WO2023228609A1

WO2023228609A1 - Lens device, imaging device, and lens drive method

Info

Publication number: WO2023228609A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/014726
Authority: WO
Inventors: 正信伊藤
Original assignee: ソニーグループ株式会社
Priority date: 2022-05-27
Filing date: 2023-04-11
Publication date: 2023-11-30

Abstract

A lens device according to the present technology comprises: an operation ring which is rotationally operated around an axis; an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction; and a calculation processing unit for determining the movement direction and the movement amount of the optical lens in accordance with the operation direction and the operation amount for the operation ring. In the operation ring, a rotation position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is defined as a first rotation position, and a rotation position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is defined as a second rotation position. The calculation processing unit determines the movement amount such that the optical lens is not to move in a case where the rotation position of the operation ring is outside a coverable range defined as being from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

Description

Lens device, imaging device, lens driving method

The present technology relates to a lens device, an imaging device, and a lens driving method that include an operation ring such as a focus operation ring or a zoom operation ring.

For example, in various lens devices such as interchangeable lenses, video cameras, and digital still cameras, optical elements such as lenses are arranged inside, and the optical elements are moved in the optical axis direction by rotating an operating ring provided on the outer circumference. Some cameras are configured to allow focusing and zooming.

Examples of methods for performing focusing and zooming by rotating the operating ring include mechanical drive methods and electric drive methods. The mechanical drive method is a method in which a cam ring that moves the optical element and an operating ring are mechanically connected, and a force corresponding to the rotation of the operating ring is mechanically transmitted to the cam ring to move the optical element. .

In addition, in the electric drive method, the amount and direction of rotation of the operating ring are electrically read by a predetermined sensor, the arithmetic circuit calculates the amount of drive of the optical element, and the drive circuit drives the actuator based on the calculated amount of drive. This is a method (so-called by-wire method) in which the optical element is moved by using a wire.

The electric drive system is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-117391

The electric drive method moves the optical element using an electric actuator, so unlike the mechanical drive method, the rotational position of the operating ring and the position of the optical element in the optical axis direction are not necessarily fixed.

For example, taking a focus lens as an example of an optical element, the focus lens is movable within a movable range from the Near end to the Far end in the optical axis direction. If the focus operation ring, which is an operation ring corresponding to the focus ring, continues to be rotated, the focus lens will eventually reach either the Near end or the Far end.

When the focus operation ring is further rotated toward the Near side with the focus lens reaching the Near end, only the focus operation ring is rotated while the focus lens remains at the Near end.

When the focus operation ring is rotated from there to the Far side, movement of the focus lens toward the Far end is immediately started. At this time, a problem arises in that the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring and the position of the focus lens in the optical axis direction deviates.

When photographing, preparations may be made by marking the rotational position of the focus operation ring that corresponds to the position of the subject to be focused on. However, there is a possibility that the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring and the position of the focus lens in the optical axis direction may deviate, so even if the focus operation ring is aligned with the marked rotation position, it will not always be as set. It does not necessarily mean that the subject will be in focus.

The present technology has been developed in view of these problems, and aims to prevent the correspondence between the rotational position of the operating ring and the position of the optical lens in the optical axis direction from being no longer maintained.

A lens device according to the present technology includes an operation ring that is rotatably operated in a direction around an axis, an optical lens that is movable between a first end and a second end in an optical axis direction, and an operation direction and amount of operation for the operation ring. an arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens according to the operation ring, and the operating ring has a first rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens, and A rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is defined as a second rotational position, and the arithmetic processing unit defines a corresponding range in which the rotational position of the operating ring is from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the distance is outside the range.
As a result, even if the operating ring is turned excessively toward the Far side from the first rotation position, the optical lens remains positioned at the Far end. When the optical lens is rotated from a rotation position that is too far to the first rotation position to the Near side, the optical lens does not move in accordance with the rotation of the operating ring until it returns to the first rotation position. The same applies when the operating ring is turned excessively from the second rotational position to the Near side, and the optical lens is not moved until it returns to the second rotational position from the rotational position where the operation ring was turned too much towards the Near side. do not have.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an imaging device including a lens device of the present technology. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the lens device taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 1 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the detection pattern part in embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the detection unit seen from the operation ring side. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between a detection section and a detection pattern section. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing waveforms of each light reception signal with a phase difference of 90 degrees. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a lens device and a main body. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a focus lens movable range and a rotational position of a focus operation ring. This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the focus lens movable range and the rotational position of the focus operation ring together with FIG. 9, and this diagram shows a state in which the focus lens is located at the end of the focus lens movable range. This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the focus lens movable range and the rotational position of the focus operation ring together with FIG. 9, and this diagram is a diagram showing a state in which the relationship between the focus lens position and the rotational position of the focus operation ring is shifted. . This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the focus lens movable range and the rotational position of the focus operation ring together with FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a PI sensor fin and a PI sensor used as a mechanism for moving the focus lens to a reference position. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a PI sensor fin and a PI sensor. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the initial setting processing section. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a lens movement amount calculation section. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by a lens-side control unit to calculate a lens movement amount. It is a schematic perspective view which expands and shows a part of lens apparatus in order to show the specific example of a structure of a switching operator. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a lens device and a main body according to a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen for switching a 1st mode and a 2nd mode. 7 is a flowchart of a process for notifying that the focus lens has reached a storage position.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<1. Configuration of imaging device>
<2. Configuration for detecting the amount of rotation of the operating ring>
<3. Functional configuration of imaging device>
<4. Functional configuration of lens side control section>
<5. Second embodiment>
<6. Modified example>
<7. Summary＞
<8. This technology＞

<1. Configuration of imaging device>
In the following description, the subject side with respect to the imaging device 1 will be described as being in front. That is, the front-rear direction coincides with the optical axis direction of the imaging device 1. However, these directions are made for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging device 1 in the first embodiment includes a main body 2 and a lens device 3 as an embodiment of the present technology.
The main body part 2 is provided with a peripheral part of an opening 2a opened on the front side as a main body side mount part 2m, and is connected to the lens side mount part 3m of the lens device 3 by, for example, a bayonet type. and the lens device 3 are electrically and physically connected.

The main body side mount part 2m and the lens side mount part 3m are provided with corresponding terminals, respectively. Examples of the terminal include a terminal for supplying power (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.

Note that in the following description, an example will be given in which the imaging device 1 is configured with a main body 2 and an interchangeable lens device 3, but the present technology is not limited to this. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a type in which a lens barrel having a structure similar to that of the present invention is incorporated, and to a collapsible type in which this lens barrel protrudes from or is housed in the main body of the device.

One end of the main body part 2 in the left and right direction is provided as a grip part 2b so that it can be easily held by the photographer.

The main body part 2 is made up of necessary parts arranged inside and outside the outer casing 4. Specifically, various operating units 5 are arranged on the front, top, and rear surfaces of the outer casing 4. The operation unit 5 includes, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a zoom knob, a shooting mode dial, and the like.

A rear monitor 6, indicated by a broken line, is arranged on the rear surface of the outer casing 4 so that its display surface faces rearward. The rear monitor 6 is configured with a panel type display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, and is capable of displaying images. Examples of images displayed on the rear monitor 6 include live view images, images read from the recording medium 33, and GUI (Graphical User Interface) as various operation screens such as menu screens. be able to.

Note that when the back monitor 6 has a touch panel function, the back monitor 6 also functions as the operation unit 5.

The rear end portion of the lens device 3 is provided as the aforementioned lens side mount portion 3m.

The lens device 3 includes a lens housing 7 and various optical elements 8 arranged inside the lens housing 7. As the optical element 8, for example, a front lens 8m, a focus lens Lf, a zoom lens Lz, an iris, a relay lens, etc. are provided.

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

A plurality of rotatably supported annular operation rings 9 are provided on the outer periphery of the lens housing 7, one of which is a focus operation ring 9f corresponding to the focus lens Lf, and the other is a focus operation ring 9f that corresponds to the focus lens Lf. The zoom operation ring 9z corresponds to the lens Lz.

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

In the following description, the first direction R1 is assumed to be clockwise when viewed from the photographer, and the second direction R2 is assumed to be counterclockwise when viewed from the photographer (see FIG. 1). Note that when the direction around the optical axis is expressed without distinguishing between the first direction R1 and the second direction R2, it is written as the direction around the axis R.

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

The photographer can perform focusing by rotating the focus operation ring 9f. Further, it is possible to perform zooming by rotating the zoom operation ring 9z.

An operator 10 is provided on the outer periphery of the lens housing 7. In this embodiment, the operator 10 includes a shake correction operator for switching on/off of shake correction drive, a power zoom operator for performing motor-driven zooming, and the like. In addition, in this embodiment, a switching operator 10a is provided as the operator 10 for switching between a manual mode in which focusing is performed manually and an auto mode in which focusing is performed automatically. The switching operator 10a will be described later.

Note that the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z are one form of the operator 10.

<2. Configuration for detecting the amount of rotation of the operating ring>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lens device 3 taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and shows a cross section of the focus operation ring 9f.

In the lens device 3, the focus lens Lf is driven according to the rotational operation of the focus operation ring 9f using the electric drive method described above. That is, the focus lens Lf is driven in the optical axis direction by an actuator arranged inside the lens device 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the broken line portion in FIG. 2.
A fixing member 11 having a substantially annular shape is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the focus operation ring 9f (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The fixing member 11 has a fixed position inside the lens device 3, and the outer circumferential surface 11a faces the inner circumferential surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f.
A substantially circular opening 13 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the fixing member 11 .

The inner peripheral surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f is provided with a detection pattern section 16 in which reflective surfaces 14 and non-reflective surfaces 15 are alternately arranged over the entire circumference in the axial direction R (see FIGS. 2 and 2). (See Figure 3).

Various configurations of the reflective surface 14 and the non-reflective surface 15 are possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the focus operation ring 9f is made of a metal with high light reflectivity, such as aluminum, so that the inner circumferential surface 12 is a metal surface. Further, on the inner circumferential surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f, non-reflective carriers 17 made of a resin material with low light reflectance, such as black resin, are arranged at predetermined intervals along the axial direction R. ing. These non-reflective carriers 17 are formed into a film shape by, for example, printing.

In the detection pattern section 16, a portion of the inner peripheral surface 12 of the focus operation ring 9f where the non-reflective carrier 17 is not arranged is formed as a reflective surface 14, and a surface facing inside of the non-reflective carrier 17 is formed as a non-reflective surface 15. It consists of being

Note that the focus operation ring 9f does not need to be made of metal; it is sufficient that the inner circumferential surface 12 has a high light reflectance, for example, by applying metal plating or a light reflecting sheet to the inner circumferential surface 12.

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

In the detection pattern section 16, the reflective surface 14 and the non-reflective surface 15 are formed at a constant pitch. That is, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4, in the detection pattern section 16, the width w14 of each reflective surface 14 in the axial direction R matches the width w15 of each non-reflective surface 15 in the axial direction R. There is.
The width w14 and the width w15 are, for example, 0.3 mm or less. Thereby, detection resolution sufficient for practical use can be obtained.

In order to detect the movement of the detection pattern section 16 in the axial direction R, a detection section 18 is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface 11a of the fixed member 11 (see FIG. 3).

A schematic perspective view of the detection unit 18 is shown in FIG.
The detection unit 18 includes, for example, a wiring board 19 which is a flexible board fixed to the outer peripheral surface 11a, a light emitting element 20 mounted outward on the wiring board 19, a board 21, and a board 21 provided on the board 21. It includes a first light receiving element 22, a second light receiving element 23, and a surrounding portion 24.

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 that receives light, and the second light receiving element 23 is similarly provided with a light receiving surface 23a.

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

The enclosure portion 24 is formed as a portion that protrudes from the wiring board 19 in its thickness direction and surrounds 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, it is also possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from adhering to the light emitting surface 20a and the

light receiving surfaces

22a, 23a.
Therefore, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy regarding the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation.

The light emitted from the light emitting surface 20a is reflected by the detection pattern section 16 and received by the light receiving surface 22a and the light receiving surface 23a (see FIG. 6). At this time, the reflectance of light is increased on the reflective surface 14 of the detection pattern section 16 and the reflectance of light is decreased on the non-reflective surface 15, so that the light is output from the first light receiving element 22 and the second light receiving element 23. The received light signal is approximately a sine wave.

Further, the phase difference between the first light receiving signal S1 outputted from the first light receiving element 22 and the second light receiving signal S2 outputted from the second light receiving element 23 allows the rotation direction of the focus operation ring 9f around the axis to be determined. This is approximately 90 degrees (see FIG. 7).
In other words, the light-receiving surface 22a of the first light-receiving element 22 and the light-receiving surface 23a of the second light-receiving element 23 are spaced apart from each other so that the phase difference between the waveforms of the output signals is approximately 90 degrees.

The rotation direction of the focus operation ring 9f around the axis can be determined by detecting which signal, the first light reception signal S1 or the second light reception signal S2, is relatively advanced by 90 degrees.

<3. Functional configuration of imaging device>
FIG. 8 shows the functional configuration of the imaging device 1.

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

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

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

The main body side control unit 25 is configured with a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The overall control of the imaging device 1 is performed by reading the program stored in the storage device into the RAM and executing it.

The main body memory 34 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and can be used to store operating programs for the main body control unit 25 and various data.

The main body-side control unit 25 causes the imaging device 28 to perform imaging processing based on the operation signal representing the photographer's operation supplied from the operation unit 5. Furthermore, a predetermined command is transmitted to the lens device 3 side via the main body side mount section 2m to drive the focus lens Lf, zoom lens Lz, etc.

Further, the main body side control unit 25 can obtain, for example, information indicating the lens position of the focus lens Lf, information indicating the lens position of the zoom lens Lz, etc. from a lens position detection unit (not shown) in the lens device 3. .

The shutter 26 is arranged in front of the image sensor 28 (on the subject side) and opens and closes under the control of the shutter control section 27. When the shutter 26 is in the closed state, the light from the object that has passed through the optical system of the lens device 3 is blocked. The shutter control section 27 detects the open/closed state of the shutter 26 and supplies information indicating the detection result to the main body control section 25. The shutter control section 27 drives the shutter 26 into an open state or a closed state based on the control of the main body side control section 25.

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

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

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 demosaic processing, white balance (WB) adjustment, and gamma correction processing.
The image signal processing unit 31 performs image signal processing on the captured image as a RAW image input via the frame memory 30, converts it into image data in a predetermined file format, and stores the image data on a recording medium via the recording unit 32. 33 to record.
Further, the image signal processing unit 31 converts the captured image subjected to the image signal processing into an image signal according to a predetermined display format, and supplies the signal to the rear monitor 6 to display the captured image.

The recording medium 33 is composed of a nonvolatile memory, and the recording unit 32 is configured to be able to write data to the recording medium 33 and read data recorded on the recording medium 33. Here, the recording medium 33 may be detachably attached to the main body section 2 .

In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the main body 2 includes a configuration for communicating with the lens device 3.

The lens device 3 includes the above-mentioned lens side mount section 3m, focus operation ring 9f, zoom operation ring 9z, switching operation element 10a, focus lens Lf as optical element 8, aperture Di, focus lens Lf, and detection section 18 (not shown). In addition to the lens position detection section, the lens side control section 37, a lens side memory 38, a power supply control section 39, a focus lens driver 40, an aperture driver 41, a zoom lens driver 42, and a notification section 43 are provided.

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

The lens-side control unit 37 is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the CPU reads a program stored in a predetermined storage device such as the ROM or lens-side memory 38 into the RAM and executes it. By doing so, the entire lens device 3 is controlled.

For example, the lens-side control section 37 controls the zoom lens Lz based on an instruction from the main body section 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount section 3m or an operation received by the operator by the operation section 5. control the position of Specifically, the lens-side control unit 37 acquires the current position of the zoom lens Lz from a lens position detection unit constituted by a magnetic sensor (MR sensor), etc., and moves the zoom lens Lz to a predetermined position based on the acquired result. The moving direction and moving amount are determined, and the determined moving direction and moving amount are output to the zoom lens driver 42 along with a moving command. Based on the movement command supplied from the lens-side control unit 37, the zoom lens driver 42 moves the zoom lens Lz in the optical axis direction so as to follow the specified movement direction and movement amount.

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

The lens-side control unit 37 controls (the aperture diameter of) the diaphragm Di in response to instructions from the main body 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount unit 3m. Specifically, the lens side control section 37 acquires the aperture diameter of the aperture Di detected by the aperture detection sensor in the lens position detection section, and controls the aperture driver 41 to obtain the F value instructed by the main body section 2. A command is issued to drive the aperture Di. The aperture driver 41 drives the aperture Di to have the aperture diameter instructed by the lens-side control unit 37.

The lens-side control section 37 controls the position of the focus lens Lf based on instructions from the main body section 2 supplied via a predetermined communication terminal of the lens-side mount section 3m.
In the AF control, for example, information on a target focus lens position (target focus lens position) is instructed from the main body 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 information on the acquired current position and the information on the target focus lens position instructed from the main body 2, adjusts the focus lens Lf. The moving direction and moving amount for moving the lens to the target position are determined, and the determined moving direction and moving amount are output to the focus lens driver 40 along with a moving command. The focus lens driver 40 moves the focus lens Lf in the optical axis direction so as to follow the specified movement direction and movement amount.

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 are integrally displaced during focus adjustment.
Note that this also applies to the zoom lens Lz. That is, the zoom lens Lz is configured as a "zoom lens group" that includes one or more optical elements, and when the zoom lens group includes multiple optical elements, these optical elements are integrated as a zoom adjustment. It becomes something that is displaced.

In this example, the zoom lens Lz and the focus lens Lf are each composed of one zoom lens group and one focus lens group, but it is also possible to configure each of them to include a plurality of zoom lens groups and a plurality of focus lens groups. be.

The focus lens driver 40 can be configured to include, for example, an ultrasonic motor, a DC motor, a linear actuator, a stepping motor, a piezo element (piezoelectric element), etc. as a lens drive source.

The lens-side memory 38 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and can be used to store operation programs for the lens-side control section 37 and various data.

The power supply control unit 39 detects the amount of power of the power supplied from the main body 2, and controls the power to each part in the lens device 3 (lens side control unit 37 and various drive units) based on the detected amount of power. Supply power by optimally distributing the amount.

The notification unit 43 is provided to notify the photographer that the focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz has reached the end of its movable range. The notification unit 43 may be configured as a light emitting body that provides notification by emitting light, a speaker that provides notification by sound, or a vibration element that provides notification by vibration. Alternatively, the notification unit 43 may be configured to provide notification using an image using the rear monitor 6.

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

<4. Functional configuration of lens side control section>
The lens-side control unit 37 in this embodiment drives the zoom lens Lz and the focus lens Lf when the photographer operates the focus operation ring 9f and the zoom operation ring 9z as the operators 10. In the following description, the focus lens Lf will be taken as an example.

There are mainly two possible driving methods for moving the focus lens Lf in accordance with the operation of the focus operation ring 9f. One is a method in which the amount and direction of movement of the focus lens Lf are determined according to the amount and direction of rotation of the focus operation ring 9f. The other method is a method in which the amount and direction of movement of the focus lens Lf are determined according to the angular velocity and rotation direction of the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f.

In the implementation of the present technology, the focus lens Lf is moved according to the amount and direction of rotation of the former focus operation ring 9f.

The focus lens Lf is movable in the optical axis direction, but the range of movement is mechanically or controlled. Here, the term “focus lens movable range Rf” is used without distinguishing between the two. Further, the ends of the focus lens movable range Rf are the aforementioned "Near end" and "Far end", respectively.

While the focus lens movable range Rf is a finite range, the range in which the focus operation ring 9f can be rotated is infinite (see FIG. 9). Therefore, if the focus operation ring 9f continues to be rotated in one direction, for example, in the first direction R1, the focus lens Lf will eventually reach the Far end of the focus lens movable range Rf (see FIG. 10). The rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f at this time is defined as a first rotational position P1.

Furthermore, if the focus operation ring 9f continues to be rotated in the second direction R2, the focus lens Lf will eventually reach the Near end of the focus lens movable range Rf. The rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f at this time is defined as a second rotational position P2.

When the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f is further continued in the first direction R1 from the state shown in FIG. 10 in which the focus lens Lf has reached the Far end, the focus operation ring 9f is rotated while the focus lens Lf is located at the Far end. This results in a so-called over-rotation condition (see FIG. 11). In a state where it is turned too much, as shown in FIG. 11, the relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf becomes deviated.

When the rotation operation of rotating the focus operation ring 9f in the opposite direction, that is, the second direction R2, is started from this over-rotation state, there are two possible behaviors of the focus lens Lf.

One is a mode in which the focus lens Lf is moved while maintaining the correspondence between the Far end and the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f, and the correspondence between the Near end and the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f. . Specifically, until the focus operation ring 9f is rotated in the second direction R2 by the amount by which the focus operation ring 9f has been rotated too much from the Far end, that is, the discrepancy in the relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf is resolved. The rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f is ignored until the state shown in FIG. 10 is reached. This behavior is referred to as "first mode M1."

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

The other is a mode in which the focus lens Lf is moved to the Near end side in a state where the correspondence between the rotational position of the Far end and the focus operation ring 9f and the correspondence between the rotational position of the Near end and the focus operation ring 9f are deviated. It is. Specifically, the point where the operating direction of the rotation operation of the focus operation ring 9f is changed, ie, the turning point, is set as a new first rotation position P1 corresponding to the Far end of the focus lens Lf (see FIG. 12). This behavior is referred to as "second mode M2." Note that in FIG. 12, the new second rotational position P2 is not illustrated.

In the second mode M2, when the focus operation ring 9f is rotated, the focus lens Lf can always be moved as long as the focus lens Lf is in a movable direction. Therefore, even if the focus lens Lf is turned too much as described above, it is possible to immediately move the focus lens Lf, and a quick focusing operation can be performed.

In order to control the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 as described above, the lens side control section 37 includes an initial setting processing section F1, a notification processing section F2, a lens movement amount calculation section F3, and a switching processing section. Functions as F4 (see Figure 8).

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

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

As shown in FIG. 14, the PI sensor 45 is formed into a substantially U-shape with both ends bent in the same direction, and a light emitter 45a is provided at one of the ends, and a light receiving section 45b is provided at the other end. ing.

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

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

FIG. 15 shows the flow of processing executed by the lens side control unit 37 when the lens side control unit 37 functions as the initial setting processing unit F1.

First, in step S101, the lens-side control unit 37 determines whether the output of the PI sensor 45 is "H: High". When the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L: Low", as shown in FIG. 14, the light emitted from the light emitter 45a of the PI sensor 45 is blocked by the PI sensor fin 44 and reaches the light receiving part 45b. There is no condition.

In this case, the lens-side control unit 37 moves the focus lens Lf to the Near side in step S102. The amount of movement of the focus lens Lf at this time is the minimum amount of movement according to the movement resolution.

By repeating the determination process in step S101 and the movement process in step S102, the PI sensor fin 44 is moved to the Near side until the light receiving section 45b is in a state where it can receive a predetermined amount of light or more.

If it is determined in step S101 that the output of the PI sensor 45 is "H: High", the lens-side control unit 37 moves the focus lens Lf to the Far side in step S103. The amount of movement of the focus lens Lf at this time is also set to the minimum amount of movement according to the movement resolution.

Subsequently, in step S104, the lens-side control unit 37 determines whether the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L". If the process in step S104 is executed after the process in step S102 has been executed several times, the output of the PI sensor 45 is normally determined to be "L" in the determination process in step S104.

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

If it is determined in step S104 that the output of the PI sensor 45 is "L", that is, if it is determined that the output of the PI sensor 45 once became "H" and then became "L" again, the lens side control unit 37 performs a process of setting the current position of the focus lens Lf as a reference position in step S105.

Thereby, the focus lens Lf is controlled to be always positioned at a predetermined position when the imaging device 1 is started. Note that the series of processes shown in FIG. 15 is executed not only when the imaging device 1 is started, but also when the reset button is pressed, so that even when shooting is performed after the imaging device 1 is started, The imaging device 1 can be returned to the initial state as appropriate.

The notification processing unit F2 shown in FIG. 8 performs processing to notify the photographer when the focus lens Lf reaches the Near end or the Far end. Specifically, the tactile stimulus is transmitted to the photographer by sending a tactile signal to a vibrator serving as a notification unit 43 provided in the focus lens Lf.

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

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

Note that the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 changes the driving method of the focus lens Lf depending on the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 described above. FIG. 16 shows the behavior of the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 when the focus lens Lf is driven in the first mode M1.

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

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

Processing block B2 integrates the amount of movement of the focus lens Lf calculated from the amount of operation performed on the focus operation ring 9f after the imaging device 1 is started or after the imaging device 1 is reset, and adds the amount to the reference position to adjust the focus. This block calculates and holds the target position of the lens Lf.

The target position of the focus lens Lf calculated here does not take into account the focus lens movable range Rf, and is stored in the lens side memory 38 as a "pre-processing target position". "Before processing" here means before performing the processing described below in consideration of the focus lens movable range Rf.

An example of calculating the target position before processing will be described.
For example, movement toward the Far side is defined as a movement on the plus side, and movement toward the Near side is defined as movement on the minus side. When a position 50 μm from the Near end is set as the reference position, the first operation moves 3 pulses (for example, 3 μm) toward the Far side, and the next operation moves 10 pulses (for example, 10 μm) toward the Near side. When this has been performed, the integrated value of the movement amount is a movement of "-7" pulses, that is, an operation of moving 7 pulses from the initial position to the Near side has been performed. At this time, a position 43 μm from the Near end is calculated as the pre-processing target position.

Processing block B3 is a block that obtains the current position of the focus lens Lf that has been stored.

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

Note that in processing block B2, the integrated value of the amount of movement of the focus operation ring 9f after starting or resetting the imaging device 1 is held, so that the focus lens Lf can be rotated by an amount that has been turned too much from the Near end or Far end. Until it returns, the target position calculated in processing block B2 will be located outside the focus lens movable range Rf.
Therefore, the correspondence relationship between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf can be maintained.

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

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

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

Note that the behavior of the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 when driving the focus lens Lf in the second mode M2 is the same as in FIG. 16 without the processing of the processing block B2. That is, in the second mode M2, the pre-processing target position of the focus lens Lf is not calculated, and the operation amount for the focus operation ring 9f is added to the current position (processing block B4).
Therefore, the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf is not maintained.

FIG. 17 shows the flow of processing executed by the lens side control unit 37 when the lens side control unit 37 functions as the lens movement amount calculation unit F3.

In step S201, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 performs a process of converting the sine wave pulse detected by the detection unit 18 into the movement amount of the focus lens Lf.

Next, the lens movement amount calculation unit F3 calculates a pre-processing target position in step S202. As described above, the pre-processing target position is a target position that does not take into account the focus lens movable range Rf.

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

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

The lens movement amount calculation unit F3 performs limit processing in step S205. In the limit processing, the amount of movement is calculated in consideration of the focus lens movable range Rf, and a signal is output when the position of the focus lens Lf is located at the end of the focus lens movable range Rf.

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

Returning to the explanation of FIG.
The switching processing unit F4 performs switching between an auto mode in which focusing is performed automatically, and a first mode M1 and a second mode M2 in which focusing is performed manually, in response to an operation on the switching operator 10a. In the auto mode, operations on the focus operation ring 9f are disabled.

A specific example of the configuration of the switching operator 10a is shown in FIG. The switching operator 10a includes a recess 46 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens housing 7 and formed in the shape of a long and narrow groove in the optical axis direction, and a knob 47 that is slidable in the recess 46 in the optical axis direction. We are prepared.

The knob portion 47 can maintain its positions in the recessed portion 46 at a position on the main body portion 2 side (first position), at a substantially central position (second position), and at a position on the subject side (third position). It is considered possible. The switching operator 10a is held in a state in which the knob 47 is slid to the first position in the recess 46 when switching to the auto mode ("AF" in the figure), and when switching to the first mode M1 ("AF" in the figure). When switching to the second mode M2 ("MF2" in the figure), the knob 47 is slid and held in the second position in the recess 46. It is held in a slid state in the third position in the recess 46.

The switching processing unit F4 switches the control method for the focus lens Lf between the auto mode, the first mode M1, and the second mode M2 based on a detection signal that detects the position of the knob 47 in the recess 46.

<5. Second embodiment>
Unlike the first embodiment described above, the imaging device 1A in the second embodiment has a function of notifying when the focus lens Lf is located at a predetermined position. Further, switching between the auto mode, the first mode M1, and the second mode M2 is performed via the menu screen.

Here, parts of the imaging device 1A that are different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of parts having the same configuration will be omitted as appropriate.

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

In the main body section 2, a main body side control section 25 performs control for menu display. Through this menu display control, a mode selection screen G1 as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the rear monitor 6.

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

Option SL1 is for selecting the first mode M1. When option SL1 is selected, the behavior of the focus lens Lf when the manual mode is selected is that the focus is maintained while the correspondence between the rotational position of the focus operation ring 9f and the position of the focus lens Lf in the optical axis direction is maintained. The lens Lf is driven.

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

Furthermore, two button operators Btn1 and Btn2 are arranged on the mode selection screen G1.

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

The button operator Btn2 has the text "Cancel" superimposed on the button, and is an option that is pressed to end the display of the mode selection screen G1 without applying the selection operation to the options SL1 and SL2. .

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

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

For example, a memory operator 10b is used to store settings such as the position of the optical element 8 for focusing on a desired subject.

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

This allows the photographer to appropriately and quickly perform an operation to focus on a desired subject.

In addition, when the notification processing unit F2 performs notification using a vibrator mounted on the lens device 3A, the vibration pattern when the focus lens Lf reaches the end on the Near side and the end on the Far side The vibration pattern upon arrival may be different from the vibration pattern upon arrival at the storage position. This allows the photographer to appropriately grasp the position of the focus lens Lf, thereby improving convenience.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a process that the lens-side control unit 37 executes to realize the functions of the storage processing unit F5 and the notification processing unit F2. Note that FIG. 21 omits the process for notifying that the focus lens Lf has reached the end of the focus lens movable range Rf.

In step S301, the lens-side control unit 37 determines whether or not an operation on the storage operator 10b has been detected. If it is determined that the operation has been detected, the lens-side control unit 37 executes a storage process to store the current position of the focus lens Lf in step S302.

After the processing in step S302, or if it is determined in step S301 that no operation has been detected, the lens-side control unit 37 determines in step S303 whether or not a focusing operation by the photographer has been detected.

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

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

If it is determined that they match, the lens-side control unit 37 causes the notification unit 43 to perform notification processing in step S305.

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

<6. Modified example>
A vibrator serving as the notification section 43 may be provided in the main body section 2 in addition to the one described above.
For example, a vibrator may be provided on the grip section 2b (see FIG. 1) of the main body section 2 to provide tactile stimulation to the photographer's right palm.

The storage operator 10b described above may be provided in the main body section 2.
The lens device 3 attached to the main body 2 is easier to weigh than the main body 2. Therefore, by providing the vibrator as the notification section 43 and the memory operator 10b in the main body section 2, the degree of freedom in arranging components inside the lens device 3 can be improved, and the enlargement of the lens device 3 can be prevented. This makes it possible to suppress weight increase.

The Near end and Far end of the focus lens Lf described above may be set in a controlled manner not at the mechanical end but at a position with some margin from the mechanical end. This can prevent the Near end and Far end from differing from device to device due to manufacturing errors. That is, individual differences due to manufacturing errors of the imaging device 1 can be absorbed.

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

Then, processing block B2 performs a process of holding the operation amount of the excessive rotation operation and canceling it with the operation amount in the opposite direction. For example, when the Near end signal is set to "H", processing block B2 sets the operation amount to the Near side as a positive value and the operation amount to the Far side as a negative value. ) is integrated and stored in the lens side memory 38.
For example, when the Near end signal is set to "H" and an operation is performed to move it 10 μm toward the Near side, "10" is stored in the lens side memory 38. After that, when an operation is performed to move it 15 μm toward the Far side, it is canceled out with the 10 μm stored in the lens side memory 38, and the value that cannot be canceled out, 5 μm, is output to the processing block B4.

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

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

In addition, although the focus operation ring 9f, the focus lens Lf, and the focus lens driver 40 were explained as an example in the above-mentioned example, the zoom operation ring 9z, the zoom lens Lz, and the zoom lens driver 42 may also have the same configuration. Good too. In that case, by replacing the above-mentioned "Near" with "TELE" and "Far" with "WIDE", the zooming operation can be performed while maintaining the rotational position of the zoom operation ring 9z and the positional relationship of the zoom lens Lz. It can be performed.

<7. Summary>
As explained in each of the above examples, the lens device 3 (3A) includes an operation ring (focus operation ring 9f and zoom operation ring 9z) that is rotatably operated in the direction R around the axis, and a first end ( An optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) that can be moved between a second end (for example, a Far end or a WIDE end) and a second end (for example, a Near end or a TELE end), and an optical It is equipped with an arithmetic processing unit (lens-side control unit 37, 37A) that determines the direction and amount of movement of the lens, and the operation ring has a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens as a first rotational position P1. , the rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is defined as a second rotational position P2. Further, the arithmetic processing unit determines the amount of movement so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operating ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position P1 to the second rotational position P2.
This allows the optical lens to remain at the Far end (WIDE end in the case of the zoom lens Lz) even if the operating ring is turned excessively to the Far side from the first rotational position P1 (in the case of excessive turning as described above). be done. Then, when the rotation position is turned too far to the Far side (WIDE side in the case of the zoom lens Lz) than the first rotation position P1, when it is turned to the Near side (the TELE side in the case of the zoom lens Lz), the first rotation position The optical lens is not moved in accordance with the rotation of the operating ring until it returns to P1. The same applies when the operating ring is turned excessively from the second rotational position P2 to the Near side (TELE side in the case of the zoom lens Lz); The optical lens does not move until it returns to the second rotation position P2 from the rotation position it passed.
Therefore, since the rotational position of the operation ring and the position of the optical lens are maintained in correspondence, the photographer can sense the rotational position of the operation ring when performing the focusing operation again after performing the focusing operation once. By aligning with , you can easily perform appropriate focusing operations and achieve smooth focusing.

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

As described above, in the lens device 3 (3A), the optical lens may be the zoom lens Lz, the first end may be the TELE end, and the second end may be the WIDE end.
Thereby, by intuitively adjusting the rotational position of the zoom operation ring 9z to a predetermined rotational position, it is possible to roughly adjust to a desired angle of view.

As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the lens device 3 (3A) includes a notification section 43 that notifies that the position of the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) has reached a predetermined position. You can.
This allows the photographer to recognize that the optical lens has reached its movement limit or reached a desired position.

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

As explained with reference to FIG. 21 etc., in the lens device 3 (3A), the predetermined position is the rotational position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) specified by the photographer in the corresponding range. It may be set to a corresponding position.
For example, by aligning and registering the focus position at a predetermined position in advance, it is possible to easily adjust the focus position to a desired position when rotating the operating ring.

As described with reference to FIG. 19 etc., the lens device 3A includes a memory operator 10b that stores the rotational position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) specified by the photographer, and performs arithmetic processing. (lens-side control units 37, 37A) may perform notification processing using the notification unit 43 when the stored rotational position matches the rotational position of the operating ring being operated.
This allows the photographer to memorize a desired focus position and desired angle of view. Therefore, by perceiving the notification from the notification unit 43, it becomes possible to set a desired photographing state, and convenience is improved.

As described above, a vibrator may be provided as the notification section 43 in the lens device 3 (3A).
Vibration of the vibrator notifies that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) has reached its movement limit position. This allows the photographer to perceive the movable range of the optical lens even when looking through the finder, for example.

As explained with reference to FIG. 9 etc., the arithmetic processing section (lens side control section 37, 37A) of the lens device 3 (3A) sets the reference position of the optical lens (focus lens Lf and zoom lens Lz). Initial setting processing may also be performed.
The reference position of the optical lens is, for example, approximately the center of the movable range of the optical lens. In this way, the optical lens is moved to the reference position each time the initial setting process is executed, so that the optical lens is always adjusted according to the usual operation of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) Since it moves like this, it is suitable for intuitive operation.

As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the arithmetic processing unit (lens side control unit 37, 37A) of the lens device 3 (3A) is capable of switching between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2. 1 mode M1 sets the amount of movement so that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) is outside the corresponding range. The second mode M2 may be a mode in which the direction of movement and amount of movement are determined according to the direction and amount of rotation of the operation ring, regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring.
The preferred operation mode may differ depending on the photographer. For example, when the rotational operation of the operating ring extends beyond the corresponding range, one of the issues is whether or not the optical lens is moved in the opposite direction at the same time as the rotational direction is switched.
In the lens device 3 (3A) of the present technology, these modes can be switched, so the movement mode of the optical lens can be selected according to the photographer's preference, and convenience can be improved. can.

As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the lens device 3 (3A) may include a switching operator 10a that performs switching.
By providing the switching operator 10a, it is possible to easily switch between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2.

As described in each of the above examples, the imaging device 1 (1A) includes a main body 2 in which an image sensor 28 is disposed and a mount (main body side mount 2m), and a mount (main body side mount 2m). 2m), and the lens barrel includes an operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) that is rotatably operated in the direction R around the axis, and an optical An optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) that is movable between a first end and a second end in the axial direction, and the direction and amount of movement of the optical lens are determined according to the direction and amount of operation with respect to the operation ring. a calculation processing unit (lens side control unit 37, 37A), and the operation ring has a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens as a first rotational position P1, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens. The rotational position is set as the second rotational position P2, and the arithmetic processing unit determines whether the optical lens is rotated when the rotational position of the operating ring is outside the corresponding range from the first rotational position P1 to the second rotational position P2. The amount of movement may be determined so as not to move.
Thereby, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained in the imaging device 1 (1A). In other words, since the rotational position of the operation ring and the position of the optical lens are maintained in correspondence, the photographer can sense the rotational position of the operation ring when performing the focusing operation once and then again. By aligning with , you can easily perform appropriate focusing operations and achieve smooth focusing.

As described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the main body 2 of the imaging device 1 (1A) is configured such that the position of the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) reaches either the first end or the second end. It may also include a notification section 43 that notifies the user of the fact that he/she has done so.
As a result, for example, when the imaging device 1 (1A) is equipped with a lens barrel as an interchangeable lens device 3 (3A), the photographer can use the optical It can be recognized that the lens has reached its travel limit.

As described above, in the imaging device 1 (1A), a vibrator may be provided as the notification section 43.
A vibrator serving as the notification section 43 is provided, for example, in a grip portion of the main body section 2. This allows the photographer to perceive that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) has reached its movement limit.

As explained with reference to FIG. 20 etc., the arithmetic processing unit (lens side control unit 37A) in the imaging device 1A detects that the rotational position of the operation ring (focus operation ring 9f or zoom operation ring 9z) is outside the corresponding range. A first mode M1 determines the amount of movement so that the optical lens (focus lens Lf or zoom lens Lz) does not move when Displaying a menu (displaying mode selection screen G1) for switching between the second mode M2 that determines the direction and amount of movement, and switching between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 according to the operation on the menu display. Processing may be performed.
By switching between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 by operating the menu display, it is possible to reduce the number of parts compared to providing a switching button, etc., and reduce manufacturing man-hours and manufacturing costs. be able to.

The lens driving method in the present technology includes an optical lens (a focus lens Lf or a zoom lens Lz) that is movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction, and an optical lens that is rotated in a direction R around the axis. The operating ring 9 (focus operating ring 9f, zoom operating ring 9z) has a rotational position corresponding to the first end as a first rotational position P1, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens as a second rotational position P2. ), the moving direction and moving amount of the optical lens are determined according to the operating direction and operating amount with respect to the operating ring, and the rotational position of the operating ring is set to the first rotation. A lens device serving as a computer device executes a process of determining a movement amount so that the optical lens does not move when the optical lens is outside the corresponding range from the position P1 to the second rotational position P2.

The program in this technology has a function of determining the moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens according to the operating direction and amount of operation with respect to the operating ring, and the function of determining the rotational position of the operating ring from the first rotational position P1 to the second rotational position P2. A program that causes the arithmetic processing unit (lens-side control unit 37, 37A) of the lens device 3 (3A) to execute a function of determining the amount of movement so that the optical lens does not move when the optical lens is outside the specified compatible range. It is.
With such a program, various types of processing as the lens device 3 (3A) described above can be realized.

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

Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also exist.

Moreover, the above-mentioned examples may be combined in any way, and even when various combinations are used, it is possible to obtain the various effects described above.

<8. This technology>
Note that the present technology can also adopt the following configuration.
(1)
an operating ring that is rotated around the axis;
an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction;
an arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens according to the operating direction and operating amount with respect to the operating ring,
The operation ring has a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens as a first rotational position, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens as a second rotational position,
The arithmetic processing unit determines the amount of movement so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside a corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Lens device.
(2)
The optical lens is a focus lens,
The first end is a Far end,
The lens device according to (1) above, wherein the second end is a Near end.
(3)
The optical lens is a zoom lens,
The first end is a TELE end,
The lens device according to (1) above, wherein the second end is a WIDE end.
(4)
The lens device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, including a notification unit that notifies that the position of the optical lens has reached a predetermined position.
(5)
The lens device according to (4) above, wherein the predetermined position is either the first end or the second end.
(6)
The lens device according to (4) above, wherein the predetermined position is a position corresponding to a rotational position of the operating ring specified by the photographer in the corresponding range.
(7)
comprising a memory operator for storing the rotational position of the operating ring specified by the photographer;
The arithmetic processing unit is
The lens device according to (6) above, wherein notification processing using the notification unit is performed when the stored rotational position and the rotational position of the operating ring during operation match.
(8)
The lens device according to any one of (4) to (7) above, wherein a vibrator is provided as the notification section.
(9)
The lens device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the arithmetic processing unit performs initial setting processing to set a reference position of the optical lens.
(10)
The arithmetic processing unit is capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode,
The first mode is a mode in which the amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range,
The second mode is a mode in which the moving direction and the moving amount are determined according to the rotational direction and rotation amount of the operating ring, regardless of the rotational position of the operating ring. (1) to (9) above. The lens device according to any one of.
(11)
The lens device according to (10) above, including a switching operator that performs the switching.
(12)
A main body portion having an image sensor disposed therein and a mount portion;
a lens barrel attached to the mount section,
The lens barrel is
an operating ring that is rotated around the axis;
an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction;
an arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens according to the operating direction and operating amount with respect to the operating ring,
The operation ring has a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens as a first rotational position, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens as a second rotational position,
The arithmetic processing unit determines the amount of movement so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside a corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Imaging device.
(13)
The imaging device according to (12), wherein the main body includes a notification unit that reports that the position of the optical lens has reached either the first end or the second end.
(14)
The imaging device according to (13) above, wherein a vibrator is provided as the notification section.
(15)
The arithmetic processing unit is
a first mode in which the amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range; and a first mode in which the operation ring rotates regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring. Displaying a menu for switching between a second mode that determines the moving direction and the moving amount according to the direction and the amount of rotation;
The imaging device according to any one of (12) to (14) above, wherein a switching process is performed to switch between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with an operation on the menu display.
(16)
an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction;
The optical lens is rotated in a direction around the axis, and a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is a first rotational position, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is a second rotational position. As a lens driving method for a lens device equipped with an operation ring,
The moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens are determined according to the operating direction and operating amount for the operating ring, and the rotational position of the operating ring is within a corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. A lens driving method in which the amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the optical lens is out of range.

1, 1A Imaging device 2 Main unit 2m Main unit

side mount unit

3, 3A Lens device 9f Focus operation ring 9z Zoom operation ring

10a Switching operator

10b Memory operator 37, 37A Lens side control unit (arithmetic processing unit)
43 Notification unit Lf Focus lens Lz Zoom lens M1 First mode M2 Second mode P1 First rotation position P2 Second rotation position R Direction around the axis

Claims

an operating ring that is rotated around the axis;
an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction;
an arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens according to the operating direction and operating amount with respect to the operating ring,
The operation ring has a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens as a first rotational position, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens as a second rotational position,
The arithmetic processing unit determines the amount of movement so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside a corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Lens device.
The optical lens is a focus lens,
The first end is a Far end,
The lens device according to claim 1, wherein the second end is a Near end.
The optical lens is a zoom lens,
The first end is a TELE end,
The lens device according to claim 1, wherein the second end is a WIDE end.
The lens device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that reports that the position of the optical lens has reached a predetermined position.
The lens device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined position is either the first end or the second end.
The lens device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined position is a position corresponding to a rotational position of the operating ring specified by the photographer in the corresponding range.
comprising a memory operator for storing the rotational position of the operating ring specified by the photographer;
The arithmetic processing unit is
The lens device according to claim 6, wherein a notification process using the notification unit is performed when the stored rotational position and the rotational position of the operating ring during operation match.
The lens device according to claim 4, wherein a vibrator is provided as the notification section.
The lens device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing unit performs initial setting processing to set a reference position of the optical lens.
The arithmetic processing unit is capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode,
The first mode is a mode in which the amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range,
The lens device according to claim 1, wherein the second mode is a mode in which the movement direction and the movement amount are determined according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the operation ring, regardless of the rotation position of the operation ring.
The lens device according to claim 10, further comprising a switching operator that performs the switching.
A main body portion having an image sensor disposed therein and a mount portion;
a lens barrel attached to the mount section,
The lens barrel is
an operating ring that is rotated around the axis;
an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction;
an arithmetic processing unit that determines the moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens according to the operating direction and operating amount with respect to the operating ring,
The operation ring has a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens as a first rotational position, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens as a second rotational position,
The arithmetic processing unit determines the amount of movement so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside a corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Imaging device.
The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein the main body includes a notification unit that reports that the position of the optical lens has reached either the first end or the second end.
The imaging device according to claim 13, further comprising a vibrator as the notification section.
The arithmetic processing unit is
a first mode in which the amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the rotational position of the operation ring is outside the corresponding range; and a first mode in which the operation ring rotates regardless of the rotational position of the operation ring. Displaying a menu for switching between a second mode that determines the moving direction and the moving amount according to the direction and the amount of rotation;
The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein a switching process is performed to switch between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with an operation on the menu display.
an optical lens movable between a first end and a second end in the optical axis direction;
The optical lens is rotated in a direction around the axis, and a rotational position corresponding to the first end of the optical lens is a first rotational position, and a rotational position corresponding to the second end of the optical lens is a second rotational position. As a lens driving method for a lens device equipped with an operation ring,
The moving direction and amount of movement of the optical lens are determined according to the operating direction and operating amount for the operating ring, and the rotational position of the operating ring is within a corresponding range from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. A lens driving method in which the amount of movement is determined so that the optical lens does not move when the optical lens is out of range.