Lens device, imaging device, and method for driving lens

Abstract

To provide an environment in which an operation ring can be operated properly and comfortably.SOLUTION: A lens device according the present technique includes: an operational ring operated to rotate around a center axis; an optical lens movable in the direction of an optical axis according to operation of the operational ring; and an arithmetic processing unit for changing the direction of moving the optical lens with respect to the direction of rotation of the operation ring between in a normal imaging and in a facing imaging.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

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.

Background Art

[0002] There are shooting modes of an imaging device. For example, there are normal shooting in which a subject is visually recognized through a viewfinder and shooting is performed, and face-to-face shooting in which the photographer himself / herself moves to the subject side and shooting is performed. Appropriate operation modes and display modes may be different between normal shooting and face-to-face shooting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for calculating and displaying the remaining battery level according to the power consumption that changes depending on the usage method of the display means.

[0005] By the way, 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, so that focusing and zooming are possible.

[0006] 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.

[0007] In addition, the electric drive method electrically reads the rotation amount and rotation direction of the operation ring by a predetermined sensor, calculates the drive amount of the optical element by an arithmetic circuit, and drives the actuator based on the calculated drive amount to move the optical element (so-called two-wire method).

[0008] In the electric drive method, it is preferable to consider the shooting mode regarding the operation method of the operation ring and the movement in the optical axis direction of the optical lens corresponding thereto. For example, when a photographer accustomed to normal shooting performs face-to-face shooting, there may be a sense of discomfort in the moving direction of the optical lens that moves with respect to the operation direction of the operation ring. In this case, it is difficult to smoothly perform appropriate focusing and zooming, and the photographer may miss a suitable shooting opportunity.

[0009] The present technology has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an environment in which the operation of the operation ring can be appropriately performed without a sense of discomfort.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The lens device according to the present technology includes an operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction around the central axis, an optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring, and an arithmetic processing unit that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring between normal shooting and face-to-face shooting. Thereby, it is possible to make the operation direction of the operation ring and the moving direction of the optical lens as viewed by the photographer coincide with each other during normal shooting and face-to-face shooting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments will be described in the following order. <1. Configuration of the Imaging Device> <2. Configuration for Detecting the Rotation Amount of the Operation Ring> <3. Functional Configuration of the Imaging Device> <4. Functional Configuration of Each Control Unit> <5. Processing Flow> <6. Modification Example> <7. Summary> <8. This Technology>

[0013] <1. Configuration of the 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.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 1 in the first embodiment includes a main body unit 2 and a lens device 3 as an embodiment of this technology. The main body unit 2 is provided with a peripheral portion of an opening 2a opened on the front surface as a main body side mount portion 2m, 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 unit 2 and the lens device 3 are electrically and physically connected.

[0015] Corresponding terminals are provided on the main body side mount portion 2m and the lens side mount portion 3m, respectively. Examples of such 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.

[0016] In the following description, an example in which the imaging device 1 is composed of the main body unit 2 and the interchangeable lens device 3 is given. However, this 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 device main body, or a retractable type in which this lens barrel protrudes or is housed with respect to the device main body.

[0017] One end of the main body unit 2 in the left - right direction is provided as a grip portion 2b so that the photographer can easily hold it.

[0018] The main body unit 2 is composed of various required parts arranged 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 parts 5, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a zoom lever, a shooting mode dial, etc. are provided.

[0019] A storage recess 4a for storing the rear monitor 6 is provided on the rear surface of the outer casing 4 (see FIG. 2). The rear monitor 6 is stored in the storage recess 4a with the display surface 6a facing 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 image display. As the image displayed on the rear monitor 6, for example, a through - image, an image read from a recording medium 33 described later, and in addition, the display of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as various operation screens such as a menu screen can be performed.

[0020] When the rear monitor 6 has a touch - panel function, the rear monitor 6 also functions as an operation part 5.

[0021] The posture of the rear monitor 6 with respect to the main body unit 2 is variable. For example, in the "normal shooting" when the photographer is located behind the imaging device 1 and shoots a subject located in front in the optical axis direction, the rear monitor 6 is used in a state of being stored in the storage recess 4a (see FIG. 2).

[0022] Also, in the "face - to - face shooting" when the photographer is located in front of the imaging device 1 in the optical axis direction and the photographer himself / herself becomes the subject, the rear monitor 6 is rotated around the axis of the rotation axis Ax1 extending in the vertical direction and used in a state of being deployed laterally (see FIG. 3).

[0023] In the following description, the state in which the rear monitor 6 is stored in the storage recess 4a and the display surface 6a faces backward is described as the "normal state", and the state in which the rear monitor 6 is deployed to the side of the main body 2 and the display surface 6a faces forward is described as the "deployed state".

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

[0025] The lens device 3 is configured to include a lens housing 7 and various optical elements 8 disposed therein. As the optical elements 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 ones among the optical elements 8. For example, a linear motor is provided as an actuator corresponding to the focus lens Lf. When a driving voltage by 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 optical axis. When rotated in the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf is moved to the Far side (the "F" side in FIG. 1), and when 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 defined as clockwise when viewed from the photographer (i.e., from the rear) during normal shooting, and the second direction R2 is defined as counterclockwise when viewed from the photographer during normal shooting (see Fig. 1). When representing the direction around the axis of the optical axis without distinguishing between the first direction R1 and the second direction R2, it is denoted as the direction R around the axis.

[0030] The zoom operation ring 9z is rotatable in the direction R around the axis. When it is rotated in the first direction R1, the zoom lens Lz is moved toward 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 toward the WIDE side (the "W" side in Fig. 1).

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

[0032] An operator 10 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lens barrel 7. As the operator 10, there are provided an anti-shake operation operator for switching the on / off of anti-shake driving, a power zoom operation operator for performing zooming by motor driving, and a switching operation operator 10a for switching between a manual mode for manually performing focusing and an auto mode for automatically performing focusing, etc.

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

[0034] <2. Configuration for Detecting the Amount of Rotation of the Operation Ring> Fig. 4 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 the A-A line in Fig. 1, and shows a cross section of the focus operation ring 9f.

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

[0036] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the dashed-line portion in Figure 4. On the inner circumferential side of the focus operation ring 9f, a fixing member 11 having a substantially annular shape is disposed (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The fixing 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 circumferential side of the fixing 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 is provided (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0038] Various configurations of the reflecting surface 14 and the non-reflecting surface 15 are conceivable. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, since the focus operation ring 9f is made of a metal having 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 having a low light reflectivity such as black resin are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction R. 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 disposed 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 have to be made of metal. For example, it is sufficient that 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 is fixed inside the lens device 3, the detection pattern portion 16 moves in the axial direction R 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 set to a constant pitch. That is, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 6, in the detection pattern portion 16, the width w14 of each reflecting surface 14 in the axial direction R and the width w15 of each non-reflecting surface 15 in the axial direction R 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 axial direction R, a rotation detection portion 18 is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface 11a of the fixing member 11 (see FIG. 5).

[0044] A schematic perspective view of the rotation detection portion 18 is shown in FIG. 7. The rotation detection portion 18 includes, for example, a wiring board 19 formed of a flexible board fixed to the outer peripheral surface 11a, a light emitting element 20 externally attached to 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 enclosing portion 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 surrounding portion 24 protrudes from the wiring board 19 in its thickness direction 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 surrounding portion 24 prevents unintended 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 matter such as dust to the light-emitting surface 20a, the light-receiving surfaces 22a, 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. 8). At this time, since the reflectance of light is increased on the reflecting surface 14 of the detection pattern portion 16 and the reflectance of light is decreased on the non-reflecting surface 15, the received light 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 received light signal S1 output from the first light-receiving element 22 and the second received light signal S2 output from the second light-receiving element 23 is set to be approximately 90 deg so that the rotational direction around the axis of the focus operation ring 9f can be determined (see FIG. 9). 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 from each other such that the phase difference of the waveforms of the output signals is approximately 90 deg.

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

[0051] <3. Functional Configuration of the Imaging Device> The functional configuration of the imaging device 1 is shown in FIG. 10.

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

[0053] In addition to the main body side mounting portion 2m, the operation portion 5, and the rear monitor 6 described above, the main body portion 2 includes a main body side control portion 25, a shutter 26, a shutter control portion 27, an imaging element 28, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 29, a frame memory 30, an image signal processing portion 31, a recording portion 32, a recording medium 33, a main body side memory 34, a power control portion 35, a power supply portion 36, and a monitor detection portion 43.

[0054] The power control portion 35 supplies the power supplied from the power supply portion 36 to each part of the main body portion 2 including the main body side control portion 25. Further, the power control portion 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 mounting portion 2m. The power supply portion 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 portion 36 can also be configured to be able to receive power supply from a commercial AC power supply via an AC adapter or the like.

[0055] The main body side control portion 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 main body side memory 34 to the RAM and executes it, thereby performing overall control of the imaging device 1.

[0056] The main body side control portion 25 in the present embodiment performs display control for the rear monitor 6 and communication control with the lens device 3. Specifically, it will be described later.

[0057] The main body side memory 34 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), for example, and can be used for storing the operation program of the main body side control portion 25 and various data.

[0058] The body-side control unit 25 causes the imaging device 28 to execute imaging processing based on an operation signal representing the operation of the photographer supplied from the operation unit 5. 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, and the like.

[0059] Also, the body-side control unit 25 can acquire information indicating the lens position of the focus lens Lf, information indicating the lens position of the zoom lens Lz, and the like from a lens position detection unit (not shown) in the lens device 3.

[0060] The shutter 26 is disposed in front of the imaging device 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.

[0061] The imaging device 28 is configured as an image sensor using, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, images the subject, and generates and outputs imaging image data. When the imaging device 28 is composed of a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, an electronic shutter can be used, so the shutter 26 can also be omitted. When the shutter 26 is omitted, the shutter control unit 27 used for its control is also omitted.

[0062] The imaging 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 body-side control unit 25 may be configured to be able to calculate the defocus amount by outputting a phase difference signal from the imaging device 28 to the body-side control unit 25.

[0063] 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, and the like. After performing image signal processing on the captured image as a RAW image input via the frame memory 30, the image signal processing unit 31 converts it into image data in a predetermined file format and records it on the recording medium 33 via the recording unit 32. Also, the image signal processing unit 31 converts the captured image after performing image signal processing into an image signal according to a predetermined display format and supplies it to the rear monitor 6 to display the captured image.

[0064] 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.

[0065] The monitor detection unit 43 detects the orientation of the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6. The monitor detection unit 43 is composed of, for example, a sensor that detects the position of bar-shaped fins and fins, and is configured such that the output signal of the sensor is different when the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 faces substantially rearward and when it faces substantially forward. That is, the output signal of the monitor detection unit 43 can also be paraphrased as a reversal signal indicating whether the direction in which the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 faces has been reversed. These fins and sensors are provided, for example, around the rotation axis Ax1 in the main body unit 2, so that the rotation state of the rear monitor 6 with respect to the main body unit 2 can be detected.

[0066] The detection result of the orientation of the display surface 6a by the monitor detection unit 43 is output to the main body side control unit 25. The main body side control unit 25 determines the shooting state (distinction between normal shooting and face-to-face shooting) according to the detection result. Then, the main body side control unit 25 performs processing to display an icon image corresponding to the determination result on the rear monitor 6.

[0067] In addition, the determination result regarding the shooting state by the main body side control unit 25 is transmitted to the lens device 3 and used for driving control of the optical lens in the lens device 3. Note that the inversion signal detected by the monitor detection unit 43 may be directly sent to the lens device 3 via each mount unit.

[0068] Note that in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the main body unit 2 includes a configuration for communicating with the lens device 3 and the like.

[0069] In addition to the above-described lens side mount unit 3m, focus operation ring 9f, zoom operation ring 9z, switching operator 10a, and focus lens Lf, aperture Di, and focus lens Lf as the optical element 8, the lens device 3 includes a lens side control unit 37, a lens side memory 38, a power supply control unit 39, a focus lens driver 40, an aperture driver 41, and a zoom lens driver 42.

[0070] The lens side control unit 37 is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. 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.

[0071] For example, the lens side control unit 37 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. Specifically, the lens side control unit 37 acquires the current position of the zoom lens Lz from a lens position detection unit (not shown) configured by, for example, a magnetic sensor (MR sensor), determines the moving direction and the 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.

[0072] Here, the lens position detection unit has a configuration for detecting the states of the optical elements 8 provided 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.

[0073] The lens-side control unit 37 controls the aperture diameter of the diaphragm Di (the aperture diameter thereof) in response to instructions 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.

[0074] 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 to the focus lens driver 40 together with a movement command. 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.

[0075] Note that the focus lens Lf is configured as a "focus lens group" including one or more optical elements. When the focus lens group includes a plurality of optical elements, these optical elements will be displaced integrally as the focus is adjusted. Note that the same applies to the zoom lens Lz. That is, the zoom lens Lz is configured as a "zoom lens group" including one or more optical elements. When the zoom lens group includes a plurality of optical elements, these optical elements will be displaced integrally as the zoom is adjusted.

[0076] 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 in which each includes a plurality of zoom lens groups and focus lens groups.

[0077] The focus lens driver 40 can be configured to have, as a driving source for the lens, for example, an ultrasonic motor, a DC motor, a linear actuator, a stepping motor, a piezo element (piezoelectric element), or the like.

[0078] The lens-side control unit 37 receives the determination result of the shooting state in the main body-side control unit 25 or the above-described inversion signal, and uses it to determine the moving direction of the optical lens. This process is for moving the optical lens as intended by the photographer with respect to the operation direction of the operation ring 9.

[0079] Specifically, taking the focus operation ring 9f and the focus lens Lf as an example, during normal shooting, the photographer can move the focus lens Lf to the Far side by operating the focus operation ring 9f clockwise. When face shooting is performed while maintaining the correspondence between the rotation direction of the focus operation ring 9f and the moving direction of the focus lens Lf, the photographer needs to operate the focus operation ring 9f counterclockwise to move the focus lens Lf to the Far side.

[0080] This operation will be an operation that causes a greater sense of discomfort to the photographer who has become accustomed to shooting. Therefore, the lens-side control unit 37 determines the moving direction of the focus lens Lf using information about the determination result and the inversion signal. Specifically, during face-to-face shooting, the moving direction of the optical lens is inverted with respect to the rotation operation of the operation ring 9.

[0081] The lens-side memory 38 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and can be used to store the operation program of the lens-side control unit 37 and various data.

[0082] The power supply 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 drive units) in the lens device 3 based on the detected amount of power, and supplies the power.

[0083] <4. Functional Configuration of Each Control Unit> The functional configurations of the main body-side control unit 25 and the lens-side control unit 37 in this embodiment will be described.

[0084] The main body-side control unit 25 realizes functions as a determination processing unit F1, a display processing unit F2, and a communication control unit F3.

[0085] As described above, the determination processing unit F1 performs a process of determining whether it is normal shooting or face-to-face shooting. In this example, the determination processing unit F1 specifies the orientation of the display surface 6a based on the detection result of the monitor detection unit 43 and determines normal shooting and face-to-face shooting.

[0086] The determination result by the determination processing unit F1 is notified to the display processing unit F2 and the lens-side control unit 37.

[0087] The display processing unit F2 performs displays on the rear monitor 6, such as images of moving pictures and still pictures, menu screens, and various icon images.

[0088] The display processing unit F2 causes the rear monitor 6 to display, as an icon image, a first icon image G1 corresponding to the determination result of the determination processing unit F1. Specifically, a first icon image G1 that allows the correspondence between the rotation direction of the operation ring 9 and the movement direction of the optical lens to be understood is displayed at a predetermined position on the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6.

[0089] The display mode of the first icon image G1 differs depending on whether it is normal shooting or face-to-face shooting. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows the first mode of the first icon image G1 displayed during normal shooting, and FIG. 12 shows the second mode of the first icon image G1 displayed during face-to-face shooting.

[0090] The first mode of the first icon image G1 is an image that combines a circular image schematically representing the focus operation ring 9f and an arrow that can recognize whether the focus lens Lf moves to the Near side (「N」 in the figure) or the Far side (「F」 in the figure) depending on the rotation direction of the focus operation ring 9f.

[0091] The second mode of the first icon image G1 is an image that combines an image schematically showing the focus operation ring 9f and the main body 2 with an arrow indicating the correspondence between the rotation direction and the movement direction.

[0092] Note that it is desirable for the first mode and the second mode of the first icon image G1 to be different images. In this example, when the focus operation ring 9f is rotated clockwise both during normal shooting and face-to-face shooting, the focus lens Lf moves to the Far side. Therefore, as a notification to the photographer, it is also possible to display in the first mode both during normal shooting and face-to-face shooting.

[0093] However, if the first icon image G1 is displayed in the same first mode both during normal shooting and during face-to-face shooting, when the rear monitor 6 is in a state between the normal state and the unfolded state and is in the state just before switching from normal shooting to face-to-face shooting, for example, when shooting with the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 facing the side of the main body 2, the photographer cannot determine whether the moving direction of the focus lens Lf with respect to the operation direction of the focus operation ring 9f is reversed as internal control of the imaging device 1 or internal control of the lens device 3.

[0094] Therefore, the photographer does not know in which direction to rotate the focus operation ring 9f to focus on the intended subject, and it becomes difficult to quickly perform an appropriate operation.

[0095] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, by making the first mode and the second mode of the first icon image G1 different, the photographer can recognize whether the moving direction of the focus lens Lf with respect to the rotation operation is reversed, so that an appropriate operation can be quickly performed.

[0096] The communication control unit F3 transmits and receives various data to and from the lens device 3 via a predetermined communication terminal of the main body side mount portion 2m. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit F3 outputs a signal from the monitor detection unit 43 to the lens device 3. The lens device 3 can determine whether to reverse the moving direction of the focus lens Lf based on the signal.

[0097] The lens side control unit 37 realizes the function as the switching processing unit F11. The switching processing unit F11 switches the moving direction of the focus lens Lf based on information regarding the orientation of the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 detected in the main body 2, that is, information indicating whether it is normal shooting or face-to-face shooting.

[0098] Specifically, when in normal shooting mode, in response to the focus operation ring 9f being rotated in the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf is moved toward the Far side, and in response to being rotated in the second direction R2, the focus lens Lf is moved toward the Near side.

[0099] Also, when in face-to-face shooting mode, in response to the focus operation ring 9f being rotated in the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf is moved toward the Near side, and in response to being rotated in the second direction R2, the focus lens Lf is moved toward the Far side.

[0100] Further, the switching processing unit F11 performs switching between an auto mode in which focusing is automatically performed and a manual mode in which focusing is manually performed in response to operations such as those of a switching operator 10a provided on the lens housing 7 of the lens device 3.

[0101] <5. Processing Flow> The flow of processing executed by the lens side control unit 37 is shown in FIG. 13. In step S101, the lens side control unit 37 determines whether a rotation operation on the focus operation ring 9f has been detected. If it is determined that no detection has occurred, the lens side control unit 37 repeats the processing of step S101.

[0102] On the other hand, if it is determined that a detection has occurred, in step S102, the lens side control unit 37 specifies the rotation direction and rotation amount of the rotation operation on the focus operation ring 9f.

[0103] Next, in step S103, the lens side control unit 37 calculates the movement direction and movement amount of the focus lens Lf.

[0104] Subsequently, in step S104, the lens side control unit 37 determines whether it is face-to-face shooting, that is, whether the main body unit 2 has received a signal indicating that the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 faces forward.

[0105] When it is determined that it is a face-to-face shooting, in step S105, the lens-side control unit 37 reverses the moving direction of the focus lens Lf. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is a normal shooting, the lens-side control unit 37 avoids the process of step S105.

[0106] In step S106, the lens-side control unit 37 generates and outputs a drive instruction to the focus lens driver 40.

[0107] <6. Modification example> In the above example, the focus operation ring 9f is taken as an example of the operation ring 9. And it is assumed that the focus lens Lf as an optical lens moves to the Near side or the Far side according to the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f. The above-described configuration and operation can also be applied to the zoom operation ring 9z. In that case, during normal shooting, when the zoom operation ring 9z is rotated in the first direction R1, the zoom lens Lz moves to the TELE side, and when it is rotated in the second direction R2, the zoom lens Lz moves to the WIDE side. And during face-to-face shooting, when the zoom operation ring 9z is rotated in the first direction R1, the zoom lens Lz moves to the WIDE side, and when it is rotated in the second direction R2, the zoom lens Lz moves to the TELE side.

[0108] In order to let the photographer recognize the relationship between the operation direction of the zoom operation ring 9z and the moving direction of the zoom lens Lz, it is preferable to display it on the rear monitor 6 in the first mode shown in FIG. 14 or the second mode shown in FIG. 15 for the first icon image G1.

[0109] In this case, the first icon image G1, different from the above example, uses "T" (TELE side) instead of "F" (Far side) for the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction, and "W" (WIDE side) instead of "N" (Near side).

[0110] Also, when the optimization of the moving direction of the optical lens described above is realized for both the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z, the first icon image G1 shown in FIG. 16 or the second aspect shown in FIG. 17 may be displayed on the rear monitor 6.

[0111] This enables the photographer to recognize that the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the operation direction is reversed for both the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z, and the photographer can appropriately grasp the operation direction for performing the intended operation.

[0112] In the example described above, an example in which the direction of the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 is detected by the monitor detection unit 43 to determine whether the shooting state is normal shooting or face-to-face shooting has been described, but other methods may be used.

[0113] For example, if the imaging device 1 is provided with a proximity sensor and the position of the photographer is specified by the proximity sensor, normal shooting and face-to-face shooting may be determined. In this case, even in a situation where face-to-face shooting is performed without looking at the rear monitor 6, it is possible to appropriately determine that it is face-to-face shooting, and the moving direction of the optical lens can be optimized according to the operation.

[0114] Alternatively, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) may be provided on both the outer casing 4 and the rear monitor 6, and normal shooting and face-to-face shooting may be determined by detecting the difference in the posture of the rear monitor 6 with respect to the outer casing 4 according to the output from each IMU. In the example described above, a configuration for mainly determining whether or not the direction in which the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 faces is reversed has been described. However, by using an IMU, the posture of the rear monitor 6 with respect to the main body 2 can be specified in more detail, so that more detailed processing can be performed on the moving direction of the optical lens.

[0115] In the above example, an example in which the rear monitor 6 is rotated laterally with respect to the outer casing 4 has been described. However, it may be configured such that the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 can be visually recognized from the subject side by rotating it upward or downward.

[0116] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the deployed state of the rear monitor 6, a configuration in which the rear monitor 6 can be further rotated (second rotation) in the circumferential direction of the axis extending left and right is also conceivable. That is, by performing the second rotation in the deployed state of the rear monitor 6, the display surface 6a is made to face rearward. In such a case, it is desirable to determine normal shooting and face-to-face shooting by determining the orientation of the display surface 6a in consideration of not only whether the rear monitor 6 is deployed but also whether the second rotation is performed.

[0117] In the imaging device 1 described above, it has been explained that a switching operator 10a capable of switching between a manual mode in which focusing is performed manually and an auto mode in which focusing is performed automatically is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lens housing 7. In a state where the focusing is switched to the auto mode, the display processing unit F2 of the main body side control unit 25 may prevent the first icon image G1 from being displayed on the rear monitor 6.

[0118] In a state where the first icon image G1 is displayed, the photographer may erroneously recognize that the focus lens Lf can be moved by manually rotating the focus operation ring 9f. Therefore, by not displaying the first icon image G1 in the auto mode, the photographer can correctly recognize that the manual operation of the focus operation ring 9f is disabled.

[0119] In addition, when switching the moving direction of the zoom lens Lz according to the shooting state even if the focusing is in the auto mode, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a first icon image G1 presenting information about the zoom operation ring 9z may be displayed. When the focusing is switched to the manual mode, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a first icon image G1 presenting information about both the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z may be displayed. This can assist the photographer in making appropriate operations.

[0120] <7. Summary> As described in each of the above examples, the lens device 3 includes an operation ring 9 that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction R around the central axis (optical axis), an optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz) that is movable in the optical axis direction according to the operation of the operation ring 9, and an arithmetic processing unit (lens side control unit 37) that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotational direction of the operation ring 9 between normal shooting and face shooting. This makes it possible to match the operation direction of the operation ring 9 as seen by the photographer during normal shooting and face shooting with the moving direction of the optical lens. Specifically, the positions of the photographer with respect to the operation ring 9 are exactly reversed between normal shooting and face shooting, but it is possible to match the moving direction of the optical lens when the photographer rotates the operation ring 9 clockwise during both shooting modes. Therefore, quick focusing and zooming can be performed by intuitive operations, preventing the loss of a good shooting opportunity.

[0121] As described above, the determination between normal shooting and face shooting may be made based on an inversion signal indicating whether or not the direction in which the display surface 6a of the display unit (rear monitor 6) on which an image based on the pixel signal output from the imaging device 28 in which pixels for receiving light incident through the optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz) and performing photoelectric conversion are arranged faces is inverted. Accordingly, when shooting while viewing the through image displayed on the display unit, the shooting state can be appropriately determined.

[0122] As described with reference to FIG. 10 and the like, the operation ring 9 in the lens device 3 may be a focus operation ring 9f, and the optical lens may be a focus lens Lf. Accordingly, intuitive operations can be performed for focusing as intended during both normal shooting and face-to-face shooting.

[0123] As described with reference to FIG. 10 and the like, the operation ring 9 in the lens device 3 may be a zoom operation ring 9z, and the optical lens may be a zoom lens Lz. Accordingly, intuitive operations can be performed for zooming as intended during both normal shooting and face-to-face shooting.

[0124] As described above, the imaging device 1 of the present technology includes an operation ring 9 that is rotationally operated in a direction R around the axis of the central axis (an axis extending in the front-rear direction), an optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz) that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring 9, an imaging element 28 in which pixels that receive light incident through the optical lens and perform photoelectric conversion are arranged, a display unit (rear monitor 6) on which an image based on an image signal output from the imaging element 28 is displayed, and an arithmetic processing unit (lens-side control unit 37, main body-side control unit 25) that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotational direction of the operation ring 9 based on the direction in which the display surface 6a of the display unit faces. Accordingly, during both normal shooting and face-to-face shooting while viewing the through image displayed on the display unit, the operation direction of the operation ring 9 as viewed by the photographer can be made to coincide with the moving direction of the optical lens. Therefore, rapid focusing and zooming can be performed by intuitive operations, and it is possible to prevent missing a good opportunity for shooting.

[0125] As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 and the like, in the imaging device 1, the arithmetic processing unit (main body side control unit 25) may perform a display process of causing the display unit (rear monitor 6) to display an icon image (first icon image G1) for notifying the correspondence between the rotation direction of the operation ring 9 and the moving direction of the optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz). Thereby, the photographer can surely grasp whether the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring 9 is normal or reversed. Therefore, focusing and zooming can be appropriately performed.

[0126] As described in the modified example, the arithmetic processing unit (main body side control unit 25) of the imaging device 1 performs a process of switching between an auto mode in which the optical lens (focus lens Lf) moves automatically regardless of the operation of the operation ring 9 and a manual mode in which the optical lens moves by the operation of the operation ring 9, and may perform a display process so as not to display the icon image (first icon image G1) in the auto mode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the focus operation ring 9f from being uselessly operated based on the display of the icon image in the auto mode in which the operation on the focus operation ring 9f is invalidated.

[0127] As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 and the like, the arithmetic processing unit (main body side control unit 25) of the imaging device 1 may display the icon image (first icon image G1) in the first mode in a state where the moving direction of the optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz) is not reversed with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring 9, and display the icon image in a second mode different from the first mode in a state where the moving direction of the optical lens is reversed. Thereby, for example, when shooting is performed in a state where the orientation of the display surface 6a of the rear monitor 6 is located near the boundary between the angle determined as the normal shooting time and the angle determined as the face-to-face shooting time, the photographer can grasp whether the moving direction of the optical lens is normal or reversed, and it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation regarding the operation direction of the operation ring 9.

[0128] The lens driving method of the present technology is a lens driving method of a lens device 3 including an operation ring 9 that is rotationally operated in a direction R around the axis of the central axis, and an optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz) that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring 9. The lens device 3 as a computer device executes a process of changing the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotational direction of the operation ring 9 during normal shooting and during face-to-face shooting.

[0129] The program in the present technology is a program that causes an arithmetic processing unit (lens side control unit 37) of a lens device 3 including an operation ring 9 that is rotationally operated in a direction R around the axis of the central axis, and an optical lens (focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz) that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring 9, to execute a function of changing the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotational direction of the operation ring 9 during normal shooting and during face-to-face shooting. Various processes as the lens device 3 described above can be realized by such a program.

[0130] These programs can be pre-recorded in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as a recording medium built in a device such as a computer device, a ROM in a microcomputer having a CPU, etc. Alternatively, the program can be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) in a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto Optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, a memory card, etc. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package 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.

[0131] Note that the effects described in this specification are merely illustrative and not limiting, and there may be other effects.

[0132] 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.

[0133] <8. The present technology> Note that the present technology can also adopt the following configuration. (1) An operation ring that is rotated in the circumferential direction around the central axis, An optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring, An arithmetic processing unit that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring between normal shooting and face-to-face shooting, and A lens device. (2) The determination between the normal shooting and the face-to-face shooting is performed based on an inversion signal indicating whether or not the direction in which the display surface of a display unit on which an image based on a pixel signal output from an image sensor in which pixels for receiving light incident through the optical lens and performing photoelectric conversion are arranged is reversed. The lens device according to (1) above. (3) The operation ring is a focus operation ring, The optical lens is a focus lens, and The lens device according to any one of (1) to (2) above. (4) The operation ring is a zoom operation ring, The optical lens is a zoom lens, and The lens device according to any one of (1) to (2) above. (5) An operation ring that is rotated around the axis of the central axis, An optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring, An imaging device in which pixels that receive light incident through the optical lens and perform photoelectric conversion are arranged, A display unit on which an image based on an image signal output from the imaging device is displayed, An arithmetic processing unit that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotating direction of the operation ring based on the direction in which the display surface of the display unit faces, An imaging device. (6) The operation ring is a focus operation ring, The optical lens is a focus lens The imaging device according to (5) above. (7) The operation ring is a zoom operation ring, The optical lens is a zoom lens The imaging device according to (5) above. (8) The arithmetic processing unit performs display processing for displaying an icon image for notifying the correspondence between the rotation direction of the operation ring and the moving direction of the optical lens on the display unit The imaging device according to any one of (5) to (7) above. (9) The arithmetic processing unit, Performs processing for switching between an auto mode in which the optical lens is automatically moved regardless of the operation of the operation ring and a manual mode in which the optical lens is moved by the operation of the operation ring, The display processing is performed so as not to display the icon image in the auto mode The imaging device according to (8) above. (10) The arithmetic processing unit, In a state where the moving direction of the optical lens is not reversed with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring, the icon image is displayed in a first mode. In a state where the moving direction of the optical lens is reversed, the icon image is displayed in a second mode different from the first mode. The imaging device according to any one of (8) to (9) above. (11) An operation ring that is rotationally operated in the circumferential direction around the central axis, As a lens driving method for a lens device including an optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to an operation of the operation ring, Change the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring during normal shooting and face shooting. Lens driving method.

Explanation of symbols

[0134] 1 Imaging device 3 Lens device 6 Rear monitor (display unit) 6a Display surface 9 Operation ring 9f Focus operation ring 9z Zoom operation ring 25 Main body side control unit (arithmetic processing unit) 28 Imaging element 37 Lens side control unit (arithmetic processing unit) Lf Focus lens Lz Zoom lens R Circumferential direction around the axis

Claims

1. An operation ring that is rotated in the circumferential direction around the central axis, An optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring, An arithmetic processing unit that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring between normal shooting and face-to-face shooting, and A lens device.

2. The determination between the normal shooting and the face-to-face shooting is performed based on a reversal signal indicating whether or not the direction in which the display surface of a display unit on which an image based on a pixel signal output from an image sensor in which pixels for receiving light incident through the optical lens and performing photoelectric conversion are arranged is reversed. The lens device according to claim 1.

3. The operation ring is a focus operation ring, The optical lens is a focus lens The lens device according to claim 1.

4. The operation ring is a zoom operation ring, The optical lens is a zoom lens The lens device according to claim 1.

5. An operation ring that is rotated in the circumferential direction around the central axis, An optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring, An image sensor in which pixels for receiving light incident through the optical lens and performing photoelectric conversion are arranged, A display unit on which an image based on the image signal output from the image sensor is displayed, An arithmetic processing unit that changes the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring based on the direction in which the display surface of the display unit faces, and An imaging device.

6. The operation ring is a focus operation ring, The optical lens is a focus lens The imaging device according to claim 5.

7. The operation ring is a zoom operation ring, The optical lens is a zoom lens The imaging device according to claim 5.

8. The arithmetic processing unit performs display processing for displaying an icon image for notifying the correspondence between the rotation direction of the operation ring and the moving direction of the optical lens on the display unit. The imaging device according to claim 5.

9. The arithmetic processing unit Performs processing for switching between an auto mode in which the optical lens is automatically moved regardless of the operation of the operation ring and a manual mode in which the optical lens is moved by the operation of the operation ring, The display processing is performed so as not to display the icon image in the auto mode. The imaging device according to claim 8.

10. The arithmetic processing unit Display the icon image in a first mode without reversing the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring. Display the icon image in a second mode different from the first mode with the moving direction of the optical lens reversed. The imaging device according to claim 8.

11. An operation ring that is rotationally operated in a direction around the axis of the central axis, An optical lens that is movable in the optical axis direction in response to the operation of the operation ring, as a lens driving method for a lens device including: Changing the moving direction of the optical lens with respect to the rotation direction of the operation ring during normal shooting and face shooting. Lens driving method.

Images