JP2020052227A - Optical device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a user with a good operation feeling by efficiently transmitting vibration to the user operating it.SOLUTION: An optical device 10 has control means 115 for controlling vibration means 100 which generates vibration in response to a user's operation on operation means 102. The vibration means has a plurality of vibration generation sections 1001-1005 for transmitting the vibration to the operation means in each of a plurality of areas. The control means acquires information on an operation position of the user in the operation means and controls the plurality of vibration generation sections so that the vibration is transmitted to the operation means in a part of areas corresponding to the operation position among the plurality of areas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical device that generates vibration according to a user operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as digital cameras, video cameras, and interchangeable lenses often have a configuration in which operational feelings such as a feeling of power and a feeling of clicking are generated according to a user operation of operating members such as a rotating ring, a dial, and a button.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a camera in which a vibration device (piezoelectric actuator) is provided immediately below a button such as a shutter button that can be pressed by a user, and the vibration device is vibrated in response to the pressing operation to give the user a sense of operation. Have been. Patent Document 2 discloses that a user can perceive a direction in which a subject can be properly imaged by generating a vibration on a shutter button on which a user places a finger or on a vibration device provided on a grip section gripped by the user (that is, (Providing information indicating the orientation of the camera).

JP 2006-136865 A JP 2013-157953 A

  However, when the user rotates the operation ring provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel of the camera, if the camera body (for example, the grip unit) different from the operation ring that the user actually touches with a finger vibrates, the user There is a risk of feeling strange. Furthermore, in order to vibrate a vibration device arranged in a portion of the operation ring where the user does not touch the finger and transmit the vibration to the user's finger, it is necessary to increase the vibration generated by the vibration device. .

  The present invention provides an optical device capable of efficiently transmitting vibration to a user who operates an operation ring and giving the user a good operational feeling.

  An optical apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that controls a vibration unit that generates vibration in accordance with a user operation on an operation unit. The vibration unit has a plurality of vibration generating units that transmit vibration to the operation unit in each of the plurality of regions. The control means obtains information on a user's operation position in the operation means, and controls the plurality of vibration generating units such that vibration is transmitted to the operation means in a part of the plurality of areas corresponding to the operation position. It is characterized by doing.

  In addition, a control method according to another aspect of the present invention is applied to an optical device that controls a vibration unit that generates vibration in accordance with a user operation on an operation unit. The vibration unit has a plurality of vibration generating units that transmit vibration to the operation unit in each of the plurality of regions. The control method includes a step of acquiring information on a user's operation position in the operation unit, and causing the plurality of vibration generating units to transmit vibration to the operation unit in a part of the plurality of regions corresponding to the operation position. And a step of performing control.

  Note that a computer program that causes a computer of an optical device that controls a vibration unit that generates vibration in response to a user operation on the operation unit to execute a process according to the control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently transmit vibration to a user who operates the operation unit, and to give the user a good operation feeling.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an LRA mounted on the camera. 2A is a rear perspective view of the camera according to the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the camera according to the first embodiment. 6A is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the vibration device and the touch panel according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a change in the amount of vibration of the vibration device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a vibration control process according to the first embodiment. (A) The figure which shows the touch panel which has an operation impossible area | region in Example 1, and (b) The figure which shows the touch panel which does not have an operation impossible area | region. (A) The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the vibration device in Example 2 of this invention, and (b) The figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of the vibration device at the time of imaging | photography. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a vibration control process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a vibration device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a vibration control process according to the third embodiment.

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

  First Embodiment A configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter, referred to as a camera) 10 as an imaging device (electronic device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2A and 2B. . As shown in FIG. 1A, in the camera 10, an optical axis direction in which an optical axis of an optical system housed by a lens barrel unit (lens barrel unit) described later extends is defined as a Z-axis direction, and a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is defined as a Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction (horizontal direction) and the Y-axis direction (vertical direction). Hereinafter, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are also collectively referred to as the X / Y-axis direction. The rotation direction around the X axis is defined as a pitch direction, and the rotation direction around the Y axis is defined as a yaw direction. The pitch direction and the yaw direction (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as a pitch / yaw direction) are rotation directions about two axes, that is, an X axis and a Y axis that are orthogonal to each other.

  FIG. 1A shows the front and top surfaces of the camera 10. The camera 10 includes a front cover unit 11 that forms a front portion of a camera body, and a collapsible lens barrel unit 12 that is provided at the center of the front cover unit 11 and forms a subject image by forming light from a subject. And An image sensor (see FIG. 3) for generating an image by photoelectrically converting (imaging) a subject image is provided in the main body.

  A front grip unit 101 for a user to grip the camera 10 with his / her hand is provided on a left portion (right side when viewed from behind) of the front cover unit 11 when viewed from the front (subject side). The front grip portion 101 protrudes forward from a portion around the lens barrel unit 12 of the front cover unit 11 (a front cover described later), and has a shape that the user can easily hold with his or her hand (middle finger or ring finger). The user holding the front grip unit 101 with his / her hand can operate a release button 17 and a zoom lever 16 to be described later with his / her index finger. For this reason, the front grip portion 101 is disposed closer to the release button 17 than the lens barrel unit 12 is.

  An operation ring 102 is provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel unit 12. The user can perform a pseudo rotation operation of the operation ring 102 by a slide operation in a rotation direction on a touch sensor 102 a provided in an annular shape on the operation ring 102. Further, an arbitrary function for changing an imaging condition can be assigned to each of a plurality of slide positions of the operation ring 102 for each predetermined slide amount. For example, imaging conditions such as a focus position and an exposure value can be variably set by pseudo-rotating the operation ring 102 by sliding operation and selecting the rotation position. That is, the operation ring 102 is an operation member that can be operated by a user for setting related to imaging. The setting relating to imaging according to the present embodiment includes switching and adjustment relating to imaging.

  On the upper surface of the camera 10, an exposure dial 13 for setting an exposure value, a power button 14, and a mode dial 15 for switching an imaging mode are arranged. When the user presses the power button 14 while the power of the camera 10 is off, the power of the camera 10 is turned on. When the power of the camera 10 is turned on, the lens barrel unit 12 projects forward from the retracted position and becomes ready for imaging. In this state, the user can set the various imaging modes by rotating the mode dial 15 and selecting the rotation position. The various imaging modes include a manual still image imaging mode in which the user can arbitrarily set imaging conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value, an automatic still image imaging mode in which an appropriate exposure amount is automatically obtained, and moving image imaging. And the like. In the manual still image capturing mode, the user can set an arbitrary exposure value (shutter speed + aperture value) by rotating the exposure dial 13 and selecting the rotation position. The exposure dial 13 and the mode dial 15 are operation members that can be operated by a user for setting related to imaging, and are operation members that can be operated by the user to a plurality of rotational positions.

  Further, on the upper surface of the camera 10, a zoom lever 16 operated left and right by the user to change the focal length of the lens barrel unit 12 and a release button 17 pressed by the user to instruct imaging are provided. Is arranged. Further, on the upper surface of the camera 10, a built-in flash unit 19 is provided so as to be able to pop up and be stored, and on the upper surface of the built-in flash unit 19, an accessory shoe 18 is provided, from which an external flash unit or microphone can be detached. ing.

  When the user presses the power button 14 with the power of the camera 10 turned on, the lens barrel unit 12 is stored in the main body, and the power of the camera 10 is turned off.

  Further, in the vicinity of the lens barrel unit 12 (operation ring 102) in the camera body, a vibration device as vibration means, which will be described later with reference to FIG. The vibration device vibrates according to a slide operation of the operation ring 102 and transmits the vibration to the operation ring 102. The vibration device is, for example, a type using a piezoelectric element, an eccentric motor type or a linear actuator (LRA: Linear Resonant Actuator) type, and can variably set vibration parameters such as a vibration intensity (amplitude) and a vibration frequency. . By changing the vibration parameters, vibrations of various vibration patterns can be generated.

  FIG. 2A shows the rear surface of the camera 10. On the back of the camera 10, a back cover unit 23 constituting the back of the main body, a back operation unit 21 provided on the back cover unit 23, and a display unit 22 are provided. The rear operation unit 21 includes a plurality of buttons and dials, and is provided below the rear grip unit 23c of the rear cover unit 23 to which a user applies a thumb when gripping the camera 10.

  When the power of the camera 10 is ON and the still image or moving image imaging mode is set, the display unit 22 displays a through image of the subject image captured by the imaging element. The display unit 22 displays imaging parameters indicating imaging conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value. The user operates the rear operation unit 21 while viewing the display to change the set values of the imaging parameters. Is possible. The change of the set value of the imaging parameter may be performed by a touch operation (slide operation) on a slider displayed on the display unit 22 as a touch panel. The slider in this case is an operation member that can be operated by a user for setting related to imaging, and an operation member that can be operated by the user to a plurality of slide positions.

  The rear operation unit 21 includes a playback button for instructing playback of the recorded captured image. When the user operates the playback button, the captured image is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 22.

  FIG. 2B shows the bottom surface of the camera 10. A tripod seat 30 is provided on the bottom surface of the camera 10. Accessory devices such as a tripod and a jacket can be attached to the tripod seat 30.

  FIG. 1B shows a configuration of an LRA type vibration device 100. The LRA includes a vibrator 100a, a magnet 100b, a spring 100c, a coil 100d, and a base 100e. The vibrator 100a holds the magnet 100b and is movably connected to the base 100e by a spring 100c. The coil 100d is arranged near the magnet 100b, and is electrically connected to a circuit board (not shown). The coil 100d generates an electromagnetic force when a current is applied from a circuit board, and the vibrator 100a reciprocates due to an attractive force or a repulsive force between the electromagnetic force and the magnet 100b. Vibration occurs in the direction of the middle arrow.

  FIG. 3 shows an electrical and optical configuration of the camera 10. The camera 10 includes a power supply unit 135 for supplying power to each unit described later, and an operation unit 40 including the above-described exposure dial 13, power button 14, mode dial 15, zoom lever 16, release button 17, and rear operation unit 21. Have. Control of the entire camera 10 is performed by a control unit 115 as control means. The control unit 115 controls the entire camera 10 by reading and executing a control program stored in a memory (not shown).

  The lens barrel unit 12 includes a zoom unit 116 including a zoom lens that moves in the optical axis direction to change the magnification, a lens anti-shake unit 118 including a shift lens as an anti-shake element that reduces (corrects) image blur, and Having. The lens anti-shake unit 118 performs an anti-shake operation to reduce image blur by moving (shifting) the shift lens in the X / Y-axis direction orthogonal to the optical axis. Further, the lens barrel unit 12 includes a diaphragm / shutter unit 122 that performs a light amount adjustment operation and a shutter operation, and a focus unit 124 that includes a focus lens that moves in the optical axis direction and performs focus adjustment.

  The camera 10 drives the zoom unit 116 to move the zoom lens by driving the zoom unit 116, the image stabilization drive unit 119 to drive the lens image stabilization unit 118 to shift the shift lens, and drives the aperture / shutter unit 122. And an aperture / shutter drive unit 123 that performs the operation. Further, the camera 10 has a focus drive unit 125 that drives the focus unit 124 to move the focus lens.

  When an instruction to change the magnification is input from the operation unit 40, the control unit 115 controls the driving of the zoom unit 116 via the zoom driving unit 117 to perform the magnification. The control unit 115 also controls the aperture / shutter unit via the aperture / shutter drive unit 123 in accordance with the aperture value or shutter speed setting value received from the operation unit 40 or a luminance signal acquired from an image processing unit 131 described later. 122 is controlled. Further, the control unit 115 controls the shutter driving of the aperture / shutter unit 122 via the aperture / shutter driving unit 123 in accordance with the imaging instruction operation on the release button 17. Further, the control unit 115 performs autofocus by controlling the drive of the focus unit 124 via the focus drive unit 125 in accordance with the focus signal acquired from the image processing unit 131.

  The imaging element 126 photoelectrically converts the subject image and outputs an imaging signal. The image processing unit 131 performs various types of image processing on the imaging signal to generate an image signal. The display unit 22 displays the image signal (through image) output from the image processing unit 131, displays the imaging parameters as described above, and reproduces and displays the captured image recorded in the storage unit 132. .

  The image sensor 126 is included in the sensor anti-shake unit 130 as an anti-shake element. The sensor anti-shake unit 130 performs an anti-shake operation to reduce (correct) image blur by moving (shifting) the image sensor 126 in the X / Y-axis directions orthogonal to the optical axis. The control unit 115 controls the imaging by the imaging element 126 and the driving of the sensor anti-vibration unit 130 (the shift position of the imaging element 126) via the sensor driving unit 127.

  The camera 10 has a pitch shake detecting unit 120a and a yaw shake detecting unit 120b as shake detecting means capable of detecting shakes such as camera shakes (hereinafter referred to as camera shakes) applied to the camera 10. The pitch shake detection unit 120a and the yaw shake detection unit 120b use an angular velocity sensor (vibration gyro) and an angular acceleration sensor, respectively, in the pitch direction (rotation direction around the X axis) and in the yaw direction (rotation direction around the Y axis). A camera shake is detected and a shake signal is output.

  The pitch image stabilization calculation unit 121a calculates a shift position in the Y-axis direction of the lens image stabilization unit 118 (shift lens) and the sensor image stabilization unit 130 (imaging element 126) using a shake signal from the pitch shake detection unit 120a. I do. The yaw image stabilization calculation unit 121b calculates the shift position of the lens image stabilization unit 118 and the sensor image stabilization unit 130 in the X-axis direction using the shake signal from the yaw shake detection unit 120b. The control unit 115 controls the lens anti-shake unit 118 via the anti-shake drive unit 119 and the sensor drive unit 127 in accordance with the shift position in the pitch / yaw direction calculated by the pitch anti-shake operation unit 121a and the yaw anti-shake operation unit 121b. And the shift position of the sensor anti-vibration unit 130 is controlled. Thus, an image stabilizing operation for correcting image shake is performed.

  Whether the image stabilizing operation is performed by driving one or both of the lens image stabilizing unit 118 and the sensor image stabilizing unit 130 can be selected by the user through the operation unit 40. For example, when the user has turned on the setting of the image stabilization operation, the control unit 115 determines the imaging scene, and selects one or both of the optimal image stabilization units of the lens image stabilization unit 118 and the sensor image stabilization unit 130. Select to perform anti-shake operation.

  The operation detection unit 112 detects a sliding operation of the operation ring 102 in the rotation direction. When a slide operation is detected by the operation detection unit 112, the control unit 115 causes the vibration device drive unit 134 to output a drive signal for the vibration device 100, and causes the vibration device 100 to generate vibration. As will be described later, the vibration device 100 transmits vibration to the operation ring 102 to give a user's hand (finger) touching the operation ring 102 an operation feeling such as a click feeling for a slide operation of the operation ring 102. be able to.

  As described above, the setting value of the imaging parameter can be changed by operating the rear operation unit 21, but the change in the setting value of the imaging parameter can be assigned to the sliding operation of the operation ring 102.

  Further, the camera 10 has a posture detection unit (posture detection means) 136. The posture detection unit 136 is configured using, for example, an acceleration sensor, and detects the posture of the camera 10. The control unit 115 controls the level function displayed on the display unit 22, the lens anti-shake unit 118, and the like according to the posture of the camera 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a camera posture) detected by the posture detection unit 136.

  Next, a driving method of the vibration device 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a touch sensor 102a as a contact sensor is provided at a portion adjacent to the operation ring 102 in the optical axis direction on the outer periphery of the lens barrel unit 12. The touch sensor 102a detects a contact position of a user's finger on the operation ring 102 (that is, a user's operation position) by a capacitance method, a resistance film method, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality (five) of vibration devices (vibration generating units) 1001, 1002, and 1003 are provided near the lens barrel unit 12 in the camera body as the above-described vibration device 100. , 1004, 1005. FIG. 4A illustrates a positional relationship between the vibration devices 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, and 1005 and the touch sensor 102a. The vibrating devices 1001 to 1005 are arranged at five positions around the optical axis A of the lens barrel unit 12 (in the circumferential direction).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the touch sensor 102a is provided on the entire circumference of the lens barrel unit 12 or a part thereof. The built-in flash unit 19 provided on the upper surface of the camera 10 overlaps the upper region of the operation ring 102 in the radial direction. For this reason, the upper region of the operation ring 102 is an operation-impossible region 103f in which the user cannot touch and perform a slide operation. The vibration devices 1001 to 1005 are not arranged at positions (transmitting vibration) corresponding to the inoperable area 103f in the camera body.

  On the other hand, the circumferential direction area of the operation ring 102 different from the operation impossible area 103f is divided into a plurality (five) of operation areas 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, and 103e. Vibration devices 1001 to 1005 are arranged at positions corresponding to the operation areas 103a to 103e in the camera body.

  When the user holds the operation ring 102 with his / her finger (thumb and forefinger or middle finger) and performs a sliding operation, the user's finger touching the operation ring 102 through the touch sensor 102a is positioned around the lens barrel unit 12 with respect to the camera body. A certain operation position (hereinafter, referred to as a finger position) can be detected. When the user slides the operation ring 102 with the finger, the movement of the finger position with respect to the camera body around the lens barrel unit 12 can be detected through the touch sensor 102a. The information on the finger position detected by the touch sensor 102a is information on the user's operation position indicating the finger position in the rotation operation (user operation) of the operation ring 102.

  When the operation ring 102 is slid in the rotation direction, a function assigned to the operation ring 102 (hereinafter referred to as a ring function) is switched for each predetermined slide amount. At the same time as the switching of the ring function, only the vibrating device provided at a position corresponding to an operation area (a part of a plurality of areas) including the finger position detected by the touch sensor 102a among the vibrating devices 1001 to 1005 Is driven to generate vibration. Thereby, the click feeling is efficiently fed back to the user.

  FIG. 4B shows a change in the vibration amount (amplitude) of the vibration devices 1001, 1002, 1004, and 1005. The vertical axis indicates the amount of vibration generated by the vibration device, and the horizontal axis indicates the finger position (operation area). Here, from the state where the finger position detected by the touch sensor 102a is within the operation areas 103b and 103e, the operation ring 102 is slid in the direction of arrow A in FIG. , 103d will be described.

  First, in a state where the finger position is within the operation areas 103b and 103e, the vibration devices 1002 and 1005 generate vibration for each predetermined slide amount on the operation ring 102. Thereafter, when the finger position moves into the operation areas 103a and 103d, the vibration devices 1001 and 1004 generate vibration for each predetermined slide amount. In this manner, by switching the vibration device that generates vibration so as to follow a change in the position of the user's finger that slides the operation ring 102 on the lens barrel unit 12, the user can efficiently operate the device. Can be fed back.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, a transition region is provided so as to include boundaries between the operation regions 103b and 103e and the operation regions 103a and 103d, and vibration is generated while changing the amount of vibration of the vibration device in the transition region. The vibration device to be used may be switched. Specifically, when the finger position enters the transition region from the operation regions 103b and 103e, the vibration amounts of the vibration devices 1002 and 1005 are gradually reduced, while the vibration amounts of the vibration devices 1001 and 1004 are gradually increased. The operation areas 103b and 103e are operation areas that are close to the finger position next to the operation areas 103b and 103e that include the finger position.

  Then, when the finger position shifts from the transition area to the operation areas 103a and 103d, vibration is generated only from the vibration devices 1001 and 1004. Thus, a user who operates the operation ring 102 between the operation areas 103b and 103e and the operation areas 103a and 103d can be efficiently provided with a good operation feeling (click feeling) with little discomfort.

  The process of controlling the driving of the vibration devices 1001 to 1005 (the vibration control process) as described with reference to FIG. 4B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 115, which is a computer, executes this processing according to a computer program.

  In step S1, the control unit 115 starts detection (acquisition) of the user's finger and its position by the touch sensor 102a.

  Next, in step S2, the control unit 115 determines whether or not a finger has been detected by the touch sensor 102a. When a finger is detected, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control unit 115 determines in which operation area the finger position that is the position of the finger detected in step S2 is located. In the present embodiment, it is determined which of the operation areas among the operation areas 103b and 103e, the operation areas 103a and 103d, and the operation area 103c is located. When the control unit 115 determines which operation area the finger position is in, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the control unit 115 determines whether the slide amount on the operation ring 102 detected by the operation detection unit 112 has reached a predetermined slide amount.

  When the slide amount of the operation ring 102 reaches the predetermined slide amount, the control unit 115 proceeds from step S4 to step S5.

  In step S5, the control unit 115 selects the vibration device corresponding to the operation area determined to have the finger position in step S3, and drives the selected vibration device for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). To generate vibration. Specifically, when the finger position is within the operation regions 103b and 103e, the vibration devices 1002 and 1005 are vibrated, and when the finger position is within the operation regions 103a and 103d, the vibration devices 1001 and 1004 are vibrated. When the finger position is within the operation area 103c, the vibration devices 1001 and 1003 are vibrated. When step S5 ends, the control unit 115 returns to step S2.

  FIG. 6A shows the shape of the touch sensor 102a. The touch sensor 102a is formed in a sheet shape extending in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel unit 12, and has a discontinuous portion 102fa between both ends in the circumferential direction. On the opposite side of the discontinuous portion 102fa of the touch sensor 102a, a connecting portion 102b extending rearward in the optical axis direction is provided. The connection unit 102b is electrically connected to the control unit 115.

  When the thus formed touch sensor 102a is attached to the outer periphery of the lens barrel unit 12, the discontinuous portion 102fa is arranged in the inoperable region 103f, so that the operation ring 102 slides in any of the operation regions 103a to 103d. It is possible to detect the contact of the finger of the user who operates.

  FIG. 6B shows the shape of a touch sensor 102a as a modification. The touch sensor 102a is formed in a sheet shape extending in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel unit 12, and is formed such that half-width portions 102fb of both end portions in the circumferential direction are adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction. As described above, by disposing the half-width portions 102fb adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, it is possible to eliminate the discontinuous portion in the touch sensor 102a, and it is possible to detect the contact of the user's finger on the entire circumference of the operation ring 102. . A connecting portion 102b extending rearward in the optical axis direction is provided on a side of the touch sensor 102a opposite to both ends. The connection unit 102b is electrically connected to the control unit 115.

  This touch sensor 102a may be used for the camera 10 having the inoperable area 103f as in the present embodiment, or may be used for a camera having no inoperable area 103f (having no built-in flash unit 19). Good.

  Note that the touch sensor 102a may have a shape different from the shapes shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Further, the touch sensor may be arranged not only on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel unit 12, but also on the front end surface.

  According to the present embodiment, the position of the vibration device that generates vibration is close to the finger position regardless of the position where the user holds the operation ring 102 with his / her finger, so that the user who operates the operation ring 102 feels less uncomfortable. A good operation feeling (click feeling) can be efficiently given. Further, since only the vibrating device close to the finger position among the plurality of vibrating devices 1001 to 1005 is selectively driven, compared with a case where all the vibrating devices are driven or one vibrating device that generates strong vibration is used. Thus, power saving of the camera 10 is possible.

  Note that the number of vibrating devices need not be four as in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the case where the same number of vibration devices 1001 to 1005 are provided for the plurality of operation areas 103a to 103e has been described. However, if vibration can be generated for each operation area, a smaller number of vibration devices may be used for a plurality of operation areas. For example, a plurality of vibration generating units may be arranged in a plurality of operation areas using one vibration device having a plurality of vibration generating units (such as piezoelectric elements) that generate vibration. This is the same in other embodiments described later.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description will be omitted. FIG. 7A shows an arrangement of four vibration devices 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 in the camera 10 'of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the operation ring 102 is a rotary operation member that rotates around the optical axis, and does not have a touch sensor as in the first embodiment. The vibrating devices 2001 to 2004 are arranged at four positions near the lens barrel unit 12 (operation ring 102) in the camera body and at equal intervals of 90 degrees around the optical axis A. When the posture of the camera 10 ′ (camera posture) is the normal position where the long sides of the image sensor 126 and the display unit 22 extend horizontally, the vibration device 2001 is disposed closer to the front grip unit 101 than the optical axis A. . The vibration device 2003 is disposed on the opposite side of the vibration device 2001 with respect to the optical axis A. The vibrating device 2002 is arranged above the optical axis A, and the vibrating device 2003 is arranged below the optical axis A (on the opposite side of the optical axis A from the vibrating device 2002).

  The vibration devices 2001 to 2004 do not rotate even when the operation ring 102 rotates, and are fixed to the camera body so that the operation ring 102 can be vibrated.

  FIG. 7B shows the relationship between the position of the user's finger and the positions of the vibration devices 2001 to 2004 when the user holds the camera 10 ′ in the normal position and the vertical position in a general manner. The normal position is as described above. The vertical position is a posture in which the long sides of the image sensor 126 and the display unit 22 extend in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the position where the user's finger (thumb and index finger or middle finger) touches the operation ring 102 differs between the normal position and the vertical position. That is, whether the camera posture is the normal position or the vertical position is determined by the user's operation position indicating the finger position when the user's finger rotating the operation ring 102 touches the operation ring 102 while holding a general camera. Information about

  At the normal position, the vibration devices 2001 and 2003 are arranged near the finger touching the operation ring 102. On the other hand, in the vertical position, the vibration devices 2002 and 2004 are arranged near the finger touching the operation ring 102.

  The vibration control process executed by the control unit 115 according to the computer program in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S2001, the control unit 115 detects (acquires) the camera posture through the posture detection unit 136, and determines whether the detected camera posture is the normal position or the vertical position. The control unit 115 proceeds to step S2002 when the camera posture is the normal position, and proceeds to step S2003 when the camera posture is the vertical position.

  In steps S2002 and S2003, control unit 115 determines whether or not the rotation amount of operation ring 102 detected by rotation detection unit 112 has reached a predetermined rotation amount. When the rotation amount of the operation ring 102 has reached the predetermined rotation amount, the control unit 115 proceeds from step S2002 to step S2004 or from step S2003 to step S2005.

  In step S2004, the control unit 115 drives the vibration devices 2001 and 2003 for a predetermined time to generate vibration. On the other hand, in step S2005, the control unit 115 drives the vibration devices 2002 and 2004 for a predetermined time to generate vibration. When step S2004 or step S2005 ends, control unit 115 returns to step S2001.

  In this embodiment, among the plurality of vibrating devices 2001 to 2004, a vibrating device close to the finger position is driven in accordance with the camera posture, that is, the position (finger position) where the user's finger touches the operation ring 102. Thereby, the operation feeling (click feeling) for the operation of the operation ring 102 can be efficiently given to the user without a sense of incongruity. In addition, since only the vibrating device near the finger position is selectively driven among the plurality of vibrating devices 2001 to 2004, compared to a case where all the vibrating devices are driven or one vibrating device that generates strong vibration is used. Thus, power saving of the camera 10 'is possible.

  Note that the number of vibrating devices need not be four as in this embodiment. Further, depending on the number and arrangement of the vibrating devices, the vibrating devices may be selectively driven when the camera posture is other than the normal position and the vertical position (for example, 45 degrees obliquely).

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that a plurality of vibration devices move (rotate) together with the operation ring 102.

  9A illustrates an arrangement of four vibration devices 3001, 3002, 3003, and 3004 in the camera 10 ″ according to the third embodiment. The vibration devices 3001 to 3004 are arranged around the optical axis A in the operation ring 102. As shown in the figure, two straight lines 301a orthogonal to the optical axis A of the camera 10 'in the normal posture, and inclined at 45 ° to the horizontal and orthogonal to each other as shown in the figure. , 301b are defined as quadrants 1 to 4. In quadrants 1 to 4, one of the vibrating devices 3001 to 3004 is arranged one by one. It is fixed regardless of the posture.

  The storage unit 132 illustrated in FIG. 1A holds information on a drive start area (specific area) 302 as a reference for determining which of the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 is to be driven. Specifically, the quadrant 2 and the quadrant 4 are the drive start areas 302.

  FIG. 9B shows the positional relationship between the user's finger and the quadrants 2 and 4 as the drive start area 302 when the user holds the camera 10 ″ in the normal position and the vertical position in a general manner. When the rotational position of the operation ring 102 with respect to the camera body (moving position: hereinafter referred to as phase) is the same as the phase shown in Fig. 9A, the user's finger (thumb and index finger or The middle finger) touches the operation ring 102 in the quadrants 2 and 4. When the operation ring 102 is rotated by a predetermined amount of rotation in the normal posture, the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 are located in the quadrants 2 and 4 among the four vibration devices 3001 to 3004. Only the vibrating devices (first vibration generating units) 3001 and 3003 start driving, and even in the vertical posture, when the operation ring 102 is rotated by a predetermined amount of rotation, four vibration devices are activated. Vibration device located quadrant 2 and quadrant 4 of the devices 3001 to 3004 (the first vibration generating unit) 3002, 3004 only the driving is started.

  As shown in parentheses in FIG. 1, the camera 10 ″ of this embodiment includes a phase detection unit (position detection unit) 150 that detects a phase of the operation ring 102 with respect to the camera body (hereinafter, referred to as a ring phase). Whether the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 are in the drive start area 302 can be determined from the ring phase detected by the detection unit 150 and the camera posture detected by the posture detection unit 136. In other words, the operation ring 102 It can be determined whether or not the position of the user's finger touching is in the drive start area 302. That is, the information of the camera posture and the ring phase can be obtained by using a general camera attitude and operating the operation ring 102. This is information on the user's operation position, which indicates the finger position when the user's finger rotating the icon touches the operation ring 102.

  Thereafter, even if the vibrating device 3001, 3003 or 3002, 3004 moves to the quadrants 1, 3 outside the driving start area 302 by continuing the rotation operation of the operation ring 102, even if the vibration device 3001, 3003 or 3002, 3004 These vibrating devices are driven. In other words, the vibrating device driven in the drive start area 302 continues to be driven even if it goes out of the drive start area 302 while the operation ring 102 is continuously rotated. On the other hand, the vibrating device that is not driven because it is located outside the drive start area 302 is not driven even if it enters the drive start area 302 while the operation ring 102 is continuously rotated.

  The vibration control process executed by the control unit 115 according to the computer program in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S3001, the control unit 115 detects (acquires) the camera attitude through the attitude detection unit 136, and detects (acquires) the ring phase through the phase detection unit 150.

  Next, in step S3002, the control unit 115 determines a vibration device located in the drive start area 302 among the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 using the camera posture and the ring phase detected in step S3001.

  Next, in step S3003, the control unit 115 determines whether the rotation amount of the operation ring 102 detected by the rotation detection unit 112 has reached a predetermined rotation amount. If the rotation amount of the operation ring 102 has reached the predetermined rotation amount, the control unit 115 proceeds to step S3004.

  In step S3004, the control unit 115 drives the vibration device (hereinafter, referred to as a specific vibration device) determined to be in the driving start area 302 in step S3002 among the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 to generate vibration. Then, the process proceeds to S3005.

  In step S3005, control unit 115 determines whether or not the rotation operation of operation ring 102 detected by rotation detection unit 112 is continued. When the rotation operation is continued, the control unit 115 returns to S3003, and drives the specific vibration device in step S3004 when the rotation amount of the operation ring 102 detected by the rotation detection unit 112 reaches a predetermined rotation amount. . If the rotation operation has not been continued, the control unit 115 proceeds to step S3006, stops driving the specific vibration device, and returns to step S3001.

  On the other hand, in step S3002, the control unit 115 does not drive the vibration device (the second vibration generation unit other than the first vibration generation unit) that is determined not to be within the driving start area 302 in step S3007. Then, the process proceeds to step S3008.

  In step S3008, the control unit 115 determines whether or not the rotation operation of the operation ring 102 detected by the rotation detection unit 112 is continued, as in step S3005. When the rotation operation is continued, the control unit 115 returns to S3007 and does not drive the vibration device as the second vibration generation unit. If the rotation operation has not been continued, the control unit 115 returns to step S3001.

  In this embodiment, among the vibration devices 3001 to 3004, when the rotation operation of the operation ring 102 is performed by a predetermined rotation amount, the vibration device located in the drive start area 302 is moved while the operation ring 102 is being rotated. , Keep driving. In other words, among the plurality of vibrating devices 3001 to 3004, the vibrating device near the position of the user's finger touching the operation ring 102 is driven. Thereby, a user who operates the operation ring 102 can be efficiently provided with a good operation feeling (click feeling) with less discomfort. Further, the vibration device that vibrates during the rotation operation of the operation ring 102, that is, the position where the vibration is generated does not change. For this reason, the user's discomfort can be further reduced. Furthermore, since only the vibrating device close to the finger position is selectively driven among the plurality of vibrating devices 3001 to 3004, compared to a case where all the vibrating devices are driven or one vibrating device that generates strong vibration is used. As a result, the power consumption of the camera 10 ″ can be reduced.

  Note that the number of vibrating devices need not be four as in this embodiment. Further, the way of dividing the quadrants may not be the way of dividing described in the present embodiment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the detection result of the posture detection unit 136 is used in determining whether or not the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 are in the drive start area 302 in S3002 described above. However, an attitude detection unit different from the attitude detection unit 136 may be provided on the operation ring 102. In this case, another posture detection unit is provided so as to rotate with the operation ring 102. It may be determined whether or not the vibration devices 3001 to 3004 are in the drive start area based on the detection result of the other posture detection unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the lens-integrated camera has been described. However, a lens-interchangeable camera may be used. In this case, the vibration device provided on the interchangeable lens may be controlled by a control unit provided on the camera. Further, a vibration device provided on the interchangeable lens (optical device) may be controlled by a control unit also provided on the interchangeable lens.
(Other Examples)
In the above embodiments, the camera and the interchangeable lens have been described. However, various electronic devices having operation means that can be operated by a user are also included in the embodiments of the present invention.

  The present invention supplies a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. This processing can be realized. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  Each of the embodiments described above is only a typical example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment when the present invention is implemented.

10, 10 ', 10 "Camera 100, 1001 to 1005, 2001 to 2004, 3001 to 3004 Vibration device 102 Operation ring 115 Control unit

Claims (12)

An optical device having a control unit that controls a vibration unit that generates vibration according to a user operation on the operation unit,
The vibration unit has a plurality of vibration generation units that transmit vibration to the operation unit in each of a plurality of regions,
The control means includes:
Obtaining information on the operation position of the user in the operation means,
An optical apparatus, wherein the plurality of vibration generation units are controlled so that vibration is transmitted to the operation unit in a part of the plurality of areas corresponding to the operation position.   2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the plurality of vibration generation units such that vibration is transmitted to the operation unit in an area including the operation position among the plurality of areas. 3. machine.   The control unit controls the plurality of vibration generating units such that vibration is transmitted to the operation unit in a region near the operation position next to a region including the operation position among the plurality of regions. The optical device according to claim 1.   4. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a vibration amount of the vibration generating unit that generates vibration according to movement of the operation position. 5.   The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires information about the operation position from a contact sensor that detects the operation position.   5. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires information about the operation position from a posture detection unit that detects a posture of the optical device. 6. The vibration unit moves together with the operation unit that has received the user operation,
5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires information on the operation position from a posture detection unit that detects a posture of the optical device and a position detection unit that detects a movement position of the operation unit. 6. The optical device according to claim 1. A first vibration generator configured to transmit a vibration to the operation unit in the specific area of the plurality of vibration generators while the operation position is included in the specific area of the plurality of areas; And does not generate vibration in a second vibration generator different from the first vibration generator,
8. The optical device according to claim 7, wherein even after the operation position goes out of the specific area, the first vibration generating unit generates a vibration and the second vibration generating unit does not generate a vibration. machine. The operating means is a ring member that can be slid or rotated in the rotation direction,
The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions are set in the rotation direction. An image sensor that captures a subject image;
Having the control means,
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vibration unit in accordance with a sliding operation or a rotating operation of a ring member as the operation unit provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel. An optical device according to the item. A control method of an optical device that controls a vibration unit that generates vibration according to a user operation on an operation unit,
The vibration unit has a plurality of vibration generation units that transmit vibration to the operation unit in each of a plurality of regions,
The control method includes:
Acquiring information on the operation position of the user in the operation means;
Controlling the plurality of vibration generating units so that vibration is transmitted to the operation unit in a part of the plurality of regions corresponding to the operation position. Control method.   A computer program that causes a computer of an optical device that controls a vibration unit that generates vibration in response to a user operation on an operation unit to execute a process according to the control method according to claim 9.