JP2011013433A - Lens system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely alter, according to an operator's preference, an output characteristic indicating a corresponding relation between the amount of operation of an operating member and the moving speed of an optical member.SOLUTION: A lens system is equipped with: a storage means (62) for storing the output characteristic indicating the corresponding relation between the amount of operation of the operating member (58) and the moving speed of the optical member (72); a control means for controlling the operating device (28) or lens device (12) according to the output characteristic stored in the storage means (62); and an output characteristic altering means (64) for altering an output characteristic stored in the storage means (62). The output characteristic altering means (64) sets a plurality of control points on a line representing the output characteristic stored in the storage means (62), and individually adjusts output values corresponding to the control points according to an operator's instruction. By interpolation processing based on the plurality of control points, after adjustment, and the output characteristic altering means (64) also alters the line representing the output characteristic.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens system, and more particularly to a lens system that performs lens control by a control signal from a speed control controller or the like.

  The zoom lens of a photographing lens used in a broadcast television camera or the like is generally speed controlled using a speed control controller. For example, a rotatable thumb ring is installed in a controller (operation device) for speed control called zoom demand. When the thumb ring is not operated, the thumb lens automatically returns to a predetermined reference position, and when the thumb ring is rotated from the reference position, the zoom lens moves at a speed corresponding to the operation amount.

  In such zoom lens speed control, conventionally, it has been known that an output characteristic of a zoom controller can be selected by an operator using a selection means such as a switch to one of a plurality of output characteristics prepared in advance. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  The output characteristic of the zoom controller indicates a voltage characteristic of a control signal output from the zoom controller with respect to an operation amount of an operation member (such as a thumb ring) provided in the zoom controller. When this output characteristic is changed, the response characteristic of the moving speed of the zoom lens with respect to the operation amount of the operating member is changed. For example, the operability of the zoom controller in the low speed region of the zoom lens is given priority over other speed regions. It becomes possible for the operator to select the setting of the control characteristics such as making it favorable according to the situation.

Japanese Patent No. 2810437 JP 2000-224454 A JP 2001-4903 A

  However, conventionally, when switching the output characteristics of the zoom controller, it is necessary to select from predetermined types of output characteristics, and there is a limit to the types of output characteristics that can be selected by the operator. In general, the output characteristics of a zoom controller are often a simple quadratic curve (parabola) with the reference position (origin) as the apex. There is also a problem that it is not easy to use.

  The above-mentioned problems are not limited to the output characteristics of the zoom controller, but are the optical members (zoom) that are motor-driven in the TV lens device, such as the output characteristics of the focus controller and the characteristics such as the deceleration curve near the mechanical stop end of the zoom lens. The same applies to the characteristics relating to the control of the lens, the focus lens, the iris, and the extender.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an operation device that outputs a control signal based on the operation of the operation member and a moving speed of the optical member are controlled based on the control signal given from the operation device. Provided is a lens system that can freely change an output characteristic indicating a correspondence relationship between an operation amount of an operation member and a moving speed of an optical member according to an operator's preference. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a lens system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an operation device that outputs a control signal based on an operation of an operation member, and an optical member based on the control signal provided from the operation device. A lens device that controls a moving speed of the optical member, a storage unit that stores output characteristics indicating a correspondence relationship between an operation amount of the operation member and a moving speed of the optical member, and a storage unit that stores the output characteristic Control means for controlling the operating device or the lens device in accordance with the output characteristics, and output characteristic changing means for changing the output characteristics stored in the storage means, the output characteristic changing means comprising: A plurality of control points are set on a line indicating the output characteristics stored in the storage means, and output values corresponding to the plurality of control points are individually adjusted according to an instruction from the operator. And, and changes the line indicating the output characteristic by interpolation processing based on the plurality of control points after adjustment.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of control points are provided on a line indicating an output characteristic indicating a correspondence relationship between the operation amount of the operation member and the moving speed of the optical member, and an output corresponding to the plurality of control points according to an instruction from the operator. Since the values are individually adjusted and the line indicating the output characteristics is changed by the interpolation process based on the adjusted plurality of control points, the output characteristics can be freely changed according to the preference of the operator. It becomes possible to improve usability.

  The lens system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the lens system according to the first aspect, wherein the operation member is constituted by a turning member configured to be turnable in both directions around a reference position, and the output characteristic. The changing means sets a plurality of control points in both directions from the reference position of the operation member.

  The lens system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the lens system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the output characteristic changing means is configured such that an output value is 0 for a predetermined range from a reference position of the operation member. The output characteristic is changed.

  The lens system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the storage means and the output characteristic changing means are provided in the operating device.

  The lens system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to third aspects, the storage unit and the output characteristic changing unit are provided in the lens device.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of control points are provided on a line indicating an output characteristic indicating a correspondence relationship between the operation amount of the operation member and the moving speed of the optical member, and an output corresponding to the plurality of control points according to an instruction from the operator. Since the values are individually adjusted and the line indicating the output characteristics is changed by interpolation processing based on the adjusted plurality of control points, the output characteristics can be freely changed according to the preference of the operator. It becomes possible to improve usability.

1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a television camera system using a lens system according to the present invention. The block diagram which showed an example of the structure regarding the zoom control of the lens system which concerns on this invention Diagram showing the screen displayed on the LCD when changing the zoom output characteristics Diagram showing before and after zoom output characteristics change Diagram showing the screen displayed on the LCD during zoom operation Diagram showing dead zone set for zoom output characteristics The block diagram which showed the aspect which performed the change process of zoom output characteristics with a lens apparatus as 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a television camera system using a lens system according to the present invention. A television camera 10 shown in the figure is a television camera mainly used for broadcasting or business use. The television camera 10 includes a lens device 12 and a camera body 14, and is supported by a pan head 18 installed on a pedestalry 16. Has been.

  The lens device 12 is mounted on a lens mount of the camera body 14, and optical members such as a focus lens (group), a zoom lens (group), and a diaphragm are provided therein, and these optical members are electrically driven by a motor. It has become so. For example, the focus lens and zoom lens move in the optical axis direction, and the focus (object distance) adjustment is performed by moving the focus lens, and the focal distance (zoom magnification) adjustment is performed by moving the zoom lens. .

  The camera body 14 is equipped with an image sensor (for example, a CCD), a required signal processing circuit, and the like. The image formed by the optical member of the lens device 12 is subjected to photoelectric conversion by the image sensor and then subjected to signal processing. Necessary signal processing is performed by the circuit, and is output to the outside as a video signal from the video signal output terminal or the like of the camera body 14.

  A viewfinder 36 that is a display device is installed on the camera body 14. Since the viewfinder 36 displays a photographed image by the television camera 10, the cameraman photographs the subject with a desired composition by operating the focus demand 26 and the zoom demand 28 while viewing the image. Can be done.

  The pan head 18 is extended with two left and right bread bars 22 and 24, and a focus demand (focus controller) 26 is installed on the grip part 22 </ b> A of the right bread bar 22 with a mounting clamp 38, and the left side A zoom demand (zoom controller) 28 is installed in the grip portion of the pan bar 24.

  The focus demand 26 is provided with a rotatable focus knob 30. When the focus knob 30 is rotated with the right hand, a focus control signal for instructing a focus position according to the rotation position is sent to the lens device 12. The focus lens moves to the focus position commanded by the focus control signal and stops.

  The zoom demand 28 is provided with a thumb ring 34 that can be rotated in both directions from the reference position. When the thumb ring 34 is rotated with the thumb of the left hand, the zoom ring 28 corresponds to the rotation amount and the rotation direction from the reference position. A zoom control signal that instructs the zoom speed (the magnitude and direction of movement speed) is output to the lens device 12, and the zoom lens moves at the zoom speed commanded by the zoom control signal.

  In addition, a liquid crystal display 40 with a touch panel is provided at the top of the main body of the zoom demand 28. The liquid crystal display 40 with a touch panel is connected to the zoom demand 28 via a cable (not shown), and functions as a means for displaying the output characteristics of the zoom demand 28 and inputting changes.

  In the following description, the LCD 40 is simply referred to as the liquid crystal display 40 with a touch panel. The LCD 40 can be installed at any position other than the upper part of the zoom demand 28 main body. For example, it may be installed beside the viewfinder 36. Processing related to the display and operation of the LCD 40 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration related to zoom control of the lens system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, zoom control of a lens system to which the present invention is applied is performed by a lens device 12 and a zoom demand 28. The output characteristics of the zoom demand 28 are changed through the LCD 40 connected to the zoom demand 28.

  The lens device 12 and the zoom demand 28 are equipped with CPUs 50 and 52, respectively. The lens device 12 and the zoom demand 28 are connected via a cable, and various signals are exchanged through serial communication interfaces (hereinafter referred to as SCI) 54 and 56 provided in each of them.

  The zoom demand 28 is provided with an operation member 58 for the operation. The operation member 58 is a thumb ring or the like for designating the target speed of the zoom lens 72. For example, the operation member automatically returns to a predetermined reference position when there is no operation, and in the positive and negative directions around the reference position. It can be operated. In the following description, the operation member 58 is a rotation member that is rotatably provided like a thumb ring.

  The CPU 52 of the zoom demand 28 acquires the operation amount of the operation member 58 from the encoder 60, generates a zoom control signal (speed control signal) for instructing the zoom speed based on the operation amount, and transmits it to the CPU 50 of the lens device 12. To do.

  An output characteristic (hereinafter referred to as “zoom output characteristic”) indicating a correspondence relationship between the operation amount of the operation member 58 of the zoom demand 28 and the zoom speed is referred to as “zoom output characteristic”. Is remembered. When generating the zoom control signal based on the operation amount of the operation member 58, the CPU 52 refers to the zoom output characteristic stored in the memory 62 and outputs a zoom control signal to be output with respect to the operation amount of the operation member 58. To derive.

  The output characteristic changing means 64 included in the CPU 52 changes the zoom output characteristic stored in the memory 62 in accordance with an input operation (touch operation) performed through the touch panel of the LCD 40. The zoom output characteristic changing process will be described later.

  The LCD 40 connected to the zoom demand 28 functions as a means for inputting changes in zoom output characteristics described later. It also functions as a means for displaying the currently set zoom output characteristics. The contents displayed on the screen of the LCD 40 will be described later. On the screen of the LCD 40, a graph showing zoom output characteristics, an image showing buttons to which various commands are assigned in advance, and the like are displayed. Note that the control related to the display on the LCD 40 is performed by the CPU 52.

  Further, the LCD 40 includes a touch panel. When a touch operation in which a fingertip or the like touches the screen of the LCD 40 is performed, position information indicating a touched position (coordinates) is given to the CPU 52. Thus, the position of the touch operation performed on the screen of the LCD 40 and the type of operation (tap operation, double tap operation, etc.) are detected by the CPU 52. Then, processing according to the operation is executed by the CPU 52.

  As described above, the CPU 50 of the lens device 12 uses the zoom control signal transmitted from the CPU 52 of the zoom demand 28 to move the zoom lens 72, that is, the zoom driving motor 70 that drives the zoom lens 72. The rotation speed is determined, and a zoom speed command signal for instructing the speed is output to the amplifier 68 via the D / A converter 66. As a result, a voltage corresponding to the zoom speed command signal is applied from the amplifier 68 to the zoom drive motor 70 to drive the zoom drive motor 70, and the zoom lens 72 moves at the zoom speed commanded by the zoom demand 28.

  Further, the lens device 12 is provided with an encoder 74 as means for detecting the position of the zoom lens 72, and the CPU 50 can acquire position information of the zoom lens 72 from the encoder 74. Thus, the CPU 50 can grasp the current position of the zoom lens 72. For example, when controlling the position of the zoom lens 72, deceleration control at the end when controlling the moving speed of the zoom lens 72 is possible. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, an encoder is used as a means for detecting the operation amount of the operation member 58 and the position of the zoom lens 72. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be detected by a signal and converted into a digital signal by a D / A converter. However, it is preferable to use an encoder that is more durable than a potentiometer, less affected by temperature, and less affected by external noise.

  Next, a method for changing the zoom output characteristics will be described together with processing relating to display and operation of the LCD 40.

  When the mode for changing the zoom output characteristic is selected by a predetermined operation, the zoom output characteristic stored in the memory 62 is read out by the CPU 52 of the zoom demand 28, and the zoom output is output to the screen of the LCD 40 as shown in FIG. A plurality of buttons 100 and 102 (up button 100 and down button 102) to which a graph indicating characteristics and predetermined commands are assigned in advance are displayed.

  In the graph shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the operation amount of the operation member 58, and the vertical axis represents the zoom speed (the value of the zoom control signal).

  In general, the zoom output characteristic is represented by a simple curve (such as a parabola) or a straight line as in the graph shown in FIG. 3, so that it does not necessarily match the personal sense, and the response of the zoom lens 72 seems to be considered. You may not be able to go to.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation member is related to the operation direction (horizontal axis direction) of the operation member 58 on the line 104 indicating the zoom output characteristic (hereinafter referred to as “zoom output characteristic line”). A plurality of control points (T1 to T5, W1 to W5) are set at predetermined intervals in both directions (tele side and wide side) with 58 reference positions as the center, and correspond to each control point according to an operator's instruction. The output value (that is, the zoom speed) is individually adjusted, and the zoom output characteristic line is changed by interpolation processing based on the adjusted plurality of control points.

  Specifically, the cursor 106 can sequentially move the control points (T1 to T5, W1 to W5) on the zoom output characteristic line 104 in accordance with the operation of the operation member 58, and is designated by the cursor 106. The output value corresponding to the control point can be adjusted up and down by a touch operation on the up button 100 or the down button 102. Note that the cursor 106 may be moved or the output value may be changed by directly touching a predetermined position on the graph.

  The CPU 52 of the zoom demand 28 changes the zoom output characteristic line by a known interpolation process so as to pass through all control points (or the vicinity thereof) including the control point whose output value has been changed, and the zoom output characteristic after the change. The line is displayed on the LCD 40 screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the tele-side control points T2 to T4 among the plurality of control points (T1 to T5, W1 to W5) are changed to the control points T2 ′ to T4 ′, respectively, zoom output is performed. The characteristic line is changed from a state indicated by reference numeral 104 (illustrated by a solid line) to a reference numeral 104 ′ (illustrated by a broken line).

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with respect to the operation direction (horizontal axis direction) of the operation member 58, the same number of control points are equally spaced from the reference position of the operation member 58 in both directions (tele side and wide side). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the number and interval of control points may be different in each direction.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the LCD 40 during the zoom operation. When the mode for displaying the zoom output characteristic is selected by a predetermined operation, a graph indicating the currently set zoom output characteristic is displayed on the screen of the LCD 40 as shown in FIG. At this time, a cursor 108 indicating a position corresponding to the current operation amount of the operation member 58 is displayed on the zoom output characteristic line 104 ′. Thus, the operator can perform an operation while visually confirming the currently set zoom output characteristic (that is, the correspondence between the operation amount of the operation member 58 and the zoom speed), and thus the response of the zoom lens 72 can be obtained. Predictions can be made in advance, further improving usability. It is also convenient for tuning and learning according to the operator's preference.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the moving speed of the zoom lens 72 is numerically displayed at the bottom of the graph showing the zoom output characteristics. Instead of the graph indicating the zoom output characteristic, only the numerical display of the moving speed of the zoom lens 72 may be used. As the moving speed of the zoom lens 72, a value derived by the CPU 50 of the lens device 12 based on the position of the zoom lens 72 acquired from the encoder 74 is used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of control points are provided on the zoom output characteristic line, and output values corresponding to the plurality of control points are individually adjusted in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Since the zoom output characteristic line is changed by the interpolation processing based on the zoom output characteristic, the zoom output characteristic can be freely changed according to the preference of the operator, and the usability is improved.

  Particularly, since a plurality of control points are provided in both directions (wide side and tele side) around the reference position of the operation member 58 of the zoom demand 28, the output characteristics in each direction can be set separately. It becomes like this. In addition to a quadratic curve such as a parabola, output characteristics indicated by a cubic or higher curve including an inflection point in the middle can be set.

  Further, as in the example shown in FIG. 6, by further adding control points S1 and S2 near both sides of the reference position of the operation member 58, and changing the output values of the control points S1 and S2 to 0, It is also possible to provide a region (dead zone) where the output value within a predetermined range from the reference position of the operation member 58 is zero. At this time, it is convenient that the arrangement of the control points S1 and S2 (positions on the horizontal axis) can be changed independently. As a result, it is possible to prevent the zoom lens 72 from moving without permission even though the operation member 58 is not operated by the operator.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a mode in which the zoom output characteristic changing process is performed by the lens device 12 as the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, elements that are the same as or similar to those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 50 of the lens apparatus 12 includes an output characteristic changing unit 64. Further, the lens device 12 is provided with a memory 62 as means for storing zoom output characteristics. Further, the lens device 12 is connected with an LCD 40 that functions as a means for displaying the zoom output characteristics stored in the memory 62 and inputting the changed contents.

  In the second embodiment, when a zoom control signal corresponding to the amount of operation of the operation member 58 is sent from the CPU 52 of the zoom demand 28 to the lens device 12, the CPU 50 of the lens device 12 stores the zoom stored in the memory 62. The output characteristic is read, the zoom control signal given from the zoom demand 28 is converted into a zoom speed command signal according to the output characteristic, and is output to the amplifier 68 via the D / A converter 66.

  A graph indicating the zoom output characteristics stored in the memory 62 is displayed on the LCD 40, and as with the first embodiment, a touch operation performed on the touch panel provided on the LCD 40 is performed. In response to an instruction to change the zoom output characteristic, the output characteristic changing means 64 included in the CPU 50 performs a zoom output characteristic changing process in accordance with the change.

  According to the second embodiment, even when the zoom demand 28 does not have a function of changing the zoom output characteristic, the zoom output characteristic can be changed by the lens device 12, so that the operator can change his / her preference. The corresponding zoom characteristics can be obtained, and the operability related to zoom control is improved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the speed control of the zoom lens has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other optical members (zoom lens, focus lens, iris, extender) are used. The same can be applied to speed control.

  The lens system of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Television camera, 12 ... Lens apparatus, 28 ... Zoom demand, 34 ... Thumb ring, 40 ... LCD, 50 ... CPU, 52 ... CPU, 58 ... Operation member, 60 ... Encoder, 62 ... Memory, 64 ... Output characteristic change means , 66 ... D / A converter, 68 ... Amplifier, 70 ... Motor for zoom drive, 72 ... Zoom lens, 74 ... Encoder

Claims (5)

In a lens system comprising: an operating device that outputs a control signal based on an operation of an operating member; and a lens device that controls a moving speed of an optical member based on a control signal given from the operating device.
Storage means for storing output characteristics indicating a correspondence relationship between an operation amount of the operation member and a moving speed of the optical member;
Control means for controlling the operating device or the lens device according to the output characteristics stored in the storage means;
Output characteristic changing means for changing the output characteristics stored in the storage means,
The output characteristic changing unit sets a plurality of control points on a line indicating the output characteristic stored in the storage unit, and individually adjusts output values corresponding to the plurality of control points according to an operator's instruction. The lens system is characterized in that a line indicating the output characteristic is changed by an interpolation process based on the adjusted plurality of control points. The operation member is composed of a rotation member configured to be rotatable in both directions around a reference position,
The lens system according to claim 1, wherein the output characteristic changing unit sets a plurality of control points in both directions from a reference position of the operation member.   The lens system according to claim 1, wherein the output characteristic changing unit changes the output characteristic so that an output value becomes 0 for a predetermined range from a reference position of the operation member.   The lens system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit and the output characteristic changing unit are provided in the operation device.   4. The lens system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit and the output characteristic changing unit are provided in the lens device.

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