Lens device, imaging device, and method for driving lens

Abstract

To prevent the correspondence relation of the rotational position of an operation ring and the position of an optical lens in the direction of an optical axis from becoming incapable of being maintained.SOLUTION: A lens device according to the present technique includes: an operation ring operated to rotate around an axis; an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the direction of an optical axis; and an operation processing unit for determining the direction and the amount of moving of the optical lens according to the direction and the amount of operation on the operation ring. In the operation ring, the rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is a first rotational position and the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is a second rotational position. The operation processing unit determines the movement amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the applicable range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a lens device, an imaging device, and a lens driving method including an operation ring such as a focus operation ring or a zoom operation ring, for example.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in various lens devices such as interchangeable lenses, video cameras, and digital still cameras, optical elements such as lenses are arranged inside, and the optical elements are moved in the optical axis direction by rotating an operation ring provided on the outer peripheral side, enabling focusing and zooming.

[0003] Examples of the method of performing focusing and zooming by rotating the operation ring include a mechanical drive method and an electric drive method. The mechanical drive method mechanically connects a cam ring that moves the optical element and the operation ring, and a force corresponding to the rotation of the operation ring is mechanically transmitted to the cam ring to move the optical element.

[0004] In addition, the electric drive method electrically reads the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of the operation ring by a predetermined sensor, calculates the driving amount of the optical element by an arithmetic circuit, and drives an actuator based on the calculated driving amount to move the optical element (so-called bi-wire method).

[0005] The electric drive method is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the electric drive method, since an electric actuator is used to move the optical element, unlike the mechanical drive method, the rotational position of the operation ring and the position of the optical element in the optical axis direction are not necessarily determined.

[0008] For example, taking a focus lens as an example of the optical element, the focus lens is movable within a movable range from the Near end to the Far end in the optical axis direction. If the rotation operation of the focus operation ring, which is an operation ring corresponding to the focus ring, is continuously performed, the focus lens will reach either the Near end or the Far end.

[0009] When the focus operation ring is further rotated toward the Near side in the state where the focus lens has reached the Near end, only the focus operation ring rotates while the focus lens remains positioned at the Near end.

[0010] When the focus operation ring is then rotated toward the Far side from there, the movement of the focus lens toward the Far end starts immediately. At this time, a problem occurs in that the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring and the position of the focus lens in the optical axis direction is shifted.

[0011] In photography, when preparing for shooting, the rotational position of the focus operation ring corresponding to the position of the subject to be focused on may be marked. However, since there is a possibility that the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring and the position of the focus lens in the optical axis direction is shifted, even if the focus operation ring is adjusted to the marked rotational position, it is not always possible to focus on the subject as set.

[0012] The present technology has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to prevent the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the operation ring and the position of the optical lens in the optical axis direction from being lost.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0013] The lens device according to the present technology includes an operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction about the axis, an optical lens that is movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, and an arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and the moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and the operation amount with respect to the operation ring. The operation ring has a rotation position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens set as a first rotation position, and a rotation position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens set as a second rotation position. The arithmetic processing unit determines the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotation position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotation position to the second rotation position. Accordingly, when the operation ring is excessively rotated to the Far side beyond the first rotation position, the optical lens remains positioned at the Far end. Then, when rotating from a rotation position that is excessively rotated to the Far side beyond the first rotation position to the Near side, the optical lens does not move according to the rotation of the operation ring until it returns to the first rotation position. The same applies when the operation ring is excessively rotated to the Near side from the second rotation position. The optical lens does not move until it returns to the second rotation position from a rotation position that is excessively rotated to the Near side.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments will be described in the following order. <1. Configuration of Imaging Device> <2. Configuration for Detecting Rotation Amount of Operation Ring> <3. Functional Configuration of Imaging Device> <4. Functional Configuration of Lens Side Control Unit> <5. Second Embodiment> <6. Modification Example> <7. Summary> <8. This Technology>

[0016] <1. Configuration of Imaging Device> In the following description, the subject side is described as the front with respect to the imaging device 1. That is, the front-rear direction coincides with the optical axis direction of the imaging device 1. However, these directions are for convenience of explanation and are not limited to these directions in the implementation of this technology.

[0017] The imaging device 1 in the first embodiment is configured to have a main body 2 and a lens device 3 as an embodiment of this technology as shown in FIG. 1. The main body 2 is provided with a main body side mount portion 2m around an opening 2a opened on the front surface, and is coupled to the lens side mount portion 3m of the lens device 3, for example, in a bayonet type, so that the main body 2 and the lens device 3 are electrically and physically connected.

[0018] Corresponding terminals are provided on the main body side mount portion 2m and the lens side mount portion 3m, respectively. Examples of the terminals include a terminal for power supply (power supply terminal), a terminal for transmitting commands and data (communication terminal), a terminal for transmitting a synchronization signal (synchronization signal terminal), and the like.

[0019] In the following description, an example in which the imaging device 1 is composed of the main body 2 and the interchangeable lens device 3 will be given. However, the present technology is not limited to this, and it can also be applied to a type in which a lens barrel having the same structure as the internal structure of the lens device 3 is incorporated inside the apparatus main body, or a retractable type in which this lens barrel protrudes or is housed with respect to the apparatus main body.

[0020] One end of the main body 2 in the left-right direction is provided as a grip portion 2b so that the photographer can easily hold it.

[0021] The main body 2 is formed by arranging the required parts inside and outside the outer casing 4. Specifically, various operation parts 5 are arranged on the front surface, upper surface, and rear surface of the outer casing 4. As the operation part 5, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a zoom lever, a shooting mode dial, etc. are provided.

[0022] On the rear surface of the outer casing 4, a rear monitor 6 shown by a broken line is arranged so that the display surface faces backward. The rear monitor 6 is composed of a panel type display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, and is capable of displaying an image. As the image displayed on the rear monitor 6, for example, a through image, an image read from the recording medium 33, etc., and in addition, a display of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as various operation screens such as a menu screen can be performed.

[0023] When the rear monitor 6 has a touch panel function, the rear monitor 6 also functions as the operation part 5.

[0024] The lens device 3 has a rear end portion provided as the aforementioned lens-side mount portion 3m.

[0025] The lens device 3 is configured to include a lens housing 7 and various optical elements 8 arranged inside thereof. As the optical element 8, for example, a front lens 8m, a focus lens Lf, a zoom lens Lz, an iris, and relay lenses are provided.

[0026] The lens device 3 includes actuators corresponding to each of the movable optical elements 8. For example, a linear motor is provided as an actuator corresponding to the focus lens Lf. When a drive voltage from a driver is applied to this linear motor, the focus lens Lf is moved in the optical axis direction.

[0027] A plurality of annular operation rings 9 rotatably supported are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lens housing 7. One is a focus operation ring 9f corresponding to the focus lens Lf, and the other is a zoom operation ring 9z corresponding to the zoom lens Lz.

[0028] The focus operation ring 9f is rotatable in the circumferential direction around the axis. When it is rotated in the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf is moved to the Far side (the "F" side in FIG. 1), and when it is rotated in the second direction R2, which is the opposite direction to the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf is moved to the Near side (the "N" side in FIG. 1).

[0029] In the following description, the first direction R1 is clockwise as viewed from the photographer, and the second direction R2 is counterclockwise as viewed from the photographer (see FIG. 1). When representing the circumferential direction around the optical axis without distinguishing between the first direction R1 and the second direction R2, it is denoted as the circumferential direction R around the axis.

[0030] The zoom operation ring 9z is rotatable in the circumferential direction R around the axis. When it is rotated in the first direction R1, the zoom lens Lz is moved to the TELE side (the "T" side in FIG. 1), and when it is rotated in the second direction R2, the zoom lens Lz is moved to the WIDE side (the "W" side in FIG. 1).

[0031] The photographer can perform focusing by rotating the focus operation ring 9f. Also, the photographer can perform zooming by rotating the zoom operation ring 9z.

[0032] An operator 10 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lens barrel 7. In the present embodiment, as the operator 10, there are provided a shake correction operator for switching on / off of shake correction driving, a power zoom operator for performing zooming by motor driving, and the like. In addition, in the present embodiment, a switching operator 10a for switching between a manual mode for manually performing focusing and an auto mode for automatically performing focusing is provided as the operator 10. The switching operator 10a will be described later in detail.

[0033] Note that the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z are one aspect of the operator 10.

[0034] <2. Configuration for Detecting Rotation Amount of Operation Ring> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lens device 3 in a state cut by an orthogonal plane in the optical axis direction at the position of line A-A in FIG. 1, and shows a cross section of the focus operation ring 9f.

[0035] In the lens device 3, driving of the focus lens Lf in response to the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f is performed by the above-described electric driving method. That is, the focus lens Lf is driven in the optical axis direction by an actuator disposed inside the lens device 3.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the broken line portion in FIG. 2. On the inner peripheral side of the focus operation ring 9f, a fixed member 11 having a substantially annular shape is disposed (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The fixed member 11 is fixed in position inside the lens device 3, and the outer peripheral surface 11a is in a state of facing the inner peripheral surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f. On the inner peripheral side of the fixed member 11, a substantially circular opening 13 is formed.

[0037] On the inner peripheral surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f, a detection pattern portion 16 in which a reflecting surface 14 and a non-reflecting surface 15 are alternately arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction R around the axis is provided (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0038] The configurations of the reflecting surface 14 and the non-reflecting surface 15 can be considered in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, since the focus operation ring 9f is made of a metal with a high light reflectivity such as aluminum, the inner peripheral surface 12 is a metal surface. Further, on the inner peripheral surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f, non-reflecting carriers 17 made of a resin material with a low light reflectivity, such as black resin, are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction R around the axis. These non-reflecting carriers 17 are formed in a film shape by, for example, printing or the like.

[0039] The detection pattern portion 16 is formed such that a portion of the inner peripheral surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f where the non-reflecting carrier 17 is not arranged is formed as the reflecting surface 14, and the surface facing the inside of the non-reflecting carrier 17 is formed as the non-reflecting surface 15.

[0040] Note that the focus operation ring 9f does not necessarily need to be made of metal. For example, it is sufficient if the light reflectivity of the inner peripheral surface 12 is increased, such as by applying a metal plating or a light-reflecting sheet to the inner peripheral surface 12.

[0041] As described above, since the position of the fixing member 11 inside the lens device 3 is fixed, the detection pattern portion 16 moves in the circumferential direction R around the axis with respect to the fixing member 11 as the focus operation ring 9f is rotated.

[0042] In the detection pattern portion 16, the formation pitch of the reflecting surface 14 and the non-reflecting surface 15 is a constant pitch. That is, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4, in the detection pattern portion 16, the width w14 of each reflecting surface 14 in the circumferential direction R around the axis and the width w15 of each non-reflecting surface 15 in the circumferential direction R around the axis are the same. The width w14 and the width w15 are, for example, 0.3 mm or less. Thereby, a sufficient detection resolution for actual use can be obtained.

[0043] In order to detect the movement of the detection pattern portion 16 in the circumferential direction R around the axis, a detection portion 18 is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface 11a of the fixing member 11 (see FIG. 3).

[0044] A schematic perspective view of the detection unit 18 is shown in FIG. 5. The detection unit 18 includes, for example, a wiring board 19 that is a flexible board fixed to the outer peripheral surface 11a, a light emitting element 20 externally attached on the wiring board 19, a board 21, a first light receiving element 22 and a second light receiving element 23 provided on the board 21, and an enclosure 24.

[0045] The light emitting element 20 is provided with a light emitting surface 20a from which light is emitted. The first light receiving element 22 is provided with a light receiving surface 22a for receiving light, and the second light receiving element 23 is similarly provided with a light receiving surface 23a.

[0046] The first light receiving element 22 and the second light receiving element 23 are arranged on the board 21, for example, by a single semiconductor manufacturing process.

[0047] The enclosure 24 protrudes from the wiring board 19 in the thickness direction thereof, and is formed as a portion surrounding the light emitting element 20, the first light receiving element 22, and the second light receiving element 23. The enclosure 24 prevents unintentional light such as external light from being received by the first light receiving element 22 and the second light receiving element 23. Further, adhesion of foreign matters such as dust to the light emitting surface 20a and the light receiving surfaces 22a and 23a is also suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy regarding the rotation amount and the rotation direction.

[0048] The light irradiated from the light emitting surface 20a is reflected by the detection pattern portion 16 and received by the light receiving surface 22a and the light receiving surface 23a (see FIG. 6). At this time, since the reflectance of light is increased on the reflecting surface 14 of the detection pattern portion 16 and decreased on the non-reflecting surface 15, the light receiving signals output from the first light receiving element 22 and the second light receiving element 23 are substantially sinusoidal waves.

[0049] Further, the phase difference between the first light receiving signal S1 output from the first light receiving element 22 and the second light receiving signal S2 output from the second light receiving element 23 is set to approximately 90 deg so that the rotation direction in the circumferential direction around the axis of the focus operation ring 9f can be determined (see FIG. 7). In other words, the light receiving surface 22a of the first light receiving element 22 and the light receiving surface 23a of the second light receiving element 23 are arranged at a distance such that the phase difference of the waveforms of the output signals is approximately 90°.

[0050] The rotational direction of the focus operation ring 9f in the circumferential direction around the axis can be determined by detecting which of the first light receiving signal S1 and the second light receiving signal S2 is relatively advanced by 90°.

[0051] <3. Functional Configuration of Imaging Device> The functional configuration of the imaging device 1 is shown in FIG. 8.

[0052] As described above, the imaging device 1 includes a main body unit 2 and a lens device 3 attached to the main body unit 2.

[0053] In addition to the main body side mount portion 2m, the operation portion 5, and the rear monitor 6 described above, the main body unit 2 includes a main body side control unit 25, a shutter 26, a shutter control unit 27, an imaging element 28, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 29, a frame memory 30, an image signal processing unit 31, a recording unit 32, a recording medium 33, a main body side memory 34, a power control unit 35, and a power supply unit 36.

[0054] The power control unit 35 supplies the power supplied from the power supply unit 36 to each part of the main body unit 2 including the main body side control unit 25. Further, the power control unit 35 calculates the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens device 3 based on the operating state of the imaging device 1, and supplies power to the lens device 3 via the main body side mount portion 2m. The power supply unit 36 is configured to have a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, for example. Note that the power supply unit 36 can also be configured to receive power supply from a commercial AC power supply via an AC adapter or the like.

[0055] The body - side control unit 25 is configured to include a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU reads out a program stored in a predetermined storage device such as the ROM or the body - side memory 34 to the RAM and executes it, thereby performing overall control of the imaging device 1.

[0056] The body - side memory 34 is composed of a non - volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and can be used to store the operation program of the body - side control unit 25 and various data.

[0057] Based on the operation signal representing the operator's operation supplied from the operation unit 5, the body - side control unit 25 causes the imaging element 28 to execute imaging processing. Further, a predetermined command is transmitted to the lens device 3 side via the body - side mount unit 2m to drive the focus lens Lf, the zoom lens Lz, etc.

[0058] Also, the body - side control unit 25 can obtain information indicating the lens position of, for example, the focus lens Lf and information indicating the lens position of the zoom lens Lz from a lens position detection unit (not shown) in the lens device 3.

[0059] The shutter 26 is disposed in front of the imaging element 28 (on the subject side) and opens and closes according to the control of the shutter control unit 27. When the shutter 26 is in the closed state, the light of the subject that has passed through the optical system of the lens device 3 is blocked. The shutter control unit 27 detects the open / closed state of the shutter 26 and supplies information indicating the detection result to the body - side control unit 25. The shutter control unit 27 drives the shutter 26 to the open state or the closed state based on the control of the body - side control unit 25.

[0060] The imaging device 28 is configured as an image sensor using, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, etc., captures a subject, and generates and outputs captured image data. When the imaging device 28 is configured with a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, an electronic shutter can be used, so it is also possible to omit the shutter 26. When the shutter 26 is omitted, the shutter control unit 27 used for its control is also omitted.

[0061] The captured image data output from the imaging device 28 is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 29 and supplied to the frame memory 30. Note that the main body side control unit 25 may be configured to be able to calculate the defocus amount in the main body side control unit 25 by outputting a phase difference signal from the imaging device 28 to the main body side control unit 25.

[0062] The image signal processing unit 31 performs predetermined image signal processing on the captured image input via the frame memory 30. Examples of the image signal processing here include demosaicing processing, white balance (WB) adjustment, gamma correction processing, etc. The image signal processing unit 31 performs image signal processing on the captured image as a RAW image input via the frame memory 30, then converts it into image data in a predetermined file format, and records it on the recording medium 33 via the recording unit 32. In addition, the image signal processing unit 31 converts the captured image after the image signal processing into an image signal according to a predetermined display format, supplies it to the rear monitor 6, and displays the captured image.

[0063] The recording medium 33 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and the recording unit 32 is configured to be able to write data to the recording medium 33 and read the data recorded on the recording medium 33. Here, the recording medium 33 may be detachable from the main body unit 2.

[0064] Note that, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the main body 2 is provided with a configuration for communicating with the lens device 3 and the like.

[0065] In addition to the lens-side mount portion 3m, the focus operation ring 9f, the zoom operation ring 9z, the switching operator 10a, and the optical elements 8 such as the focus lens Lf, the diaphragm Di, the focus lens Lf, the detection unit 18, and the lens position detection unit (not shown) described above, the lens device 3 includes a lens-side control unit 37, a lens-side memory 38, a power control unit 39, a focus lens driver 40, a diaphragm driver 41, a zoom lens driver 42, and a notification unit 43.

[0066] The switching operator 10a is an operator for switching between a manual mode for manually performing focusing and an auto mode for automatically performing the same. Further, as the manual mode, a first mode M1 and a second mode M2, which will be described later, are provided, and the switching operator 10a can switch between the auto mode, the first mode M1, and the second mode M2.

[0067] The lens-side control unit 37 is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and the CPU reads a program stored in a predetermined storage device such as the ROM or the lens-side memory 38 into the RAM and executes it to perform overall control of the lens device 3.

[0068] For example, the lens-side control unit 37 controls the position of the zoom lens Lz based on an instruction from the main body 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount portion 3m or an operation of the photographer received by the operation unit 5. Specifically, the lens-side control unit 37 acquires the current position of the zoom lens Lz from a lens position detection unit configured by, for example, a magnetic sensor (MR sensor), determines a moving direction and a moving amount for moving the zoom lens Lz to a predetermined position based on the acquisition result, and outputs the determined moving direction and moving amount together with a movement command to the zoom lens driver 42. The zoom lens driver 42 moves the zoom lens Lz in the optical axis direction so as to have the instructed moving direction and moving amount based on the movement command supplied from the lens-side control unit 37.

[0069] Here, the lens position detection unit has a configuration for detecting the states of the optical elements 8 included in the lens device 3, such as the positions of the zoom lens Lz and the focus lens Lf, and the aperture diameter of the diaphragm Di. The detection of the lens position can be performed, for example, by a magnetic sensor, a photodiode array, a potentiometer, a reflective encoder, or the like.

[0070] The lens-side control unit 37 controls the aperture diameter of the diaphragm Di (the aperture diameter thereof) in response to an instruction or the like from the main body unit 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount unit 3m. Specifically, the lens-side control unit 37 acquires the aperture diameter of the diaphragm Di detected by the diaphragm detection sensor in the lens position detection unit, and issues a command to the diaphragm driver 41 so that the F value instructed from the main body unit 2 is obtained, and drives the diaphragm Di. The diaphragm driver 41 drives the diaphragm Di so that the aperture diameter instructed from the lens-side control unit 37 is obtained.

[0071] The lens-side control unit 37 controls the position of the focus lens Lf based on an instruction from the main body unit 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount unit 3m. In the control of AF, for example, information on the target focus lens position (target focus lens position) is instructed from the main body unit 2 to the lens-side control unit 37. The lens-side control unit 37 acquires the current position of the focus lens Lf from the lens position detection unit, and based on the acquired information on the current position and the information on the target focus lens position instructed from the main body unit 2, determines the moving direction and the moving amount for moving the focus lens Lf to the target position, and outputs the determined moving direction and moving amount together with a movement command to the focus lens driver 40. The focus lens driver 40 moves the focus lens Lf in the optical axis direction so that the instructed moving direction and moving amount are obtained.

[0072] Note that the focus lens Lf is configured as a "focus lens group" including one or a plurality of optical elements. When the focus lens group includes a plurality of optical elements, these optical elements will be displaced integrally along with the focus adjustment. Note that this also applies to the zoom lens Lz. That is, the zoom lens Lz is configured as a "zoom lens group" including one or a plurality of optical elements. When the zoom lens group includes a plurality of optical elements, these optical elements will be displaced integrally along with the zoom adjustment.

[0073] In this example, the zoom lens Lz and the focus lens Lf are each configured as one zoom lens group and one focus lens group, respectively. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration including a plurality of zoom lens groups and a plurality of focus lens groups, respectively.

[0074] The focus lens driver 40 can be configured to have, as a driving source of the lens, for example, an ultrasonic motor, a DC motor, a linear actuator, a stepping motor, a piezo element (piezoelectric element), or the like.

[0075] The lens-side memory 38 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and can be used to store the operation program and various data of the lens-side control unit 37.

[0076] The power control unit 39 detects the amount of power supplied from the main body unit 2, and optimally distributes the amount of power to each part (the lens-side control unit 37 and various driving units) in the lens device 3 based on the detected amount of power, and supplies the power.

[0077] The notification unit 43 is provided to notify the photographer that the focus lens Lf or the zoom lens Lz has reached the end of the movable range. As the mode of the notification unit 43, it may be a light emitter that performs notification by light emission, a speaker that performs notification by sound, or a vibration element that performs notification by vibration. Alternatively, the notification unit 43 may be configured to perform notification by an image using the rear monitor 6.

[0078] In this embodiment, the notification unit 43 includes a vibrator in each of the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z, and notifies the photographer by vibrating the vibrator to appeal to the photographer's sense of touch.

[0079] <4. Functional Configuration of Lens-Side Control Unit> When an operation by the photographer is performed on the focus operation ring 9f or the zoom operation ring 9z as the operator 10 in this embodiment, the lens-side control unit 37 drives the zoom lens Lz and the focus lens Lf. In the following description, the focus lens Lf will be taken as an example.

[0080] There are mainly two driving methods considered when moving the focus lens Lf according to the operation of the focus operation ring 9f. One is a method in which the moving amount and the moving direction of the focus lens Lf are determined according to the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f. The other is a method in which the moving amount and the moving direction of the focus lens Lf are determined according to the angular velocity and the rotation direction of the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f.

[0081] In the implementation of this technology, the focus lens Lf is moved according to the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the focus operation ring 9f, which is the former.

[0082] The focus lens Lf is movable in the optical axis direction, but the movable range is mechanically or controllably defined. Here, both are described as the "focus lens movable range Rf" without distinction. Also, the ends of the focus lens movable range Rf are respectively the aforementioned "Near end" and "Far end".

[0083] While the movable range Rf of the focus lens is finite, the range in which the focus operation ring 9f can be rotated is infinite (see Fig. 9). Therefore, if the focus operation ring 9f is continuously rotated in one direction, for example, the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf will eventually reach the Far end of the focus lens movable range Rf (see Fig. 10). Let the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f at this time be the first rotational position P1.

[0084] Also, if the focus operation ring 9f is continuously rotated in the second direction R2, the focus lens Lf will eventually reach the Near end of the focus lens movable range Rf. Let the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f at this time be the second rotational position P2.

[0085] If the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f is continued in the first direction R1 from the state shown in Fig. 10 where the focus lens Lf has reached the Far end, a so-called over-rotation state will occur where the focus operation ring 9f rotates while the focus lens Lf remains at the Far end (see Fig. 11). In the over-rotation state, as shown in Fig. 11, the relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf is shifted.

[0086] If a rotation operation is started to rotate the focus operation ring 9f in the second direction R2, which is the reverse direction, from this over-rotation state, the behavior of the focus lens Lf can be considered in two ways.

[0087] One is a mode in which the focus lens Lf is moved while maintaining the correspondence between the Far end and the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f, and the correspondence between the Near end and the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f, respectively. Specifically, until the focus operation ring 9f is rotated in the second direction R2 by the amount of over-rotation from the Far end, that is, until the state of Fig. 10 where the deviation between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf is eliminated, the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f is ignored. This behavior is referred to as the "first mode M1".

[0088] In the first mode M1, when the focus lens Lf is moved, the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf in the optical axis direction is maintained. Therefore, the position of the focus lens Lf when the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f is rotated to a predetermined rotational position is always the same position. That is, it becomes possible to roughly focus on the target subject just by adjusting the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f by sense, and the focusing operation can be performed intuitively.

[0089] The other is a mode in which the focus lens Lf is moved to the Near end side with the correspondence between the Far end and the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the correspondence between the Near end and the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f being shifted. Specifically, the point where the operation direction of the rotational operation of the focus operation ring 9f changes, that is, the turning point, is set as a new first rotational position P1 corresponding to the Far end of the focus lens Lf (see FIG. 12). This behavior is referred to as the "second mode M2". Note that in FIG. 12, the new second rotational position P2 is not shown.

[0090] In the second mode M2, when the rotational operation of the focus operation ring 9f is performed, the focus lens Lf can always be moved as long as it is movable in the movable direction. Therefore, even in the above-described over-rotated state, the focus lens Lf can be immediately moved, and a rapid focusing operation can be performed.

[0091] The lens-side control unit 37 functions as an initial setting processing unit F1, a notification processing unit F2, a lens movement amount calculation unit F3, and a switching processing unit F4 in order to perform the control of the first mode M1 and the control of the second mode M2 as described above (see FIG. 8).

[0092] The initial setting processing unit F1 performs processing to move the focus lens Lf and the zoom lens Lz to their respective reference positions, for example, when the imaging device 1 is activated. For this purpose, a PI sensor fin 44 is provided on the focus lens Lf, and a PI sensor 45 is provided at a position corresponding to the PI sensor fin 44 inside the lens device 3 (see FIG. 13).

[0093] The PI sensor fin 44 is moved in the same direction and by the same amount as the focus lens Lf moves. On the other hand, the position of the PI sensor 45 inside the lens device 3 is fixed. That is, the distance between the PI sensor fin 44 and the PI sensor 45 increases or decreases as the focus lens Lf moves.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 14, the PI sensor 45 is formed in a substantially U shape with both ends bent in the same direction. A light emitter 45a is provided at one of the both ends, and a light receiving part 45b is provided at the other end.

[0095] The light receiving part 45b receives the light emitted from the light emitter 45a and outputs a light reception signal. However, when the PI sensor fin 44 is inserted between both ends of the PI sensor 45, the light emitted from the light emitter 45a is blocked by the PI sensor fin 44 and cannot be received by the light receiving part 45b.

[0096] The initial setting processing unit F1 moves the focus lens Lf to the reference position based on the signal output from the PI sensor 45.

[0097] The flow of the processing executed by the lens side control unit 37 when the lens side control unit 37 functions as the initial setting processing unit F1 is shown in FIG. 15.

[0098] First, in step S101, the lens side control unit 37 determines whether the output of the PI sensor 45 is "H: High". The state where the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L: Low" is a state where the light emitted from the light emitter 45a of the PI sensor 45 is blocked by the PI sensor fin 44 and does not reach the light receiving part 45b, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0099] In this case, in step S102, the lens side control unit 37 moves the focus lens Lf to the Near side. The moving amount of the focus lens Lf at this time is set to the minimum moving amount corresponding to the moving resolution.

[0100] By repeating this determination process of step S101 and the movement process of step S102, the PI sensor fin 44 is moved to the Near side until the light receiving unit 45b can receive light equal to or more than a predetermined amount.

[0101] When it is determined in step S101 that the output of the PI sensor 45 is "H: High", the lens side control unit 37 moves the focus lens Lf to the Far side in step S103. The moving amount of the focus lens Lf at this time is also set to the minimum moving amount corresponding to the moving resolution.

[0102] Subsequently, in step S104, the lens side control unit 37 determines whether the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L". When the process of step S104 is executed after the process of step S102 is executed several times, it is usually determined in the determination process of step S104 that the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L".

[0103] On the other hand, when the output of the PI sensor 45 is "H" from the beginning of the series of processes in FIG. 15, it is a case where the PI sensor fin 44 is located away from the PI sensor 45 on the Near side. In such a case, in the determination process of step S104, it is determined that the output of the PI sensor 45 is "H", and by executing the process of step S103, that is, the process of moving the focus lens Lf to the Far side, the PI sensor fin 44 approaches the PI sensor 45.

[0104] When it is determined in step S104 that the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L", that is, when it is determined that the output of the PI sensor 45 has changed from "H" to "L" again after once becoming "H", the lens-side control unit 37 performs a process of setting the current position of the focus lens Lf as the reference position in step S105.

[0105] Thereby, the focus lens Lf is controlled to be positioned at a predetermined position at all times when the imaging device 1 is activated. Note that the series of processes shown in FIG. 15 are executed not only when the imaging device 1 is activated but also when the reset button is pressed, etc., so that the imaging device 1 can be appropriately returned to the initial state even when shooting is performed after the imaging device 1 is activated.

[0106] The notification processing unit F2 shown in FIG. 8 performs a process for notifying the photographer to that effect when the focus lens Lf reaches the Near end or the Far end. Specifically, a tactile signal is sent to the vibrator as the notification unit 43 provided on the focus lens Lf to transmit a tactile stimulus to the photographer.

[0107] As described above, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 controls the position of the zoom lens Lz based on an instruction from the main body unit 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount unit 3m or an operation of the photographer received by the operation unit 5.

[0108] Further, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 calculates the movement direction and movement amount of the focus lens Lf according to the sine wave pulses of the first light reception signal S1 and the second light reception signal S2 generated in response to the operation of the focus operation ring 9f, and outputs a drive instruction to the focus lens driver 40.

[0109] Note that the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 changes the driving method of the focus lens Lf according to the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 described above. The behavior of the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 when driving the focus lens Lf in the first mode M1 is shown in FIG. 16.

[0110] Through the cooperation of the detection pattern section 16 of the focus operation ring 9f and the detection section 18, a sine wave pulse (first light reception signal S1 and second light reception signal S2) is output from the detection section 18 in response to the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f.

[0111] The lens movement amount calculation unit F3 is configured to include five processing blocks B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5. The processing block B1 calculates the movement amount of the focus lens Lf based on the detected sine wave pulse. Specifically, it is a block that calculates the movement amount of the focus lens Lf by counting the number of output sine wave pulses. Further, the processing block B1 specifies the movement direction of the focus lens Lf according to the phase difference between the first light reception signal S1 and the second light reception signal S2 described above.

[0112] The processing block B2 is a block that calculates and holds the target position of the focus lens Lf by integrating the movement amount of the focus lens Lf calculated from the operation amount for the focus operation ring 9f performed after the activation of the imaging device 1 or after the reset of the imaging device 1 and adding it to the reference position.

[0113] The target position of the focus lens Lf calculated here is not considered the focus lens movable range Rf and is stored in the lens side memory 38 as the "pre - processing target position". Here, "pre - processing" means before performing the subsequent processing considering the focus lens movable range Rf.

[0114] An example of calculating the pre - processing target position will be described. For example, movement to the Far side is considered positive movement and movement to the Near side is considered negative movement. When the position 50 μm from the Near end is set as the reference position, if in the first operation, movement of 3 pulses (for example, 3 μm) to the Far side is performed, and in the next operation, movement of 10 pulses (for example, 10 μm) to the Near side is performed, the integrated value of the movement amount is a movement of "-7" pulses, that is, an operation of moving 7 pulses closer to the Near side than the initial position has been performed. At this time, the position 43 μm from the Near end is calculated as the target position before processing.

[0115] Processing block B3 is a block that acquires the current position of the focus lens Lf that has been stored.

[0116] Processing block B4 is a block that calculates the movement amount of the focus lens Lf by adding the value obtained by multiplying the current position of the focus lens Lf by -1 and the target position before processing. When the current position of the focus lens Lf is 50 μm from the Near end, the calculation result of processing block B4 is (-50) + 43 = -7 μm. That is, it can be seen that by moving 7 μm closer to the Near side, the processing target position can be reached.

[0117] Note that by holding the integrated value of the movement amount of the focus operation ring 9f after the start or reset of the imaging device 1 in processing block B2, the target position calculated in processing block B2 is located outside the movable range Rf of the focus lens Lf until the amount by which the focus lens Lf has been turned too far from the Near end or Far end is turned back. Therefore, the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf can be maintained.

[0118] Processing block B5 is a block that performs limit processing on the value added by processing block B4, that is, the movement amount of the focus lens Lf, and calculates the movement direction and movement amount in consideration of the movable range Rf of the focus lens and outputs them to the subsequent stage. If the amount of movement of the focus lens Lf calculated in the processing block B4 is used as it is, it may reach outside the range of the focus lens movable range Rf. The processing block B5 can set the amount of movement in consideration of the focus lens movable range Rf by performing limit processing.

[0119] Also, in the limit processing, when the position of the focus lens Lf after movement is located at the Far end or the Near end, a signal indicating that fact is output. The signal is notified from the lens side control unit 37 to the main body side control unit 25 as flag information or the like.

[0120] The processing block B6 is a block that generates and outputs a drive instruction for the focus lens driver 40 based on the movement direction and the amount of movement of the focus lens Lf.

[0121] Note that the behavior of the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 when driving the focus lens Lf in the second mode M2 is obtained by omitting the processing of the processing block B2 from FIG. 16. That is, in the second mode M2, the target position before processing of the focus lens Lf is not calculated, and the operation amount with respect to the focus operation ring 9f is added to the current position (processing block B4). Therefore, the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf is not maintained.

[0122] The flow of processing executed by the lens side control unit 37 when the lens side control unit 37 functions as the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 is shown in FIG. 17.

[0123] In step S201, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 performs processing to convert the sine wave pulse detected by the detection unit 18 into the amount of movement of the focus lens Lf.

[0124] Next, in step S202, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 calculates the target position before processing. The target position before processing is a target position that does not consider the focus lens movable range Rf as described above.

[0125] In step S203, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 acquires the current position of the focus lens Lf.

[0126] In step S204, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 calculates the difference between the current position and the target position.

[0127] In step S205, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 performs a limit process. In the limit process, the movement amount considering the movable range Rf of the focus lens is calculated, and a signal is output when the position of the focus lens Lf is at the end of the movable range Rf of the focus lens.

[0128] In step S206, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 generates and outputs a drive instruction to the focus lens driver 40. Thereby, a drive voltage is applied to the drive unit that drives the focus lens Lf from the focus lens driver 40, and the focus lens Lf is moved.

[0129] Return to the description of FIG. 8. The switching processing unit F4 switches between an auto mode that automatically performs focusing, a first mode M1 that manually performs focusing, and a second mode M2 in response to an operation on the switching operator 10a. In the auto mode, the operation on the focus operation ring 9f is invalidated.

[0130] A specific configuration example of the switching operator 10a is shown in FIG. 18. The switching operator 10a includes a concave portion 46 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens housing 7 and formed in an elongated groove shape in the optical axis direction, and a knob portion 47 that is slidable in the optical axis direction in the concave portion 46.

[0131] The shutter unit 47 is capable of holding positions at the position on the main body unit 2 side (first position), the substantially central position (second position), and the subject side position (third position) in the recess 46. When switched to the auto mode ("AF" in the figure), the shutter unit 47 is held in a state of being slid to the first position in the recess 46. When switched to the first mode M1 ("MF1" in the figure), the shutter unit 47 is held in a state of being slid to the second position in the recess 46. When switched to the second mode M2 ("MF2" in the figure), the shutter unit 47 is held in a state of being slid to the third position in the recess 46.

[0132] Based on the detection signal detecting the position of the shutter unit 47 in the recess 46, the switching processing unit F4 switches the control method for the focus lens Lf among the auto mode, the first mode M1, and the second mode M2.

[0133] <5. Second Embodiment> Unlike the above-described first embodiment, the imaging device 1A in the second embodiment has a function of notifying that the focus lens Lf is located at a predetermined position. Also, the switching among the auto mode, the first mode M1, and the second mode M2 is performed via the menu screen.

[0134] Here, mainly the parts different from the first embodiment in the imaging device 1A will be described, and the description of the parts having the same configuration will be omitted as appropriate.

[0135] The imaging device 1A includes a main body unit 2 and a lens device 3A (see FIG. 19).

[0136] The main body unit 2 has a main body side control unit 25 perform control for menu display. By this menu display control, a mode selection screen G1 as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the rear monitor 6.

[0137] On the mode selection screen G1, two options SL1 and SL2 are presented together with the title "MF RING MODE".

[0138] Option SL1 is for selecting the first mode M1. When option SL1 is selected, as the behavior of the focus lens Lf when the manual mode is selected, the drive of the focus lens Lf is performed while maintaining the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf in the optical axis direction.

[0139] Option SL2 is for selecting the second mode M2. When option SL2 is selected, as the behavior of the focus lens Lf when the manual mode is selected, the focus lens Lf is driven as much as possible in response to the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f. That is, the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf in the optical axis direction is not maintained.

[0140] Also, on the mode selection screen G1, two button operators Btn1 and Btn2 are arranged.

[0141] Button operator Btn1 has the text "OK" superimposed on the button and is an operator that is pressed when applying a selection operation to options SL1 and SL2.

[0142] Button operator Btn2 has the text "Cancel" superimposed on the button and is an option that is pressed when ending the display of the mode selection screen G1 without applying a selection operation to options SL1 and SL2.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 19, the lens device 3A includes a memory operator 10b in addition to the focus operation ring 9f, the zoom operation ring 9z, and the switching operator 10a as operators 10. The memory operator 10b is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface of the lens housing 7 in the form of a button or the like.

[0144] The lens-side control unit 37A has a function as a storage processing unit F5 that performs a process of storing the current position of the focus lens Lf when the storage operator 10b is operated. The storage processing unit F65 may be configured to store the position of the focus lens Lf at the time when the storage operator 10b is operated, and also store the state including the position of the zoom lens Lz and the position of other optical elements 8 at that time.

[0145] For example, a storage operator 10b for storing settings such as the position of the optical element 8 for focusing on a desired subject is used.

[0146] As described above, the notification processing unit F2 of the lens-side control unit 37 performs notification processing using a vibrator or the like when the focus lens Lf reaches the end of the focus lens movable range Rf. In addition to this, the notification processing unit F2 also performs notification processing using a vibrator or the like as the notification unit 43 when the focus lens Lf reaches the storage position stored by the storage operator 10b.

[0147] Thereby, the photographer can appropriately and quickly perform an operation for focusing on a desired subject.

[0148] When the notification processing unit F2 performs notification using a vibrator mounted on the lens device 3A, the vibration pattern when the focus lens Lf reaches the Near-side end, the vibration pattern when it reaches the Far-side end, and the vibration pattern when it reaches the storage position may be made different from each other. Thereby, the photographer can appropriately grasp the position of the focus lens Lf, and the convenience is improved.

[0149] An example of the process executed by the lens-side control unit 37 to realize the functions as the storage processing unit F5 and the notification processing unit F2 is shown in FIG. 21. Note that FIG. 21 is described with omission of the process for notifying that the focus lens Lf has reached the end of the focus lens movable range Rf.

[0150] In step S301, the lens-side control unit 37 determines whether an operation on the memory operator 10b has been detected. If it is determined that the operation has been detected, the lens-side control unit 37 executes a storage process of storing the current position of the focus lens Lf in step S302.

[0151] After the process of step S302, or if it is determined in step S301 that the operation has not been detected, the lens-side control unit 37 determines in step S303 whether a focusing operation by the photographer has been detected.

[0152] For example, if a rotation operation on the focus operation ring 9f is detected, it is determined that a focusing operation has been detected, and the lens-side control unit 37 proceeds to step S304.

[0153] In step S304, the lens-side control unit 37 determines whether the position of the focus lens Lf matches the stored position.

[0154] If it is determined that they match, the lens-side control unit 37 executes a notification process by the notification unit 43 in step S305.

[0155] After executing the process of step S305, or if it is determined in step S303 that no focusing operation has been detected, or if it is determined in step S304 that the position of the focus lens Lf does not match the stored position, the lens-side control unit 37 returns to the process of step S301.

[0156] <6. Modification Example> The vibrator as the notification unit 43 may be provided in the main body unit 2 other than as described above. For example, by providing a vibrator in the grip portion 2b (see FIG. 1) of the main body unit 2, a tactile stimulus may be given to the right palm of the photographer.

[0157] The above-described memory operator 10b may be provided in the main body unit 2. The lens device 3 attached to the main body 2 is likely to be heavier than the main body 2. Therefore, by providing the main body 2 with a vibrator as the notification unit 43 and the memory operator 10b, the degree of freedom in component arrangement inside the lens device 3 can be improved, the enlargement of the lens device 3 can be prevented, and the weight increase can be suppressed.

[0158] Regarding the Near end and Far end of the above-described focus lens Lf, they may be controllably set not at the mechanical end but at a position with a slight margin from the mechanical end. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the Near end and Far end from being different for each device due to manufacturing errors. That is, it is possible to absorb individual differences due to manufacturing errors of the imaging device 1.

[0159] Although the processing block B3 shown in FIG. 16 described above has been described as a block for calculating a pre-processing target value, other examples are also conceivable. For example, the processing block B5 outputs a Near end signal that becomes "H" when the focus lens Lf reaches the Near end, and outputs a Far end signal that becomes "H" when the focus lens Lf reaches the Far end.

[0160] Then, the processing block B2 holds the operation amount of excessive rotation operations and performs a process of canceling the operation amount in the reverse direction. For example, when the Near end signal is set to "H", the processing block B2 integrates the operation amount (which may be the movement amount), with the operation amount to the Near side as a positive value and the operation amount to the Far side as a negative value, and stores it in the lens side memory 38. For example, when an operation of moving 10 μm to the Near side is performed in a state where the Near end signal is "H", "10" is stored in the lens side memory 38. Then, when an operation of moving 15 μm to the Far side is performed, it cancels out the 10 μm stored in the lens side memory 38, and a value of 5 μm that could not be completely canceled out is output to the processing block B4.

[0161] In processing block B4, the current position of the focus lens Lf obtained in processing block B3 is added with the 5 μm after cancellation in processing block B2, and is output to processing block B5 as the target position.

[0162] Even when such processing is used, the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf can be maintained.

[0163] In the above-described example, the focus operation ring 9f, the focus lens Lf, and the focus lens driver 40 have been described as examples. However, the zoom operation ring 9z, the zoom lens Lz, and the zoom lens driver 42 may also have a similar configuration. In that case, by replacing the above-described "Near" with "TELE" and "Far" with "WIDE", a zooming operation can be performed while maintaining the positional relationship between the rotational position of the zoom operation ring 9z and the position of the zoom lens Lz.

[0164] <7. Summary> As described in each of the above examples, the lens device 3 (3A) includes an operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction R around the axis, an optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) that is movable between a first end (for example, Far end or WIDE end) and a second end (for example, Near end or TELE end) in the optical axis direction, and an arithmetic processing unit (lens side control units 37, 37A) that determines the moving direction and moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and operation amount with respect to the operation ring. The operation ring has a first rotational position P1 as the rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens, and a second rotational position P2 as the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens. Further, the arithmetic processing unit determines the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position P1 to the second rotational position P2. As a result, when the operation ring is rotated excessively to the Far side beyond the first rotation position P1 (in the case of over-rotation described above), the optical lens remains positioned at the Far end (in the case of the zoom lens Lz, the WIDE end). And when the operation ring is rotated from a rotation position that is over-rotated to the Far side (in the case of the zoom lens Lz, the WIDE side) beyond the first rotation position P1 to the Near side (in the case of the zoom lens Lz, the TELE side), the optical lens does not move in accordance with the rotation of the operation ring until it returns to the first rotation position P1. The same applies when the operation ring is rotated excessively to the Near side (in the case of the zoom lens Lz, the TELE side) from the second rotation position P2. The optical lens does not move until it returns to the second rotation position P2 from a rotation position that is over-rotated to the Near side (in the case of the zoom lens Lz, the TELE side). Therefore, since the state where the rotation position of the operation ring and the position of the optical lens correspond is maintained, when the photographer performs a focusing operation again after performing a focusing operation once, it is easy to perform an appropriate focusing operation by adjusting the rotation position of the operation ring by sense, and smooth focusing can be performed.

[0165] As described above, in the lens device 3 (3A), the optical lens may be the focus lens Lf, the first end may be the Far end, and the second end may be the Near end. Thereby, the focus position can be approximately adjusted to a desired position by adjusting the rotation position of the focus operation ring 9f to a predetermined rotation position by sense.

[0166] As described above, in the lens device 3 (3A), the optical lens may be the zoom lens Lz, the first end may be the TELE end, and the second end may be the WIDE end. Thereby, the angle of view can be approximately adjusted to a desired angle of view by adjusting the rotation position of the zoom operation ring 9z to a predetermined rotation position by sense.

[0167] As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the lens device 3 (3A) may include a notification unit 43 that notifies that the position of the optical lens (such as the focus lens Lf or the zoom lens Lz) has reached a predetermined position. As a result, the photographer can recognize that the optical lens has reached the movement limit or has reached the desired position, etc.

[0168] As described above, in the lens device 3(3A), the predetermined position may be either the first end (e.g., Far end or WIDE end) or the second end (e.g., Near end or TELE end). The notification unit 43 can notify the photographer of the movable range (e.g., the focus lens movable range Rf) of the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) by, for example, the light emission of a light emitter, the vibration by a vibrator, or sound. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photographer from rotating the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) more than necessary, and it is possible to reduce the amount of operation when performing an operation to return the rotation position of the operation ring within the corresponding range. Therefore, smooth photographing can be supported.

[0169] As described with reference to FIG. 21 and the like, in the lens device 3(3A), the predetermined position may be a position corresponding to the rotation position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) designated by the photographer in the corresponding range. For example, by registering in advance with the focus position adjusted to a predetermined position, it is possible to easily adjust the focus position to the desired position during the rotation operation of the operation ring.

[0170] As described with reference to FIG. 19 and the like, the lens device 3A includes a storage operator 10b that stores the rotation position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) designated by the photographer, and the arithmetic processing unit (lens side control units 37, 37A) may perform a notification process using the notification unit 43 when the stored rotation position and the rotation position of the operation ring being operated match. As a result, the photographer can store the desired focus position and the desired angle of view. Therefore, it becomes possible to set the desired shooting state by perceiving the notification of the notification unit 43, and the convenience is improved.

[0171] As described above, a vibrator may be provided as the notification unit 43 in the lens device 3 (3A). When the vibrator vibrates, it notifies that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) has reached the limit position of movement. Thereby, for example, even when looking through the viewfinder, the movable range of the optical lens can be made perceptible to the photographer.

[0172] As described with reference to FIG. 9 and the like, the arithmetic processing unit (lens side control units 37, 37A) of the lens device 3 (3A) may perform an initial setting process for setting a reference position of the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz). The reference position of the optical lens is, for example, approximately at the center of the movable range of the optical lens. In this way, every time the initial setting process is executed and the optical lens is moved to the reference position, the optical lens is moved as usual in response to the operation of the normal operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z), which is suitable for intuitive operation.

[0173] As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the arithmetic processing unit (lens side control units 37, 37A) of the lens device 3 (3A) is capable of switching between a first mode M1 and a second mode M2. The first mode M1 is a mode in which when the rotational position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) is outside the corresponding range, the movement amount is determined so that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) does not move. The second mode M2 may be a mode in which the movement direction and the movement amount are determined according to the rotational direction and the rotational amount of the operation ring regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring. Photographers may have different preferred operation modes. For example, when the rotational operation of the operation ring extends beyond the corresponding range, whether the optical lens moves in the reverse direction simultaneously with the switching of the rotational direction is one of them. In the lens device 3 (3A) of the present technology, since these modes can be switched, it is possible to select a movement mode of the optical lens according to the preference of the photographer, thereby improving convenience.

[0174] As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the lens device 3 (3A) may include a switching operator 10a for performing switching. By providing the switching operator 10a, switching between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 can be easily performed.

[0175] As described in each of the above examples, the imaging device 1 (1A) includes a main body portion 2 in which an imaging element 28 is disposed and which includes a mount portion (main body side mount portion 2m), and a lens barrel (lens devices 3, 3A) attached to the mount portion (main body side mount portion 2m). The lens barrel includes an operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction R around the axis, an optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) that is movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, and an arithmetic processing unit (lens side control units 37, 37A) that determines the moving direction and moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and operation amount with respect to the operation ring. The operation ring has a first rotation position P1 as the rotation position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens, and a second rotation position P2 as the rotation position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens. The arithmetic processing unit may determine the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotation position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotation position P1 to the second rotation position P2. Thereby, the above-described effects can be obtained in the imaging device 1 (1A). That is, since the state in which the rotation position of the operation ring corresponds to the position of the optical lens is maintained, when the photographer performs a focusing operation again after performing a focusing operation once, it is easy to perform an appropriate focusing operation by adjusting the rotation position of the operation ring by sense, and smooth focusing can be performed.

[0176] As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the main body portion 2 of the imaging device 1 (1A) may include a notification unit 43 that notifies that the position of the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) has reached either the first end or the second end. Accordingly, for example, when the imaging device 1 (1A) includes a lens barrel as an interchangeable lens device 3 (3A), the photographer can recognize that the optical lens has reached the movement limit regardless of the lens barrel attached to the main body 2.

[0177] As described above, in the imaging device 1 (1A), a vibrator may be provided as the notification unit 43. The vibrator as the notification unit 43 is provided, for example, in the grip portion of the main body 2. Thereby, the photographer can perceive that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) has reached the movement limit.

[0178] As described with reference to FIG. 20 and the like, the arithmetic processing unit (lens side control unit 37A) in the imaging device 1A performs a menu display (display of the mode selection screen G1) for switching between a first mode M1 for determining the movement amount so that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) is outside the corresponding range, and a second mode M2 for determining the movement direction and movement amount according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the operation ring regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring, and may perform a switching process for switching between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 according to an operation on the menu display. By switching between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 by an operation on the menu display, it is possible to reduce the number of parts compared with providing a switching button or the like, and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing man-hours and manufacturing costs.

[0179] The lens driving method in the present technology is such that an optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) that can move between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, and an operation ring 9 (focus operation ring 9f, zoom operation ring 9z) that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction R around the axis, where the rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is set as the first rotational position P1, and the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is set as the second rotational position P2. As a lens driving method for a lens device 3 (3A), it determines the moving direction and moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and operation amount for the operation ring, and when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position P1 to the second rotational position P2, it determines the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move. This is executed by the lens device as a computer device.

[0180] The program in the present technology is a program that causes the arithmetic processing device (lens side control units 37, 37A) of the lens device 3 (3A) to execute a function of determining the moving direction and moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and operation amount for the operation ring, and a function of determining the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position P1 to the second rotational position P2. By such a program, various processes as the above-described lens device 3 (3A) can be realized.

[0181] These programs can be pre-recorded in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as a recording medium built into devices such as computer devices, or in a ROM or the like in a microcomputer having a CPU. Alternatively, the program can be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto Optical) disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), magnetic disk, semiconductor memory, memory card, etc. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called packaged software. In addition to installing such a program from a removable recording medium to a personal computer or the like, it can also be downloaded from a download site via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0182] Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limited, and there may be other effects.

[0183] Also, the above-described examples can be combined in any way, and various effects described above can be obtained even when various combinations are used.

[0184] <8. The present technology> Note that the present technology can also adopt the following configuration. (1) An operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction of the axis, An optical lens that is movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, An arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and operation amount with respect to the operation ring, The operation ring has a first rotation position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens, and a second rotation position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens. When the rotation position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the arithmetic processing unit determines the movement amount so that the optical lens does not move. Lens device. (2) The optical lens is a focus lens. The first end is the Far end. The second end is the Near end. The lens device according to (1) above. (3) The optical lens is a zoom lens. The first end is the TELE end. The second end is the WIDE end. The lens device according to (1) above. (4) It includes a notification unit that notifies that the position of the optical lens has reached a predetermined position. The lens device according to any one of (1) to (3) above. (5) The predetermined position is either the first end or the second end. The lens device according to (4) above. (6) The predetermined position is a position corresponding to the rotation position of the operation ring designated by the photographer in the corresponding range. The lens device according to (4) above. (7) It includes a storage operator that stores the rotation position of the operation ring designated by the photographer. The arithmetic processing unit When the stored rotation position and the rotation position of the operation ring during operation match, it performs a notification process using the notification unit. The lens device according to (6) above. (8) A vibrator is provided as the notification unit. The lens device according to any one of (4) to (7) above. (9) The arithmetic processing unit performs initial setting processing for setting a reference position of the optical lens. The lens device according to any one of (1) to (8) above. (10) The arithmetic processing unit is capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which the movement amount is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range. The second mode is a mode in which the movement direction and the movement amount are determined according to the rotational direction and the rotational amount of the operation ring regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring. The lens device according to any one of (1) to (9) above. (11) Comprising a switching operator for performing the switching. The lens device according to (10) above. (12) A main body portion in which an imaging element is disposed and which includes a mount portion, A lens barrel attached to the mount portion, and The lens barrel, An operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction of the axis, An optical lens that is movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, An arithmetic processing unit that determines the movement direction and the movement amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and the operation amount with respect to the operation ring, and The operation ring has a first rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens, and a second rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens. The arithmetic processing unit determines the movement amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range that reaches the first rotational position and the second rotational position. An imaging device. (13) The main body part has a notification part that notifies that the position of the optical lens has reached either the first end or the second end. The imaging device according to (12) above. (14) A vibrator is provided as the notification part. The imaging device according to (13) above. (15) The arithmetic processing unit Performs a menu display for switching between a first mode in which the movement amount is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range, and a second mode in which the movement direction and the movement amount are determined according to the rotational direction and the rotational amount of the operation ring regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring, Performs a switching process for switching between the first mode and the second mode according to an operation on the menu display. The imaging device according to any one of (12) to (14) above. (16) An optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, An operation ring that is rotationally operated around an axis, and the rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is set as a first rotational position, and the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is set as a second rotational position. As a lens driving method of the lens device including the operation ring, Determines the movement direction and the movement amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and the operation amount on the operation ring, and determines the movement amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Lens driving method.

Explanation of symbols

[0185] 1, 1A Imaging device 2 Main body part 2m Main body side mount part 3, 3A Lens device 9f Focus operation ring 9z Zoom operation ring 10a Switching operator 10b Memory operator 37, 37A Lens side control unit (arithmetic processing unit) 43 Notification unit Lf Focus lens Lz Zoom lens M1 First mode M2 Second mode P1 First rotation position P2 Second rotation position Direction around the R axis

Claims

1. An operation ring that is rotatably operated in the circumferential direction of the axis, An optical lens that is movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, An arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and the moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and the operation amount with respect to the operation ring, and is provided with, In the operation ring, the rotation position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is set as the first rotation position, and the rotation position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is set as the second rotation position, When the rotation position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the arithmetic processing unit determines the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move Lens device.

2. The optical lens is a focus lens, The first end is a Far end, The second end is a Near end The lens device according to claim 1.

3. The optical lens is a zoom lens, The first end is a TELE end, The second end is a WIDE end The lens device according to claim 1.

4. A lens device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies that the position of the optical lens has reached a predetermined position. The lens device according to claim 1.

5. The predetermined position is either the first end or the second end The lens device according to claim 4.

6. The predetermined position is a position corresponding to the rotation position of the operation ring designated by the photographer in the corresponding range The lens device according to claim 4.

7. A storage operator for storing the rotation position of the operation ring designated by the photographer is provided, The arithmetic processing unit, When the stored rotation position coincides with the rotation position of the operation ring during operation, notification processing using the notification unit is performed The lens device according to claim 6.

8. A lens device according to claim 4, wherein a vibrator is provided as the notification unit. The lens device according to claim 4.

9. The arithmetic processing unit performs an initial setting process for setting a reference position of the optical lens The lens device according to claim 1.

10. The arithmetic processing unit can switch between a first mode and a second mode, The first mode is a mode in which the moving amount is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotation position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range, The second mode is a mode in which the moving direction and the moving amount are determined according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operation ring regardless of the rotation position of the operation ring The lens device according to claim 1.

11. Comprising a switching operator for performing the switching The lens device according to claim 10.

12. A main body portion in which an imaging element is disposed and which includes a mount portion, A lens barrel attached to the mount portion, and The lens barrel is An operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction about the axis, An optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, An arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and the moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and the operation amount with respect to the operation ring, and In the operation ring, the rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is set as the first rotational position, and the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is set as the second rotational position, When the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position, the arithmetic processing unit determines the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move Imaging device.

13. The main body portion has a notification unit that notifies that the position of the optical lens has reached either the first end or the second end The imaging device according to claim 12.

14. A vibrator is provided as the notification unit The imaging device according to claim 13.

15. The arithmetic processing unit Performs a menu display for switching between a first mode in which the moving amount is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range, and a second mode in which the moving direction and the moving amount are determined according to the rotational direction and the rotational amount of the operation ring regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring, Performs a switching process for switching between the first mode and the second mode according to an operation on the menu display The imaging device according to claim 12.

16. An optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, As a lens driving method for a lens device including an operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction about the axis, and in which the rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is set as the first rotational position, and the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is set as the second rotational position, Determine the moving direction and the moving amount of the optical lens according to the operation direction and the operation amount with respect to the operation ring, and determine the moving amount so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position Lens driving method.

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