JP2023029467A - camera body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create instructions to an interchangeable lens using appropriate information.

SOLUTION: A camera body which an interchangeable lens equipped with a focus lens can be attached to and detached from includes: an input unit into which data about the position of the focus lens and reliability of the data are input; a creation unit that creates an instruction related to driving the focus lens using at least the data input to the input unit; and a first communication unit that performs first communication with the interchangeable lens and transmits the instruction to the interchangeable lens. The creation unit creates the instruction using the data indicating the reliability equal to or more than a predetermined value and creates the instruction without using the data indicating the reliability less than the predetermined value.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to camera bodies.

A technique for sending information indicating the state of an interchangeable lens to a camera body is known (see Patent Document 1). However, if the content of the sent data is inappropriate, there is a risk that the precision of control using that data will be degraded.

JP-A-2000-105402

A camera body according to a first aspect of the present invention is a camera body to which an interchangeable lens having a focus lens is detachable, and an input unit for inputting data regarding the position of the focus lens and the reliability of the data. and a first communication is performed between a creation unit that creates an instruction regarding driving of the focus lens using at least the data input to the input unit and the interchangeable lens, and the instruction is sent to the interchangeable lens. and a first communication unit for transmitting, wherein the creating unit creates the instruction using the data indicating the reliability equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and does not use the data indicating the reliability lower than a predetermined value. Create instructions.

It is a block diagram explaining the principal part structure of a camera system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating movement trajectories of a plurality of focusing lenses; 4 is a timing chart illustrating command data communication and hotline communication; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating timing of command data communication; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the timing of hotline communication; It is a figure which illustrates the information contained in hotline data. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between focus lens position, focal length, and shooting distance; FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating timing of automatic focus adjustment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the main configuration of the camera system 1. As shown in FIG. The interchangeable lens 3 is detachable from the camera body 2 with a bayonet structure. When the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 are coupled, the terminals provided on the body-side mount and the terminals provided on the lens-side mount physically contact each other and are electrically connected.

<Camera body>
The camera body 2 has a body-side control section 230 , a body-side communication section 240 , a power supply section 250 , an imaging device 260 , a signal processing section 270 , an operation member 280 and a display section 285 .

The imaging device 260 is a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The imaging device 260 photoelectrically converts the subject image on the imaging surface 260S according to the control signal from the body-side control section 230 and outputs a signal.
The imaging device 260 has a photoelectric conversion unit for image generation and a photoelectric conversion unit for focus detection. The imaging pixel signals generated by the photoelectric conversion unit for image generation are used by the signal processing unit 270 to generate image data. The detection pixel signal generated by the photoelectric conversion unit for focus detection is used by the signal processing unit 270 for focus detection processing for detecting the imaging state of the interchangeable lens 3 , in other words, the focus of the interchangeable lens 3 .

The signal processing unit 270 performs predetermined image processing on the imaging pixel signals output from the imaging element 260 to generate image data. The generated image data is recorded in a predetermined file format in a storage medium (not shown) or used for image display by the display unit 285 . In addition, the signal processing unit 270 performs predetermined focus detection processing on the detection pixel signal output from the image sensor 260 to determine the defocus amount (the amount of deviation between the focal position of the interchangeable lens 3 and the imaging surface 260S). calculate. The signal processing section 270 is connected to the body side control section 230 , the imaging element 260 and the display section 285 .

The body side communication section 240 performs predetermined communication with the lens side communication section 340 of the interchangeable lens 3 . Body side communication section 240 includes a first body side communication section 240a and a second body side communication section 240b. The first body-side communication unit 240a performs command data communication described later, and the second body-side communication unit 240b performs hotline communication described later.
The first body-side communication section 240a is connected to the body-side control section 230, and information transmitted from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication is created by the body-side control section 230. FIG. The second body-side communication section 240 b is connected to the body-side control section 230 , and information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 by hotline communication is transmitted to the body-side control section 230 .

The body-side control section 230 is composed of a microcomputer, its peripheral circuits, and the like. The body-side control section 230 executes control programs stored in the storage section 235 to control each section within the camera body 2 . The body-side control section 230 is connected to the body-side communication section 240 , the power supply section 250 , the imaging element 260 , the signal processing section 270 , the operation member 280 and the display section 285 .
Body-side control unit 230 includes storage unit 235 . The storage unit 235 is controlled to record and read data by the body-side control unit 230 . The storage unit 235 stores control programs and the like executed by the body-side control unit 230 .
The body-side control unit 230 controls the entire camera body 2 such as image processing, and creates instructions to moving members included in the interchangeable lens 3 . The first body-side control unit 230 calculates the position of the focusing lens 361 a included in the interchangeable lens 3 based on the information transmitted from the body-side communication unit 240 , and the signal output from the signal processing unit 270 . and a second calculator 232 that calculates the driving amount of the focusing lens 361 a based on the defocus amount calculated by the first calculator 231 and the position of the focusing lens 361 a calculated by the first calculator 231 .

The power supply unit 250 converts the voltage of a battery (not shown) into voltage used in each part of the camera system 1 and supplies the voltage to each part of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 . Power supply unit 250 can switch on and off power supply for each power supply destination according to instructions from body-side control unit 230 .

An operation member 280 including a release button, operation switches, etc. is provided on the exterior surface of the camera body 2 . By operating the operation member 280, the user issues a photographing instruction, a photographing condition setting instruction, and the like. Operation member 280 sends an operation signal according to the user's operation to body-side control section 230 .
The display unit 285 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 285 displays an image based on the image data processed by the signal processing unit 270, an operation menu screen, etc., according to an instruction from the body-side control unit 230. FIG.

<Interchangeable lens>
The interchangeable lens 3 has a lens side control section 330 , a lens side communication section 340 , a lens side storage section 350 , an imaging optical system 360 , a lens drive section 370 , a zoom operation ring 375 and an aperture drive section 380 .

The lens-side control section 330 is composed of a microcomputer, its peripheral circuits, and the like. The lens side control section 330 executes control programs stored in the lens side storage section 350 to control each section of the interchangeable lens 3 . The lens side control section 330 is directly or indirectly connected to the lens side communication section 340 , the lens side storage section 350 , the lens drive section 370 , the zoom operation ring 375 and the aperture drive section 380 .

The lens side storage unit 350 is configured by a nonvolatile storage medium. The lens-side storage unit 350 is controlled by the lens-side control unit 330 to record and read data. The lens-side storage unit 350 stores control programs and the like executed by the lens-side control unit 330, as well as data indicating the model name of the interchangeable lens 3, data indicating the optical characteristics of the imaging optical system 360, and the like. can be done. An example of the optical characteristics is the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O according to the focal length and the photographing distance.

The imaging optical system 360 forms a subject image on an imaging plane (imaging plane 260S). The optical axis O of the imaging optical system 360 substantially coincides with the center position of the imaging surface 260S. At least part of the imaging optical system 360 is configured to be movable within the interchangeable lens 3 as a moving member.
The imaging optical system 360 is composed of, for example, a focusing lens 361a as a moving member, a zoom lens 361c and a diaphragm 362 as moving members.
The lens driving section 370 moves the moving member, and includes lens driving sections 370a and 370c. The lens drive units 370 each include an actuator, a drive mechanism, and a position detection unit for the moving member. In the present embodiment, the positional information of the moving member is periodically created based on signals from the position detection section of the lens driving section 370 and the actuator. In addition, based on signals from the position detection unit and the actuator of the lens driving unit 370, the moving state such as whether or not the moving member is being driven to move, the moving direction of the moving member, and whether or not the moving member is stopped. is cyclically recognized. It is possible to make the cycle of generating the position information of the moving member and the cycle of recognizing the moving state of the moving member shorter than the cycle of the hotline communication.

The focusing lens 361a is configured to be movable forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O by a lens driving section 370a. The focus position of the imaging optical system 360 is adjusted by moving the focusing lens 361a. Driving instructions such as the movement direction, movement amount, and movement speed of the focusing lens 361a may be based on instructions from the body side control section 230. You can also give instructions. The position of the focusing lens 361a can be detected by the number of pulses (movement amount) of the stepping motor and the detection result of the origin detector when a stepping motor and an origin detector are used for the lens drive unit 370a.
Although one focusing lens 361a is provided in FIG. 1, the focal position of the imaging optical system 360 may be adjusted by moving a plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364 as shown in FIG. In that case, a plurality of lens driving units 370a that drive the focusing lenses 363 and 364 in the optical axis O direction may be provided. FIG. 2 shows the positions of the focusing lenses 363 and 364 when the object distance is infinity at focal lengths W to M to T (W<M<T). In FIG. 2, the positions of the focusing lenses 363 and 364 are indicated by coordinates of P (numerical value corresponding to the photographing distance, symbol corresponding to the focal length).

The zoom lens 361c is configured to be movable back and forth in the direction of the optical axis O by means of a lens drive section 370c or a zoom operation ring 375. As shown in FIG. The focal length of the imaging optical system 360 changes as the zoom lens 361c moves. The movement direction, movement amount, movement speed, and the like of the zoom lens 361 c depend on the driving force instructed by the lens-side control section 330 or mechanically transmitted from the zoom operation ring 375 . The position of the zoom lens 361c is configured to be detectable by an encoder or the like of the lens driving section 370c.

The diaphragm 362 has a plurality of diaphragm blades as moving members, and adjusts the amount of light incident on the imaging element 260 by an opening formed using the plurality of diaphragm blades. The aperture drive unit 380 is composed of a motor and an aperture drive mechanism, and the aperture 362 is configured such that the aperture diameter (aperture value) can be changed by the aperture drive unit 380 or manual operation. The aperture diameter of the diaphragm 362 is configured to be detectable by an encoder or the like of the diaphragm driver 380 . The positional information of the aperture blades as moving members is created as aperture diameters by the aperture drive section 380 and the lens side control section 330 .

The zoom operation ring 375 is provided on the outer cylinder of the interchangeable lens 3, for example. The user performs a zoom operation to change the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3 using the zoom operation ring 375 . An operation signal corresponding to the user's zoom operation may be sent from the zoom operation ring 375 to the lens side control section 330 .

The lens side communication section 340 performs predetermined communication with the body side communication section 240 . The lens side communication section 340 includes a first lens side communication section 340a and a second lens side communication section 340b. The first lens side communication section 340a is connected to a terminal for command data communication, and the second lens side communication section 340b is connected to a terminal for hotline communication.
The lens side first communication section 340 a is connected to the lens side control section 330 , and the information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 by command data communication is created by the lens side control section 330 . The lens-side second communication unit 340b is also connected to the lens-side control unit 330, and information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 by hotline communication is transmitted by the lens-side control unit 330, the lens-side second communication unit 340b, and the like. created.

Arrows between the lens-side communication section 340 and the body-side communication section 240 in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of signals.
The first lens side communication unit 340a transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as RDY signal) indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is capable of command data communication and a data signal (hereinafter referred to as DATAL signal) to the first body side communication unit 240a. ). The first body side communication section 240a outputs a clock signal (hereinafter referred to as CLK signal) and a data signal (hereinafter referred to as DATAB signal) for command data communication to the first lens side communication section 340a.
The second lens side communication section 340b outputs a clock signal (hereinafter referred to as HCLK signal) and a data signal (hereinafter referred to as HDATA signal) for hot line communication to the second body side communication section 240b.
Hotline communication is one-way data communication from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 , and command data communication is two-way data communication between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 .

<Communication details>
Since the camera system 1 has two independent communication systems for command data communication and hotline communication, each communication can be performed in parallel. That is, the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 can start and end hotline communication while performing command data communication. It is also possible to perform command data communication while performing hotline communication. Therefore, the interchangeable lens 3 can continuously transmit data to the camera body 2 by hotline communication even during command data communication. For example, even if command data communication takes longer due to an increase in the amount of data, hotline communication can be performed at the required timing.
Furthermore, the camera body 2 can transmit various instructions and requests to the interchangeable lens 3 at any timing by command data communication even while data is being received by hotline communication. Data can be received from the interchangeable lens 3 at arbitrary timing.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating command data communication and hotline communication. After instructing the start of hotline communication by command data communication, the camera body 2 periodically receives data from the interchangeable lens 3 by hotline communication after time t1, for example.
Also, the camera body 2 transmits and receives data to and from the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication. More specifically, the camera body 2 receives various data instructed to be transmitted to the interchangeable lens 3 from time t2 to t3 and from time t9 to t10, and from time t5 to t6 and from time t12 to t13. Various data are transmitted to the lens 3, and at times t4, t7, t8, and t11 between them, the interchangeable lens 3 issues instructions related to movement control of moving members, such as shake correction start instructions, aperture drive instructions, and focus drive instructions, respectively. Send to

In the present embodiment, command data communication includes many types of data to be transmitted and received, and the frequency of instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 is also high. In addition, depending on the type of data, the time required for transmission/reception becomes longer. longer than the time to send the indication at t7, t8 and t11.

For example, the interchangeable lens 3 transmits data indicating information about the interchangeable lens 3 (focal length, shooting distance, aperture value, etc.) to the camera body 2 in response to an instruction from the camera body 2 sent by command data communication. The interchangeable lens 3 further receives data indicating information of the camera body 2 (frame rate, settings of the camera body 2, etc.) transmitted from the camera body 2 .

Command data communication requires a long time for one transmission/reception, and the frequency of transmission/reception is high. Therefore, it is difficult to continuously perform data communication in a short cycle.
On the other hand, hotline communication uses a communication terminal different from the communication terminal used for command data communication, so data communication from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 can be continuously performed in a short cycle. For example, hotline communication can be performed during a desired period from the end of activation processing of the camera body 2 to the shutdown processing including during exposure.
The hotline communication start instruction and end instruction are sent from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication, but this is not the only option.

<Description of command data communication>
Next, command data communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 illustrates the timing of the RDY, CLK, DATAB and DATAL signals.
In one command data communication, after one command packet 402 is transmitted from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3, one data packet 406, 407 is mutually transmitted and received between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. be done.

The first lens side communication unit 340a sets the potential of the RDY signal to L level at the start of command data communication (t21). The first body-side communication unit 240a starts outputting the CLK signal 401 when the RDY signal is at L level. The frequency of CLK signal 401 is, for example, 8 MHz. The first body-side communication unit 240a outputs a DATAB signal including a command packet 402 of a predetermined length in synchronization with the clock signal 401. FIG. The command packet 402 is indicated by switching between H level and L level. After outputting the CLK signal 401 for a period corresponding to the data length of the command packet 402, the first body-side communication unit 240a stops outputting the CLK signal (t22).
The command packet 402 includes, for example, data for synchronization, data for identifying what command data communication is, data indicating an instruction from the camera body 2, data indicating the data length of the subsequent data packet 406, communication Data for error checking, etc. are included. Instructions included in the command packet 402 include, for example, an instruction to drive a moving member from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3, an instruction to transmit data from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3, and the like.
The interchangeable lens 3 may determine whether or not there is a communication error based on whether the value calculated from the received command packet 402 matches the communication error check data included in the command packet 402 .
When the command packet 402 is completely received, the first lens side communication section 340a sets the RDY signal to H level, and the lens side control section 330 starts the first control processing 404 based on the command packet 402 (t22).

When the first control processing 404 by the lens side control unit 330 is completed, the first lens side communication unit 340a can set the RDY signal to L level (t23). The first body-side communication unit 240a outputs the CLK signal 405 when the input RDY signal becomes L level.

The first body-side communication unit 240a outputs the DATAB signal including the data packet 406 in synchronization with the CLK signal 405. FIG. Also, the first lens-side communication unit 340a outputs a DATAL signal including a data packet 407 of a predetermined length in synchronization with the CLK signal 405. FIG. Data packets 406 and 407 are indicated by switching between H level and L level. After outputting the CLK signal 405 for a period corresponding to the data length of the data packet 406, the first body-side communication unit 240a stops outputting the CLK signal (t24).
Data packets 406 and 407 are m-byte variable length data having the number of data indicated by command packet 402 . The data packets 406 and 407 include synchronization data, data indicating information on the camera body 2, data indicating information on the interchangeable lens 3, data for communication error check, and the like.
The data packet 406 transmitted from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 includes data indicating the driving amount of the moving member, data for communicating settings and operating conditions within the camera body 2, and the like.
The data packet 407 transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 includes data indicating the model name information of the interchangeable lens 3, data indicating the movement state of the moving member within the interchangeable lens 3, focal length of the interchangeable lens 3, and the like. data on optical properties, etc.
The device on the receiving side (interchangeable lens 3 or camera body 2) determines whether or not the values calculated from the received data packets 406 and 407 match the communication error check data included in the data packets 406 and 407. , the presence or absence of a communication error can be determined.
When the transmission and reception of the data packets 406 and 407 are completed, the first lens side communication section 340a sets the RDY signal to H level, and the lens side control section 330 starts the second control processing 408 based on the data packets 406 and 407. (t24).

(Description of first and second control processing)
Next, an example of the first control processing 404 and the second control processing 408 of command data communication will be described.
For example, assume that the command packet 402 includes an instruction to drive the focusing lens 361a. As the first control process 404, the lens-side control unit 330 generates a data packet 407 indicating that an instruction to drive the focusing lens 361a has been received.

Next, as second control processing 408, the lens-side control section 330 issues an instruction to the lens driving section 370a to move the focusing lens 361a by the movement amount indicated by the data packet 406. FIG. As a result, the movement of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O is started. When the lens-side control unit 330 issues an instruction to move the focusing lens 361a to the lens driving unit 370a, the first lens-side communication unit 340a determines that the second control process 408 has been completed and sets the RDY signal to L level (t25). .

Also, for example, it is assumed that the command packet 402 includes an instruction to start hotline communication. As the first control process 404, the lens-side control unit 330 generates a data packet 407 indicating that an instruction to start hotline communication has been received. Next, as second control processing 408, the lens-side control unit 330 causes the second lens-side communication unit 340b to start hotline communication. When the hotline communication is started, the first lens side communication unit 340a determines that the second control process 408 is completed and sets the RDY signal to L level (t25).

<Explanation of hotline communication>
Next, hotline communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates the timing of the HCLK and HDATA signals. In one hotline communication, one HDATA signal 503 is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 in synchronization with one HCLK signal 502 .

In the camera system 1 according to the present embodiment, arrangements regarding hotline communication are made between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 in advance before the hotline communication start instruction is transmitted and received. Regarding hotline communication, for example, the data length (number of bytes) of the HDATA signal transmitted by one hotline communication, the data included in the HDATA signal and its order, the clock frequency and period (Tinterval in FIG. 5) of the HCLK signal , communication time in one cycle (Ttransmit in FIG. 5), and the like. In this embodiment, the frequency of the HCLK signal is 2.5 MHz, the data length of one hotline communication is longer than the command packet 402, the cycle of one hotline communication is 1 millisecond, and the communication time in one cycle is transmission. Less than 75% of the interval, but not limited to this. Note that one hotline communication is data transmission performed in one cycle of hotline communication, and from the hotline communication start instruction to the hotline communication end instruction by command data communication from the camera body 2 different.

First, the operation of the second lens side communication unit 340b in hotline communication will be described. Upon receiving an instruction to start hotline communication through command data communication before time t31, the second lens side communication unit 340b starts outputting the HCLK signal to the camera body 2 (t31). The HCLK signal is periodically output from the interchangeable lens 3, and shown as HCLK signals 502, 502', . . . in FIG.

The second lens side communication unit 340b outputs the HDATA signal in synchronization with the HCLK signal. The HDATA signal is indicated by switching between H level and L level. One HDATA signal has a predetermined data length, and is shown in FIG. 5 as having N 1-bytes including 8 bits D0 to D7. A single HDATA signal may include unused bit areas and unused byte areas to provide a fixed length. Predetermined initial values are input to unused bit areas and unused byte areas. The HDATA signals are periodically output from the interchangeable lens 3 in synchronization with the HCLK signals 502, 502', .
When transmission of the HDATA signal is completed (t32), the second lens side communication unit 340b stops outputting the HCLK signal until time t34 when transmission of the next HDATA signal is started. One hotline communication is set from time t31 to t32, and one cycle of hotline communication is set from time t31 to t34. The second lens side communication unit 340b starts the second hotline communication from time t34.
The second lens side communication unit 340b continues hotline communication periodically until an instruction to end the hotline communication is transmitted from the camera body 2 by command data communication.

The second lens side communication section 340b transmits the HDATA signals 503, 503', . . . The second lens side communication unit 340b uses, for example, a DMA (Direct Memory Access) function to efficiently transfer data stored in a data area of a memory (not shown) as an HDATA signal. The DMA function is a function that automatically accesses data on memory without CPU intervention.

Next, the operation of the second body-side communication unit 240b in hotline communication will be described. In the present embodiment, the second body-side communication unit 240b, when the initialization process at the time of power-on is completed, or when it determines that an instruction to start hotline communication is transmitted by command data communication, the HDATA (B) terminal and HCLK (B) Make the terminal stand by in a receivable state.

When transmission of the HDATA signal from the interchangeable lens 3 is started and the reception of the data of a predetermined length is completed (t32) after a predetermined time Error0 has passed (time t33) from the start time t31, the second body side communication unit 240b Determine the received data assuming that the communication was successful. The predetermined time Error0 is a time obtained by adding a margin to the communication time Ttransmit in one cycle, and is set to 80% of one cycle, for example. Even after receiving the HDATA signal once, the second body-side communication unit 240b keeps the HDATA (B) terminal and the HCLK (B) terminal on standby in a receivable state. Signal reception is started (t34).

If the second body-side communication unit 240b does not complete reception of data of a predetermined length within a predetermined time Error 0 after the second lens-side communication unit 340b starts transmitting the HDATA signal, normal communication cannot be performed. discards the data received as an error (communication error).
In hotline communication, it is preferable that the communication time (Ttransmit) in one cycle does not exceed 75% so that communication error processing can be performed between each cycle (between time t33 and t34). isn't it.

<Hotline data>
The hotline data 90 includes information (position information) on the position of the moving member in the interchangeable lens 3 and information used for movement control of the moving member. These pieces of information are expressed in the form of numerical values and identifiers in the lens-side control unit 330, the second lens-side communication unit 340b, and included in the hotline data 90. FIG.
Since the hot-run data 90 transmitted in one hot-line communication includes at least one piece of position information and one piece of information used for movement control, the camera body 2 transmits both the position information and the information used for movement control in one hot-line communication. It can be obtained by line communication. Here, for example, when the position information and the information used for movement control are received by separate communications, it is necessary to match the timing at which the position information is generated in the camera body 2 with the timing at which the information used for movement control is generated. be. However, according to this embodiment, since a plurality of pieces of information are sent in one hotline communication, the camera body 2 can easily consider a plurality of pieces of information.

The hotline data 90 includes, for example, first data 91 regarding the focusing lens 361a. In this embodiment, the hotline data 90 includes information about the focusing lens 361a as a moving member, but information about other moving members may be included. Also, one piece of hotline data 90 may include information on a plurality of moving members (for example, information on the focusing lens 361a and information on the diaphragm 362).

(Description of first data 91)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information included in the first data 91. As shown in FIG.
The first data 91 includes data 91a regarding the position of the focusing lens 361a as position information. The first data 91 includes data 91b regarding the reliability of the data 91a, data 91c regarding the state of movement of the focusing lens 361a, and whether or not the focusing lens 361a is at the designed position. It includes at least one of data 91d regarding whether, data 91e regarding the operation state of the operation member, and data 91f regarding the operation state in response to the focusing drive instruction. Here, the movement control of the focusing lens 361a is focus drive control and the like, and the information used for the movement control of the focusing lens 361a is information that can be taken into account when the camera body 2 creates focus drive instructions. Further, the information used for movement control of the focusing lens 361a may be information that can affect the result of automatic focusing, regardless of whether the camera body 2 actually considers it or not.

The data 91a includes numerical values representing positional information in the direction of the optical axis O of the focusing lens 361a detected by the lens driving section 370a. The position information may be the absolute position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O, the relative position such as the amount of movement of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O, or the position of the focusing lens 361a. A shooting distance that The data 91a may include a value indicating the current position of the focusing lens 361a, for example, by associating a value from 0 to 255 to each position of the focusing lens 361a from infinity to the closest end at each focal length. The data 91a can also be represented by the number of pulses output from the lens driving section 370a, which is preferable because the creation of the data 91a is facilitated. Further, when the focal position of the imaging optical system 360 is adjusted by a plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364, the data 91a may be positional information of one selected from the plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364. The positions of the lenses 363 and 364 may be considered as the position information of one virtual lens. Even when a plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364 are provided, the data length of the hot line data 90 can be fixed regardless of the number of focusing lenses by using the position information (data 91a) of one moving member. Therefore, there is an effect that it is not necessary to transmit the number of focusing lenses 363 and 364 to the camera body 2 in order to determine the data length of the hotline data 90 .

The data 91c relates to the moving state of the focusing lens 361a, and includes an identifier indicating whether or not the focusing lens 361a is moving, an identifier indicating whether or not the focusing lens 361a is movable, and a moving direction of the focusing lens 361a. , and so on.

The data 91d relates to whether or not the focusing lens 361a is at the designed position. For example, an identifier indicating whether or not zoom tracking is being performed; It includes an identifier and the like indicating whether or not the object is moving along the movement trajectory. The designed position of the focusing lens 361 is, for example, the position in the direction of the optical axis O uniquely obtained from the focal length and the photographing distance. In general, the interchangeable lens 3 is designed to achieve desired optical performance by setting the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O according to the focal length and the photographing distance. However, when the moving speed of the focusing lens 361a is prioritized over the optical performance, such as zoom tracking or initialization, the focusing lens 361a moves through a position different from the originally set position, and the designed movement trajectory is changed. may have different trajectories. In that case, the optical performance of the interchangeable lens 3 may deteriorate when the focusing lens 361a is not within the designed movement range (for example, the area below the L0 curve in the graph of FIG. 7).
In the present embodiment, identifiers are uniformly selected to indicate that the focusing lens 361a is not at the designed position during zoom tracking so that the identifiers can be easily selected, but this is not the only option. The interchangeable lens 3 can transmit by hotline communication whether or not the focusing lens 361a is at the designed position. It is possible to take into account the possibility of a decrease in

The data 91b relates to the reliability of the data 91a, which is position information, and includes an identifier indicating whether the data 91a is valid. The body-side control section 230 can know the reliability of the data 91a (positional information) from the data 91b.
Further, when adjusting the focal position with a plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364, if the relative positions of the focusing lenses 363 and 364 in the direction of the optical axis O are different from the designed positions, the lens side control unit 330 defines the shooting distance. Therefore, the reliability of the data 91a is lowered. That is, in FIG. 2, when the zoom operation is performed from the focal length W to the focal length T via the focal length M, the movement locus of the focusing lens 363 when the optical performance is prioritized matches the movement locus when the speed is prioritized. , P(0, W) to P(0, T) via P(0, M), and the numerical value indicating the position in the direction of the optical axis O remains 0 and does not change. On the other hand, the movement locus of the focusing lens 364 when optical performance is prioritized does not match the movement locus when speed is prioritized. ) to P′(0, T), and the numerical value indicating the position in the direction of the optical axis O changes from 0 to 191 or the like. Then, the focusing lens 363 and the focusing lens 364 do not match in numerical value indicating the position in the direction of the optical axis O, and the shooting distance cannot be defined. In such a case, the lens-side control unit 330 determines the data 91a as the upper and lower limit values of the limit range, the data 91d as an identifier indicating that zoom tracking is in progress, and the data 91b as an identifier indicating that the position information is invalid. In this embodiment, when a plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364 are provided, identifiers indicating invalid position information are uniformly selected from the data 91b during zoom tracking so that the identifiers can be easily selected. isn't it.

The data 91e relates to the operation state of operation members such as the zoom operation ring 375. FIG. The operating state of the operating member is represented by an identifier indicating whether or not the operating member is being operated, an identifier indicating the operating direction of the operating member, an identifier indicating the operating speed of the operating member, and the like. When the zoom operation ring 375 is rotated and the zoom operation is performed, the lens-side control unit 330 selects the identifier indicating that the operation member is being operated and the identifier indicating the operation direction from the data 91e, and the zoom lens 361c is moved. It is recognized that the focal length of the imaging optical system 360 has changed due to the movement in the optical axis O direction. The data 91e selected by the lens-side control section 330 is transmitted by hotline communication, and the focal length recognized by the lens-side control section 330 is also transmitted based on the transmission instruction from the camera body 2 by command data communication. When the body-side control unit 230 repeatedly receives the focal length of the imaging optical system 360 in command data communication, the hotline communication data 91e indicates that the zoom operation ring 375 is being operated between each command data communication. When the identifier is received, the focal length recognized by the body-side control unit 230 (numerical values of focal lengths 0 to 5 in FIG. 7) is changed in consideration of the identifier indicating the operation direction of the operation member included in the data 91e. It is also possible to let In this way, the body-side control unit 230 also recognizes changes in the focal length through hotline communication, so that, for example, the focal length table to be referred to when creating focus drive instructions can be made appropriate. The accuracy of various controls can be improved.
Here, when a zoom operation is performed, it is necessary to perform so-called zoom tracking so as not to change the shooting distance while changing the focal length. FIG. 7 shows the focal length (wide corresponds to 0 and tele corresponds to 5), the shooting distance (infinity corresponds to L0 and close to L4), and the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O ( design value). The lens-side storage unit 350 stores a table showing the relationship between the shooting distance and the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O for each focal length of 0 to 5. FIG. In this embodiment, the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O is represented by a numerical value corresponding to the number of pulses of the lens driving section 370a. For example, if the focusing lens 361a is at P(0, 1) in FIG. 7 before the zoom operation, the lens drive unit 370a moves the focusing lens 361a to P(0, 2) and P() in FIG. 0, 3), . . . In this way, when zooming is performed, it is necessary to perform zoom tracking, and there is a possibility that the focusing lens 361a is moved with priority given to speed during zoom tracking. In that case, for example, if the focusing lens 361a is moved so as to pass through the straight line connecting P(0,1) and P(0,5) in FIG. The optical performance of the imaging optical system 360 may deteriorate. However, according to this embodiment, the camera body 2 can recognize through hotline communication that the zoom operation is in progress, and can recognize that the focusing lens 361a may not be at the designed position.

The data 91f includes an identifier indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is executing the driving instruction, an identifier indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is ready to receive the driving instruction, and an identifier indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is in a state capable of receiving the driving instruction. It is represented by an identifier indicating whether or not the interchangeable lens 3 has completed execution of the drive instruction. In the present embodiment, an identifier indicating a reception disabled state in which a drive instruction cannot be uniformly executed is selected during zoom tracking, but this is not the only option. According to the present embodiment, the camera body 2 can recognize completion of execution of the drive instruction through hotline communication at a fast cycle, and can quickly perform processing after the completion of execution. For example, in the case of a focus driving instruction, the processing after the completion of the execution includes processing for notifying the user that the subject is in focus after the driving instruction. The user quickly recognizes that the subject is in focus and presses the shutter It is possible to prevent missing a chance.
Also, the data 91 may include an ID number or the like for recognizing the drive instruction transmitted by the camera body 2 . If the interchangeable lens 3 is driven and controlled based on a drive instruction from the camera body 2, the data 91 may include the ID number or the like included in the command packet 402 of the drive instruction. Even when the camera body 2 periodically transmits the same kind of driving instruction such as a focus driving instruction, it is transmitted to the camera body 2 at what timing the interchangeable lens 3 is operated based on the output driving instruction. Is possible.

<Description of automatic focus adjustment>
An example of automatic focusing with zoom tracking will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating the timing of automatic focus adjustment. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the operation of capturing a monitor image called a live view image is repeated at a frame rate of 1/60 second, for example.
It is assumed that hotline communication is started before the timing chart of FIG. 8, and hotline data 90 is periodically transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 at times t61, 62, . Also, at time t61 in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the interchangeable lens 3 is executing the focus drive instruction of operation ID2, and the zoom operation ring 375 is being operated by the user. From time t61, the zoom operation ring 375 continues to be rotated and the shooting distance continues to change. At times t65 and t71, an operation signal for the zoom operation ring 375 is output, and the focal length recognized by the lens side control unit 330 changes stepwise. Change. 8, the distance between the subject and the camera body 2 does not change, and the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O is adjusted by zoom tracking accompanying the operation of the zoom operation ring 375. FIG. Further, in FIG. 8, the position information of the data 91a is represented by numerical values from 0 at the closest end to 255 at the infinite end. At (time t65'), even if the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O does not change, the numerical value of the data 91a changes significantly.

The reason why the data 91a changes at time t65' in FIG. 8 will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O is shown by associating a value from 0 to 255 with each position of the focusing lens 361a from infinity to the closest end at each focal length. Therefore, the numerical values included in the data 91a are 0 for P(0,0), P(0,1), . Similarly, the numerical value included in the data 91a is 255 for P(4,0), P(4,1), . . . , P(4,5) in FIG.
Until time t64, when the focusing lens 361a is positioned at the position indicated by P(0, 2) in FIG. becomes 0. Therefore, the value of the data 91a is 0 until time t64.
Next, when the focal length changes to 1 at time t65 without changing the position of the focusing lens 361a, the value of the data 91a changes to 0 corresponding to P(0, 2) in FIG. to 63 corresponding to P(1, 1), and the numerical value of the data 91a transmitted at time t65' suddenly changes. That is, the lens-side control unit 330 refers to the focal length 1 table and recognizes that the shooting distance has changed to L1. Then, the lens-side control unit 330 moves the focusing lens 361a to P(0, 1) where the value of the data 91a corresponds to 0 in order to restore the shooting distance L0 before the zoom operation by zoom tracking. Zoom tracking is performed between times t65' and t66, and the value of the data 91a changes from 63 to 0.
Also, the more the hotline communication period and the timing of command data communication deviate, the more the timing (t65) of transmitting the data 91e indicating detection of the zoom operation and the timing (t65') of starting zoom tracking may deviate. However, in the case of this embodiment, data 91e can be transmitted in addition to data 91d and data 91a indicating the start of zoom tracking, so that the camera body 2 can recognize the zoom tracking operation more accurately. .

The signal processing unit 270 performs predetermined image processing on the imaging pixel signals output from the imaging device 260 each time accumulation is completed to generate a live view image. Also, the signal processing unit 270 calculates the defocus amount based on the focus detection pixel signal output from the image sensor 260 each time accumulation is completed, and outputs the defocus amount to the second calculation unit 232 .
The first calculator 231 of the body-side controller 230 calculates the position of the focusing lens 361 a based on the hotline data 90 transmitted by hotline communication, and outputs the calculated position to the second calculator 232 . The second calculator 232 calculates the driving amount of the focusing lens 361a based on the input defocus amount and the position (current position) of the focusing lens 361a.
Here, in the present embodiment, when calculating the drive amount based on the focus detection pixel signals output by accumulation up to time t63, transmission is performed by hotline communication indicated by times t61, t62, . . . included in the accumulation time. At least one piece of positional information of the focusing lens 361a is used. In this manner, the driving amount of the focusing lens 361a can be calculated using the positional information of the focusing lens 361a at the time included in the accumulation time, thereby improving the accuracy of focus adjustment. The body-side control unit 230 converts the drive amount based on the focus detection pixel signals accumulated up to time t63 and the hot line data 90 between times t61 and t63 into the focus of operation ID 4 through command data communication at time t64. Send as driving instructions.
Next, when calculating the drive amount based on the focus detection pixel signals output by accumulation between times t63 and t64, transmission is performed by hot line communication indicated by times t61, t62, . . . included in the accumulation time. At least one position information of the focusing lens 361a is used. Further, when the body-side control unit 230 receives data 91e indicating that the zoom operation ring 375 is being operated through hotline communication during the period from the accumulation to the completion of calculation (for example, time t65), the data 91e includes The table of the focal length of the imaging optical system 360 to be referred to is changed in consideration of the identifier of the operation direction of the zoom operation ring 375 that is provided. Therefore, after time t65, the body-side control unit 230 can calculate the drive amount according to the changed focal length table, and can improve the accuracy of the next focus drive instruction.
According to the present embodiment, as indicated by times t63, t64, t67, t68, t70, and t73, the body-side control unit 230 attaches an operation ID to each accumulation and transmits a focus drive instruction. The interchangeable lens 3 starts driving the focusing lens 361a based on the focus drive instruction of the new action ID, and transmits the action ID being executed by hotline communication. Here, although not shown in FIG. 8, the camera body 2 may perform command data communication for each accumulation and acquire information such as the focal length required for focus detection processing from the interchangeable lens 3 . Also, the action ID and action status may be transmitted to the camera body 2 through both command data communication and hotline communication.

When the operation signal of the zoom operation ring 375 is output at time t65, the lens side control section 330 changes the identifier of the data 91e and notifies the camera body 2 of the zoom operation by hotline communication. Further, the lens-side control section 330 changes the identifier of the data 91d during times t65′ to t66 during zoom tracking, and notifies the camera body 2 of zoom tracking through hotline communication. Further, the lens-side control unit 330 changes the identifier of the data 91f during the time t65 to t66 from when the zoom operation is detected to when the zoom tracking ends, and notifies the user that the focus drive instruction cannot be executed. Send to the camera body 2 by communication.
When calculating the drive amount of the focusing lens 361a based on the focus detection pixel signals accumulated between times t64 and t67, the body-side control unit 230 is in a state where the data 91d indicating that zoom tracking is being performed or the focus drive instruction cannot be executed. The drive amount may be calculated without using the position information (data 91a) of the hotline data 90 including the data 91f indicating that there is a drive. In other words, the body-side control section 230 may calculate the drive amount using the highly reliable position information transmitted during the times t64 to t65 and t66 to t67. Alternatively, the body-side control unit 230 provides information indicating that the focus drive instruction based on the focus detection pixel signals accumulated from time t64 to t67 is a focus drive instruction created from position information with low reliability (Fig. 8 “unsuitable”)) may be added to the image and output to the interchangeable lens 3. In that case, the interchangeable lens 3 may discard the received focus drive instruction, and indicate that the action ID has been completed at time t69 while the action ID remains the previous action ID5. In addition, if hotline data with low reliability of position information is included during the period from time t64 to time t67 when the focus detection pixel signals are accumulated, the body-side control unit 230 performs the next command data communication timing. The focus drive instruction may not be output.

In general, in automatic focus adjustment processing, when zoom tracking is performed during accumulation, the position of the focusing lens 361a changes, and the accuracy of the calculation result of the drive amount may decrease. However, according to the present embodiment, the hot line data 90 of the camera body 2 includes information about the reliability of the position information. Do not output a focus drive instruction based on the accumulated focus detection pixel signal when receiving the hot line data 90 indicating the focus detection accumulated when the hot line data 90 indicating a decrease in reliability is received Appropriate measures can be taken, such as outputting a focus drive instruction with information indicating that it has been created based on the pixel signal.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained.
Since the camera body 2 receives the positional information of the moving member and the moving state of the moving member or the reliability of the positional information by hotline communication, the moving member can be easily selected by considering at least one of the moving state and the reliability. movement control can be performed.
Since the camera body 2 can determine whether or not to transmit an instruction to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication based on at least one of the movement state and reliability, it is easy to determine whether an instruction to the interchangeable lens 3 is required. In addition, transmission of unnecessary instructions can be prevented to reduce the burden of communication processing.
Since the camera body 2 receives the position information of the focusing lens 361a and the moving state of the focusing lens 361a or the reliability of the position information each time by hotline communication, it is possible to easily create an instruction regarding the driving of the focusing lens 361a. can.
Since the camera body 2 receives the fact that there has been a zoom operation by hotline communication, it is possible to recognize the zoom operation at a timing earlier than the command data communication, and the focus lens according to the focal length after the zoom operation. The position of 361a can be recognized, and the accuracy of the focus drive instruction can be improved.
Since the camera body 2 can create an instruction to the interchangeable lens 3 by using the position information having a predetermined reliability or more from the hotline data 90 received during storage, the accuracy of the instruction to the interchangeable lens 3 is improved. be able to. In addition, the camera body 2 can also transmit the movement state or reliability included in the hotline data 90 received during accumulation to an instruction to the interchangeable lens 3 . The interchangeable lens 3 can execute instructions (or discard instructions) in consideration of movement state or reliability. Therefore, at least one of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 can be controlled in consideration of the movement state or reliability, and the difference in processing load between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 can be reduced. If the instruction from the camera body 2 includes information indicating that the moving member is moving, the interchangeable lens 3 refers to, for example, a table corresponding to the latest focal length to determine the amount of movement of the focusing lens 361a. can also be corrected.

Since the interchangeable lens 3 periodically transmits information about the position of the moving member and information used for controlling the movement of the moving member to the camera body 2 through an independent communication system, the accuracy of movement control performed by the camera body 2 can be improved. can be improved.

Since the interchangeable lens 3 transmits the reliability of the positional information together with the positional information to the camera body 2 as information used for movement control, the camera body 2 can easily consider the reliability of the positional information. In addition, since the interchangeable lens 3 expresses the reliability of the position information by an identifier indicating whether the position information is valid or invalid, the interchangeable lens 3 can easily select the identifier, and the camera body 2 can easily select the identifier. Reliability of location information can be easily recognized. In addition, the interchangeable lens 3 can indicate the possibility that the optical performance of the imaging optical system 360 is degraded by an identifier, and can easily transmit the identifier to the camera body 2 by hotline communication. The camera body 2 considers the information used for movement control of the moving member together with the position information, and does not use the unreliable position information, indicating that the drive instruction signal is created from the unreliable position information. It is possible to take measures such as

The interchangeable lens 3 can include a plurality of types of information other than positional information in the hotline data 90, and can appropriately select the number and types of information that can be notified to the camera body 2 by hotline communication. Since the camera body 2 can receive a plurality of pieces of information through one hotline communication, there is no need to consider the timing of each piece of information acquisition compared to the case where a plurality of pieces of information are received through a plurality of communications, and the camera body 2 can be moved easily. Control is possible.

Since the interchangeable lens 3 outputs the HCLK signal for hotline communication together with the HDATA signal, hotline communication can be performed by itself. In addition, since the camera body 2 outputs the CLK signal for command data communication together with the DATAB signal, command data communication can be performed by itself. Therefore, each of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 can take the initiative of two independent communication systems.

The present invention is not limited to what has been described above. Other aspects conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(Modification 1)
In the above description, an example of using the DMA function in hotline communication has been described. Instead of using the DMA function, the hotline data 90 may be generated with CPU intervention. In Modification 1, the transmission of the HDATA signal is performed by the second lens-side communication unit 340b, and the generation of the hotline data 90 is performed by the lens-side control unit 330. FIG. With this configuration, hotline communication and generation of hotline data 90 can be performed in parallel without using the DMA function. However, the hotline data 90 is generated during a period not exceeding one cycle of hotline communication.

(Modification 2)
In the above example of hotline communication, the data transfer direction of the clock synchronous communication using only the HCLK signal line and the HDATA signal line is one direction from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2. However, one more signal line may be added to enable bi-directional data transfer. Alternatively, the HDATA signal line may be configured to be switchable between input and output so that bidirectional data communication can be performed.

Hotline communication is not limited to clock synchronous communication, and UART (start-stop synchronous communication) may be used. In addition to the clock signal line and the data signal line, a handshake signal line or a CS (chip select) signal line is added to synchronize the communication start timing between the lens side control section 330 and the body side control section 230. It may be configured as

(Modification 3)
Although the data 91d includes an identifier indicating whether or not zoom tracking is being performed and an identifier indicating that speed is prioritized in the movement in the above embodiment, the data 91d is not limited to this. Other examples of when the focusing lens 361a is not at the designed position include the initialization process of the lens driving unit 370a, the occurrence of an error in the interchangeable lens 3, and the focusing lens 361a being driven for reasons other than focus adjustment. While there is, etc.

(Modification 4)
Although the data 91b has been described in the above embodiment as having multiple focusing lenses 363, 364 and including an identifier indicating that it is unreliable during zoom tracking, this is not the only option. The data 91b may include a numerical value corresponding to the reliability of the data 91a, or may include an identifier indicating whether the positional information of one focusing lens is valid or invalid. In addition, the lens-side control unit 330 is not limited to the number of focusing lenses, and when the information corresponding to the shooting distance (indicated by a numerical value of 0 to 255 in this embodiment) cannot be determined, the data 91d indicates "invalid ” may be included.

(Modification 5)
When the predetermined number of data 91b includes an identifier indicating "invalid", the camera body 2 may lighten the arithmetic processing without calculating the defocus amount or the driving amount.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Camera system, 2... Camera body, 3... Interchangeable lens, 90... Hot line data, 91... Data, 230... Body side control part, 235... Storage part, 240... Body side communication part, 270... Signal processing part, 330... Lens side control section 340... Lens side communication section 350... Lens side storage section 360... Imaging optical system 370... Lens drive section 375... Zoom operation ring

Claims (5)

A camera body in which an interchangeable lens having a focus lens is detachable,
an input unit for inputting data regarding the position of the focus lens and the reliability of the data;
a creation unit that creates an instruction for driving the focus lens using at least the data input to the input unit;
a first communication unit that performs first communication with the interchangeable lens and transmits the instruction to the interchangeable lens;
The creating unit creates the instruction using the data indicating the reliability equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and creates the instruction without using the data indicating the reliability lower than a predetermined value.
camera body. A determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit the instruction by the first communication unit based on the reliability,
A camera body according to claim 1. An imaging unit that captures a subject image formed by an optical system on an imaging surface,
The creation unit creates the instruction based on information regarding a deviation between the image pickup surface and the imaging position of the optical system.
3. A camera body according to claim 1 or 2. the movement state of the focus lens is input to the input unit;
the movement state indicates whether or not the focus lens is moved,
When the movement state indicates that the focus lens is moved, the creation unit creates the instruction based on the focal length of the optical system that has changed due to the movement of the focus lens.
4. A camera body according to claim 3. The creator creates the instruction to include the reliability-based information.
5. A camera body according to any one of claims 1-4.

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