Control device, optical instrument, and control method

Abstract

A good low-pass filter (LPF) effect is obtained by driving the LPF with a movable element. [Solution] The control device 10 includes control means 10a that controls a plurality of drive units 17, 34 that move a movable element, which is either an optical element included in the imaging optical system or an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system, in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and selection means 10b that selects a periodic drive unit from the plurality of drive units that periodically moves the movable element using information on the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of drive units.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to the drive control of optical elements such as image sensors and lenses. [Background technology]

[0002] During imaging, there is a method to obtain an LPF effect without using an optical low-pass filter (LPF) by driving a movable element (image sensor or lens) that can shift in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis with a small amplitude at a high frequency. Hereinafter, this method will be referred to as LPF driving of a movable element.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that enables sensor vibration isolation by shifting the image sensor and lens vibration isolation by shifting the lens, and also performs LPF driving for these movable elements. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-011043 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] It is required to obtain a good low-pass filter (LPF) effect by driving the LPF with a movable element. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes control means for controlling a plurality of drive units that move a movable element, which is either an optical element included in an imaging optical system or an imaging element that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system, in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and selection means for selecting a periodic drive unit that periodically moves the movable element among the plurality of drive units using information regarding the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of drive units. Further, a control device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes control means for controlling the driving of a first drive unit that moves an optical element included in the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and the driving of a second drive unit that moves an imaging element that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction, and selection means for selecting a periodic drive unit that causes the optical element or the imaging element to perform a periodic movement different from image blur correction during an exposure time among the first drive unit and the second drive unit using information regarding shake. Note that an optical device having the above control device also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform LPF driving of a movable element that provides a good LPF effect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging device of Example 1 [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing LPF driving of the sensor vibration prevention unit in Example 1 [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing another LPF driving of the sensor vibration prevention unit in Example 1 [Figure 4] Flowchart showing the imaging process in Example 1 [Figure 5] Diagram showing the driving characteristics of the sensor vibration prevention unit and the lens vibration prevention unit in Example 1 [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing the vibration prevention unit in Example 2 [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the imaging process in Example 2 [Figure 8]Flowchart showing the imaging process in Example 3 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0010] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as "camera") 1, which is an imaging device (optical instrument) in this embodiment. A replaceable lens 3, which serves as a lens device, is detachably attached to the camera 1 in this embodiment.

[0011] Camera 1 includes an image sensor 11 that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system 32 in the interchangeable lens 3 and converts the subject image formed by the light beam into an image (imaging), an image processing unit 12 that generates an image from the imaging signal output from the image sensor 11, and a memory unit 13 that records information such as images.

[0012] The image sensor 11 can generate one image or multiple images depending on the operation of an imaging instruction switch (release switch) (not shown) provided on the camera 1. The image processing unit 12 generates an image by performing white balance processing, gamma correction, interpolation processing, etc. on the imaging signal.

[0013] The camera 1 also includes a shutter 14 such as a focal-plane shutter that controls the exposure of the image sensor 11, an operation unit 15 that accepts user input, a display unit 16 that displays information such as images, and a viewfinder optical system 21 for the user to observe the viewfinder image. The operation unit 15 includes a power switch, a release switch, and dials for setting various operations.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1(b), the display unit 16 includes a rear LCD unit 16a provided on the back of the camera 1 for displaying live view images, etc., and a viewfinder display unit 16b for displaying live view images, etc., so that it can be viewed through the eyepiece lens 21a of the viewfinder optical system 21.

[0015] Furthermore, camera 1 includes a sensor vibration isolation unit 17, a vibration detection unit 18, and a camera control unit 10. The sensor vibration isolation unit 17 is a sensor drive unit that drives the image sensor 11, which is a movable element, in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis 31 of the imaging optical system 32 (in a direction different from the optical axis direction). The vibration detection unit 18 detects camera vibration (hereinafter referred to as camera vibration) caused by hand shake, etc., and outputs a vibration signal. The camera control unit 10 is composed of a CPU, etc., and is in charge of the overall control of camera 1.

[0016] The camera control unit 10 includes an anti-vibration control unit (control means) 10a, an LPF drive selection unit (selection means) 10b, and a characteristic storage unit (storage means) 10c. The anti-vibration control unit 10a calculates the amount of sensor anti-vibration for the sensor anti-vibration unit 17 and the amount of lens anti-vibration for the lens anti-vibration unit 34 (described later) based on the vibration signal from the vibration detection unit 18, and controls them, or controls the LPF drive of the sensor anti-vibration unit 17 or the lens anti-vibration unit 34. Details of the LPF drive will be described later. The characteristic storage unit 10c stores information regarding the drive characteristics of the sensor anti-vibration unit 17 (hereinafter referred to as sensor drive characteristic information) and lens drive characteristic information for interchangeable lenses 3 that have been attached to the camera 1 in the past (described later). The sensor drive characteristic information may be information that indicates the drive characteristics of the sensor anti-vibration unit 17 itself, or it may be information that can be converted into said drive characteristics.

[0017] The LPF drive selection unit 10b compares the drive characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17, indicated by the sensor drive characteristic information acquired from the characteristic memory unit 10c, with the drive characteristics of the lens vibration isolation unit 34, indicated by the lens drive characteristic information acquired from the characteristic memory unit 10c or the interchangeable lens 3 (outside the memory means), as described later. Based on the comparison result, it selects one of the vibration isolation units (periodic drive unit: hereinafter referred to as the LPF vibration isolation unit) from the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 (second drive unit) and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 (first drive unit) that will perform LPF driving.

[0018] The control device is comprised of a vibration isolation control unit 10a, an LPF drive selection unit 10b, and a characteristic memory unit 10c. The control device may be provided on the interchangeable lens (optical instrument) 3, or it may be configured as an external personal computer of the camera 1. The shake detection unit may be provided on the interchangeable lens 3, or it may be provided on both the camera 1 and the interchangeable lens 3. In this case, the vibration isolation control unit 10a receives the shake signal from the shake detection unit provided on the interchangeable lens 3 and uses it to calculate the sensor shake isolation amount and the lens shake isolation amount.

[0019] The camera control unit 10 also detects the brightness of the subject from the imaging signal from the image sensor 11 or the image generated by the image processing unit 12, and calculates the shutter speed and aperture value according to that brightness.

[0020] Furthermore, the camera 1 is provided with a focus detection unit 19. Each pixel in the image sensor 11 of this embodiment has a microlens and a plurality of photoelectric conversion units. As a focus detection process, the focus detection unit 19 detects the phase difference between two image signals obtained from a plurality of pixels within a selected focus detection area and calculates the amount of defocus of the subject image from the phase difference. The camera control unit 10 calculates the focus control amount of the interchangeable lens 3 based on the amount of defocus.

[0021] On the other hand, interchangeable lens 3 has an imaging optical system 32 including a focusing lens, an image stabilization lens, and an aperture, and a focus drive unit 33 that drives the focusing lens included in the imaging optical system 32. Interchangeable lens 3 also has a lens image stabilization unit 34 and a lens control unit 30. The lens image stabilization unit 34 is a lens drive unit that moves the image stabilization lens, which is an optical element that is a movable element, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis 31 (a direction different from the direction of the optical axis). Note that movement in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis 31 also includes movement in a direction that includes a component perpendicular to the optical axis (rotation around a point on the optical axis).

[0022] The lens control unit 30, composed of a CPU and the like, is responsible for the overall control of the interchangeable lens 3. The lens control unit 30 can communicate with the camera control unit 10 via the lens contact 20 and controls the aperture and focus lens according to the aperture value and focus control amount received from the camera control unit 10. The lens control unit 30 also controls the vibration damping drive or LPF drive of the lens vibration damping unit 34 according to the lens vibration damping drive signal or LPF drive signal received from the camera control unit 10 according to the amount of lens vibration damping.

[0023] Furthermore, the lens control unit 30 includes a lens characteristic storage unit 30a that stores information relating to the driving characteristics of the lens vibration isolation unit 34 (hereinafter referred to as lens driving characteristic information). The lens driving characteristic information may be information that indicates the driving characteristics of the lens vibration isolation unit 34 itself, or it may be information that can be converted into said driving characteristics.

[0024] Here, vibration isolation using the vibration detection unit 18, sensor vibration isolation unit 17, and lens vibration isolation unit 34 will be explained in more detail. The vibration detection unit 18 is configured using an angular velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor to detect the angular velocity due to the rotational vibration of the camera 1 and the acceleration due to the translational vibration. The vibration isolation control unit 10a calculates the amount of rotational vibration and translational vibration of the camera 1 by performing filtering and integration processing on the vibration signals indicating the angular velocity and acceleration detected by the vibration detection unit 18. Based on these rotational and translational vibration amounts, it calculates the amount of sensor vibration isolation for the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the amount of lens vibration isolation for the lens vibration isolation unit 34, and generates sensor vibration isolation drive signals and lens vibration isolation drive signals corresponding to the sensor vibration isolation amount and lens vibration isolation amount, respectively.

[0025] In Figure 1(b), the direction in which the optical axis 31 extends is defined as the Z direction, the subject side in the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, the vertical direction of camera 1 is defined as the Y direction, the upward direction is defined as the +Y direction, the horizontal direction of camera 1 is defined as the X direction, and the left side when viewed from the back is defined as the +X direction. The vibration detection unit 18 can detect angular velocity due to rotational vibration and acceleration due to translational vibration around the three axes and in three directions: X, Y, and Z.

[0026] The sensor vibration isolation unit 17 reduces (corrects) image shake caused by camera shake in the pitch, yaw, and roll directions by moving the image sensor 11 in the XY plane or rotating it around the Z axis in response to the sensor drive signal.

[0027] The lens vibration isolation unit 34 corrects image shake caused by camera shake in the pitch and yaw directions by moving the vibration isolation lens in the XY plane in response to the lens vibration isolation drive signal received from the camera control unit 10 (vibration isolation control unit 10a) via the lens control unit 30.

[0028] LPF driving will be explained using Figure 2. In cameras without an optical low-pass filter (LPF), moiré patterns due to aliasing distortion and false colors occur in the high spatial frequency region. As a result, the accuracy of focus detection and the image quality obtained by imaging are reduced. LPF driving is the process of periodically moving the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 with small amplitudes and high frequencies (periodic drive) in order to obtain an LPF effect equivalent to that of having an LPF in front of the image sensor 11. Periodic movement is movement that passes through the same position periodically, such as reciprocating movement, circular movement, or elliptical movement.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the LPF drive of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17. The upper part of Figure 2 shows a portion of a pixel row in the image sensor 11 that includes R (red) pixels and G (green) pixels arranged in a Bayer array. As mentioned above, each pixel of the image sensor 11 has a microlens (shown as a circle in the figure) and two sub-pixels A and B (shown as GA, GB, RA, and RB in the figure) which are horizontally divided photoelectric conversion units. The microlens guides the light beam that passes through region A of the exit pupil of the imaging optical system 32 to photoelectric conversion unit A, and the light beam that passes through region B to photoelectric conversion unit B. In other words, it performs pupil division in the horizontal direction.

[0030] The lower part of Figure 2 shows the time change in the position of the sub-pixel GA, which is marked with a ▼ in the upper part of Figure 2, as the image sensor 11 moves due to LPF drive. The vertical axis shows elapsed time downwards, and the horizontal axis shows the position of the sub-pixel GA. AFThis indicates the vertical synchronization period (exposure time during focus detection and imaging). Focus detection is T AF It is performed once within an integer multiple of the time. d in the position direction AF This shows the spacing between subpixels on the same side of two adjacent pixels (in the figure, subpixel GA of the second pixel from the right and subpixel RA of the pixel to its right). The curve in the figure below shows the spacing d AF This shows the position change when the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 is periodically driven at a high frequency with an amplitude corresponding to [a certain value].

[0031] On the other hand, the LPF drive of the lens vibration isolation unit 34 periodically drives the vibration isolation lens in the pupil division direction (horizontal direction) at a high frequency. The lower part of Figure 2 shows the change in the position of the light beam initially focused at the position indicated by ▼ on the image sensor 11 over time. That is, the vertical axis represents elapsed time, and the horizontal axis represents the position of the light beam on the image sensor 11. By periodically driving the lens vibration isolation unit 34 so that such a change in the position of the light beam occurs, the amount of light received by each pixel on the image sensor 11 becomes equivalent to periodically driving the sensor vibration isolation unit 17. Therefore, an LPF effect can also be obtained by periodically driving the lens vibration isolation unit 34. Note that the amount of drive of the vibration isolation lens in the periodically driven lens vibration isolation unit 34 differs depending on the amount of movement of the light beam on the image sensor 11 relative to the amount of movement of the vibration isolation lens.

[0032] Using Figures 3(a) and 3(b), we will explain the case where the driving direction of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 in LPF drive is extended to more than one direction. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show the driving direction of the image sensor 11 in periodic drive of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17. Figure 2 shows the case where the image sensor 11 is periodically driven in the horizontal direction, which is the pupil division direction. However, the image sensor 11 has pixels continuously arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions, so image moiré can occur in both the horizontal and vertical directions. For this reason, as shown in Figure 3(a), the image sensor 11 or vibration isolation lens may be periodically driven in a circular orbit M1. Also, false color occurs depending on the period of the color filter of the image sensor 11. For this reason, as shown in Figure 3(b), the image sensor 11 or vibration isolation lens may be periodically driven in an elliptical orbit M2 with different amplitudes in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0033] Here, the problems of LPF driving and their countermeasures will be described. When the frame rate during imaging or focus detection is increased, the exposure time T shown in FIG. 2 AF becomes extremely short. To obtain a good LPF effect with this short exposure time T AF , it is necessary to perform the periodic driving as shown in FIG. 3 for one or more integer cycles during the exposure time T AF . Therefore, it is conceivable to change the driving frequency of the periodic driving according to the exposure time T AF . However, the sensor vibration prevention unit 17 and the lens vibration prevention unit 34 are originally configured on the premise of correcting image blur caused by camera shake in a low frequency range (first frequency range of about 1 Hz to 10 Hz) such as hand shake, and the driving characteristics in a higher frequency range (second frequency range) are not regarded as important. As a result, in the LPF driving in the high frequency range, depending on the exposure time T AF , the driving characteristics (frequency characteristics) of the sensor vibration prevention unit 17 or the lens vibration prevention unit 34 are not good, and there is a possibility that LPF driving for obtaining a sufficient LPF effect cannot be performed in the vibration prevention unit with poor driving characteristics.

[0034] Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving characteristics of the sensor vibration prevention unit 17 and the lens vibration prevention unit 34 are compared for each exposure time, and the one with the best driving characteristics (suitable for LPF driving) at the exposure time during focus detection or imaging is selected as the LPF vibration prevention unit. By selecting the LPF vibration prevention unit in consideration of the driving characteristics in this way, a good LPF effect can be obtained even when the exposure time is short.

[0035] The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows the imaging process (control method) executed by the camera control unit 10 as a computer according to a program. In the camera 1 of this embodiment, the user can turn on / off the LPF setting on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 16, and the camera control unit 10 performs LPF driving when the LPF setting is ON and does not perform LPF driving when the LPF setting is OFF.

[0036] When the power to camera 1 is turned ON, the camera control unit 10 starts this process. In step S101, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the LPF setting is ON or OFF. If the LPF setting is ON, it performs the process in step S102; if the LPF setting is OFF, it performs the process in step S104.

[0037] In step S102, the camera control unit 10 obtains identification information (hereinafter referred to as lens ID) to identify the interchangeable lens 3 attached to the camera 1, and determines whether or not lens drive characteristic information corresponding to the lens ID can be obtained from the characteristic storage unit 10c. If lens drive characteristic information can be obtained, the camera control unit 10 reads the lens drive characteristic information from the characteristic storage unit 10c and sends it to the LPF drive selection unit 10b, and performs the process in step S103. If lens drive characteristic information cannot be obtained, the process in step S109 is performed.

[0038] In step S103, the camera control unit 10 (LPF drive selection unit 10b) compares the drive characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17, indicated by the sensor drive characteristic information stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c, with the drive characteristics of the lens vibration isolation unit 34, indicated by the lens drive characteristic information acquired in step S102. Based on the comparison result, it selects the LPF vibration isolation unit and proceeds to step S104.

[0039] Figure 5(a) shows the driving characteristics (frequency characteristics) of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34, respectively. The horizontal axis represents the driving frequency (Hz), and the vertical axis represents the gain (dB). The solid line 51 shows the frequency characteristics of the lens vibration isolation unit 34, and the dashed line 52 shows the frequency characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17. AF The exposure time is T AF The drive frequency in G 1AF The driving frequency is f AF The gain of the lens vibration damping section 34 in G 2AF The driving frequency is f AF This shows the gain of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17. The drive frequency f AF For example, this is 80Hz.

[0040] The LPF drive selection unit 10b reads the frequency characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34. The range of frequencies for which the frequency characteristics are read can be set in the camera 1. Specifically, it is desirable that the range includes the frequency that is the reciprocal of the exposure time during focus detection and still image capture. This is because, as mentioned above, it is necessary to perform periodic drive for one or more integer periods within the exposure time when driving the LPF. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that one periodic drive is performed within the exposure time. That is, the drive frequency f AF The exposure time is T AF Let it be the reciprocal of .

[0041] The LPF drive selection unit 10b selects the exposure time T AF When selecting an LPF vibration isolation section, the drive frequency f AF Gain G of the lens vibration damping section 34 1AF The absolute value of and the gain G of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 2AF The absolute value of the gain is compared with the smaller absolute value, and the one with the smaller absolute value is selected as the LPF vibration isolation unit. This is because the greater the absolute value of the gain is than 0, the more the amplitude during periodic drive is amplified or attenuated beyond the value instructed by the camera control unit 10. If the amplitude of periodic drive is amplified or attenuated beyond the instructed value, a sufficient LPF effect cannot be obtained, so it is preferable to select the vibration isolation unit with the absolute value of the gain closest to 0 (i.e., the drive characteristics that are most suitable for LPF drive) as the LPF vibration isolation unit. In Figure 5(a), |G 1AF |>|G 2AF Therefore, the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 is selected as the LPF vibration isolation unit.

[0042] Figure 5(b) shows the frequency characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 of a different interchangeable lens 3 from the one equipped with the lens vibration isolation unit 34 with the frequency characteristics shown in Figure 5(a). In this figure, the drive frequency f shown in Figure 5(a) is shown. AF Then | G 2AF |>|G 1AF Therefore, the lens vibration damping unit 34 is selected as the LPF vibration damping unit. In contrast, the drive frequency f AF Higher drive frequency (e.g., 130Hz) fAF 'So | G 1AF ′|>|G 2AF Therefore, the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 is selected as the LPF vibration isolation unit.

[0043] In this way, the LPF drive selection unit 10b selects the LPF vibration damping unit according to the results of comparing the frequency characteristics of the sensor vibration damping unit 17 of the camera 1 and the lens vibration damping unit 34 of various interchangeable lenses 3 that can be attached to the camera 1.

[0044] The LPF drive selection unit 10b performs the above comparison for all exposure times that the camera 1 can set, and selects an LPF vibration damping unit for each exposure time. Through this comparison and selection, the exposure time T AF Even when the exposure time is extremely short, good LPF driving can be performed to obtain a sufficient LPF effect. Information on the LPF vibration isolation section selected for each exposure time is stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c and referenced when driving the LPF.

[0045] It is not always necessary to select an LPF vibration damping unit for each exposure time. For example, if the absolute values ​​of the gains of the sensor vibration damping unit 17 and the lens vibration damping unit 34 are within the acceptable range for obtaining the LPF effect, the vibration damping unit with the smallest absolute value of gain at the shortest exposure time that the camera 1 can set may be selected as the LPF vibration damping unit for all exposure times.

[0046] In step S104, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the release switch on the operation unit 15 has been half-pressed by the user. If the half-press operation is performed, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S105; otherwise, it repeats the determination in this step.

[0047] In step S105, the camera control unit 10 causes the focus detection unit 19 to perform focus detection processing and drives the focus lens to the lens control unit 30. The camera control unit 10 periodically drives the LPF vibration isolation unit selected in step S103 at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection, which is stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c. This makes it possible to obtain good focus detection accuracy for subjects that include areas with high spatial frequencies, even if an LPF is not installed.

[0048] Next, in step S106, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the release switch has been fully pressed and whether still image capture has been instructed. If the full press operation has been performed, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S107; if the full press operation has not been performed, it repeats the determination in this step.

[0049] In step S107, the camera control unit 10 drives the shutter 14 to expose the image sensor 11 for still image capture. The camera control unit 10 periodically drives the LPF vibration isolation unit selected in step S103 at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time during still image capture stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c. As a result, even without an LPF, high-quality still images can be obtained with reduced image quality degradation due to moiré and false colors for subjects containing high spatial frequencies.

[0050] Next, in step S108, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the power switch included in the operation unit 15 has been turned OFF. If the power has been turned OFF, the camera control unit 10 terminates this process; otherwise, it proceeds to the process in step S101.

[0051] On the other hand, in step S109, the camera control unit 10 checks whether it can acquire lens drive characteristic information from the lens characteristic storage unit 30a in the lens control unit 30. If the lens drive characteristic information can be acquired, the camera control unit 10 acquires the information and sends it to the LPF drive selection unit 10b to perform the process in step S103. If it is not possible to acquire the lens drive characteristic information, the process in step S110 is performed.

[0052] In step S110, the camera control unit 10 provides a sweep signal to the lens vibration isolation unit 34 via the lens control unit 30, and obtains lens drive characteristic information from the lens vibration isolation unit 34's response to the sweep signal (movement of the vibration isolation lens). Preferably, the frequency range for providing the sweep signal is set to include frequencies that are the reciprocal of the exposure time during focus detection and still image capture, which can be set in the camera 1. Having obtained the lens drive characteristic information in this way, the camera control unit 10 sends the lens drive characteristic information to the LPF drive selection unit 10b and proceeds to step S103.

[0053] In this case, the camera control unit 10 stores the acquired lens drive characteristic information in the characteristic storage unit 10c in association with the lens ID. Alternatively, the lens control unit 30 may store the lens drive characteristic information in the lens characteristic storage unit 30a.

[0054] The method for acquiring lens drive characteristic information described here is merely an example, and the camera control unit 10 may acquire lens drive characteristic information using other methods.

[0055] As described above, in this embodiment, during focus detection and still image capture, the LPF drive is performed by the LPF vibration damping unit selected from the sensor vibration damping unit 17 and the lens vibration damping unit 34, which has better driving characteristics with respect to exposure time. This makes it possible to obtain a sufficient LPF effect even when the exposure time during focus detection and still image capture is short.

[0056] Furthermore, LPF drive can be superimposed on the vibration isolation drive for image shake correction of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 or the lens vibration isolation unit 34. This is because the frequency ranges of the vibration isolation drive frequency and the LPF drive frequency do not overlap. Therefore, when the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 are vibration-isolated at a certain image shake correction ratio, there is no need to change the vibration isolation drive amount of the vibration isolation unit where only vibration isolation drive is performed and the vibration isolation drive amount of the vibration isolation unit where both vibration isolation drive and LPF drive are performed, compared to when LPF drive is not performed.

[0057] In this embodiment, we have described the case where camera 1 is a lens-exchangeable camera, but the camera may also be a lens-integrated camera in which the lens is provided as an integral part.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one vibration damping unit is provided on both the camera 1 and the interchangeable lens 3, but two vibration damping units may be provided on at least one of the camera and the interchangeable lens. In this case, the driving characteristics of up to four vibration damping units (two or more drive units) can be compared and the LPF vibration damping unit can be selected. [Examples]

[0059] Figure 6 shows the configuration of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 in Embodiment 2. The vertical lines in the figure represent lines extending in the direction of the optical axis. In Figure 6, the components constituting the fixed part that does not move relative to the housing of the camera 1 are denoted by reference numerals in the 100s, and the components constituting the movable part that moves relative to the fixed part are denoted by reference numerals in the 200s. Furthermore, the ball positioned between the fixed part and the movable part is denoted by reference numerals in the 300s.

[0060] 101 indicates the upper yoke, 102a, 102b, and 102c are screws, 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, and 103f are upper magnets, 104a and 104b are auxiliary spacers, and 105a, 105b, and 105c are main spacers. 106a, 106b, and 106c are fixed rolling plates, 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, and 107f are lower magnets, 108 is the lower yoke, 109a, 109b, and 109c are screws, and 110 indicates the base plate.

[0061] 201 represents a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), 202a, 202b, and 202c represent sensor mounting positions, 203 represents a movable frame, 203a represents a movable printed circuit board (movable PCB), and 204a, 204b, and 204c represent movable rolling plates. 205a, 205b, and 205c represent coils, 206 represents a movable frame, and 301a, 301b, and 301c represent balls. 207 represents a piezoelectric element unit.

[0062] A closed magnetic circuit is formed by the upper yoke 101, upper magnets 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103f, lower magnets 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, 107f, and lower yoke 108. The upper magnets 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, and 103f are adhesively fixed to the upper yoke 101 in an attracted state. The lower magnets 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, and 107f are adhesively fixed to the lower yoke 108 in an attracted state.

[0063] The upper magnets 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103f and the lower magnets 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, 107f are each magnetized in the direction of the optical axis, and two adjacent magnets (for example, magnets 103a and 103b) are magnetized in different directions. Also, two opposing magnets (for example, magnets 103a and 107a) are magnetized in the same direction. This magnetization creates a strong magnetic flux density in the direction of the optical axis between the upper yoke 101 and the lower yoke 108, and a strong attractive force is generated between the upper yoke 101 and the lower yoke 108.

[0064] Therefore, an appropriate gap is maintained between the main spacers 105a, 105b, 105c and the auxiliary spacers 104a, 104b. The appropriate gap here refers to a gap that allows for the placement of coils 205a, 205b, 205c and FPC 201 between the upper magnets 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103f and the lower magnets 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, 107f, while also ensuring an appropriate air gap.

[0065] The main spacers 105a, 105b, and 105c are provided with screw holes, and the upper yoke 101 is fixed to the main spacers 105a, 105b, and 105c by screws 102a, 102b, and 102c inserted into these screw holes.

[0066] Rubber is installed on the body of the main spacers 105a, 105b, and 105c, forming the mechanical end (so-called stopper) of the movable part.

[0067] The base plate 110 has holes formed in it to avoid the lower magnets 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, and 107f, and the surfaces of the magnets protrude from these holes. In other words, the base plate 110 and the lower yoke 108 are fixed by screws 109a, 109b, and 109c, and the lower magnets 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, and 107f, which have a larger dimension in the thickness direction than the base plate 110, protrude from the base plate 110.

[0068] The movable frame 203 is made of magnesium die-cast or aluminum die-cast, making it lightweight and highly rigid. The movable part is constructed by fixing each component of the movable part to the movable frame 203. Position sensors are mounted at sensor mounting positions 202a, 202b, and 202c on the side of the piezoelectric element unit 207 of the FPC 201. As the position sensors, Hall elements are used that can detect the position of the movable part using the magnetic circuit described above. The small Hall elements are placed inside the coils 205a, 205b, and 205c. Note that sensors other than Hall elements may be used as position sensors.

[0069] The movable PCB 203a, fixed to the movable frame 203, is connected to the image sensor 11 (not shown in Figure 6), coils 205a, 205b, 205c, and Hall element, which are movable elements as shown in Figure 1(b). These elements communicate electrically with the outside world via connectors on the movable PCB 203a.

[0070] Fixed rolling plates 106a, 106b, and 106c are adhesively fixed to the base plate 110, and movable rolling plates 204a, 204b, and 204c are adhesively fixed to the movable frame 203, with each rolling plate forming the rolling surface of the balls 301a, 301b, and 301c. By providing each rolling plate separately from the base plate 110 and the movable frame 203, the surface roughness and hardness of each rolling plate can be set to a desirable degree.

[0071] In the configuration described above, passing current through each coil generates an electromagnetic force according to Fleming's left-hand rule, which allows the movable part to be driven in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis relative to the fixed part. Furthermore, the position of the movable part can be feedback-controlled using the signal from the Hall element mentioned above. Specifically, the movable part can be translated in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis or rotated around an axis parallel to the optical axis. By keeping the signal from the Hall element at sensor mounting position 202a constant and driving the movable part so that the signals from the Hall elements at sensor mounting positions 202b and 202c are in opposite phase to each other, the movable part can be rotated approximately around the optical axis.

[0072] The sensor vibration isolation unit 17 of this embodiment is equipped with a piezoelectric element unit 207 that can periodically drive the movable part at a low frequency range and with a first amplitude by passing current through a coil, and can further drive the movable part at a higher frequency range than the low frequency range and with a second amplitude smaller than the first amplitude. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element provided in the piezoelectric element unit 207, a displacement is generated in the piezoelectric element, thereby enabling the movable part to be driven at a high frequency range and with a minute second amplitude.

[0073] Hereinafter, a mechanism that drives a movable part in a low frequency range (low speed) and in a first stroke by energizing a coil will be referred to as a low-speed drive mechanism (second low-speed drive unit), and a mechanism that drives a movable part in a high frequency range (high speed) and in a second stroke smaller than the first stroke by energizing a piezoelectric element will be referred to as a high-speed drive mechanism (second high-speed drive unit). Note that the high-speed drive mechanism may use a drive element other than a piezoelectric element.

[0074] The flowchart in Figure 7 shows the imaging process (control method) in this embodiment. Here, we will explain the process when the camera 1 shown in Figure 1 is equipped with the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, instead of comparing the drive characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 as in Embodiment 1, the drive mechanism used for LPF driving is selected from the low-speed drive mechanism and the high-speed drive mechanism according to the magnitude of the camera shake (gyro output) detected by the shake detection unit 18, and furthermore, the drive mechanism used for vibration isolation is also selected.

[0075] When the power to camera 1 is turned ON, the camera control unit 10 starts this process. In step S701, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the release switch on the operation unit 15 has been half-pressed by the user. If the half-press operation is performed, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S702; if the half-press operation is not performed, it repeats the determination in this step.

[0076] In step S702, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the LPF setting is ON or OFF. If the LPF setting is ON, it performs the process in step S703; if the LPF setting is OFF, it performs the process in step S708.

[0077] In step S703, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the gyro output from the shake detection unit 18 is less than a first threshold (first predetermined value). The first threshold is a value close to 0, and the determination here is whether the camera 1 is supported by a support member such as a tripod. If the gyro output is less than the first threshold, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S704; if it is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it performs the process in step S705.

[0078] In step S704, the camera control unit 10 (LPF drive selection unit 10b) selects a high-speed drive mechanism for LPF driving and drives it as an LPF. At this time, the camera control unit 10 drives the high-speed drive mechanism as an LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection, which is stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c shown in Figure 1. When the camera is supported by a support member such as a tripod, there is almost no camera shake such as camera shake, so a good LPF effect can be obtained by driving the LPF with the high-speed drive mechanism. The low-speed drive mechanism is not used for vibration damping. The camera control unit 10 then performs the processing in step S708.

[0079] In step S705, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the gyro output from the shake detection unit 18 is less than a second threshold (second predetermined value). The second threshold is a value greater than the first threshold, and the determination here is whether or not camera shake is occurring due to hand shake, etc. If the gyro output is less than the second threshold, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S706, and if it is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it performs the process in step S707.

[0080] In step S706, the camera control unit 10 selects a low-speed drive mechanism for LPF driving and a high-speed drive mechanism for vibration damping and drives them. The drive frequency for LPF driving here is the drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection, which is stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c or the lens characteristic memory unit 30a shown in Figure 1. This allows for image shake caused by relatively high-frequency camera shake to be corrected with the high-speed drive mechanism while a good LPF effect can be obtained with the low-speed drive mechanism. Then the camera control unit 10 performs the processing in step S708.

[0081] In step S707, the camera control unit 10 selects a high-speed drive mechanism for driving the LPF and a low-speed drive mechanism for vibration damping, and drives them. At this time, the camera control unit 10 drives the high-speed drive mechanism as an LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c. When the camera shake is large, the effect of high-frequency camera shake is small. Therefore, a good LPF effect can be obtained with the high-speed drive mechanism while correcting the image shake with the low-speed drive mechanism. Then the camera control unit 10 performs the processing in step S708.

[0082] Next, in step S708, the camera control unit 10 causes the focus detection unit 19 to perform focus detection processing, and the lens control unit 30 to drive the focus lens.

[0083] Next, in step S709, it is determined whether the release switch has been fully pressed and still image capture has been instructed. If the full press operation has been performed, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S710; if the full press operation has not been performed, it repeats the determination in this step.

[0084] In step S710, the camera control unit 10 drives the shutter 14 to expose the image sensor 11 for still image capture. At this time, if a high-speed drive mechanism is selected for LPF drive in step S704 or step S707, the camera control unit 10 drives the LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time during still image capture stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c. If a low-speed drive mechanism is selected for LPF drive in step S706, the camera control unit 10 drives the LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time during still image capture stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c or the lens characteristic memory unit 30a.

[0085] Next, in step S711, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the power switch included in the operation unit 15 has been turned OFF. If the power has been turned OFF, the camera control unit 10 terminates this process; otherwise, it proceeds to the process in step S701.

[0086] According to the embodiment described above, when the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 has both a low-speed drive mechanism and a high-speed drive mechanism, good vibration isolation and LPF effects can be obtained. Alternatively, vibration isolation may be performed simultaneously using either the high-speed drive mechanism or the low-speed drive mechanism that drives the LPF.

[0087] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism for driving the LPF is selected from the low-speed drive mechanism and high-speed drive mechanism of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 according to the gyro output. However, the lens vibration isolation unit 34 may be selected as the LPF drive unit. The lens vibration isolation unit 34 may also be provided with two drive mechanisms. In this case, the drive characteristics of up to four drive mechanisms can be compared to select the LPF drive unit.

[0088] For example, in S706, the camera control unit 10 selects and drives either the low-speed drive mechanism of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 or the low-speed or high-speed drive mechanism of the lens vibration isolation unit 34 for LPF driving. Here, the camera control unit 10 reads the frequency characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the frequency characteristics of the lens vibration isolation unit 34. The camera control unit 10 then determines the exposure time T AF When selecting the LPF drive unit, the drive frequency f AF Gain G of the lens vibration damping section 34 1AF The absolute value of and the gain G of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 2AF The absolute value of the two values ​​is compared, and the one with the smaller absolute value is selected as the LPF drive unit.

[0089] The drive frequency for the LPF drive here is determined by the drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection, which is stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c or the lens characteristic memory unit 30a shown in Figure 1. This allows for the correction of image shake caused by relatively high-frequency camera shake with a high-speed drive mechanism, while a good LPF effect can be obtained with a low-speed drive mechanism. In this embodiment, the case where camera 1 is a lens-exchangeable camera has been described, but the camera may also be a lens-integrated camera with the lens attached integrally. [Examples]

[0090] In Example 2, the camera control unit 10 selected the LPF drive unit based on the camera shake detected by the shake detection unit 18. However, if any of the roll, pitch, and yaw components detected by the angular velocity sensor is exceptionally large, it may not be possible to drive the LPF to obtain a sufficient LPF effect. Therefore, the outputs of the roll, pitch, and yaw components may be compared, and the LPF drive unit may be selected according to the comparison result. Here, the roll component is the rotational component around the Z axis in Figure 1(b), the pitch component is the rotational component around the X axis in Figure 1(b), and the yaw component is the rotational component around the Y axis in Figure 1(b).

[0091] The flowchart in Figure 8 shows the imaging process (control method) in Example 3. Since the configuration of the imaging device in this example is the same as in Example 1, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0092] When the power to camera 1 is turned ON, the camera control unit 10 starts this process. In step S801, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the release switch on the operation unit 15 has been half-pressed by the user. If the half-press operation is performed, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S802; if the half-press operation is not performed, it repeats the determination in this step.

[0093] In step S802, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the LPF setting is ON or OFF. If the LPF setting is ON, it performs the process in step S803; if the LPF setting is OFF, it performs the process in step S808.

[0094] In step S803, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the output of the roll component from the angular velocity sensor of the shake detection unit 18 is equal to or greater than the third threshold (third predetermined value). This determination determines whether or not there is a large camera shake in the roll direction due to hand shake or the like. If the output of the roll component is equal to or greater than the third threshold, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S804; if it is less than the third threshold, it performs the process in step S805.

[0095] In step S804, the camera control unit 10 (LPF drive selection unit 10b) selects the lens vibration damping unit 34 for LPF drive and drives it as an LPF. At this time, the camera control unit 10 drives the lens vibration damping unit 34 as an LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c. Then the camera control unit 10 performs the processing in step S808.

[0096] In step S805, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the ratio of the roll component to the pitch and yaw components from the angular velocity sensor of the shake detection unit 18 is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold (fourth predetermined value). The determination here is whether the roll direction shake is more dominant than the pitch and yaw direction shake among the camera shake detected by the angular velocity sensor. If the ratio of the roll component to the pitch and yaw components is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S806; if it is less than the fourth threshold, it performs the process in step S807.

[0097] The ratio used for the determination is not particularly limited; the ratio of the roll component to the square root of the sum of the squares of the pitch and yaw components may be used, or the ratio of the roll component to the pitch and yaw components, respectively, may be used. When using the ratio of the roll component to the pitch and yaw components, respectively, for the determination, the process in step S806 may be performed even if the ratio for both the pitch and yaw components is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, or even if the ratio for either component is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold.

[0098] In step S806, since the roll component is dominant in the output from the angular velocity sensor, the camera control unit 10 selects the lens vibration damping unit 34 for LPF driving and drives it as an LPF. At this time, the camera control unit 10 drives the lens vibration damping unit 34 as an LPF at a driving frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c. Then the camera control unit 10 performs the processing in step S808.

[0099] In step S807, the camera control unit 10 selects the sensor vibration damping unit 17 for LPF driving and drives it. At this time, the camera control unit 10 drives the sensor vibration damping unit 17 as an LPF at a driving frequency corresponding to the exposure time at the time of focus detection stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c or the lens characteristic memory unit 30a. Then the camera control unit 10 performs the processing in step S808.

[0100] The camera control unit 10 may also read the frequency characteristics of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34, compare these frequency characteristics, and select the LPF drive unit. AF When selecting the LPF drive unit, the drive frequency f AF Gain G of the lens vibration damping section 34 1AF The absolute value of and the gain G of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 2AF The absolute value of the two values ​​is compared, and the one with the smaller absolute value is selected as the LPF drive unit.

[0101] Next, in step S808, the camera control unit 10 causes the focus detection unit 19 to perform focus detection processing, and the lens control unit 30 to drive the focus lens.

[0102] Next, in step S809, it is determined whether the release switch has been fully pressed and still image capture has been instructed. If the full press operation has been performed, the camera control unit 10 performs the process in step S810; if the full press operation has not been performed, it repeats the determination in this step.

[0103] In step S810, the camera control unit 10 drives the shutter 14 to expose the image sensor 11 for still image capture. At this time, if the lens vibration isolation unit 34 is selected for LPF drive in step S804 or step S806, the camera control unit 10 drives the LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time during still image capture stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c or lens characteristic memory unit 30a. If the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 is selected for LPF drive in step S807, the camera control unit 10 drives the LPF at a drive frequency corresponding to the exposure time during still image capture stored in the characteristic memory unit 10c.

[0104] Next, in step S811, the camera control unit 10 determines whether the power switch included in the operation unit 15 has been turned OFF. If the power has been turned OFF, the camera control unit 10 terminates this process; otherwise, it proceeds to the process in step S801.

[0105] According to the embodiment described above, a good LPF effect can be obtained depending on the component of the gyro output from the vibration detection unit 18.

[0106] Furthermore, LPF drive can be superimposed on the vibration isolation drive for image shake correction of the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 or the lens vibration isolation unit 34. This is because the frequency ranges of the vibration isolation drive frequency and the LPF drive frequency do not overlap. Therefore, when the sensor vibration isolation unit 17 and the lens vibration isolation unit 34 are vibration-isolated at a certain image shake correction ratio, there is no need to change the vibration isolation drive amount of the vibration isolation unit where only vibration isolation drive is performed and the vibration isolation drive amount of the vibration isolation unit where both vibration isolation drive and LPF drive are performed, compared to when LPF drive is not performed.

[0107] In this embodiment, we have described the case where camera 1 is a lens-exchangeable camera, but the camera may also be a lens-integrated camera in which the lens is provided as an integral part.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one vibration damping unit is provided on both the camera 1 and the interchangeable lens 3, but two vibration damping units may be provided on at least one of the camera and the interchangeable lens. In this case, the LPF drive unit can be selected by comparing the drive characteristics of up to four vibration damping units (two or more drive units).

[0109] The above embodiments include the following items.

[0110] (Item 1) Control means for controlling a plurality of drive units that move a movable element, which is either an optical element included in the imaging optical system or an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system, in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, A selection means for selecting a periodic drive unit from among the plurality of drive units that periodically moves the movable element, using information on the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of drive units, A control device characterized by having the following features. (Item 2) The control device according to item 1, characterized in that the selection means selects the periodic drive unit using information regarding the exposure time of the image sensor and the drive characteristics. (Item 3) The control device according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the selection means selects the drive unit with the smallest absolute value of the gain in the drive characteristics from among the plurality of drive units as the periodic drive unit. (Item 4) The control device according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the selection means selects the periodic drive unit using a storage means that stores information regarding the drive characteristics or information regarding the drive characteristics obtained from outside the storage means. (Item 5) The aforementioned selection means is, Information relating to the driving characteristics of the drive unit that drives the image sensor is obtained from the storage means provided in the imaging device having the image sensor. The control device according to item 4, characterized in that it obtains information regarding the driving characteristics of the drive unit that drives the optical element from a lens device having the imaging optical system and being detachable from the imaging device. (Item 6) The control means is Using information regarding the vibration, control is performed on at least one of the plurality of drive units to move the movable element in the first frequency range to reduce image vibration, A control device according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that it controls the periodic drive unit in a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range. (Item 7) A first drive unit that moves an optical element included in the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and a control means that controls the drive of the second drive unit that moves an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction, A selection means that uses information regarding shake to select a periodic drive unit from among the first drive unit and the second drive unit that causes the optical element or the image sensor to move periodically in a manner different from image shake correction during the exposure time, A control device characterized by having the following features. (Item 8) The first drive unit includes a first low-speed drive unit that moves the optical element in a first frequency range, and a first high-speed drive unit that moves the optical element in a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range. The control device according to item 7, characterized in that the selection means selects one of the first low-speed drive unit, the first high-speed drive unit, and the second drive unit as the periodic drive unit. (Item 9) The second drive unit includes a second low-speed drive unit that moves the image sensor in a first frequency range, and a second high-speed drive unit that moves the image sensor in a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range. The control device according to item 7 or 8, characterized in that the selection means selects one of the first drive unit, the second low-speed drive unit, and the second high-speed drive unit as the periodic drive unit. (Item 10) The aforementioned information regarding the shake includes the amount of shake of the imaging device. The selection means, as the periodic drive unit, If the amount of vibration is smaller than the first predetermined value, the second high-speed drive unit is selected. If the amount of vibration is greater than the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the second low-speed drive unit is selected. The control device according to item 9, characterized in that the second high-speed drive unit is selected when the amount of vibration is greater than the second predetermined value. (Item 11) The control device according to any one of items 7 to 10, characterized in that the selection means selects, using information regarding the shake, a drive unit that performs image shake correction and a periodic drive unit from among the first drive unit and the second drive unit. (Item 12) The control device according to any one of items 7 to 11, characterized in that the selection means further uses information regarding the frequency characteristics of the first drive unit and the second drive unit to select the periodic drive unit. (Item 13) The control device according to any one of items 7 to 12, characterized in that the selection means selects the periodic drive unit from the first drive unit and the second drive unit using the amount of vibration of the imaging device as information regarding the vibration. (Item 14) The control device according to item 13, wherein the selection means selects the first drive unit as the periodic drive unit when the roll component of the vibration amount of the imaging device is greater than or equal to a third predetermined value. (Item 15) The aforementioned information regarding the vibration includes the direction of vibration of the imaging device. The selection means, as the periodic drive unit, The control device according to any one of items 7 to 12, characterized in that the first drive unit is selected when the ratio of the roll component to the magnitude of the pitch component and yaw component in the direction of the aforementioned runout is greater than or equal to a fourth predetermined value. (Item 16) The aforementioned information regarding the vibration includes the direction of vibration of the imaging device. The selection means, as the periodic drive unit, The control device according to any one of items 7 to 12, characterized in that the second drive unit is selected when the ratio of the roll component to the magnitude of the pitch component and yaw component in the direction of the aforementioned runout is less than a fourth predetermined value. (Item 17) A control device described in any one of items 1 to 16, An optical device characterized by having at least one of the optical element and the image sensor.

[0111] (Other examples) This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0112] The embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment when implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 Camera 3 interchangeable lenses 10 Camera control unit 11 Image sensor 17. Sensor vibration isolation unit 34 Lens vibration damping section

Claims

1. Control means for controlling a plurality of drive units that move a movable element, which is either an optical element included in the imaging optical system or an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system, in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, A selection means for selecting a periodic drive unit from among the plurality of drive units that periodically moves the movable element, using information on the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of drive units, A control device characterized by having the following features.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection means selects the periodic drive unit using information regarding the exposure time of the image sensor and the drive characteristics.

3. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection means selects the drive unit with the smallest absolute value of the gain in the drive characteristics from among the plurality of drive units as the periodic drive unit.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means selects the periodic drive unit using a storage means that stores information regarding the drive characteristics or information regarding the drive characteristics obtained from outside the storage means.

5. The aforementioned selection means is, Information relating to the driving characteristics of the drive unit that drives the image sensor is obtained from the storage means provided in the imaging device having the image sensor. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that it obtains information regarding the driving characteristics of the drive unit that drives the optical element from a lens device having the imaging optical system and being detachable from the imaging device.

6. The control means is Using information regarding the vibration, control is performed on at least one of the plurality of drive units to move the movable element in the first frequency range to reduce image vibration, The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that it controls the periodic drive unit in a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range.

7. Control means for controlling the drive of a first drive unit that moves an optical element included in the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and the drive of a second drive unit that moves an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction, A selection means that uses information regarding shake to select a periodic drive unit from among the first drive unit and the second drive unit that causes the optical element or the image sensor to move periodically in a manner different from image shake correction during the exposure time, A control device characterized by having the following features.

8. The first drive unit includes a first low-speed drive unit that moves the optical element in a first frequency range, and a first high-speed drive unit that moves the optical element in a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range. The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the selection means selects one of the first low-speed drive unit, the first high-speed drive unit, and the second drive unit as the periodic drive unit.

9. The second drive unit includes a second low-speed drive unit that moves the image sensor in a first frequency range, and a second high-speed drive unit that moves the image sensor in a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range. The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the selection means selects one of the first drive unit, the second low-speed drive unit, and the second high-speed drive unit as the periodic drive unit.

10. The aforementioned information regarding the shake includes the amount of shake of the imaging device. The selection means, as the periodic drive unit, If the amount of vibration is smaller than the first predetermined value, the second high-speed drive unit is selected. If the amount of vibration is greater than the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the second low-speed drive unit is selected. The control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the second high-speed drive unit is selected when the amount of vibration is greater than the second predetermined value.

11. The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the selection means selects, using information regarding the shake, the drive unit that performs image shake correction and the periodic drive unit from among the first drive unit and the second drive unit.

12. The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the selection means further uses information regarding the frequency characteristics of the first drive unit and the second drive unit to select the periodic drive unit.

13. The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the selection means selects the periodic drive unit from the first drive unit and the second drive unit using the amount of vibration of the imaging device as information regarding the vibration.

14. The control device according to claim 13, wherein the selection means selects the first drive unit as the periodic drive unit when the roll component of the vibration amount of the imaging device is greater than a third predetermined value.

15. The aforementioned information regarding the vibration includes the direction of vibration of the imaging device. The selection means, as the periodic drive unit, The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first drive unit is selected when the ratio of the roll component to the magnitude of the pitch component and yaw component in the direction of the aforementioned runout is greater than a fourth predetermined value.

16. The aforementioned information regarding the vibration includes the direction of vibration of the imaging device. The selection means, as the periodic drive unit, The control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the second drive unit is selected when the ratio of the roll component to the magnitude of the pitch component and yaw component in the direction of the aforementioned runout is smaller than a fourth predetermined value.

17. A control device according to claim 1 or 7, An optical device characterized by having at least one of the optical element and the image sensor.

18. The steps include controlling a plurality of drive units that move a movable element, which is either an optical element included in the imaging optical system or an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system, in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, The steps include: using information regarding the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of drive units to select a periodic drive unit from among the plurality of drive units that periodically moves the movable element; A control method characterized by having the following features.

19. The steps include controlling the drive of a first drive unit that moves an optical element included in the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and controlling the drive of a second drive unit that moves an image sensor that receives a light beam from the imaging optical system in a direction different from the optical axis direction, Using information regarding the shake, the step of selecting a periodic drive unit from among the first drive unit and the second drive unit that causes the optical element or the image sensor to move periodically in a manner different from image shake correction during the exposure time, A control method characterized by having the following features.

20. A program characterized by causing a computer to perform processing according to the control method described in claim 18 or 19.

Images