed and then released without moving within a predetermined period of time), left and right slide operations (operations in which the touched position is moved as is after a touch operation), and the like. The touch bar 119 is an operation unit different from the touch panel 109, and does not have a display function. The touch bar 119 in this embodiment is a multi-function bar, and functions as, for example, an "M-Fn bar."

[0020] The grip section 120 of the camera 100 is provided with a thumb rest section 121, a terminal cover 122, a lid 123, a communication terminal 124, etc. The grip section 120 is a holding section formed in a shape that is easy to hold with the right hand when the user holds the camera 100. The camera 100 and the main electronic dial 104 are arranged at positions that can be operated with the index finger of the right hand when the camera 100 is held by gripping the grip section 120 with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand. In the same state, the sub electronic dial 105 and the touch bar 119 are arranged at positions that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand.

[0021] The thumb rest section 121 (thumb standby position) is a section provided at a position where the thumb of the right hand gripping the grip section 120 can be easily placed when none of the operation sections on the rear side of the camera 100 are being operated. The thumb rest section 121 is made of a rubber member or the like to enhance holding power (grip feeling). The terminal cover 122 is a member for protecting a connector (not shown) such as a connection cable that connects the camera 100 to an external device. The lid 123 protects the recording medium 227 and the slot by closing a slot for storing the recording medium 227 described later. The communication terminal 124 is a terminal for communicating with the lens unit 200 described later that is detachable from the camera 100.

[0022] <Figure 2: Internal configuration of the camera> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of camera 100. Note that the same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as much as possible. As shown in Fig. 2, lens unit 200 is attached to the front side of camera 100. Lens unit 200 (lens) is a type of interchangeable lens that is detachable from camera 100 (main body). First, the configuration of lens unit 200 will be described.

[0023] <Configuration of Lens Unit 200> The lens unit 200 has an aperture 201, a lens 202, an aperture drive circuit 203, an AF (autofocus) drive circuit 204, a lens system control circuit 205, and a communication terminal 206. The aperture 201 is configured so that its aperture diameter can be controlled. The lens 202 is composed of a plurality of lenses. The aperture drive circuit 203 adjusts the amount of light by controlling the aperture diameter of the aperture 201. The AF drive circuit 204 moves the lens 202 in the left-right direction in the drawing to focus on the subject. The lens system control circuit 205 controls the aperture drive circuit 203 and the AF drive circuit 204. The lens system control circuit 205 drives and controls the aperture drive circuit 203 to control the aperture 201, and drives and controls the AF drive circuit 204 to displace the lens 202 and focus on the subject. The lens system control circuit 205 is capable of communicating with the camera 100.

[0024] The lens system control circuit 205 is also configured to be able to communicate with an aperture operation ring 208 and a focus adjustment ring 209 as rotating operation units. The aperture operation ring 208 is for adjusting the aperture value on the lens side by a user's rotating operation, and the focus adjustment ring 209 is for adjusting the focus by a user's rotating operation. The lens system control circuit 205 controls the aperture drive circuit 203 and the AF drive circuit 204 based on an instruction from either the lens setting operation members (208, 209) or the system control unit 50 described later. The control source is switched by a control source changeover switch 207 connected to the lens system control circuit 205. When the control source changeover switch 207 indicates the camera side, the control source becomes the camera side, and when the control source indicates the lens side, the lens side is controlled. The communication between the camera 100 and the lens unit 200 is performed by connecting the communication terminal 124 of the camera 100 and the communication terminal 206 of the lens unit 200.

[0025] Furthermore, lens unit 200 transmits information including lens identification information for identifying lens information to camera 100, and camera 100 receives the information transmitted from lens unit 200. The information includes "success / failure information" indicating whether or not aperture operation ring 208 (lens operation section) and control source changeover switch 207 have been integrated into one structure.

[0026] <Configuration of camera 100 (main body)> <Shutter 210: Imaging unit 211> Next, the configuration of the camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The camera 100 includes a shutter 210, an imaging unit 211, an A / D conversion unit 212, a memory control unit 213, an image processing unit 214, a memory 215, a D / A conversion unit 216, an EVF 217, a display unit 108, and a system control unit 50. The shutter 210 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 211 based on an instruction from the system control unit 50. The imaging unit 211 is an imaging element (image sensor) that is composed of a CCD, a CMOS element, or the like that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal. The imaging element has photoelectric conversion units arranged in a matrix for each pixel. The imaging unit 211 may include an "imaging surface phase difference sensor" that outputs information on the amount of defocus to the system control unit 50. The A / D conversion unit 212 converts an analog signal output from the imaging unit 211 into a digital signal.

[0027] <Image processing unit 214> The image processing unit 214 performs a predetermined image processing on the data output from the A / D conversion unit 212 or the data output from the memory control unit 213. Examples of the predetermined image processing include pixel interpolation, resizing such as image reduction, and color conversion. The image processing unit 214 also performs a predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data. The system control unit 50 executes exposure control, distance measurement control, and the like based on the result of the predetermined arithmetic processing. The image processing unit 214 also executes AF processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing, etc., of a TTL (through-the-lens) method, based on the processing performed by the image processing unit 214. Furthermore, the image processing unit 214 also performs a predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and executes AWB (auto white balance) processing of a TTL method based on the obtained arithmetic results.

[0028] ​The image data output from the A / D conversion unit 212 is written into the memory 215 via the image processing unit 214 and the memory control unit 213. Alternatively, the image data output from the A / D conversion unit 212 is directly written into the memory 215 via the memory control unit 213 without passing through the image processing unit 214. The memory 215 stores still image / moving image data obtained by the imaging unit 211 and converted into digital data by the A / D conversion unit 212, as well as image data for display on the display unit 108, EVF 217, etc. The memory 215 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, a moving image for a predetermined time, and audio information. Also, the memory 215 doubles as a memory for image display (video memory).

[0029] <D / A conversion unit 216: Display unit 108: EVF 217> The D / A conversion unit 216 converts the image display data stored in the memory 215 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display unit 108, EVF 217, etc. Therefore, the image display data written into the memory 215 is displayed on the display unit 108, EVF 217, etc. via the D / A conversion unit 216. The display unit 108, EVF 217 perform display according to the analog signal output from the D / A conversion unit 216. The display unit 108, EVF 217 are realized by a display such as an LCD or an organic EL, for example. The digital signal that has been analog-digital converted by the A / D conversion unit 212 and stored and accumulated in the memory 215 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion unit 216 and sequentially transferred to the display unit 108, EVF 217, etc. for display. Thus, "live view display" is performed.

[0030] <System control unit 50> The system control unit 50 is a control unit consisting of one or more processors and / or one or more circuits. That is, the system control unit 50 may be configured with a processor, or may be configured with a circuit having the same functions as a processor. Also, the system control unit 50 may be configured by combining a processor and a circuit. The system control unit 50 controls the entire camera 100. The system control unit 50 realizes each process of the flowchart described later by executing a program recorded in the non-volatile memory 219. The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 215, the D / A conversion unit 216, the display unit 108, the EVF 217, etc. Examples of the processor include a CPU, a DSP, and an MPU.

[0031] The camera 100 also includes a system memory 218 , a non-volatile memory 219 , a system timer 220 , a communication unit 221 , an attitude detection unit 222 , and an eye proximity detection unit 118 , which are connected so as to be controllable by a system control unit 50 .

[0032] <System memory 218: Non-volatile memory 219> The system memory 218 is realized by, for example, a RAM. The system memory 218 stores constants, variables, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 50, and also has an area in which programs, etc. read from the nonvolatile memory 219 are loaded. The nonvolatile memory 219 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, and is realized by, for example, an EEPROM. The nonvolatile memory 219 stores constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 50 in a nonvolatile manner. The system control unit 50 reads out the programs stored in the nonvolatile memory 219, loads them in the system memory 218, and executes the loaded programs, thereby performing each process in the flowcharts described below.

[0033] <System Timer 220: Communication Unit 221> The system timer 220 functions as a timekeeping unit that performs various time measurements in the system memory 218 and time measurements in a built-in clock. The communication unit 221 transmits and receives information such as image signals and audio signals to and from an external device connected wirelessly or by wire. The communication unit 221 can also connect to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and the like. The communication unit 221 can communicate required information with an external device, for example, by "Bluetooth (registered trademark)". The communication unit 221 can also communicate required information with an external device by "Bluetooth Low Energy". The communication unit 221 can transmit images (including live images) captured by the imaging unit 211 and images recorded in a recording medium 227 attached to the camera 100, and can also receive image data and various other information from an external device.

[0034] <Posture detection unit 222> The attitude detection unit 222 detects the attitude of the camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 222, it is possible to detect the tilt angle of the camera 100 in the horizontal or vertical direction. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 222, it is also possible to determine whether the image captured by the imaging unit 211 is an image captured by the user holding the camera 100 horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 222 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 211, or rotate and store the image. The system control unit 50 can also detect the movement of the camera 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether it is stationary, etc.) based on a signal from the attitude detection unit 222. The attitude detection unit 222 is realized by, for example, one or more acceleration sensors, gyro sensors, etc.

[0035] <Eye contact detector 118> The eyepiece detection unit 118 detects the approach of some object to the eyepiece unit 116 (see FIG. 1) of the eyepiece finder 117 incorporating the EVF 217. The eyepiece detection unit 118 is an eyepiece detection sensor that detects the approach (approach) and departure (away) of an eye (object) from the eyepiece unit 116 of the eyepiece finder 117. The eyepiece detection unit 118 can be realized, for example, by an infrared proximity sensor. When an object approaches, infrared rays projected from a light projecting unit of the eyepiece detection unit 118 are reflected by the object and received by a light receiving unit of the infrared proximity sensor. Also, the distance from the eyepiece unit 116 to the object can be determined based on the amount of infrared rays received. Thus, the eyepiece detection unit 118 has an eyepiece detection function that detects the approach of an object (eye) when the object approaches the eyepiece unit 116. That is, when an object (eye) approaching within a predetermined distance from the eyepiece unit 116 is detected in a non-eyepiece state (non-approaching state), the eyepiece detection unit 118 detects that the eye has been placed near the object.

[0036] On the other hand, the eye contact detection unit 118 detects that an object that was detected as approaching has moved away from the eye contact state (approaching state) by a distance greater than a predetermined distance. Detection accuracy can be improved by providing, for example, hysteresis between the infrared reception threshold for detecting "eye contact" and the infrared reception threshold for detecting "eye contact." After detecting "eye contact," the eye contact detection unit 118 determines that the object is in the "eye contact state" until it detects "eye contact," whereas after detecting "eye contact," it determines that the object is in the "non-eye contact state" until it detects "eye contact."

[0037] The system control unit 50 switches between "display / hide" of the display unit 108 and the EVF 217 according to the state detected by the eyepiece detection unit 118. Specifically, when at least in an image capture standby state and the display destination switching setting is automatic switching, the display destination is set to the display unit 108 while the eye is not placed, the display function of the display unit 108 is turned on, and the display function of the EVF 217 is turned off. Furthermore, when the eye is placed, the system control unit 50 switches the display destination to the EVF 217 while the eye is placed, the display function of the EVF 217 is turned on, and the display function of the display unit 108 is turned off. Note that the eyepiece detection unit 118 is not limited to being realized using an infrared proximity sensor, and other sensors capable of detecting an eyepiece state may be used.

[0038] The camera 100 also includes an outside-finder display unit 107, an outside-finder display drive circuit 223, a power supply control unit 224, a power supply unit 225, a recording medium I / F 226, and an operation unit 228, all of which are connected so as to be controllable by the system control unit 50.

[0039] <Outside viewfinder display unit 107: Outside viewfinder display drive circuit 223: Power supply control unit 224> The outside-finder display unit 107 displays various settings of the camera 100, such as the shutter speed and aperture, via an outside-finder display drive circuit 223. The power supply control unit 224 is realized by a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks to be energized, and the like, and also detects whether a battery is installed, the battery type, and the remaining battery level. Based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 50, the power supply control unit 224 controls the DC-DC converter to supply the required voltage for the required period to each unit in the camera 100, including the recording medium 227.

[0040] <Power supply unit 225: recording medium I / F 226> The power supply unit 225 is realized by a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, a Li battery, an AC adapter, etc. The recording medium I / F 226 is an interface with a recording medium 227 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 227 is a memory card, a USB memory, etc. for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc. The recording medium 227 is basically detachable from the camera 100, but may be configured to be permanently built into the camera 100.

[0041] <Operation unit 228> The operation unit 228 is an input unit for accepting user operations, and is also used for giving various instructions to the system control unit 50. The operation unit 228 includes the shutter button 101, the power switch 102, the mode changeover switch 103, the touch panel 109, other operation units 229, etc., which are connected to the system control unit 50. The other operation units 229 include the main electronic dial 104, the sub electronic dial 105, the video button 106, the direction key 110, the SET button 111, the AE lock button 112, and the enlargement button 113 shown in FIG. 1. The other operation units 229 further include the playback button 114, the menu button 115, the touch bar 119, etc., shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] <Shutter button 101: Power switch 102> The shutter button 101 has a first shutter switch 230 and a second shutter switch 231. The first shutter switch 230 is turned on during the operation of the shutter button 101, in a so-called half-pressed state (image capture preparation instruction), and generates a "first shutter switch signal SW1". In response to receiving the "first shutter switch signal SW1", the system control unit 50 starts image capture preparation processing such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing. The second shutter switch 231 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 101 is completed, in a so-called full-pressed state (image capture instruction), and generates a "second shutter switch signal SW2". In response to receiving the "second shutter switch signal SW2", the system control unit 50 starts a series of image capture processing from reading a signal from the image capture unit 211 to generating an image file including a captured image and writing it to the recording medium 227. As described above, the power switch 102 is an operation unit for switching the power of the camera 100 on and off.

[0043] <Mode change switch 103> The mode changeover switch 103 is a switch for changing the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of "still image capture mode", "movie capture mode", and "playback mode". The modes included in the "still image capture mode" include an auto capture mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). There are also various scene modes and custom modes that are capture settings for each capture scene. The user can directly set one of the modes by operating the mode changeover switch 103. Alternatively, the user can once switch to a list screen of the capture modes by the mode changeover switch 103, and then selectively switch to one of the displayed modes by operating the operation unit 228. Similarly, the "movie capture mode" also includes a plurality of modes.

[0044] <Touch Panel 109> The touch panel 109 is a touch sensor that detects various touch operations on the display surface of the display unit 108 (the operation surface of the touch panel 109). The touch panel 109 and the display unit 108 are integrally configured. For example, the touch panel 109 is provided on the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 108 so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 108. Then, the input coordinates on the touch panel 109 and the display coordinates on the display surface of the display unit 108 are associated with each other. Then, it is realized by a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that displays the screen displayed on the display unit 108 as if the user could directly operate it. When the camera side is the control source, it is configured to be possible to change and control the aperture value by operating the touch panel 109, the direction key 110, etc.

[0045] The touch panel 109 may employ any of various types, such as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, an optical sensor type, etc. Some types detect a touch operation by a contact operation on the touch panel 109, while others detect a touch operation by the approach of a finger, a pen, or the like to the touch panel 109, and any of these types may be employed.

[0046] <Touch operation mode of touch panel 109> The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 109: (1) A finger, pen, etc. that has not been touching the touch panel 109 now touches the touch panel 109, i.e., the start of a touch operation (called Touch-Down). (2) A state in which the touch panel 109 is being touched by a finger, pen, etc. (called Touch-On). (3) A finger, pen, etc. moves on the touch panel 109 while still touching it (called Touch-Move). (4) A finger, pen, etc. that has been touching the touch panel 109 is released from the touch panel 109, i.e., the end of touching (called Touch-Up). (5) A state in which nothing is touching the touch panel 109 (called Touch-Off).

[0047] The system control unit 50 detects "touch down" and also "touch on". After detecting "touch down", the system control unit 50 normally continues to detect "touch on" unless "touch up" is detected. When the system control unit 50 detects "touch move", it also detects "touch on". Even if the system control unit 50 detects "touch on", it will not detect "touch move" unless the touch position moves. After the system control unit 50 detects that all fingers, pens, etc. that were performing touch operations have "touched up", it will be "touch off".

[0048] These operation states and the position coordinates of the touch operation on the touch panel 109 by a finger, pen, etc. are notified to the system control unit 50 via the internal bus. The system control unit 50 determines what kind of touch operation has been performed on the touch panel 109 based on the notified information. For "touch move", the system control unit 50 can also determine the movement direction of the finger, pen, etc. moving on the touch panel 109. In other words, the system control unit 50 can determine the movement of each vertical component and horizontal component on the touch panel 109 based on the change in the position coordinates of the touch position.

[0049] <Flick operation> When the system control unit 50 detects a "touch move" of a predetermined distance or more, it determines that a slide operation has been performed. An operation in which a finger is touched on the touch panel 109, quickly moved a certain distance, and then released is called a "flick." In other words, a "flick" is an operation in which a finger is quickly traced on the touch panel 109 as if flicking. When the system control unit 50 detects a "touch move" of a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or more, and then detects a "touch up," it determines that a "flick" has been performed. In other words, it is determined that a "flick" has been performed following a slide operation.

[0050] <Figure 3: Lens unit configuration> Fig. 3 shows a lens equipped with a control source switching unit that switches between the lens side and the camera side for aperture control. Note that the same components as those in the figures described above are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. The integrated lens unit 301 is an example of an integrated lens.

[0051] <Figure 3: Integrated lens unit 301> The integrated lens unit 301 is equipped with a lens 202 and a lens setting operation member capable of changing imaging parameters, and the lens setting operation member is made up of an aperture operation ring 208 and a focus adjustment ring 209. The aperture operation ring 208 is disposed so that its rotation axis coincides with the optical axis of the lens 202, and is configured so that the aperture value setting of the lens can be changed by a user's rotation operation.

[0052] Furthermore, in the integrated lens unit 301, the control source changeover switch 207 and the aperture operation ring 208 have an integrated structure ("207" is not shown because of the integrated structure). Specifically, the control source changeover switch 207 is disposed in a camera-side control area 311 which is the end of the aperture operation ring 208 in the rotation direction. Here, reference numeral 313 in FIG. 3 is a "lens-side setting area". The lens-side setting area 313 is an area for setting values ​​to be controlled when the control source is the lens side. The aperture operation ring 208 of the integrated lens unit 301 has a camera-side control area 311 and a lens-side control area 312. Furthermore, the lens-side setting area 313 is the same area as the lens-side control area 312.

[0053] The above can be summarized as follows. The camera-side control area 311 is provided in the rotation direction of the lens-side control area 312 on which the F-number of the aperture operation ring 208 is printed. By rotating the aperture operation ring 208, the control source is switched by the control source changeover switch 207. For example, the control source is switched when the user continues to rotate the aperture operation ring 208 and a "rotation reference position member" (not shown) configured using an encoder or the like enters the camera-side control area 311 from the lens-side control area 312. In addition, the control source can be switched in reverse by rotating the aperture operation ring 208 in the opposite direction. In the camera-side control area 311, the lens system control circuit 205 performs aperture control according to an instruction from the system control unit 50, and in the lens-side control area 312, the aperture control is performed with an aperture value according to the rotation position of the aperture operation ring 208. Thus, in the lens-side control area 312, aperture value control is performed on the lens side, while in the camera-side control area 311, aperture value control is performed on the body side.

[0054] <Configuration in which the aperture operation ring 208 and the control source changeover switch 207 are integrated> Generally, the configuration in which the aperture operation ring 208 (operation unit) and the control source changeover switch 207 are integrated is, for example, the following configuration. The aperture operation ring 208 is composed of a rotating member provided on the lens 202 with the optical axis of the lens 202 as the axis of rotation. A part of the rotating member in the rotating direction is in the lens side control area 312 (lens side setting area 313), which is an area for changing and controlling the aperture value in accordance with the rotation. At the same time, "another part" in the rotating direction of the rotating member is in the camera side control area 311 arranged in the extension direction of the lens side control area 312 in the rotating direction. In addition, the control source changeover switch 207 is arranged within the camera side control area 311. Therefore, the "another part" is in the control source changeover switch 207 (control source changeover unit) arranged in the extension direction of the lens side control area 312 in the rotating direction. For example, as shown by reference numeral 301 in Fig. 3, a camera-side control area 311, indicated by "A" in the figure, is configured on the extension of the lens-side control area 312 in the rotation direction of the aperture operation ring 208. In this case, it is possible to switch between the two control areas 311, 312 by rotating the aperture operation ring 208, and the control source is also switched in conjunction with this switching. Thus, the aperture operation ring 208 and the control source changeover switch 207 are configured as one unit.

[0055] Furthermore, the information on the aperture value is transmitted to the system control unit 50 via the communication terminal 206, and is visible on an OSD (on-screen display) superimposed on the live view image displayed on the outside viewfinder display unit 107 and the display unit 108. Also, it is possible to visually grasp the aperture value from the aperture value printed on the lens housing. It is preferable that the integrated lens unit 301 is configured not to easily move between the camera side control area 311 and the lens side control area 312. For example, a lock lever (not shown) may be provided, and the integrated lens unit 301 may be moved between the camera side control area 311 and the lens side control area 312 only when the lock lever is unlocked.

[0056] As another embodiment, the integrated lens unit 301 may be allowed to move between the camera side control area 311 and the lens side control area 312 only when a torque equal to or greater than a certain constant torque is applied. The system control unit 50 stores the camera side imaging setting value (second imaging setting value) in the system memory 218 (storage unit). When the aperture operation ring 208 is rotated in the camera side control area 311, the system control unit 50 reads the previous aperture value (the first time is a predetermined initial value) from the system memory 218 and transmits the information to the communication terminal 206. Thereafter, the aperture value is controlled by the user's operation (operation of the touch panel 109, the direction key 110, etc.) while watching the brightness of the live view image and the information of the OSD (on-screen display) superimposed thereon. This allows the aperture value to be controlled on the camera side (the control source is the aperture value change control on the camera side).

[0057] <Figure 3: Separate lens unit 302> On the other hand, the separate lens unit 302 is a diagram showing an example of a separate lens. Here, differences from the integrated lens unit 301 described above will be described. In the integrated lens unit 301, the control source changeover switch 207 is integrated with the aperture operation ring 208, whereas the separate lens unit 302 is characterized in that they are arranged separately. In the example of FIG. 3, the control source changeover switch 207 is provided at the rear of the camera body. "M" and "A" of the control source changeover switch 207 indicate "Manual" and "Auto", respectively, and the "M" side corresponds to the control source being the lens side, and the aperture value can be changed and controlled by operating the aperture operation ring 208. On the other hand, the "A" side corresponds to the control source being the camera side (main body side), and the aperture value can be changed and controlled by the user's touch operation on the touch panel 109, etc.

[0058] The aperture operation ring 208 of the separate lens unit 302 is composed of only the lens side setting area 313. Therefore, the lens side setting area 313 of the separate lens unit 302 is an area where the F value of the aperture operation ring 208 is printed. In addition, in the separate lens unit 302, a control source changeover switch 207 is provided at the rear of the lens 202 housing. When the control source changeover switch 207 is in a position (M) indicating lens side control, the lens side becomes the control source, and aperture control is performed with an aperture value according to the rotation position of the aperture operation ring 208. When the control source changeover switch 207 is in a position (A) indicating camera side control, the camera side becomes the control source, and aperture value control is performed based on the control value on the camera side by touch operation of the touch panel 109, etc. In the above, a lens unit equipped with the control source changeover switch 207 is given as an example of the separate lens unit 302, but a physical switch is not essential. The effect of the present invention is the same even if the control source is switched on the camera 100 side.

[0059] <Figure 4: Live view image 400 related to imaging settings> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a live view image 400 related to imaging settings. The live view image 400 shows a captured image 401, which is an image captured by the imaging unit 211, an aperture value information item 410, and various imaging information items 411 to 418. The various imaging information items are a WB item 411, an ND item 412, an ISO item 413, a shutter item 414, and a power item 415. In addition, there are other items such as a media information item 416, a frame rate item 417, and a time code item 418. When the lens side is the control source, the user sets the aperture value by rotating the aperture operation ring 208 while checking the live view image 400. On the other hand, when the camera side is the control source, the user sets the aperture value while operating the touch panel 109, the direction key 110, etc.

[0060] <FIG. 5: First embodiment: Processing related to imaging setting control> Next, the imaging setting control in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of imaging setting processing. The imaging setting processing will be described by taking aperture setting as an example. The series of processing shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed, for example, at the processing cycle of the system control unit 50. However, this is not limited to this form, and asynchronous processing triggered by a related event related to the imaging setting processing may be executed. In addition, the processing shown in FIG. 5 does not necessarily need to be executed all the time. For example, it may be limited to when the camera 100 is in imaging mode, or when communication with the lens unit 200 is possible, or various other modifications are possible. Hereinafter, the subscript "i" in FIG. 5 indicates the number of times (program step number) the processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed after the camera 100 is started.

[0061] <Figure 5 left half: Processing for "separate type"> First, in S501, the system control unit 50 determines whether the lens unit 200 attached to the camera 100 is an integrated lens unit 301, a separate lens unit 302, or no lens. The optimal method of determination is to use a lens identification code that enables the lens type to be determined. In this example, the system control unit 50 stores the identification code read from the lens 202 in a non-volatile memory (not shown) in the lens unit 200. This non-volatile memory (not shown) may be provided, for example, in the lens system control circuit 205.

[0062] The system control unit 50 then stores integrated / separate information (success / failure information) indicating whether the lens identification code is integrated or separate for the lens identification code in the nonvolatile memory 219. "Yes" indicates the integrated type, while "No" indicates the separate type. When the system control unit 50 communicates with the lens system control circuit 205 in the lens unit 200 to obtain the identification code, it can make a determination by referring to the integrated / separate information (success / failure information). Of course, the system control unit 50 can also refer to and grasp the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory 219.

[0063] This makes it possible to determine whether it is an integrated lens unit 301 or a separate lens unit 302. Another embodiment is to predefine information as to whether it is an integrated lens unit or not in a lens communication protocol, and notify the system control unit 50 of this predefined information. If the system control unit 50 determines in S501 that it is an integrated lens unit 301, it advances the process to S503, whereas if it determines that it is a separate lens unit 302, it advances the process to S502.

[0064] In S502, the system control unit 50 acquires the current control source. The system control unit 50 determines the control source based on information detected by the control source changeover switch 207. If the system control unit 50 determines that the control source is A (camera side), the process proceeds to S510, whereas if the system control unit 50 determines that the control source is M (lens side), the process proceeds to S520.

[0065] In S510, the system control unit 50 stores the control source information "SW_i" in the current program step in the system memory 218. Here, A (camera side) is stored in the system memory 218. In S511, the system control unit 50 judges the control source information "SW_{i-1}" of the previous program step stored in the system memory 218. If the control source information "SW_{i-1}" is "A (camera side)" (if the control source changeover switch 207 remains on the camera side), the system control unit 50 advances the process to S512. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 judges in S511 that it is M (lens side) (if the control source changeover switch 207 has switched from the camera side to the lens side), the process advances to S513. Note that "SW_{i-1}" may be "SW_i" only at the time of startup.

[0066] In S512, the system control unit 50 updates the aperture setting information updated by the user's operation (operation of the touch panel 109, the directional key 110, etc.) to the camera-side aperture value "F_cam" as the second imaging setting value. Meanwhile, in S513, the system control unit 50 updates "F_cam" to the lens-side aperture value "F_len" as the "first imaging setting value." This step enables the system control unit 50 to inherit the lens-side control value.

[0067] Next, S514 is a process for setting the control source to the camera side. Specifically, in S514, the system control unit 50 switches the control source to A (camera side). At the same time, the system control unit 50 notifies the lens system control circuit 205 via the communication terminal 206 that the control source has been changed to A (camera side). The lens system control circuit 205 receives this notification and controls the aperture drive circuit 203 based on an instruction (camera side aperture value "F_cam") from the system control unit 50. Here, an example has been described in which the control source of the lens system control circuit 205 is switched after receiving the notification that the control source has been changed to A (camera side). However, for example, when the control source changeover switch 207 is located inside the lens, such as in the separate lens unit 302, the control source may be switched without waiting for the notification.

[0068] S515 is a process executed after S512 or S514. In S515, the system control unit 50 notifies the lens system control circuit 205 via the communication terminal 206 that the aperture value is "F_cam". The lens system control circuit 205 sets the aperture control value F to "F_cam". Here, if "F_cam" is out of the aperture control range, the lens system control circuit 205 may adopt the nearest value in the settable range and notify this to the system control unit 50. S504 is executed after S515.

[0069] On the other hand, in S520, the system control unit 50 stores the control source information "SW_i" of the current program step in the system memory 218. Here, M (lens side) is stored. Next, in S521, the system control unit 50 judges the control source information "SW_{i-1}" of the previous program step stored in the system memory 218. If the system control unit 50 judges that the control source of the previous program step was A (camera side) (when the control source changeover switch 207 has switched from the camera side to the lens side), the process proceeds to S522. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 judges that it is M (lens side) (when the state in which the control source changeover switch 207 is on the lens side continues), the process proceeds to S523. Here too, "SW_{i-1}" may be "SW_i" only at the time of startup.

[0070] S522 is a process for setting the control source to the lens side. Specifically, in S522, the system control unit 50 switches the control source of the aperture setting to M (lens side). At the same time, the system control unit 50 notifies the lens system control circuit 205 via the communication terminal 206 that the control source has become M (lens side). The lens system control circuit 205 receives this notification and controls the aperture drive circuit 203 so that the value corresponds to the setting operation of the aperture operation ring 208. Here again, if the control source changeover switch 207 is in the lens, as in the separate lens unit 302, for example, the control source may be switched without waiting for the notification. Next, in S523, "F_len" is updated. That is, the aperture control value F is changed to a value corresponding to the setting operation of the aperture operation ring 208.

[0071] Next, in S524, "F_len" is notified to the camera 100. Specifically, the lens system control circuit 205 notifies the system control unit 50 that the current aperture control value is "F_len" via the communication terminal 206. After the processing of S524, the process proceeds to S504.

[0072] <Right half of Figure 5: Processing for "Integrated Type"> In S503, the same determination process as in S502 is executed. If it is A (camera side), the process proceeds to S540 (same process as S510), and if it is M (lens side), the process proceeds to S560 (same process as S520). That is, in S503, the system control unit 50 acquires the current control source. Specifically, the system control unit 50 acquires the control source based on information detected by the control source changeover switch 207, and if the system control unit 50 determines that the control source is A (camera side), the process proceeds to S540. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 determines that the control source is M (lens side), the process proceeds to S560.

[0073] S541 performs the same determination as S511. That is, the system control unit 50 determines the control source information "SW_{i-1}" of the previous program step stored in the system memory 218. If it is determined to be A (camera side), the process proceeds to S542 (the same process as S512), and if it is determined to be M (lens side), the process proceeds to S544. S542 corresponds to the case where the aperture operation ring 208 continues to be in the camera side control region 311, and S544 corresponds to the case where the state is changed from the lens side control region 312 to the camera side control region 311.

[0074] In S543, which is executed after S542, the system control unit 50 stores "F_cam" in the system memory 218. The system control unit 50 can call up the stored value ("F_mem" as an imaging setting value stored in the system memory 218) as appropriate. "F_mem" is initialized as appropriate when the camera is started up, and an example of this is the initial value of "F_cam". Then, the process proceeds to S547.

[0075] On the other hand, in S544, the system control unit 50 calls "F_mem" from the system memory 218. Next, in S545, the system control unit 50 updates the value of "F_cam" with the value of "F_mem". After that, S546 is executed, which is the same process as S514. That is, in S546, the system control unit 50 switches the control source to A (camera side). At the same time, the system control unit 50 notifies the lens system control circuit 205 via the communication terminal 206 that the control source has been changed to A (camera side). Then, the process proceeds to S547.

[0076] In S547, the same process as in S515 is executed. S547 is executed after S543 or S546. In S547, the system control unit 50 notifies the lens system control circuit 205 via the communication terminal 206 that the aperture value is "F_cam". Then, the process proceeds to S504.

[0077] Meanwhile, in S561 executed after S560, the same determination process as S521 is performed. In S561, the system control unit 50 determines the control source information "SW_{i-1}" of the previous program step stored in the system memory 218. If the system control unit 50 determines that it is A (camera side) (if the control source changeover switch 207 has switched from the lens side to the camera side), the process proceeds to S562. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 determines that it is M (lens side) (if the state in which the control source changeover switch 207 remains on the lens side), the process proceeds to S563 (the same process as S523).

[0078] That is, if it is determined that the control source information of the previous program step is A (camera side), the process proceeds to S562 (same process as S522). If it is determined that the control source information of the previous program step is M (lens side), S563 (same process as S523) is executed. After that, S564 (same process as S524) is executed, and the process proceeds to S504.

[0079] Then, in S504, the lens system control circuit 205 drives the aperture drive circuit 203 to control it to the aperture control value F. In this embodiment, after completing the control, the lens system control circuit 205 notifies the system control unit 50 of the aperture value after executing the aperture control. Next, in S505, after receiving the notification, the system control unit 50 executes the following process based on the notified aperture value. That is, the system control unit 50 updates the captured image 401 and aperture value information item 410 of the OSD (on-screen display) superimposed on the live view image displayed on the outside viewfinder display unit 107 and the display unit 108.

[0080] Then, in S506, the system control unit 50 increments the program step by one. If the system memory 218 is used as a ring buffer in the process according to this embodiment, renumbering may be performed according to the buffer upper limit value. If renumbering has been performed, the process returns to the step immediately before S501 after this step is executed.

[0081] According to this embodiment, when the control source of the integrated lens unit 301 is switched from the lens side to the camera side, the aperture is not set to a value at the end of the lens side control range 312 of the aperture operation ring 208. Therefore, it is possible to perform aperture control with the value stored in "F_mem" (specifically, stored in the system memory 218), which is the previous setting value on the camera side. This reduces the effort required for aperture setting when switching.

[0082] <Summary> According to this embodiment, the control source changeover switch 207 switches the control source between the lens side and the body side. The aperture value can be changed and controlled on the lens side (first control unit) by rotating the aperture operation ring 208, while the aperture value can be changed and controlled on the body side (second control unit) by touching the touch panel 109 or the like. The system memory 218 stores the aperture value (second imaging setting value) changed and controlled on the body side. In addition, in the case where the aperture operation ring 208 and the control source changeover switch 207 are integrated, when the control source is switched to the body side, the following processing is executed (S544, S545, S546, etc.). The system control unit 50 calls up the aperture value (F_mem: second imaging setting value) stored in the system memory 218, sets it as "F_cam", and controls the aperture value on the camera side. Then, the system control unit 50 notifies the lens 202 that the control source has been switched to A (camera side).

[0083] Thus, in the case of the integrated lens unit 301, when the control source is switched to the camera side, the aperture value is also changed. Therefore, the aperture value stored most recently ("latest") in the system memory 218 (storage unit) is read as the camera side aperture value (second imaging setting value), and the read aperture value is subject to change control. As a result, even if the control source is switched from the lens side to the camera side, it is not necessary to set the aperture value from scratch again. The "most recently stored aperture value" is the most recent aperture value changed and controlled by the body side when the body side was performing change control of the aperture value, and is stored in the system memory 218.

[0084] On the other hand, in the case where the aperture operation ring 208 and the control source changeover switch 207 are not integrated and the control source is switched to the main body side, the following processing is executed (S512, S513, S514, etc.). That is, the system control unit 50 updates the second imaging setting value (Fcam) on the main body side with the first imaging setting value (Flen), which is the imaging setting value at the time (also called the "latest") when it is changed and controlled by the aperture operation ring 208. Then, the system control unit 50 (main body unit) communicates to the lens 202 that it will control the updated imaging setting value.

[0085] Thus, in the case of separate type lens unit 302, control source changeover switch 207 is provided in a separate position on the lens housing, and the control source is switched by operating control source changeover switch 207. Moreover, this switching operation does not change the aperture value. Therefore, when switching the control source from the lens side to the body side, the aperture value that has been changed and controlled on the lens side can be subject to change and control as the aperture value on the body side.

[0086] <FIG. 6: Second embodiment: Processing for preventing sudden changes in aperture value when switching control source> When the camera-side control area 311 is arranged on the small aperture side, the image becomes darker or the contrast of the image decreases. This puts strain on the eyes of the user who is watching the image, and it is considered that the tracking function decreases when tracking a moving object. In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the effort of resetting the aperture value after switching the control source can be reduced. With reference to FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, an example is further described in which a sudden change in the aperture value is prevented when switching the control source. Note that the same processes as those described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations are omitted. Specifically, the steps in the 500s are equivalent to the processes described in FIG. 5, and duplicate explanations are avoided as much as possible.

[0087] S601 shows a subroutine of separate type imaging control. S601 corresponds to S502 to S524 in Fig. 5 (the processing in the left half of Fig. 5). Now, S611 is a process executed when the aperture operation ring 208 reaches the camera side control region 311, and is executed before step S544 described in the first embodiment.

[0088] In S611, the system control unit 50 clears "FLAG_M", which is a flag indicating that it is in the first switching period, i.e., "the period until the control source switches from the lens side to the camera side", and "FLAG_A", which is a flag indicating that it is determining the second switching period ("the period until the control source switches from the camera side to the lens side"). S611 is a process indicating that it is outside the first switching period and the second switching period. In conjunction with this, in S612, which is executed thereafter, the system control unit 50 also initializes the starting time of the first switching period "T_MSTART" and the start time of the second switching period "T_ASTART".

[0089] In S620, the system control unit 50 sets "FLAG_A", which is a flag for determining the second switching period, to ON. S620 is a process executed after branching to A (camera side) in S561 described in the first embodiment. "FLAG_A" is ON until it is turned OFF in S635, during which time it is in the second switching period.

[0090] In S621, the system control unit 50 stores "T_i" in "T_ASTART", the start time of the second switching period. "T_i" is acquired by the system control unit 50 from the system timer 220. It is held until either of the following conditions is met: the process of S634 executed after a predetermined time has elapsed becomes "Y" or the aperture operation ring 208 has moved again to the camera-side control area 311.

[0091] S630 is a process executed after branching of M (lens side) in S561 described in the first embodiment. Here, the system control unit 50 executes a process to store the "rotation position (R_i)" of the aperture operation ring 208 in the system memory 218. Suitable examples of information to be stored include the encoder value and the aperture value. When storing the aperture value, it is also possible to store information in which the lens identification code corresponds to lens outer diameter information in the non-volatile memory 219, and have the system control unit 50 refer to this to convert the rotation position.

[0092] In step S631, the system control unit 50 acquires time information "T_i", and in the next step S632, the system control unit 50 calculates the rotation speed. The system control unit 50 calculates the rotation change amount "V_i" using the rotation amount "R_{i-1}" of the previous program step and the time information "T_{i-1}". A suitable example of the rotation change amount is to calculate the speed. It is calculated using the formula "V_i=|R_i - R_{i-1} | / (T_i - T_{i-1})". However, the present invention is not limited to this, and acceleration, nearby moving average speed, etc. may also be calculated.

[0093] In S633, the system control unit 50 determines whether "FLAG_A" for determining the second switching period is ON or OFF. If the system control unit 50 determines that the FLAG_A is ON, the process proceeds to S634. If the system control unit 50 determines that the FLAG_A is OFF, the process proceeds to S640.

[0094] In S634, the system control unit 50 executes a process of determining whether or not it is the second switching determination period. Specifically, the system control unit 50 determines whether "T_i-T_ASTART" is greater than a predetermined time "T_CHG2". The predetermined time "T_CHG2" may be set appropriately. A suitable value may be half the average time it takes a user to rotate the aperture operation ring 208 from end to end, or may be a fixed value (e.g., 0.3 seconds, etc.). To further improve operability, a setting screen may be provided to allow each user to set the value. If the condition in S634 is satisfied, the system control unit 50 determines that the second switching determination period has ended, and executes a process (S635, S636, S563, S564) of switching the control source from the camera side to the lens side.

[0095] In this way, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the aperture operation ring 208 moved from the control source changeover switch 207 to area (312). Then, if the system control unit 50 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the control source changeover switch 207 switches the control source from the body side (system control unit 50: second control unit) to the lens side (lens system control circuit 205: first control unit).

[0096] In S635, the system control unit 50 executes a process to turn off "FLAG_A". This causes the camera 100 to enter a state outside the second switching determination period. In conjunction with this, in S636, the system control unit 50 initializes "T_ASTART". S563 and S564 described on the right side of FIG. 5 are the same as the processes described in FIG. 5.

[0097] Next, in S640, the system control unit 50 determines whether the rotation speed "V_i" has exceeded "V_M", which is the change in the amount of rotation of the aperture operation ring 208 as a first threshold. If this condition is satisfied (Y), the system control unit 50 advances the process to S641, whereas if this condition is not satisfied (N), the system control unit 50 advances the process to S650. "V_M" may be calculated from the ratio between the average time and amount of rotation of the user to completely rotate the aperture operation ring 208 from one end to the other, or a setting screen may be provided to allow the user to set it for each user.

[0098] In S641, the system control unit 50 updates "T_MSTART", which is the start time of the first switching period, to the current time "T_i". In S642, which is executed thereafter, the system control unit 50 sets "FLAG_M", which indicates that the first switching period is in progress, to ON. This state continues until the aperture operation ring 208 reaches the camera-side control region 311 and is turned OFF in S611.

[0099] In this way, the system control unit 50 (first determination unit) determines whether the change in the amount of rotation has exceeded the first threshold value (S640), and if it is determined that the change has exceeded the first threshold value (Y), it sets the start time of the switching period of the aperture operation ring 208 to the current time (S641). Then, it sets the flag "FLAG_M" indicating that the aperture operation ring 208 is in the first switching period to ON (S642).

[0100] On the other hand, in S650, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not it is in the first switching period. If the system control unit 50 determines that the condition is satisfied (Y), it executes S651, and if it determines that the condition is not satisfied (N), it advances the process to S562.

[0101] In S651, the system control unit 50 determines whether the rotation speed "V_i" is 0. That is, the system control unit 50 determines whether the aperture operation ring 208 has stopped. If the system control unit 50 determines that the aperture operation ring 208 has stopped (Y), the process proceeds to S652, whereas if the system control unit 50 determines that the aperture operation ring 208 has not stopped (N), the process proceeds to S564.

[0102] In S652, the system control unit 50 determines the elapsed time from the start of the first switching period. Specifically, the system control unit 50 determines whether this is larger or smaller than the approximate drive determination threshold "T_CHG1". If the system control unit 50 determines that "T_i-T_MSTART" exceeds "T_CHG1" (Y), it regards this as the end of the switching period and executes processing to transfer the control source from the camera side to the lens side (S653, S654, S562). In other cases (N), the system control unit 50 does not update the aperture value and proceeds to S564.

[0103] In S653, the system control unit 50 turns OFF "FLAG_M." This puts the state of the camera 100 outside the first switching period. Accordingly, in S654, the system control unit 50 initializes "T_MSTART." Up to this point, the processing from S503 onwards has been explained, but after the series of processing is executed, the process proceeds to the processing from S504 onwards explained in the first embodiment (see connector B in the upper left of FIG. 6).

[0104] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the change in aperture value during the period when the control source is switched from the lens side to the camera side, or the period when the control source is switched from the camera side to the lens side.

[0105] <FIG. 7: Another example of the second embodiment (a partial modification of the second embodiment)> Next, another embodiment of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the processes with step numbers in the 500s are basically the same as the corresponding steps in Fig. 5, and the processes with step numbers in the 600s are basically the same as the corresponding steps in Fig. 6, so duplicated explanations will be avoided.

[0106] This alternative embodiment is characterized in that if it is determined to be M (lens side) in S541, the determination process of S701 is added. In S701, when the aperture operation ring 208 moves from the lens side control region 312 to the camera side control region 311, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not it is "in the first switching period." If the system control unit 50 determines that it is "in the first switching period" (Y), it executes the process of S513 and the aperture value that was previously controlled on the lens side is taken over.

[0107] In other cases (N), the system control unit 50 executes S544 and S545, calls up the stored "F_mem," and performs processing to take over the aperture value controlled by the camera side (substituting "F_mem" for "F_cam"). According to this alternative embodiment, even with the integrated lens unit 301, it is possible to switch the control source from the lens side to the camera side, as with the separate lens unit 302. As a result, it is possible to reduce the difference in the user's operational feel that differs from lens to lens.

[0108] According to another aspect of the second embodiment, it is possible to determine the first switching period, determine whether the aperture operation ring 208 is substantially in operation, determine the second switching period, etc. As a result, it is possible to appropriately control the timing of switching the control source and updating the aperture value. The present invention is not limited to the aspects described so far, and various modifications and changes can be made.

[0109] <Variation 1> The system control unit 50 (first determination unit) determines whether the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is in the process of switching determination or has been switched since the start point, with the time when the change in the amount of rotation exceeds the first threshold value being set as the start point. That is, the system control unit 50 (first determination unit) determines whether the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is in the process of switching determination or has been switched since the start point, for a total of four cases. When the system control unit 50 (first determination unit) determines that the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is in the process of switching determination, the lens side does not change and control the aperture value (the first control unit does not change and control the imaging setting value). On the other hand, when the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is determined to be in the process of switching determination, the main body side may be configured to change and control the aperture value (imaging setting value) to that at the start point (the second control unit changes and controls the aperture value to the imaging setting value at the start point).

[0110] According to this, when it is determined that the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is in the process of switching determination, the lens does not change and control the aperture value, etc., so that it is possible to prevent the aperture value from being controlled in an unstable state such as during switching. On the other hand, when it is determined that the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) has been switched, for example, there is a high possibility that the aperture operation ring 208 will not be rotated any further. Therefore, it is possible to change and control the aperture value to the starting value on the body side in a stable state.

[0111] <Variation 2> Furthermore, the system control unit 50 (second determination unit) determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) moved from the control source changeover switch 207 to the lens side control area 312. On the other hand, when the system control unit 50 (first determination unit) determines that the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is undergoing switching determination, it is also possible to configure the body side not to change and control the aperture value (imaging setting value) (not to execute the second control unit).

[0112] Even in this case, if it is determined that the aperture operation ring 208 (rotating member) is undergoing switching determination, the aperture operation ring 208 may be further rotated since switching determination is being performed. Therefore, since the main body does not change and control the aperture value, it is possible to prevent the aperture value from being controlled in an unstable state.

[0113] <Other embodiments> In the first and second embodiments, the aperture value has been described as an example of an imaging setting, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is also applicable to focus adjustment. In the above description, the aperture value as an imaging setting value is replaced with a focus value, the aperture operation ring 208 is replaced with a focus adjustment ring 209, and the aperture drive circuit 203 is replaced with an AF drive circuit 204, etc., and the same effect can be obtained.

[0114] The present invention can also be applied to a custom ring provided on a lens to which any function can be assigned. Examples of functions to be assigned include shutter, ISO, variable ND, etc. When assigning, a camera-side control area 311 and a lens-side control area 312 are formed in the movable range of the custom area. A preferred embodiment of the custom ring is one in which the custom ring has a physical end or an electronic end. The present invention can also be applied to this custom ring by making the same substitution as in the focus adjustment described above. In this way, the lens unit 200 is provided with an assignment operation unit to which a specific function can be assigned by the camera 100 (main body), and imaging setting values ​​such as the aperture value can be selected by the camera 100.

[0115] In addition, the program code itself that is supplied to and installed in a computer to realize the functions and processing of the present invention also realizes the present invention. In other words, the computer program itself for realizing the functions and processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention. In this case, the form of the program is not important, so long as it can be executed by a computer, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS, etc.

[0116] Examples of recording media for supplying the program include, but are not limited to, magnetic recording media such as hard disks and magnetic tapes, optical / magneto-optical storage media, and non-volatile semiconductor memories. There are also various methods for supplying the program. One possible method is to store the computer program of the present invention in a server on a computer network, and have a client computer download the stored computer program to use the program.

[0117] <Additional Notes> The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An imaging device including a lens and a body to which the lens can be attached, A first control unit that controls a change in an imaging setting value on the lens side; A second control unit that controls change of imaging setting values ​​on the main body side; a control source switching unit that switches whether the first control unit or the second control unit is to be a control source; an operation unit provided on the lens for performing change control by the first control unit; a storage unit that stores the imaging setting value changed and controlled by the second control unit as a second imaging setting value, In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control unit, the second control unit changes and controls the second imaging setting value stored in the storage unit, and the body unit communicates to the lens that the body unit is a control source; In a case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control unit, The second control unit further updates the second imaging setting value with a first imaging setting value, which is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit communicates to control the updated imaging setting value for the lens. (Configuration 2) The configuration in which the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated is as follows: the operation unit is configured with a rotating member provided on the lens with the optical axis of the lens as a rotation axis, The imaging device described in configuration 1, characterized in that a part of the rotational direction of the rotating member is in a lens-side control area, which is an area for controlling and changing an imaging setting value by the first control unit in response to the rotation, and another part of the rotational direction of the rotating member is in a control source switching unit arranged in an extension direction of the rotational direction of the lens-side control area. (Configuration 3) The device further includes a first determination unit that determines whether or not a change in the amount of rotation of the rotating member exceeds a first threshold value, The imaging device described in configuration 2, characterized in that when the first judgment unit judges that the change in the rotation amount exceeds the first threshold, the starting time of the switching period of the rotating member is set to the current time, and it is judged that the rotating member is in a switching period. (Configuration 4) A first determination unit is further provided that determines whether the rotating member is in a switching determination state or has been switched after the starting point, the starting point being a point at which the change in the amount of rotation of the rotating member exceeds a first threshold value; The imaging device according to configuration 2, characterized in that when the first determination unit determines that the rotating member is undergoing switching determination, the first control unit does not change and control the imaging setting values, whereas when the rotating member is determined to have undergone switching determination, the second control unit changes and controls the imaging setting values ​​to those at the starting point. (Configuration 5) The control device further includes a second determination unit that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotating member moved from the control source switching unit to the lens side control area, The imaging device according to configuration 3, wherein when the second determination unit determines that a predetermined time has elapsed, the control source switching unit switches the control source from the second control unit to the first control unit. (Configuration 6) A second determination unit that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotating member moved from the control source switching unit to the lens side control area, 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein, when the first determination unit determines that the rotating member is undergoing switching determination, the first control unit does not change and control the imaging setting value. (Configuration 7) The main body acquires information including lens identification information for identifying lens information of the lens, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the information includes success / failure information indicating whether the lens and the control source switching unit are integrated into one unit. (Configuration 8) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the imaging setting value is an aperture value. (Configuration 9) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the imaging setting value is a focus value. (Configuration 10) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the lens further includes an assignment operation unit that can assign a predetermined function via the main body unit, and the imaging setting values ​​can be selected via the main body unit. (Method) A control method for an imaging device including a lens, a main body to which the lens can be attached, an operation unit provided on the lens for performing change control by a first control unit, and a control source switching unit for switching a control source, comprising: a first control step of controlling a change in an imaging setting value on the lens side; A second control step of controlling a change in an imaging setting value on the main body side; a control source switching step of switching whether the first control step or the second control step is to be a control source; a storage step of storing the imaging setting value changed and controlled in the second control step as a second imaging setting value, In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, the second control step changes and controls the second image capture setting value stored in the storage step, and the main body communicates to the lens that the main body is a control source; In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, The control method for an imaging device, wherein the second control step further updates the second imaging setting value with a first imaging setting value that is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit controls the updated imaging setting value for the lens. (Program) A control method for an imaging device including a lens, a main body to which the lens can be attached, an operation unit provided on the lens for performing change control by a first control unit, and a control source switching unit for switching a control source, the program causing a computer to execute the control method, a first control step of controlling a change in an imaging setting value on the lens side; A second control step of controlling a change in an imaging setting value on the main body side; a control source switching step of switching whether the first control step or the second control step is to be a control source; a storage step of storing the imaging setting value changed and controlled in the second control step as a second imaging setting value, In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, the second control step changes and controls the second image capture setting value stored in the storage step, and the main body communicates to the lens that the main body is a control source; In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, the second control step further updates the second imaging setting value with a first imaging setting value, which is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit controls the updated imaging setting value for the lens.

[0118] 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]

[0119] 50 System control section 100 Cameras 101 Shutter button 107 Display outside the viewfinder 108 Display section 109 Touch Panel 118 Eyepiece detection unit 200 Lens unit 201 Aperture 202 Lens 203 Aperture drive circuit 204 AF drive circuit 205 Lens system control circuit 206 Communication terminal 208 Aperture control ring 209 Focus adjustment ring 210 Shutter 211 Imaging unit 212 A / D conversion section 213 Memory control unit 214 Image Processing Unit 215 Memory 216 D / A conversion section 217 EVF 218 System Memory 219 Non-volatile memory 220 System Timer 221 Communications Department 222 Attitude detection unit 223 Outside viewfinder display drive circuit 224 Power supply control unit 225 Power supply section 226 Recording media I / F 227 Recording media 228 Operation section 311 Camera side control area 312 Lens side control area

Claims

1. An imaging device including a lens and a main body to which the lens can be attached, A first control unit that controls a change of an imaging setting value on the lens side; A second control unit that controls change of imaging setting values ​​on the main body side; a control source switching unit that switches between the first control unit and the second control unit as a control source; an operation unit provided on the lens for performing change control by the first control unit; a storage unit that stores the imaging setting value changed and controlled by the second control unit as a second imaging setting value, In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control unit, the second control unit changes and controls the second image capture setting value stored in the storage unit, and the main body communicates to the lens that the main body is a control source; In a case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control unit, The second control unit further updates the second imaging setting value with a first imaging setting value, which is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit communicates to control the updated imaging setting value for the lens.

2. The configuration in which the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated is as follows: the operation unit is configured with a rotating member provided on the lens with the optical axis of the lens as a rotation axis, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that a part of the rotational direction of the rotating member is in a lens-side control area, which is an area for controlling and changing an imaging setting value by the first control unit in response to the rotation, and another part of the rotational direction of the rotating member is in a control source switching unit arranged in an extension direction of the rotational direction of the lens-side control area.

3. A first determination unit that determines whether or not a change in the amount of rotation of the rotating member exceeds a first threshold value, 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the first judgment unit judges that the change in the rotation amount exceeds the first threshold, the start time of the switching period of the rotating member is set to the current time, and it is judged that the rotating member is in a switching period.

4. A first determination unit is configured to determine whether the rotating member is in a state of being subjected to a switching determination or has been subjected to a switching determination after a point in time when a change in the amount of rotation of the rotating member exceeds a first threshold value, The imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the first determination unit determines that the rotating member is undergoing switching determination, the first control unit does not change and control the imaging setting values, whereas, when the rotating member is determined to have undergone switching determination, the second control unit changes and controls the imaging setting values ​​to those at the starting point.

5. a second determination unit that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotating member moved from the control source switching unit to the lens side control area, 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein, when the second determination section determines that a predetermined time has elapsed, the control source switching section switches the control source from the second control section to the first control section.

6. a second determination unit that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotating member moved from the control source switching unit to the lens side control area, 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein when the first determination section determines that the rotating member is undergoing switching determination, the first control section does not change and control the imaging setting value.

7. the main body acquires information including lens identification information for identifying lens information of the lens; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the information includes success / failure information indicating whether the lens and the control source switching unit are integrated into one structure.

8. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging setting value is an aperture value.

9. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging setting value is a focus value.

10. 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the lens further comprises an assignment operation unit capable of assigning a predetermined function to the lens by the main body, and the imaging setting values ​​are selectable by the main body.

11. A control method for an imaging device including a lens, a main body to which the lens can be attached, an operation unit provided in the lens for performing change control by a first control unit, and a control source switching unit for switching a control source, comprising: a first control step of controlling a change in an imaging setting value on a lens side; a second control step of controlling a change in an image capture setting value on the main body side; a control source switching step of switching whether the first control step or the second control step is to be a control source; a storage step of storing the imaging setting value changed and controlled in the second control step as a second imaging setting value, In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, the second control step controls and changes the second image capture setting value stored in the storage step, and the body unit communicates to the lens that the body unit is a control source; In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, The control method for an imaging device, characterized in that the second control step further updates the second imaging setting value with a first imaging setting value which is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit controls the updated imaging setting value for the lens.

12. A control method for an imaging apparatus including a lens, a main body to which the lens can be attached, an operation unit provided on the lens for performing change control by a first control unit, and a control source switching unit for switching a control source, the control method comprising the steps of: a first control step of controlling a change in an imaging setting value on a lens side; a second control step of controlling a change in an image capture setting value on the main body side; a control source switching step of switching whether the first control step or the second control step is to be a control source; a storage step of storing the imaging setting value changed and controlled in the second control step as a second imaging setting value, In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, the second control step controls and changes the second image capture setting value stored in the storage step, and the body unit communicates to the lens that the body unit is a control source; In the case where the operation unit and the control source switching unit are not integrated, when the control source switching unit switches the control source to the second control step, the second control step further updates the second imaging setting value with a first imaging setting value that is the latest imaging setting value changed and controlled by the first control unit, and the main body unit controls the updated imaging setting value for the lens.

Images