JP2005292169A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which improves a focusing state on an imaging surface without complicated operation when photographing using swing. <P>SOLUTION: An optical system 14 has first and second adjustment lenses 20 and 24 positionally fixed in a direction of an optical axis A and first and second moving lenses 22 and 26 movable in the direction of the optical axis A. The first adjustment lens 20 is shakable with a rotation axial line B as the center to have a lens optical axis C thereof inclined upward or downward, and the tilt of the lens optical axis C is varied by a first adjustment lens moving means 28. The second adjustment lens 24 is supported movably in a Y direction orthogonal to both the rotation axial line B of the first adjustment lens 20 and the optical axis A of the optical system 14 and is moved upward or downward by a second adjustment lens moving means 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are cases where an image pickup apparatus such as a film type camera or a digital still camera performs shooting by performing a tilting operation on a taking lens.
Usually, the lens optical axis of the photographic lens coincides with the center of the film surface or the imaging surface of the imaging device, and the photographing is performed in such a positional relationship that the lens optical axis of the photographic lens is orthogonal to the imaging surface. Aori means an operation of intentionally shifting such a positional relationship.
For example, when the entire building is photographed from the ground without using a tilt, the distance from the photographing lens increases as it reaches the upper floor, so that the upper floor is photographed with a smaller distortion than the lower floor. However, by giving a tilt to the photographic lens, it is possible to reduce such distortion and to shoot the lower floor and the upper floor at substantially the same size. Alternatively, it is possible to shoot with more emphasis on distortion.
As a configuration for giving such a tilt to the photographic lens, there is a configuration in which the imaging element 2 provided in the imaging apparatus and the photographic lens 4 are coupled by a bellows 6 as shown in FIG. 11 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this configuration, the photographing lens 4 is tilted by tilting the lens optical axis 4A of the photographing lens 4 with respect to the imaging device 2 or by moving the lens optical axis 4A of the photographing lens 4 in parallel.
JP 2003-332595 A

However, in the case of such a conventional configuration, since the optical path passing through the photographic lens 3 is moved by giving a tilt to the photographic lens 4, the imaging state formed on the photographic surface is adversely affected. For this reason, conventionally, it is necessary to finely adjust the position of the photographic lens 4 so that the image forming state is good, or to move another lens provided between the photographic lens 4 and the imaging surface. There was an inconvenience that the operation was complicated.
In addition, such an adverse effect has a disadvantage that it becomes more prominent with an increase in the magnification and size of the optical system and an increase in the number of pixels (higher image quality) of the image sensor.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the imaging state on the imaging surface without performing complicated operations during shooting using the tilt, and Another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that is advantageous in increasing the zoom ratio and size of an optical system and increasing the number of pixels of an imaging element.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an optical system that guides a subject image to an imaging device, and the optical system has a lens optical axis centered on a rotation axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system. A first adjustment lens provided so as to be swingable in a tilting direction, and a first adjustment lens provided between the first adjustment lens and the imaging device and provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system. A detecting unit configured to detect an amount of inclination of the first adjusting lens around the axis, and an imaging state in the imaging element corresponding to the amount of inclination detected by the detecting unit. Appropriate value generating means for generating an appropriate position along the orthogonal direction of the second adjustment lens, and the second adjustment lens for moving the second adjustment lens in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system. Moving means and the second adjustment And a controlling means for controlling the lens moving means moving said second adjusting lens in the proper position.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the first adjustment lens is tilted in the direction of tilting the lens optical axis about the rotation axis orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system by tilting operation, the tilt amount of the first adjustment lens The second adjustment lens is moved to an appropriate position along the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system so that the image forming state in the image sensor becomes the best corresponding to the above.
Therefore, even if the optical path constituted by the first adjustment lens moves, the imaging state in the image sensor can be improved without performing complicated operations, and the optical system can have a high magnification and size reduction. This is advantageous in realizing a high pixel count of the image sensor.

  The purpose of the first objective is to achieve a good imaging state on the imaging surface without complicated operations during shooting using a tilt, to increase the magnification and size of the optical system, and to increase the number of pixels of the imaging device. This is realized by moving the second adjustment lens along a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system so that the image forming state in the image sensor becomes the best corresponding to the tilt amount of the adjustment lens.

Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image pickup apparatus. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the imaging apparatus, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the zoom position data Df, the focus position data Dz, and the appropriate position D1 of the optical axis of the second adjustment lens 20, and FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the imaging apparatus 100, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the optical system.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging apparatus 100 is a digital still camera, and includes a rectangular plate-like case 102 constituting an exterior. In the present specification, left and right refer to a state in which the imaging apparatus 100 is viewed from the front, the subject side is referred to as the front in the optical axis direction of the optical system, and the imaging element side is referred to as the rear.
As shown in FIG. 1, a lens window 104 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the case 102, and the lens barrel 10 is provided so as to face the lens window 104.
A flash 106 that emits photographing auxiliary light is provided above the lens window 104.
A shutter button 108 and the like are provided on the left side of the upper surface of the case 12.
The rear surface of the case 12 is a display 110 (liquid crystal display) on which images such as still images and moving images, characters and symbols are displayed, a cross switch 112 for performing various operations including a zoom operation, a plurality of operation buttons 114, and the like. Is provided. In this embodiment, two tilt operation buttons 114A for performing a tilt operation, which will be described later, are provided as one of the operation buttons 114.
The left side surface of the case 12 is provided with a memory accommodating portion 118 that detachably accommodates a memory card 116 (storage medium) for recording an image such as a still image or a moving image.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lens barrel 10 includes an optical system 14 that guides a subject image, and an imaging element 18 that is provided on the optical axis of the optical system 14 and that has an imaging surface 1802, and is captured by the optical system 14. A subject image is formed on the imaging surface 1802.
An image formed on the imaging surface 1802 is output as an imaging signal to the image processing unit 120, and the image processing unit 120 generates still image data or moving image data based on the imaging signal and records it in the memory card 116. . The image data is displayed on the display 110 by the display processing unit 122.
Further, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a control unit 124 including a CPU that controls the image processing unit 120 and the display processing unit 122 in accordance with the operation of the shutter button 116, the cross switch 112, and the operation button 114.
The control unit 124 includes a control circuit 126 and a memory 128 (FIG. 4) which will be described later.

Next, the configuration of the lens barrel 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lens barrel 10 has a barrel body 16 (see FIG. 3), and an optical system 14 is accommodated in the barrel body 16.
Here, when the subject side is the front in the optical axis A direction of the optical system 14 and the imaging element 18 side is the rear in the optical axis A direction of the optical system 14, the imaging element 18 faces its imaging surface 1802 forward. The optical system 14 is attached to the rear portion of the barrel main body 16 so that the optical axis A of the optical system 14 is orthogonal to the imaging surface 1802 and passes through the center of the imaging surface 1802.
In this embodiment, the optical system 14 is provided so as to be movable in the optical axis A direction of the optical system 14 and the first and second adjustment lenses 20 and 24 in which the position of the optical system 14 in the optical axis A direction is determined. And first and second moving lenses 22 and 26.
More specifically, the optical system 14 is optically configured as an inner focus lens composed of four groups.
In the embodiment, the four groups constituting the optical system 14 are configured by a first adjustment lens 20, a first movement lens 22, a second adjustment lens 24, and a second movement lens 26 that are sequentially arranged from the front to the rear. Has been.
The first moving lens 22 is configured as a zoom lens in which the focal length of the optical system 14 is changed by moving the first moving lens 22 in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14, and the second moving lens 26 is an optical system. 14 is configured as a focus lens in which the focus of the optical system 14 is adjusted by moving the optical system 14 in the direction of the optical axis A. That is, the focal length is varied by the displacement of the first moving lens 22, and the deviation of the in-focus position caused by the change in the focal length is corrected by the displacement of the second moving lens 24 so as to be properly focused. Yes.

Next, main parts of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, the configuration of the first adjustment lens 20 and the first adjustment lens moving means 28 will be described.
The first adjustment lens 20 is held by a first adjustment lens frame 2002 formed in an annular plate shape.
Shaft portions 2004 projecting radially outward are projected at two locations in the diametrical direction on the outer periphery of the first adjustment lens frame 2002, and these shaft portions 2004 are two bearings (not shown) provided on the barrel main body 16. Supported by the department. The two bearing portions are provided on a rotation axis B that is orthogonal to the optical axis A of the optical system 14, in this embodiment, on a rotation axis B that extends in the left-right direction (hereinafter referred to as the X direction) of the case 102. Thus, the first adjustment lens 20 is provided so as to be swingable in the vertical direction in which the lens optical axis C is tilted about the rotation axis B.
The first adjustment lens moving means 28 swings the first adjustment lens 20 around the rotation axis B to change the inclination of the lens optical axis C. The first adjustment lens moving unit 28 includes a motor 2802 (for example, a stepping motor) having a rotation shaft connected to one of the two shaft portions 2004 and a drive circuit 2804 that drives the motor 2802. doing.
Therefore, when the one shaft portion 2004 is rotated by the motor 2802, the first adjustment lens 20 is tilted with the bearing portion as a fulcrum, and the first adjustment lens 20 is moved in a direction in which the lens optical axis C is tilted ( Swung or tilted).

Next, the configuration of the first moving lens 22 and the first moving lens moving means will be described.
The first moving lens 22 is held by a first moving lens frame 2202 formed in an annular plate shape.
A first bearing portion 2204 and a second bearing portion 2206 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the first moving lens frame 2202 at intervals in the circumferential direction.
First and second guide shafts 2208 and 2210 extending in parallel with the optical axis A of the optical system 14 are inserted into the first bearing portion 2204 and the second bearing portion 2206, respectively. The shafts 2208 and 2210 are formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape having a uniform outer diameter, and both ends in the extending direction are attached to the lens barrel body 16.
Therefore, the first moving lens 22 cannot rotate around the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by the first and second guide shafts 2208, 2210, the first and second bearing portions 2204, 2208, and the optical system 14 Is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating linear movement along the optical axis A direction.
The first moving lens 22 is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by a first moving lens moving means (not shown). As the first moving lens moving means, various conventionally known configurations can be adopted. For example, the first moving lens moving means includes an internal thread member connected to the first moving lens frame 2202 and an optical system 14. A male screw member extending in the direction of the optical axis A and screwed into the female screw member, a motor (for example, a stepping motor) supported by the lens barrel body 16 and rotating the male screw member, and a drive circuit for driving the motor; It consists of
Accordingly, when the male screw member is rotated by the motor, the female screw member is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14, thereby moving the first moving lens frame 2202 in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14, The first moving lens 22 is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14.

Next, the configuration of the second adjustment lens 24 and the second adjustment lens moving unit 30 will be described.
The second adjustment lens 24 is held by a second adjustment lens frame 2402 formed in a rectangular plate shape.
The second adjustment lens frame 2402 is supported by the guide mechanism 2404 so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the case 102 (hereinafter referred to as the Y direction) orthogonal to both the rotation axis B of the first adjustment lens 20 and the optical axis A of the optical system 14. ing.
The guide mechanism 2404 includes two guide columns 2406. Each guide column 2406 sandwiches the second adjustment lens frame 2402 from both sides in the X direction, and the second adjustment lens frame 2402 is moved in the Y direction by the guide groove 2406A inside thereof. I support it as possible.
The second adjustment lens moving unit 30 includes a protruding piece 3002 provided on the second adjustment lens frame 2402 and protruding outside the guide pillar 2406 through the guide groove 2406A of one guide pillar 2406 of the two guide pillars 2406. A male screw member 3004 extending in the Y direction and screwed into the female screw of the projecting piece 3002, and a motor 3006 disposed on one end of the male screw member 3004 and supported by the one guide post 2406 to rotate the male screw member 3004. The bearing portion 3008 that supports the other end of the male screw member 3004 formed integrally with the one guide post 2406 and a drive circuit 3010 that drives the motor 3006 are configured.
Therefore, when the male screw member 3004 is rotated by the motor 3006, the projecting piece 3002 is moved in the Y direction, whereby the second adjustment lens frame 2402 and the second adjustment lens 24 are moved in the Y direction.
In FIG. 4, the second adjustment lens 24, the second adjustment lens frame 2402, the second movement lens 26 located behind the guide mechanism 2404, and the second movement lens frame 2602 are illustrated in order to clearly illustrate the second adjustment lens 24, the second adjustment lens frame 2402, and the second movement lens frame 2602. Although the state in which the second adjustment lens 24, the second adjustment lens frame 2402, and the guide mechanism 2404 are arranged at positions shifted downward with respect to the optical axis A is illustrated, actually, the first adjustment lens 20, the first movement The lens 22, the second adjustment lens 24, and the second moving lens 26 are arranged in a state of being positioned on the optical axis A.

Next, the configuration of the second moving lens 26 and the second moving lens moving means will be described.
The second moving lens 26 is held by a second moving lens frame 2602 formed in an annular plate shape.
A second bearing portion 2604 and a second bearing portion 2606 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second moving lens frame 2602 at intervals in the circumferential direction.
First and second guide shafts 2608 and 2610 extending in parallel with the optical axis A of the optical system 14 are inserted into the first bearing portion 2604 and the second bearing portion 2606, respectively. The shafts 2608 and 2610 are formed in a cylindrical shape having a uniform outer diameter, for example, and both ends in the extending direction are attached to the lens barrel body 16.
Accordingly, the second moving lens 26 cannot rotate around the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by the first and second guide shafts 2608 and 2610, the first and second bearing portions 2604 and 2608, and the optical system 14 Are supported so as to be capable of reciprocating linear movement along the direction of the optical axis A.
Similar to the first moving lens 22, the second moving lens 26 is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by a conventionally known second moving lens moving means (not shown).

Next, the configuration of the image sensor 18 and the image sensor moving means 32 will be described.
The imaging element 18 has a rectangular imaging surface 1802 and is held by an imaging element frame 1804 formed in a ring plate shape.
Shaft portions 1806 projecting outward are provided on two short sides of the image sensor frame 1804, and these shaft portions 1806 are supported by two bearing portions (not shown) provided on the lens barrel body 16. The two bearing portions are provided on a rotation axis B1 orthogonal to the optical axis A of the optical system 14, which is a rotation axis B1 extending in the X direction in this embodiment. As a result, the imaging element 18 is provided so as to be able to swing in a direction in which the imaging surface 1802 is tilted about the rotation axis B1.
The image pickup device moving unit 32 swings the image pickup device 18 around the rotation axis B1 to change the inclination of the image pickup surface 1802. In other words, the image sensor moving means 32 adjusts the angle formed by the imaging surface 1802 with the optical axis A of the optical system 14.
The image pickup device moving unit 32 includes a motor 3202 (for example, a stepping motor) having a rotating shaft coupled to one of the two shaft portions 1806 and a drive circuit 3204 that drives the motor 3202. Yes.
Therefore, when the one shaft portion 3204 is rotated by the motor 3202, the imaging device frame 1804 and the imaging device 18 are tilted with the bearing portion as a fulcrum, and the imaging device 18 is moved in a direction in which the imaging surface 1802 is tilted ( Swung or tilted).

Next, the configuration of a control system that controls the first and second adjustment lens moving units 28 and 30 and the image sensor moving unit 32 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control circuit 126 is configured to tilt the lens optical axis C of the first adjustment lens 20 by controlling the drive circuit 280 of the first adjustment lens moving means 28. Specifically, the control circuit 126 is configured to adjust the inclination of the lens optical axis C of the first adjustment lens 20 by controlling the rotation amount of the motor 2802 according to the operation of the two tilt operation buttons 114A. ing.
In this embodiment, when one of the two tilt operation buttons 114A is pressed, the first adjustment lens 20 swings the lens optical axis C upward, and when the press is released, the first adjustment lens 20 The swinging is stopped and it is configured to stop at that position. When the other tilt operation button 114A is pressed, the first adjustment lens 20 swings the lens optical axis C downward, and when the pressing is released, the first adjustment lens 20 stops swinging and stops at that position. It is configured. Therefore, the angle formed by the lens optical axis C of the first adjustment lens 20 and the optical axis A of the optical system 14 can be arbitrarily set by operating each tilt operation button 114A.
Further, the control circuit 126 is configured to detect an inclination amount indicating an angle formed by the lens optical axis C of the first adjustment lens 20 and the optical axis A of the optical system 14 based on the rotation amount of the motor 2802.

The control circuit 126 is configured to move the second adjustment lens 24 along the direction orthogonal to the optical axis A by controlling the drive circuit 3010 of the second adjustment lens moving means 30. Specifically, the control circuit 126 generates a movement amount K1 of the second adjustment lens 24 necessary for setting the optical axis of the second adjustment lens 24 to the appropriate position D1 read from the memory 128, and this movement amount K1. The second adjustment lens 24 is configured to move along the Y direction orthogonal to the optical axis A by controlling the rotation amount of the motor 3010 based on the above. The appropriate position D1 will be described later.
The control circuit 126 detects (monitors) the position of the second adjustment lens 24 along the Y direction based on the rotation amount of the motor 3006, and the generation of the movement amount K1 is based on the current position of the second adjustment lens 24. And the appropriate position D1.

  The control circuit 126 is configured to tilt the image pickup surface 1802 of the image pickup device 18 with respect to the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by controlling the drive circuit 3204 of the image pickup device moving means 32. Specifically, the control circuit 126 evaluates the image data generated based on the image formed on the imaging surface 1802 of the image sensor 18, and the image formation state in the image sensor 18 is the best based on the evaluation result. Thus, the image pickup surface 1802 of the image pickup device 18 is tilted with respect to the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by controlling the drive circuit 3204 of the image pickup device moving means 32. The image data is evaluated based on, for example, the degree of change in brightness of the contour (edge) portion of the image in the image data, and various conventionally known methods can be employed.

The control circuit 126 is configured to move the first moving lens 22 in the direction of the optical axis A by controlling the driving circuit of the first moving lens moving means. Specifically, the control circuit 126 controls the optical axis of the first moving lens 22 by controlling the rotation amount of the motor based on zoom data generated in accordance with the zoom operation by the cross switch 112 or the operation switch 114. It is configured to adjust the position of the direction. The control circuit 126 is configured to detect the position data of the first moving lens 22 in the optical axis A direction, that is, the zoom position, based on the rotation amount of the motor.
The control circuit 126 is configured to move the second moving lens 26 in the direction of the optical axis A by controlling the driving circuit of the second moving lens moving means. Specifically, the control circuit 126 adjusts the position of the second moving lens 26 in the optical axis direction by controlling the amount of rotation of the motor based on the focus data generated along with the autofocus operation. It is configured. The control circuit 126 is configured to detect the position data of the second moving lens 26 in the optical axis A direction, that is, the focus position, based on the rotation amount of the motor.

Next, the memory 128 will be described in detail.
The memory 128 corresponds to the zoom position data Dz indicating the zoom position of the first moving lens 22, the focus position data Dz indicating the focus position of the second moving lens 26, and the tilt amount Dθ of the first adjustment lens 20. The proper position D1 of the second adjustment lens 24 is stored. The appropriate position D1 is a position along the Y direction of the second adjustment lens 24 in which the imaging state in the image sensor 18 is the best.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship among the zoom position data Df, the focus position data Dz, and the tilt amount D1 when the tilt amount Dθ = Dθ1 of the first adjustment lens 20 is satisfied. That is, the zoom position data Df, the focus position data Dz, and the appropriate position D1 shown in such a diagram are stored in the memory 128 as a map for each inclination amount Dθ.
For example, if the tilt amount Dθ changes with values of Dθ1, Dθ2, Dθ3,..., Dθz, zoom position data Df, focus position data corresponding to the tilt amounts Dθ1, Dθ2, Dθ3,. Dz and the appropriate position D1 are stored in the memory 128 as a map with an inclination amount Dθ.
Accordingly, by specifying the three data of the tilt amount Dθ, the zoom position data Df, and the focus position data Dz, the appropriate position D1 of the second adjustment lens 24 is read out. In other words, the proper inclination D1 of the first adjustment lens 20 is generated by specifying the three data of the inclination amount Dθ, the zoom position data Df, and the focus position data Dz.
Such an appropriate position D1 of the second adjustment lens 24 is generated in a state where the lens barrel 10 is incorporated in the imaging apparatus 100 and stored in the memory 128, as will be described later. Accordingly, the relative light between the first and second adjustment lenses 20 and 24 and the first and second moving lenses 22 and 26 generated by stress generated when the lens barrel 10 is assembled in the imaging apparatus 100. The appropriate position D1 of the second adjustment lens 24 is generated in a state where the axis deviation and the optical axis inclination are taken into consideration.

Next, a procedure for generating the appropriate position D1 will be described.
First, the control circuit 126 controls the first adjustment lens moving unit 28 to set the inclination amount Dθ of the first adjustment lens 20 to a certain inclination amount Dθ1. In this state, the control circuit 126 controls the first moving lens moving means, thereby positioning the zoom position of the first moving lens 22 at a plurality of positions between the tele end and the wide end, respectively. By controlling the two-moving lens moving means, the focus position of the second moving lens 26 is positioned so as to focus on a predetermined object distance.
Then, at each zoom position and focus position, the second adjustment lens moving unit 30 is controlled to move the second adjustment lens 24 in the Y direction, whereby an appropriate position D1 where the imaging state in the image sensor 18 is the best is obtained. The appropriate position D1 is obtained and stored in the memory 128.
Such a series of processing is similarly performed for each of the inclination amounts Dθ = Dθ1, Dθ2, Dθ3,.
As a means for evaluating that the imaging state in the image sensor 18 is the best, a computer connected to the image pickup apparatus 100 can be used, and image data obtained from the image sensor 18 may be evaluated by the computer.
The evaluation can be performed by various conventionally known methods. For example, the evaluation can be performed by aberration, PSF (point spread function), or MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) calculated based on the image data.
In this embodiment, the control circuit 126 and the memory 128 constitute a proper value generating means as claimed in the claims, and the control circuit 126 and the drive circuit 3010 constitute a control means as claimed.

Next, an operation at the time of shooting of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
When the cross switch 112 for zoom operation of the imaging apparatus 100 or the operation switch 114 is operated, the control circuit 126 moves the first moving lens 22 in the optical axis direction to perform a zoom operation (step S10). Next, the second moving lens 26 is moved in the optical axis direction and an autofocus operation is performed (step S12).
Next, the control circuit 126 determines whether or not the tilt operation button 114A has been operated (step S14).
If it is determined in step S14 that the tilt operation button 114A has been operated, the control circuit 126 swings the first adjustment lens 20 in the vertical direction and performs a tilting operation (step S16).
When it is determined in step S14 that the tilt operation button 114A is not operated, and when the tilt operation in step S16 is completed, the control circuit 126 includes the tilt amount Dθ, the zoom position data Df, and the focus position data Dz. Based on the above, the appropriate position D1 of the second adjustment lens 24 is read from the memory 128 (step S18).
Next, the control circuit 126 moves the second adjustment lens 24 to the proper position D1 by controlling the drive circuit 3010 based on the proper position D1 (step S20). As a result, the imaging state of the subject image formed on the imaging surface 1802 of the imaging element 18 is the best.
Further, the control circuit 126 evaluates the image data generated based on the image formed on the image pickup surface 1802 of the image pickup device 18 so that the image formation state in the image pickup device 18 becomes the best based on the evaluation result. Further, the image pickup surface 1802 of the image pickup device 18 is tilted with respect to the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by controlling the drive circuit 3204 of the image pickup device moving means 32 (step S22).
When the shutter button 108 is operated in this state, an image formed on the image sensor 18 is picked up and output as an image pickup signal to the image processing unit 120 to generate image data, which is recorded in the memory card 116 (step). S24).
For example, when the first adjustment lens 20 is operated in a swinging manner and is swung downward from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9, the second adjustment lens 24 is moved upward along the Y direction. The imaging state in the image sensor 18 is the best.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the second adjustment lens 24 is appropriate along the Y direction so that the imaging state in the image sensor 18 is the best corresponding to the tilt amount Dθ of the first adjustment lens 20. It is moved to position D1.
That is, even if the lens optical axis C of the first adjustment lens 20 is tilted with respect to the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by the tilt operation, and the optical path formed by the first adjustment lens 20 is moved by this, complicated operation is performed. The imaging state in the image sensor 18 can be improved without performing the above.
In addition, since the imaging state in the image sensor 18 can be maintained satisfactorily, it is advantageous for realizing a high zoom ratio and size reduction of the optical system 14 and an increase in the number of pixels of the image sensor.
Further, in this embodiment, between the first and second adjustment lenses 20 and 24 and the first and second moving lenses 22 and 26 generated by the stress generated when the lens barrel 10 is assembled in the imaging apparatus 100. The second adjustment lens 24 is moved along the Y direction in a state in which the relative optical axis shift and the optical axis inclination are taken into consideration.
Therefore, it is possible to minimize the influence of the deviation of the optical axis and the fluctuation of the inclination of the optical axis, and suppress the one-sided blur and the like, so that the imaging state in the image sensor 18 can be optimized. This is more advantageous for realizing a higher zoom ratio and a smaller size and a higher pixel size of the image sensor 18.
In this embodiment, the appropriate position D1 is stored in the memory 128 as a map. However, a function for calculating the appropriate position D1 according to the tilt amount Dθ, the zoom position data Df, and the focus position data Dz is generated and stored in the memory 128. The proper position D1 may be generated according to the tilt amount Dθ, the zoom position data Df, and the focus position data Dz using the stored function.
In this embodiment, the image data generated based on the image formed on the imaging surface 1802 of the image sensor 18 is evaluated, and the image formation state in the image sensor 18 is optimized based on the evaluation result. Since the image pickup device moving means 32 is controlled to adjust the angle formed by the image pickup surface 1802 of the image pickup device 18 and the optical axis A of the optical system 14, the image forming state in the image pickup device 18 is optimized. More advantageous on the above.

Next, Example 2 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration around the second adjustment lens 36 in the second embodiment.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second moving lens 26 and the second adjustment lens 24 of the first embodiment are provided integrally. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the second adjustment is performed. The second moving lens 26 is omitted by moving the lens 36 in the Y direction perpendicular to the optical axis A of the optical system 14 and also in the optical axis A direction.
Therefore, the optical system of Example 2 is configured as an inner focus lens including three groups of the first adjustment lens 20 and the first moving lens 22 configured in the same manner as in Example 1, and the second adjustment lens 36. .

The configurations of the second adjustment lens 36 and the second adjustment lens moving means 38 will be described.
The second adjustment lens 36 is held by an adjustment lens frame 3602 formed in a rectangular plate shape.
The adjustment lens frame 3602 is supported by the guide mechanism 3604 so as to be movable in the Y direction orthogonal to the optical axis A, and is supported to move in the optical axis A direction.
The guide mechanism 3602 includes one frame body 3604 and first and second guide shafts 3606 and 3608.
The frame 3604 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, and supports the adjustment lens frame 3602 so as to be movable in the Y direction by two guide grooves 3604A formed inside thereof.
A first bearing portion 3610 and a second bearing portion 3612 are provided at two opposing corner portions of the frame body 3604.
A first guide shaft 3606 and a second guide shaft 3608 extending in parallel with the optical axis A of the optical system 14 are inserted into the first bearing portion 3610 and the second bearing portion 3612, respectively. The guide shafts 3606 and 3608 are formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape having a uniform outer diameter, and both ends in the extending direction thereof are attached to the lens barrel body 16.
Therefore, the second adjustment lens 36 cannot rotate around the optical axis A of the optical system 14 by the first and second guide shafts 3606, 3608, the first and second bearing portions 3610, 3612, and the optical system 14 Are supported so as to be capable of reciprocating linear movement along the direction of the optical axis A.
The second adjustment lens moving means 38 includes a Y direction driving means 38A for moving the second adjustment lens 36 in the Y direction, and an optical axis direction driving means (not shown) for moving the second adjustment lens 36 in the optical axis A direction. It consists of

The Y-direction driving means 38A includes a projecting piece 3802 that is provided on the frame body 3604 and protrudes outside the frame body 3604 through one of the two guide grooves 3604A of the frame body 3604, and extends in the Y direction. A male screw member 3804 that is screwed into the female screw of the projecting piece 3802, a motor 3806 that is disposed at one end of the male screw member 3804 and is supported by the frame body 3604 and rotates the male screw member 3804, and a male screw provided in the frame body 3604. A bearing 3808 that supports the other end of the member 3804 and a drive circuit (not shown) that drives the motor 3806 are configured.
As the second adjustment lens moving means, various conventionally known configurations can be adopted. For example, the second adjustment lens moving means includes an internal thread member connected to a frame body 3604 and an optical axis A of the optical system 14. A male screw member that extends in the direction and is screwed into the female screw member, a motor that is supported by the lens barrel body 16 and rotates the male screw member (for example, a stepping motor), and a drive circuit that drives the motor. ing.
Accordingly, when the male screw member is rotated by the motor, the female screw member is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14, whereby the frame body 3604 is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14 and second adjustment is performed. The lens 36 is moved in the direction of the optical axis A of the optical system 14.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the control circuit 126 moves the second adjustment lens 36 in the Y direction by controlling the Y direction driving unit 38A, and controls the second adjustment lens 36 by controlling the optical axis direction driving unit. Is moved in the optical axis direction of the optical system 14.
The operation at the time of shooting of the image pickup apparatus 100 in the second embodiment is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the second adjustment is performed so that the imaging state in the image pickup device 18 is the best corresponding to the tilt amount Dθ of the first adjustment lens 20. The lens 36 is moved to an appropriate position D1 along the Y direction.
Therefore, also in Example 2, the same effect as Example 1 is produced.
In the second embodiment, the second adjustment lens also serves as the first moving lens, and the first moving lens can be omitted, which is advantageous in simplifying the configuration of the optical system compared to the first embodiment. is there.

In the first embodiment, the case where the optical system 14 is configured as an inner focus lens including four groups is illustrated. In the second embodiment, the case where the optical system 14 is configured as an inner focus lens including three groups is illustrated. Of course, the present invention is not limited to such an optical system, and can be applied to various conventionally known optical systems.
In each of the embodiments, the adjustment lens constituting the optical system is moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system so that the imaging state in the image pickup device is optimized. In an imaging device configured such that the optical axis of the optical system is bent 90 degrees by a mirror or prism disposed on the lens, imaging is performed by moving the mirror or prism, for example, by rotating, tilting, or linearly moving the mirror. Of course, the imaging state in the element may be the best.
In each embodiment, a digital still camera is exemplified as the imaging device. However, the present invention is naturally applicable to various electronic devices having an imaging device such as a video camera or a TV camera, a mobile phone with a camera, or a lens barrel. It is.

It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging device of Example 1 from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging device of Example 1 from back. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an imaging device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of an imaging device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of an imaging device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between zoom position data Df, focus position data Dz, and an appropriate position D1 of the optical axis of the second adjustment lens 20. 3 is an operation flowchart of the imaging apparatus 100. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an optical system. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an optical system. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration around a second adjustment lens in Example 2. It is explanatory drawing of the optical system in the conventional imaging device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Imaging device, 10 ... Lens barrel, 14 ... Optical system, 18 ... Imaging element, 20 ... 1st adjustment lens, 22 ... 1st movement lens, 24 ... 2nd adjustment lens, 26 2nd moving lens, 28 ... 1st adjusting lens moving means, 30 ... 2nd adjusting lens moving means, 126 ... control circuit, 128 ... memory, A ... optical axis of optical system 14, B ... ... rotation axis, C ... lens optical axis.

Claims (7)

An optical system that guides the subject image to the image sensor
The optical system includes a first adjustment lens provided so as to be swingable in a direction in which the lens optical axis is tilted about a rotation axis orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system, the first adjustment lens, and the imaging device. And a second adjustment lens that is disposed between and arranged to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system,
Detecting means for detecting an amount of inclination of the first adjustment lens around the axis;
An appropriate value generating means for generating an appropriate position along the orthogonal direction of the second adjustment lens in which the imaging state in the image sensor is best corresponding to the amount of inclination detected by the detecting means;
Second adjustment lens moving means for moving the second adjustment lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system;
Control means for controlling the second adjustment lens moving means to move the second adjustment lens to the appropriate position;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The control means generates a movement amount of the second adjustment lens for setting the second adjustment lens to the proper position, and the movement of the second adjustment lens to the proper position by the control means is the movement. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is based on a quantity.   The movement amount of the second adjustment lens by the control unit is generated based on a difference between the current position of the second adjustment lens and the appropriate position. Imaging device.   The movement of the second adjustment lens by the second adjustment lens moving means is performed in a direction parallel to a virtual line orthogonal to both the rotation axis of the second adjustment lens and the optical axis. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   First adjustment lens moving means for swinging the first adjustment lens about the rotation axis is provided, and the movement of the first adjustment lens in the direction of tilting the optical axis by the first movement means is the first The first adjustment lens frame is tilted in the direction of the optical axis with respect to two locations located in the diameter direction of the outer peripheral portion of the first adjustment lens frame that supports the adjustment lens. The imaging device described.   The imaging device has an imaging surface on which the subject image is formed, the imaging device is provided so that an angle formed by the imaging surface and the optical axis can be adjusted, and the imaging device is disposed on the imaging surface. An image sensor moving means for moving the image sensor in a direction inclined with respect to the optical axis, and controlling the image sensor moving means so that an imaging state in the image sensor is best based on image information detected by the image sensor. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image pickup device control means for adjusting the angle of the image pickup device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lens barrel main body that houses the optical system is provided, and the second adjustment lens moving unit is supported by the lens barrel main body.

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