JP2005084311A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To house a zoom lens in a camera main body even when a system is stopped in a state where the zoom lens is extended from the camera main body. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is equipped with a zoom forcible housing circuit 41 for housing the zoom lens in the camera main body in the manner of hardware without depending on the control of a microcomputer 35 when the operation of the microcomputer 35 is stopped because of resetting the system. The circuit 41 is constituted of a transistor 42, an inverter circuit 43, OR circuits 44 and 45, and a resistance R2 or the like, and detects that the zoom lens is in an extended state from the camera main body when the operation of the microcomputer 35 being a master control circuit is stopped, and generates a control signal to a zoom motor power source circuit 33 and a zoom motor driver 36 regardless of the operation state of the microcomputer 35, whereby the zoom lens is housed in the camera main body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly to a zoom lens driving method at the time of system reset in an imaging apparatus including a zoom lens.

  Some imaging apparatuses such as digital cameras can optically adjust the focal length with a subject by moving a zoom lens on the optical axis. Normally, when the power is turned off, the zoom lens (specifically, the lens barrel that supports the zoom lens) is housed in the camera body, and is pulled out from the camera body when the power is turned on. It is like that. Note that housing the zoom lens (lens barrel) in the camera body is called “collapse”.

  In an imaging apparatus equipped with such a zoom lens, a technique is known in which the zoom lens is automatically housed in the camera body based on a predetermined condition. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a camera having a film pack with a built-in battery is targeted, when all the films in the film pack are used for shooting, or when a door for loading the film pack is opened In addition, it is disclosed that a zoom lens (lens barrel) is automatically housed in a camera body.

  However, the control of the zoom lens including the control as in Patent Document 1 is all performed by a microcomputer. For this reason, for example, if the microcomputer is system reset due to a sudden drop in battery voltage due to a heavy load on the camera, for example, the microcomputer cannot output a control signal for the zoom lens, and as a result, the zoom lens is extended from the camera body. There is a problem that it stops in the state where it is kept.

This will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a zoom control apparatus used in a conventional digital camera. A battery 31, a standby power circuit 32, a zoom motor power circuit 33, a battery voltage detection circuit 34, and a microcomputer (microcomputer) 35 are shown. The zoom motor driver 36, the zoom motor 37, the zoom switch 38, the resistor R1, and the like.

  The standby power supply circuit 32 and the zoom motor power supply circuit 33 convert the power supply voltage using the battery 31 as a drive source to a voltage level necessary for driving each unit and supply the converted voltage. The zoom motor driver 36 is supplied with the power supply voltage from the zoom motor power supply circuit 33 and drives the zoom motor 37 based on the zoom control signal output from the microcomputer 35. The zoom control signal includes a zoom extension control signal for instructing extension of the zoom lens and a zoom retraction control signal for instructing the collapse of the zoom lens. These control signals are H active and become effective when they are at “H” level.

  The microcomputer 35 detects the current zoom state based on the zoom state signal output from the zoom switch 38 and outputs a zoom extension control signal or a zoom collapse control signal to the zoom motor driver 36. The microcomputer 35 controls the power supply by the zoom motor power circuit 33 by outputting a motor power control signal to the zoom motor power circuit 33. This motor power control signal is also active H and becomes effective when it is at “H” level.

  Here, when the zoom lens is in the retracted state, the zoom switch 38 is open, and an “H” level zoom state recognition signal is input to the microcomputer 35. For example, when the power switch is turned on in this state, a zoom feed control signal is output from the microcomputer 35 to the zoom motor driver 36. Thereby, the zoom motor 37 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, and the zoom lens is extended from the camera body.

  On the other hand, when the zoom lens is in the extended state, the zoom switch 38 is closed and an “L” level zoom state recognition signal is input to the microcomputer 35. In this state, for example, when the power switch is turned off, a zoom retraction control signal is output from the microcomputer 35 to the zoom motor driver 36. Thereby, the zoom motor 37 is rotationally driven in the reverse direction, and the zoom lens is housed in the camera body.

As described above, normally, a zoom control signal is output from the microcomputer 35 to the zoom motor driver 36, and the zoom lens is controlled to be extended / collapsed. However, when the battery voltage rapidly drops while the zoom lens is extended, a system reset signal is output from the battery voltage detection circuit 34 to the microcomputer 35. As a result, the operation of the microcomputer 35 is stopped (that is, the system is stopped), and the zoom lens retracting control signal is not output, and the zoom lens is kept extended from the camera body.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-34003

  As described above, since the zoom lens is conventionally controlled by a microcomputer, the zoom lens is retracted under the control of the microcomputer when the system voltage is suddenly reduced due to a heavy load on the camera. There is a problem that the zoom lens stops while the zoom lens is extended from the camera body.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of accommodating a zoom lens in the main body even when the system is stopped with the zoom lens being extended from the camera main body. For the purpose.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes a zoom lens provided in a camera body so as to be zoomable, a driving unit that drives the zoom lens, a main control unit that controls driving of the zoom lens by the driving unit, and the main control When the operation of the means is stopped, it is detected that the zoom lens is extended from the camera body, and a control signal for driving the zoom is generated to the drive means to cause the zoom lens to move to the camera body. And a zoom forcible storing means for forcibly storing the zoom in.

  According to the imaging apparatus having such a configuration, even if the system is reset for some reason and the operation of the main control unit is stopped, the zoom driving control signal is sent to the zoom lens driving unit by the zoom forcible storage unit. The zoom lens is forcibly housed in the camera body.

  The zoom forcible storage means is a switch means that is turned on when the operation of the main control means is stopped, and the zoom lens is extended from the camera body when the switch means is in an on state. The signal output means for outputting a zoom state recognition signal indicating that, and on the basis of the zoom state recognition signal output from the signal output means, regardless of the operating state of the main control means, the drive means zoom drive Signal generating means for generating a control signal for use.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus provided with a battery as a drive source, a zoom lens provided on the camera body so as to be zoomable, drive means for driving the zoom lens, and the battery as a drive source. The battery voltage is converted into a voltage level necessary for driving the driving means and supplied, a main control means for controlling the driving of the zoom lens by the driving means, and a voltage level of the battery is detected. A battery voltage detecting means for stopping the operation of the main control means when the level is lower than a predetermined level; and when the operation of the main control means is stopped by the battery voltage detecting means, the zoom lens is moved from the camera body. It detects that it is in the extended state, generates a control signal for power supply to the power supply means, and performs zoom driving to the drive means. It constituted the zoom lens to generate a control signal for use by and a zoom forced housing means for forcibly housed in the camera body.

  According to the imaging apparatus having such a configuration, in the imaging apparatus using a battery as a drive source, when the voltage level of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined level, the system is reset and the operation of the main control unit is stopped. At this time, the zoom forced storage means generates a power supply control signal for the zoom lens power supply means, and a zoom drive control signal is generated for the zoom lens drive means. The lens is forcibly housed in the camera body.

  The zoom forcible storage means is a switch means that is turned on when the operation of the main control means is stopped, and the zoom lens is extended from the camera body when the switch means is in an on state. A signal output means for outputting a zoom state recognition signal indicating that the power supply means is powered on regardless of the operating state of the main control means based on the zoom state recognition signal output from the signal output means. Based on the zoom state recognition signal output from the signal output means and the first signal generation means for generating the control signal for supply, the drive means is zoomed regardless of the operating state of the main control means. And second signal generating means for generating a control signal for driving.

  According to the present invention, in an imaging apparatus equipped with a zoom lens, even if a system reset occurs due to, for example, a decrease in battery voltage in the state where the zoom lens is extended, the microcomputer is stopped, and the microcomputer is controlled. Instead, the zoom lens can be housed in the camera body. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the zoom lens stops while being extended.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 are perspective views showing an external configuration when a digital camera including a zoom lens is taken as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a state when the digital camera is used. FIG. 2 shows a state when the digital camera is not used (a state in which the zoom lens is housed).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment has a zoom lens 12, a self-timer lamp 13, an optical finder window 14, a microphone unit 15, a strobe light emission on the front surface of a camera body 11 having a substantially rectangular thin plate shape. A portion 16 and a rubber grip 17 are provided. A power key 18 for turning on / off the power and a shutter key 19 for instructing the shooting timing in the shooting mode are provided on one end side (right end side for the user) of the upper surface of the camera body 11. Yes.

  The rubber grip 17 is made of rubber and disposed so that the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger of the right hand can securely grip the housing when the user grips the digital camera 10 from the right side surface of the housing with the right hand during shooting. It is a band-like projection.

  Although not particularly shown here, on the back of the camera body 11 in the digital camera 10, in addition to various operation keys such as a mode switch, zoom key, menu key, cross key, and set key, a speaker unit and an optical viewfinder are provided. A strobe charge lamp, a display unit 17 and the like are provided.

  The mode switch is constituted by, for example, a slide key switch, and is a key for switching between the recording mode “R” and the reproduction mode “P” which are basic modes. The zoom key is a key for zooming the zoom lens 12. The menu key is a key for selecting and operating various menu items, and the cross key is a key for moving the cursor in the vertical and horizontal directions. The set key and the set key are arranged at the center position of the cross key and are used to set the menu item contents selected at that time.

  The strobe charge lamp is an LED lamp arranged in the vicinity of the optical viewfinder, and the charge state of the strobe is displayed to the user regardless of whether the user is looking through the optical viewfinder or viewing the display section. Make it visible. The display unit is composed of a color liquid crystal panel with a backlight, and displays a through image on the monitor as an electronic viewfinder in recording mode (when shooting), while playing back the selected image in playback mode. To do.

  Further, although not shown in the drawings, the bottom surface of the camera body 11 has a memory card slot for attaching / detaching a memory card used as a recording medium, a serial interface connector for connecting to an external personal computer, etc., for example, USB (Universal) Serial Bus) connector and the like are provided.

  In the digital camera 10 having such a configuration, the zoom lens 12 provided in front of the camera body 11 is supported by the lens barrels 20a, 20b, and 20c having a three-stage configuration. It is attached so that can be moved freely.

  When the camera is not used, that is, when the power is off, the lens barrels 20a, 20b, and 20c are housed in the camera body 11 as shown in FIG. It is in. This is called “collapsed state”. Further, when the zoom lens 12 is in the camera body 11, the tip end portion is covered with the shutter 21.

  On the other hand, when the camera is used, that is, when the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrels 20a, 20b, and 20c are extended from the camera body 11, and accordingly, the zoom lens 12 is also extended from the camera body 11. ing. This is called a “feeding state”. In this state, when a zoom key (not shown) is operated, the lens barrels 20a, 20b, and 20c expand and contract in stages in conjunction with the operation of the zoom key, and the zoom lens 12 moves on the optical axis accordingly. And the focal length is adjusted.

Next, a zoom control device used in the digital camera 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a zoom control device used in the digital camera 10 in the same embodiment, and the same parts as those in the conventional device configuration shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  That is, the zoom control device used in the digital camera 10 includes a battery 31, a standby power supply circuit 32, a zoom motor power supply circuit 33, a battery voltage detection circuit 34, a microcomputer (microcomputer) 35, and a zoom motor driver 36, as in the prior art. , A zoom motor 37, a zoom switch 38, and a resistor R1.

  The battery 31 is used as a drive source of the digital camera 10, and is detachably attached to the camera body 11 as a battery pack, for example. The standby power supply circuit 32 and the zoom motor power supply circuit 33 convert the power supply voltage of the battery 31 to a voltage level necessary for driving each part and supply it. The battery voltage detection circuit 34 monitors the voltage level of the battery 31, and outputs a system reset signal to the microcomputer 35 when detecting that the battery voltage has fallen below a predetermined level.

  The microcomputer 35 controls the entire camera as a main control circuit. The microcomputer 35 detects the current zoom state based on the zoom state signal output from the zoom switch 38, and outputs a zoom extension control signal or a zoom collapse control signal to the zoom motor driver 36 as a zoom control signal. These control signals are H active and become effective when they are at “H” level. The microcomputer 35 controls the power supply by the zoom motor power circuit 33 by outputting a motor power control signal to the zoom motor power circuit 33. This motor power control signal is also active H and becomes effective when it is at “H” level.

  The zoom motor driver 36 is a drive circuit for the zoom motor 37, and is supplied with a power supply voltage from the zoom motor power supply circuit 33 and is based on a zoom extension control signal or a zoom retract control signal output from the microcomputer 35. The zoom motor 37 is driven to rotate. As the zoom motor 37 is driven to rotate, the lens barrels 20a, 20b, 20c expand and contract, and the zoom lens 12 moves to the extended position (see FIG. 1) or the storage position (see FIG. 2).

  The zoom switch 38 is a switch indicating the state of the zoom lens 12 and is “open” when the zoom lens 12 is retracted, and “closed” when the zoom lens 12 is extended.

  In such a configuration, normally, under the control of the microcomputer 35, a zoom extension control signal or a zoom retracting control signal is output to the zoom motor driver 36 based on a predetermined condition such as power ON / OFF, and the zoom motor driver 36. The lens 12 is extended from the camera body 11 or stored in the camera body 11. In such control by the microcomputer 35, a system reset is applied when the battery voltage rapidly decreases due to a heavy load, and the operation of the microcomputer 35 is stopped while the zoom lens 12 is being extended.

  However, since the heavy load disappears after the system is stopped, the battery voltage is restored, and the power sufficient to house the zoom lens 12 can be used. Therefore, in the zoom control device according to the present embodiment, the zoom lens 12 is housed in the camera body 11 without being controlled by the microcomputer 35 when a system reset occurs when the zoom lens 12 is extended. A zoom forced storage circuit 41 is incorporated as hardware for this purpose.

  The zoom forced storage circuit 41 includes a transistor 42, an inverter circuit 43, OR circuits 44 and 45, a resistor R2, and the like. When the operation of the microcomputer 35, which is a main control circuit, is stopped, the zoom lens 12 is moved from the camera body 11. The zoom lens 12 is placed in the camera body 11 by detecting the extended state and generating a control signal to the zoom motor power circuit 33 and the zoom motor driver 36 regardless of the operation state of the microcomputer 35. Store.

  The transistor 42 in the zoom forced storage circuit 41 is connected to the microcomputer 35 and is used as a switching circuit that is turned on by a reset generation state recognition signal that is generated when the operation of the microcomputer 35 is stopped.

  The inverter circuit 43 is connected to the zoom switch 38, functions when the transistor 42 is in the on state, and is used as a signal output circuit that inverts the level of the zoom state recognition signal from the zoom switch 38 and outputs it. The zoom state recognition signal output from the inverter circuit 43 is output to each of the OR circuit 44 and the OR circuit 45. In this case, the retracted state of the zoom lens 12 is shown at the “L” level, and the extended state of the zoom lens 12 is shown at the “H” level.

  The OR circuit 44 is interposed between the microcomputer 35 and the zoom motor power circuit 33 as a signal generation circuit for driving the motor power, and is output from the motor power control signal (H active) output from the microcomputer 35 and the inverter circuit 43. The zoom state recognition signal is input, and the logical sum of the two is output to the zoom motor power circuit 33.

  The OR circuit 45 is interposed between the microcomputer 35 and the zoom motor driver 36 as a signal generation circuit for driving the driver, and a zoom retracting control signal (H active) output from the microcomputer 35 and a zoom output from the inverter circuit 43. The state recognition signal is input, and the logical sum of the two is obtained and output to the zoom motor driver 36.

  Accordingly, in a normal operation state that is not an abnormal operation state such as a system stop state, the motor from the microcomputer 35 is operated by the function of the OR circuits 44 and 45 regardless of the zoom state recognition signal output from the inverter circuit 43. When the power control signal and the zoom collapse control signal become “H” level, the control signal can be given to the zoom motor power circuit 33 or the zoom motor driver 36, respectively.

  In the following, the operation of the zoom control apparatus provided with the zoom forcible storage circuit 41 having such a configuration when the system is brought into a stopped state due to a heavy load or the like will be described.

  First, the voltage of the battery 31 is monitored by the battery voltage detection circuit 34 when a heavy load occurs, and a system reset signal is input to the microcomputer 35 when the battery voltage is below a predetermined level. As a result, the operation of the microcomputer 35 is stopped and the system is shifted to a system stop state.

  At this time, the reset occurrence state recognition signal becomes active, the transistor 42 is turned on, and the inverter circuit 43 functions. At this time, if the zoom lens 12 is extended from the camera body 11, the zoom switch 38 is closed, and an “H” level zoom state recognition signal is sent to the zoom motor power circuit 33 via the inverter circuit 43. Input to the connected OR circuit 44. Therefore, regardless of the operation state of the microcomputer 35, a control signal for driving the motor power can be supplied from the OR circuit 44 to the zoom motor power circuit 33, and the zoom motor driver can be used by using the power remaining in the battery 31. 36 can be supplied with power.

  On the other hand, since the zoom state recognition signal at the “H” level is also input to the OR circuit 45 connected to the zoom motor driver 36, the zoom circuit from the OR circuit 45 does not depend on the operating state of the microcomputer 35 as described above. The zoom lens 12 can be housed in the camera body 11 by applying a retracting control signal to the zoom motor driver 36 and driving the zoom motor 37. After the zoom lens is housed, the zoom switch 38 is opened, so both signals are negated.

  In this way, even when the zoom lens 12 is extended, even if a system reset is applied due to a decrease in battery voltage and the system (microcomputer 35) is stopped, the zoom forced storage circuit 41 is used to mount the zoom lens 12 in hardware. It can be accommodated in the main body 11, and the problem of stopping while the zoom lens 12 is extended as in the prior art can be solved.

  In the embodiment described above, it is assumed that a system reset is applied due to a sudden drop in battery voltage. However, the system reset is not limited to a battery voltage drop, and the operation of the microcomputer 35 is stopped. Even in this case, the zoom lens 12 can be stored using the zoom forced storage circuit 41 as described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the digital camera has been described as an example. However, for example, even a video camera, a mobile phone with a camera, or the like is provided with a zoom lens, the present invention is applied to all the electronic devices. Can be applied.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the effects described in “Problems to be solved by the invention” can be solved, and are described in the “Effects of the invention” column. If the effect is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration when a digital camera including a zoom lens is taken as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view illustrating a state when the camera is used (a state where the zoom lens is extended). Figure. The perspective view which shows the state (state in which the zoom lens was accommodated) when the digital camera provided with the said zoom lens is unused. The figure which shows the circuit structure of the zoom control apparatus used for the digital camera in the embodiment. The figure which shows the circuit structure of the zoom control apparatus used for the conventional digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Zoom lens, 13 ... Self-timer lamp, 14 ... Optical finder window, 15 ... Microphone part, 16 ... Strobe light emission part, 17 ... Rubber grip, 18 ... Power key, 19 ... Shutter key, 20a- 20c ... lens barrel, 21 ... shutter, 31 ... battery, 32 ... standby power supply circuit, 33 ... zoom motor power supply circuit, 34 ... battery voltage detection circuit, 35 ... microcomputer (main control circuit), 36 ... zoom motor driver, 37 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Motor for zoom, 38 ... Zoom switch, 41 ... Forcible zoom storage circuit, 42 ... Transistor, 43 ... Inverter circuit, 44 ... OR circuit, 45 ... OR circuit.

Claims (4)

A zoom lens provided movably on the camera body,
Driving means for driving the zoom lens;
Main control means for controlling the driving of the zoom lens by the driving means;
When the operation of the main control means is stopped, it is detected that the zoom lens is extended from the camera body, and a control signal for zoom drive is generated to the drive means to An image pickup apparatus comprising: a zoom forcible storing means for forcibly storing in the camera body. The zoom forced storage means is
Switch means that is turned on when the operation of the main control means is stopped;
Signal output means for outputting a zoom state recognition signal indicating that the zoom lens is extended from the camera body when the switch means is in an ON state;
Based on the zoom state recognition signal output from the signal output means, the signal generation means generates a zoom drive control signal to the drive means regardless of the operation state of the main control means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. In an imaging device having a battery as a drive source,
A zoom lens that can be zoomed on the camera body,
Driving means for driving the zoom lens;
Power supply means for supplying the battery by converting the battery voltage to a voltage level necessary for driving the drive means;
Main control means for controlling driving of the zoom lens by the driving means;
Battery voltage detection means for detecting the voltage level of the battery and stopping the operation of the main control means when the voltage level is lower than a predetermined level;
When the operation of the main control means is stopped by the battery voltage detection means, it is detected that the zoom lens is in a state of being extended from the camera body, and a control signal for power supply is sent to the power supply means. An image pickup apparatus comprising: zoom forcibly storing means for generating a zoom driving control signal for the driving means and forcibly storing the zoom lens in the camera body. The zoom forced storage means is
Switch means that is turned on when the operation of the main control means is stopped;
Signal output means for outputting a zoom state recognition signal indicating that the zoom lens is extended from the camera body when the switch means is in an ON state;
First signal generating means for generating a control signal for supplying power to the power supply means based on the zoom state recognition signal output from the signal output means, regardless of the operating state of the main control means; ,
Based on the zoom state recognition signal output from the signal output unit, the second signal generation unit generates a zoom drive control signal to the drive unit regardless of the operation state of the main control unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured.

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