JP2023139727A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus advantageous in high-quality imaging, configured to reduce operation error of a user.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: a first rotary operation unit which provides click feeling when operated; a second rotary operation unit which does not provide click feeling when operated; control means which can associate the first and second rotary operation units to an imaging parameter, and modifies the imaging parameter based on the associations and operations on the first and second rotary operation units; a display unit which displays the state of the imaging parameter associated with the first and second rotary operation units; and invalidation means which invalidates modification of the imaging parameter modified by the first rotary operation unit, on the basis of at least one of associations of the first and second rotary operation units. When the invalidation means invalidates modification of the imaging parameter modified by the first rotary operation unit, the display unit displays information that operation of the first rotary operation unit is invalid, in an imageable state or during imaging.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device.

Conventional imaging devices have a rotary operation section on the lens that has a click feel and a rotary operation section that does not have a click feel, and it is possible to arbitrarily assign adjustment functions to each according to the type of shooting parameter that you want to adjust. It has been known.

Patent Document 1 discloses that in order to provide a more suitable operational feeling, a rotary operation section with a click feeling and a rotation operation section without a click feeling are provided, and an appropriate parameter adjustment function is assigned to each shooting mode. ing. Patent Document 2 discloses that in order to suppress unintentional erroneous operations by the user, means is provided for determining the effectiveness of each operation of a plurality of operation units, and a means is provided for determining the effectiveness of each operation of a plurality of operation units, and a method for permitting parameter changes using a plurality of threshold values for judgment. It is disclosed that processing is performed to prohibit the use of such information. Patent Document 3 discloses that when an operation unit with an adjustment function disabled is operated, a warning that the operation is invalid is displayed for a certain period of time on a display means so that the user can recognize an erroneous operation. .

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-126418 JP2020-36082A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-189883

However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the imaging device determines whether the user's operation is valid or invalid and processes it, so the operation process is invalidated without the user noticing. It is also conceivable that users may become confused if the equipment malfunctions.

Further, in Patent Document 3, since the user only learns that the operation was invalid after the operation has been performed, it is possible that the quality of the photographic result may be affected.

An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that reduces user's erroneous operations and is advantageous for high-quality imaging.

The imaging device of the present invention includes a lens barrel section including an optical system, a camera body including an image sensor that captures an optical image formed by the optical system, and a first rotary operation section that provides a click feeling when operated. It is possible to associate a second rotational operation section that does not have a click feeling when operated, the first rotational operation section, and the second rotational operation section with the shooting parameters to be operated; a control means for changing the photographing parameters based on the operation of the rotation operation section and the operation of the second rotation operation section; The photographing is performed by operating the first rotary operation section based on at least one of the correspondence between the display section that displays the state, the correspondence between the first rotation operation section, and the correspondence between the second rotation operation section. disabling means for disabling parameter changes, and when the disabling means disables the change in the photographing parameters caused by the operation of the first rotary operation section, in a state in which photographing is possible or in a state in which photographing is being performed; , the display section displays that the operation of the first rotary operation section is invalid.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce user's erroneous operations and provide an imaging device that is advantageous for high-quality imaging.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging device. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation invalidation process of a rotation operation unit in Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing settings of imaging parameters in Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing settings of imaging parameters in Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing settings of imaging parameters in Example 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a live view display in Example 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation invalidation process of a rotary operation unit in Example 2. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operation invalidation processing of the rotation operation unit in Example 3. 7 is a diagram showing a live view display in Example 3. FIG.

[Example 1]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an imaging device that is an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device includes a camera body 200 as an imaging device, and an interchangeable lens (lens barrel section) 100 that is detachably and communicably attached to the camera body 200.

First, the configuration of the camera body 200 will be explained. The camera body 200 includes an image sensor 220 including a phase difference focus detection pixel, a signal processing circuit 221, a display device 230, a third operation section 240, and a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a camera microcomputer) 210.

The image sensor 220 photoelectrically converts (imaging) a subject image (optical image) formed by an imaging lens and outputs an analog imaging signal as an electrical signal. The analog imaging signal is converted into a digital imaging signal by an A/D conversion circuit (not shown).

The signal processing circuit 221 generates a video signal (captured image) by performing various image processing on the digital imaging signal. Photographing parameters for performing image processing can be set optimally by the imaging device according to photographing conditions, and can also be individually set according to a user's operation on an operating member, which will be described later. Here, the photographing parameters refer to aperture value, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, focusing distance (focus lens position), focal length, and the like. The signal processing circuit 221 also generates focus information indicating the contrast state of the subject image, that is, the focus state of the imaging lens, and brightness information indicating the exposure state from the video signal.

The signal processing circuit 221 outputs the video signal to the display device 230, and the display device 230 displays the video signal as a live view image used for checking the composition, focus state, etc. Specifically, the display device 230 is a rear liquid crystal screen of the camera body 200, an electronic viewfinder, or the like.

The camera microcomputer 210, which serves as a camera control means and an acquisition means, controls the camera body 200 in response to a touch operation on an imaging instruction switch and various setting switches including a third operation section 240, or a display device 230 with a built-in touch panel. .

Further, the camera microcomputer 210 communicates with a lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a lens microcomputer) 110 via a communication terminal provided on the mount. Specifically, the camera microcomputer 210 sends the lens microcomputer 110 an aperture control command according to brightness information and a focus control command according to focus information generated from the output of the phase difference detection pixel of the image sensor 220. Send.

Next, the configuration of the interchangeable lens 100 will be explained. The interchangeable lens 100 includes a photographing optical system, a driving section that is a driving means for the photographing optical system, a lens microcomputer 110 that controls the driving section, a first rotation operation section 120, and a second rotation operation section 121. The photographing optical system includes a field lens 111, a zoom lens 112 that changes magnification, an aperture unit 113 that adjusts the amount of light, and a focus lens 114 that adjusts focus.

The lens microcomputer 110 transmits lens data including identification information, optical information, etc. of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera microcomputer 210 in response to a transmission request transmitted from the camera microcomputer 210. Further, the lens microcomputer 110 receives camera data including various information about the camera microcomputer 210 from the camera microcomputer 210 in response to a reception request transmitted from the camera microcomputer 210 .

The zoom lens 112 is driven in the optical axis direction via a drive mechanism (not shown) when a user operates a zoom operation unit (not shown). As a result, magnification changing is performed in which the focal length of the imaging lens is changed. A zoom position detection unit attached to the zoom lens 112 detects the position (zoom position) of the zoom lens 112 using a sensor such as a variable resistor, and outputs the zoom position data to the lens microcomputer 110. The lens microcomputer 110 uses the zoom position data to generate information regarding focal length.

The lens microcomputer 110 drives the aperture unit 113 to open and close in response to an aperture control command received from the camera microcomputer 210. The position of the aperture blades of the aperture unit 113 is detected by a sensor such as a Hall element, and the aperture position data is output to the lens microcomputer 110. The diaphragm unit 113 that receives a drive command from the lens microcomputer 110 opens and closes the diaphragm blades by driving an diaphragm actuator constituted by a stepping motor, a voice coil motor, or the like. This allows the aperture unit 113 to adjust the amount of light.

Further, the lens microcomputer 110 drives the focus lens 114 in the optical axis direction according to a focus control command received from the camera microcomputer 210. The position of the focus lens 114 is detected using a sensor such as a photo interrupter, and the focus position data is output to the lens microcomputer 110. The lens microcomputer 110 calculates the target position of the focus lens 114 based on focus position data and focus drive amount data included in the focus control command. A focus control unit attached to the focus lens 114 receives a drive command including the target position from the lens microcomputer 110 and moves the focus lens 114 by driving a focus actuator such as a stepping motor. As a result, autofocus (AF) is performed.

Furthermore, when the user operates the second rotary operation unit 121, the focus lens 114 can also move its position according to the amount of operation. This allows manual focus (MF). Here, the second rotation operation unit 121 has a structure that can rotate around a direction parallel to the optical axis, and in order to finely adjust the position of the focus lens 114 during MF, the second rotation operation unit 121 is an operation member that does not have a click feeling during rotation operation. Hereinafter, it is preferably a smooth ring).

Like the second rotation operation section 121, the first rotation operation section 120 has a structure that is rotatable about a direction parallel to the optical axis. The user can change the setting of the association (correspondence) of the operation target (imaging parameter) by the first rotation operation unit 120. While looking at the display device 230, the user selects a shooting parameter (operation target) whose linking settings are to be changed using the first rotary operation section 120, and then the camera microcomputer 210 stores the linking settings of the first rotary operation section 120. Ru.

The lens microcomputer 110 outputs the operation amount of the first rotary operation unit 120 to the camera microcomputer 210, and the camera microcomputer 210 changes the set value of the shooting parameter that is the associated operation target according to the operation amount, Output to the signal processing circuit 221. The signal processing circuit 221 performs image processing based on the input information.

Photography parameters whose settings are changed using the first rotary operation unit 120 include aperture value, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and exposure compensation. Since these set values are discrete numerical values, it is preferable that the first rotation operation unit 120 is an operation member (hereinafter referred to as a click ring) that provides a click feeling during rotation operation.

Note that an operating member that has a click feeling (gives the user a click feeling) is one that has at least one position in its rotation range that will not rotate freely unless a rotational force of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied. This refers to the operating members provided above. For example, the operating member may include a mechanical structure in which a protrusion engages with a notch, but the structure is not limited to this.

Here, in order to meet the user's need to quietly change the settings of shooting parameters during video shooting, etc., it is possible to allocate the shooting parameter setting change function to a smooth ring that does not give a click feeling during rotation operation. The function assignment method and processing method are the same as the first rotary operation section 120 with a click feeling, and details will be described later.

Next, details of the operation invalidation process and display process of the rotary operation unit in the first embodiment will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the processing of the lens microcomputer 110 and the camera microcomputer 210 will be described assuming that the click ring and the smooth ring are assigned the same function of changing the settings of photographic parameters.

In Step 301, it is determined whether or not the click ring is set to a shooting parameter changing function. If the change function is not set, this process ends. If the change function is set, this photographing parameter is set as the "first photographing parameter" and the process proceeds to Step 302. In the following, this embodiment will be described using an example in which the "first photographing parameter" is an aperture value.

FIG. 3 shows a screen of the display device 230 when setting the shooting parameter change function to the click ring. The screen includes an operation member display section 401, a setting status character display section 402, a click ring setting status display section 403, and a smooth ring setting status display section 404.

The setting status character display section 402 indicates that the click ring is currently selected and that the aperture value changing function is assigned.

The click ring setting state display section 403 displays "C" representing a click ring, an icon of a rotation operation section, and "Av". On the other hand, the smooth ring setting state display section 404 displays "S" representing a smooth ring, an icon of a rotation operation section, and "OFF". Indicates that no function is assigned to the smooth ring.

In Step 302, it is determined whether or not the smooth ring is set with a function of changing the "first photographing parameter", that is, the aperture value, which is the same photographing parameter. If the smooth ring is not set with any photographing parameter changing function, or if a photographing parameter changing function other than the aperture value is set, the process ends.

FIG. 4 shows a screen of the display device 230 when setting an aperture value as a shooting parameter to be operated on the smooth ring. The configuration of the screen is the same as in FIG. 3, and shows that the smooth ring has been selected by the user's operation and that the function to change the aperture value has been assigned.

The smooth ring setting state display section 404 displays "S" indicating a smooth ring, an icon of a rotation operation section, and "Av". In this way, when the shooting parameters are set for the smooth ring as the same operation target as for the click ring, the process advances to Step 303.

In Step 303, processing for invalidating the click ring operation is performed. Normally, the camera microcomputer 210 changes the set value of the aperture value according to the amount of operation of the click ring input from the lens microcomputer (invalidation means) 110, but in Step 303, the aperture value changing process is not performed. Therefore, no image processing is performed in the signal processing circuit 221, and the video signal is not changed. Note that instead of this, the lens microcomputer (invalidation means) 110 may perform a process in which the click ring operation amount is not notified to the camera microcomputer 210.

In Step 304, whether the click ring and smooth ring operations are valid or invalid is displayed on the display device 230 (FIG. 5). In FIG. 4 at Step 302, the aperture value (Av) was displayed in the click ring setting state display section 403, but by this process, the click ring setting state display section 403 displays "LOCK" indicating that it is invalid. Ru. Furthermore, the aperture value (Av) is displayed on the smooth ring setting state display section 404, and the user can immediately recognize the setting state of each rotary operation section, that is, whether it is enabled or disabled.

In Step 305, when the user completes various settings, the camera microcomputer 210 shifts to a shooting standby state.

In Step 306, the setting status of each rotary operation section, that is, whether it is enabled or disabled, is displayed on the live view screen of the display device 230. If valid, display the current value. FIG. 6 shows an example of the display. The aperture setting value display section 501 displays characters indicating operation members, icons of the rotary operation section, and each setting value. Specifically, "C", "rotary operation section icon", and "LOCK" are displayed to indicate that the click ring is disabled, and the smooth ring allows the aperture value (Av) setting to be changed. It consists of a display of "S", "rotary operation unit icon", and "aperture value" to indicate the current state.

In this way, if the click ring and smooth ring are assigned the function of changing the settings for the same shooting parameter, the click ring operation will be disabled and the setting status of each rotary operation part will be displayed in the setting state or shooting standby state. be done. For the user, even in an imaging device that includes a rotation operation section with a click feeling and a rotation operation section without a click sensation, the user can quietly adjust the shooting parameters and take a picture while being conscious of not making erroneous operations.

[Example 2]
In Example 1, we will explain how, when the click ring and smooth ring are assigned the function of changing the settings for the same shooting parameter, the user can quietly adjust the shooting parameters and take pictures while being conscious of not making mistakes. did. In the second embodiment, a method will be described in which the shooting parameters can be quietly adjusted during video shooting.

The imaging device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
In Step 601, as in Step 302 of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the shooting parameter changing function is set in the smooth ring. In the following, a second embodiment will be described using an example in which the set photographing parameter is an aperture value. If the shooting parameter change function is not set, this process ends. If the photographing parameter changing function has been set, the process advances to Step 602. By checking the assignment of the shooting parameters to the smooth ring in Step 601, it is possible to assume that the shooting parameters that are changed during the shooting of a video of a scene or are changed to a shooting-enabled state are due to the operation of the smooth ring. can.

In Step 602, the camera microcomputer 210 determines whether video shooting has started. If video shooting has not started, the process returns to step 601 and repeats the process until the setting of the shooting parameter change function for the smooth ring is canceled. If video shooting has started, the process advances to Step 603.

In Step 603, similar to Step 303 of the first embodiment, processing for invalidating the click ring operation is performed. Specifically, even if the camera microcomputer 210 receives the click ring operation amount from the lens microcomputer 110, the camera microcomputer 210 does not change the shooting parameters assigned in advance. Therefore, no image processing is performed in the signal processing circuit 221, and the video signal is not changed. Note that the lens microcomputer 110 may perform processing in which the click ring operation amount is not notified to the camera microcomputer 210.

In Step 604, similarly to Step 306 of the first embodiment, the setting status of each rotary operation section, that is, whether it is enabled or disabled, is displayed on the live view screen of the display device 230. If valid, displays the current value of the assigned shooting parameter. As shown in FIG. 6, an example of the display when shooting a moving image shows "LOCK" indicating that the click ring operation is disabled, and "aperture value" is displayed for the smooth ring.

In this way, even during video shooting, the click ring operation is disabled, and the setting status of each rotary operation section is displayed on the display device 230 in the shooting standby state or the shooting state. For the user, as in Example 1, even in an imaging device that has multiple rotary operation parts with and without a click feeling, it is possible to quietly adjust the shooting parameters and take pictures while being conscious of not making erroneous operations. .

Normally, when shooting a video of one scene, the user often changes only one shooting parameter, and the imaging apparatus and method of the second embodiment are particularly effective in such video shooting.

[Example 3]
In the first and second embodiments, a method has been described in which the imaging device disables the rotational operation section according to conditions and displays the setting state of each rotational operation section. The method of the third embodiment is particularly effective when a plurality of shooting parameters are switched and continuously adjusted for each scene in video shooting. In many cases, only one shooting parameter is adjusted when shooting a video of one scene. In Embodiment 3, when shooting one scene, shooting parameters are set for both the click ring and the smooth ring, but when the shooting parameters on the smooth ring side are manipulated and the shooting parameters on the click ring side are not. Particularly effective. In Embodiment 3, a method will be described in which the user intentionally switches between enabling and disabling the click ring, thereby quietly adjusting the shooting parameters and shooting. Here, an example will be explained in which the shutter speed and aperture value are continuously adjusted.

The differences from Example 1 will be mainly explained using FIG. 8.
In Step 701, similarly to Step 301 of the first embodiment, it is determined whether the click ring is set to the shooting parameter changing function. If the shooting parameter change function is not set in the click ring, this process ends. If the click ring is set to have a photographing parameter change function, this photographing parameter is set as the "first photographing parameter" and the process proceeds to Step 702. Here, the "first photographing parameter" is the shutter speed.

In Step 702, unlike the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the smooth ring is set with a function to change a "second photographing parameter" different from the "first photographing parameter." Here, the "second photographic parameter" is the aperture value. If the change function is not set, this process ends. If the change function has been set, the process advances to Step 703.

In Step 703, the camera microcomputer 210 determines whether the third operation section 240, which is an input section provided on the camera body 200, has been pressed (input operation). If the button has not been pressed, the process returns to Step 701; if the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to Step 704. Note that the third operating section 240 may be provided in the interchangeable lens 100, and the lens microcomputer 110 may determine the pressed state of the third operating section 240 and notify the camera microcomputer 210 of the result.

In Step 704, when it is determined that the third operation unit 240 has been pressed in Step 703, the process of invalidating the click ring operation is performed similarly to Step 303 of the first embodiment. Specifically, even if the click ring operation amount is input from the lens microcomputer 110, the camera microcomputer 210 does not perform shutter speed change processing. Therefore, no image processing is performed in the signal processing circuit 221, and the video signal is not changed. Note that in Step 704, the lens microcomputer 110 may not notify the camera microcomputer 210 of the click ring operation amount.

In Step 705, similarly to Step 306 of the first embodiment, the setting status of each rotary operation section, that is, whether it is enabled or disabled, is displayed on the live view screen of the display device 230. If valid, display the current value.

A display example in this embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 9A shows a live view screen of the display device 230. At the bottom of the screen, there are shooting parameter windows including a shutter speed setting value display area 801 and an aperture setting value display area 802. it's shown.

FIG. 9(b) shows the live view screen when Step 702 is completed. The live view screen shows the click ring assigned to the shutter speed adjustment function and the smooth ring assigned to the aperture value adjustment function.

Step 705 is a case where the third operation unit 240 is pressed, and the display is switched to FIG. 9(c).

In FIG. 9C, "LOCK" is displayed as a state in which the click ring is disabled in response to the process in Step 704. On the other hand, the smooth ring's setting change function remains the same, so the "aperture value" is displayed.

In this manner, when continuously adjusting a plurality of photographing parameters, the user can intentionally switch between enabling and disabling the rotary operation section, thereby quietly adjusting the photographing parameters and photographing.

(Other examples)
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the first rotary operation part that disables the operation is a click ring that gives a click feeling during rotation operation, but the member that disables the operation is the second rotary operation part, the rotation operation It may be a smooth ring that does not give a click feeling at times. In this case as well, the user can confirm which operating members are disabled during photographing, and can adjust the photographing parameters and take photographs while being conscious of not making erroneous operations.

110 Lens microcomputer (control means, invalidation means)
120 First rotation operation section 121 Second rotation operation section 210 Camera microcomputer (control means)
230 Display device (display section)

Claims (8)

a lens barrel section including an optical system;
a camera body including an image sensor that captures an optical image formed by the optical system;
The first rotary operation part has a clicky feel when operated,
A second rotary operation part that does not have a click feeling during operation,
It is possible to associate each of the first rotational operation section and the second rotational operation section with a shooting parameter to be operated, and the association, the operation of the first rotational operation section, and the operation of the second rotational operation section. a control means for changing the imaging parameters based on the operation;
a display unit that displays the state of the imaging parameters respectively associated with the first rotational operation unit and the second rotational operation unit;
Disabling to invalidate the change of the photographing parameter by the operation of the first rotation operation section based on at least one of the association of the first rotation operation section and the association of the second rotation operation section. and a means for converting the
When the changing of the photographing parameters by the operation of the first rotary operation section is invalidated by the invalidation means, the display section displays the operation of the first rotary operation section in the photographing enabled state or the photographing state. An imaging device characterized by displaying that the image is invalid. If the control means associates the same imaging parameter with the first rotation operation section and the second rotation operation section, the disabling means disables the first rotation operation section. The imaging device according to claim 1. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the imaging device starts capturing a moving image, the disabling means disables the first rotation operation section. Equipped with an input section that allows input operations,
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is an input from the input section, the disabling means disables the first rotation operation section. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the display section switches and displays whether the operation of the first rotary operation section is disabled or enabled based on the input from the input section. The first rotational operation section and the second rotational operation section are provided in the lens barrel section and are rotary operation sections that can be rotated around an axis parallel to the optical axis of the optical system. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the photographing parameter is any one of an aperture value, a shutter speed, an ISO sensitivity, an exposure correction, a focusing distance, and a focal length. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the display section is an electronic viewfinder provided in the camera body or a rear liquid crystal screen.

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