JP3466896B2 - Lens device, imaging device, imaging system, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lens device having a zoom lens, an image pickup device mounted with the lens device and performing an electronic zoom, an image pickup system, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional video camera for changing lenses. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 100 is an interchangeable lens unit, and 200 is a camera body unit to which the interchangeable lens unit 100 is detachably mounted. In the interchangeable lens unit 100, 101 is a fixed front lens group, 102 is a variable magnification lens group that performs zooming, 103 is a fixed lens group, and 104 is a competition lens group that has both a focusing function and a focusing function. These lens groups 10
An inner focus type lens system is composed of 1 to 104.

Reference numeral 106 is a stepping motor for moving the variable power lens group 102, 108 is connected to the stepping motor 106 via a gear 107, a rotary shaft having a screw, and 109 is movably provided on the rotary shaft 108. A variable power lens group 102 is attached to the rack.
Reference numeral 105 is a driver for driving the stepping motor 106, and 110 is a zoom encoder for detecting the position of the variable power lens 102.

Reference numeral 112 is a stepping motor for moving the compensating lens group 104, 113 is a rotary shaft directly connected to the stepping motor 112 and having a screw, 114 is a rack movably provided on the rotary shaft 113, and the compensating lens group is shown. 104 is attached. A driver 111 drives the stepping motor 112. 115
Is a microcomputer (hereinafter, lens microcomputer), and is a microcomputer 208 of the camera body 200.
It communicates with, controls the drivers 105 and 111, and receives position detection information from the zoom encoder 110.

Next, in the camera body 200, 201
Is an image pickup device such as a CCD, 202 is a CDS / AGC circuit that performs correlated double sampling and automatic gain control, 203 is an A / D converter, 204 is a signal processing circuit, 205 is an enlargement processing circuit that performs electronic zoom processing, and 206 is A signal processing circuit, 207 is a D / A converter, 208 is an overall control, and a microcomputer (hereinafter, camera microcomputer) 210, 21 for communicating with the lens microcomputer 115.
Reference numeral 1 is a zoom switch for moving the zoom in the tele direction and wide direction, 212, 213 are focus switches for moving the focus in the infinity direction and the close-up direction, and 209 is a group of these switches.

Next, the operation will be described. When the interchangeable lens unit 100 is attached to the camera body unit 200, power is supplied from the camera body unit 200 to the interchangeable lens unit 100. Light from a subject passes through the lens groups 101 to 104 and forms an image on the image sensor 201. The video signal photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device 201 is processed by the CDS / AGC circuit 202, converted into a digital video signal by the A / D converter 203, and sent to the signal processing circuit 204. After the signal processing circuit 204 performs gamma correction processing and the like, the enlargement processing circuit 205 performs later-described enlargement processing, and the signal processing circuit 206 further performs processing such as parallel modulation of color signals. The processed signal is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 207 and sent to a VTR (not shown) or the like.

Next, the lens microcomputer 115 and the zoom and focus operations will be described. Lens microcomputer 11
When zoom and focus are instructed, 5 determines the rotation speed / direction of each motor 106, 112 by program processing, outputs a control signal of the rotation speed / direction, and outputs the stepping motor through the drivers 105, 110. 10
6, 112 are controlled. Regarding zoom, switches 210 and 211 sent from the camera microcomputer 208.
The rotation direction of the motor 105 is determined according to the state of.
Regarding the focus, in the case of manual operation, the switches 212 and 2 sent from the camera microcomputer 208
In the case of AF, the lens microcomputer 1
The AF processing routine in 15 determines the rotation direction of the motor 112.

The respective motors 106 and 112 rotate under the control of the above control signals, whereby the rotating shaft 108 rotates via the gear 107, the rotating shaft 113 rotates, and the racks 109 and 114 form the lens groups. 102, 10
Move back and forth with 8. As a result, a predetermined zoom state and focus state can be obtained.

Image enlargement processing (electronic zoom) by linear interpolation in the enlargement processing circuit 205 will be described below. The enlargement process is performed by the photographer using the zoom switches 210 and 211.
It is executed by operating. In FIG.
When enlarging the original image of (a) to the enlarged image of (b),
The scanning line relationship between (a) and (b) is as shown in (c) and (d). In this case, the scanning lines A to F of the original image in (c) are newly created as the scanning lines indicated by the broken line in (d). Therefore, the scanning line shown by the broken line can be obtained by multiplying the scanning line shown by the solid line by a weight (correction coefficient) according to the distance and adding the result. By performing such a linear interpolation process in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the original image can be enlarged at an arbitrary enlargement ratio.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the enlargement processing circuit 205. To simplify the description, only the vertical enlargement process is shown here. In FIG. 6, the input video signal 30
0 is the memory circuit 3 generated by the memory control signal generation circuit 302.
01 and sent to the output switching circuit 309. The microcomputer interface circuit 304 receives the enlargement ratio and enlargement information from the camera microcomputer 208, and based on this, the enlargement ratio determination circuit 303 outputs the enlargement ratio to the memory control signal generation circuit 302 and the interpolation coefficient generation circuit 308. The memory control signal generation circuit 302 is the memory circuit 30.
From the signal stored in 1, the signal of the n line and the signal of the n-1 line delayed by 1H are read. Interpolation coefficient generation circuit 3
08 generates an interpolation coefficient according to the enlargement ratio to generate a multiplier 30
5, 306. The multipliers 305 and 306 multiply the n-line signal and the n-1 line signal by the interpolation coefficient, and the respective multiplication outputs are added by the adder 307 and output to the output switching circuit 309. The output switching circuit 309 operates according to the switching signal from the microcomputer interface circuit 304 to adder 3
The signal from 07 or the input video signal 300 is output as the output video signal 310.

[0011]

However, in the above-described conventional example, it is difficult to set the timing of switching between the optical zoom on the interchangeable lens side and the enlargement processing by the electronic zoom on the camera body side. For some reason on the side of the interchangeable lens (for example, the interchangeable lens has a zoom ring for mechanically moving the position of the variable magnification lens, and the gear has a slip that transmits the movement of the zoom ring to the rotation axis. When the mechanism is provided, there is no means (for example, a sequence for canceling the enlargement processing) for canceling the enlargement processing on the camera body side by the photographer operating the zoom ring to the wide side).

Therefore, the applicant and the inventor of the present invention have disclosed in
In Japanese Patent No. 6756, a proposal for solving the above problem is made, which enables smooth switching between the optical zoom and the electronic zoom. However, the electronic zoom between the lens side and the camera side is performed. If there is a delay in the transmission of the zoom prohibition signal or the electronic zoom permission signal for some reason, or if there is a delay before the electronic zoom is executed on the camera side after receiving the electronic zoom permission signal, zooming is suspended. Occasionally, a problem such as that occurs.

This will be described in detail below. The video camera with interchangeable lenses in the example described below has substantially the same configuration as that in FIG. First, FIG. 7 shows the processing performed by the camera microcomputer 208.
It will be described together with the flowchart of. When the process starts in step 401, a predetermined initialization is performed in step 402, and then in step 403, the arrival of the vertical synchronizing signal Vd is waited for. When the vertical synchronizing signal Vd is input, step 404
After performing the predetermined communication with the lens microcomputer 115, the processing such as AF and AE is performed in step 405. Next, in step 406, electronic zoom or optical zoom processing is performed according to the states of the zoom switches 210 and 211, and then the process returns to step 403.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the process of step 404 in more detail. In FIG.
When the processing starts in step 501, a communication request signal is sent from the camera microcomputer 208 to the lens microcomputer 115 in step 502, and the process proceeds to step 503. Step 503
Then, it is checked whether or not the communication permission signal is received from the lens microcomputer 115, and if it is, the process proceeds to step 505, and if not, the process proceeds to step 504. In step 504, the communication permission signal is waited for a predetermined time, and if the predetermined time is exceeded, the communication is abandoned and the communication ends in step 506.

If the communication permission signal is received within the predetermined time, bidirectional communication is performed with the lens microcomputer 115 in step 505. At this time, the data sent from the camera microcomputer 208 to the lens microcomputer 115 includes information on the stop or movement direction of the zoom lens based on the result of the process of step 406. Further, the data sent from the lens microcomputer 115 to the camera microcomputer 208 includes information on prohibition / permission of electronic zoom. Next, in step 506, the communication is ended, and in step 507, the process proceeds to step 406.

Next, a detailed description of step 406 will be given with reference to FIG.
It will be described together with the flowchart of. In FIG. 9, when the processing is started in step 601, it is checked in step 602 whether the zoom operation is being performed. When the zoom switches 210 and 211 are both pressed or not pressed, the process proceeds to step 607, and when only one of them is pressed, the process proceeds to step 603. In step 603, it is checked which of the switches 210 and 211 is pressed. If the tele switch 210 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 604, and if the wide switch 211 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 603.

In step 604, the lens microcomputer 11
It is checked whether the electronic zoom permission information has come from No. 5, and if it is permitted, the process proceeds to step 605, and if not, the process proceeds to step 610. In step 605, it is checked whether the electronic zoom is at the tele end, and if it is at the tele end, step 6
07, otherwise proceed to step 606. In step 606, the interpolation coefficient is increased / decreased according to whether either the switch 210 or 211 is pressed to perform the electronic zoom operation, and the enlargement processing circuit 2 is operated according to the operation result.
Control 05. After this control, a zoom lens stop request signal is sent to the lens microcomputer 115 in step 607.
In step 610, a request to move the zoom lens to the tele side is sent to the lens microcomputer 115.

On the other hand, in step 608, it is checked whether or not the electronic zoom is currently in progress. If the electronic zoom is currently in progress, the process proceeds to step 606. Otherwise, in step 609, a request signal for moving the zoom lens to the wide side is given to the lens. Send to the microcomputer 115. When any of the above steps 607, 610, 609 is completed, the process returns to the main routine in step 611.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process relating to a zoom operation which is a part of the process of the lens microcomputer 115. In FIG. 10, when the processing is started in step 701, it is checked in step 702 whether the zoom stop request signal is received from the camera microcomputer 208. If the zoom lens is stopped, the process proceeds to step 708, and if not, the process proceeds to step 703. In step 703, it is checked from the information from the camera microcomputer 208 whether the moving direction of the zoom lens is the tele direction or the wide direction. If it is the tele direction, the process proceeds to step 704, and if it is the wide direction, the process proceeds to step 705.

In step 704, it is checked whether the zoom lens is at the tele end, and if it is at the tele end, step 708.
Otherwise go to step 706. Also,
In step 705, it is checked whether or not the zoom lens is at the wide end, and if it is at the wide end, the process proceeds to step 708.
Otherwise, it proceeds to step 706. Step 706
Then, the moving speed of the zoom lens and the moving speed and moving direction of the focus lens are calculated, and the zoom lens and the focus lens are driven in step 707 based on the calculation result. In step 708, the zoom lens is stopped.

When the processing of step 707 or 708 is completed, it is checked in step 709 whether the zoom lens is at the tele end, and if it is at the tele end, the process proceeds to step 710, and if not, the process proceeds to step 711. In step 710, an electronic zoom permission signal is sent to the camera microcomputer 208. In step 711, an electronic zoom prohibition signal is sent to the camera microcomputer 208. Step 710 or 71
When step 1 is performed, step 712 returns to the main routine.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the timing of transition from the optical zoom region to the electronic zoom region when the zoom operation is performed from the wide side to the tele side, and the horizontal axis represents the flow of time, and the right side is newer. In FIG. 11, 80
1 is the field flow of a standard television signal,
Fields (n-1) to (n + 4) are shown. Reference numeral 802 denotes processing in each field of the camera microcomputer 208, which is shown in FIG.
The processing shown in is performed in each field. Reference numeral 803 indicates in which field the input video signal 300 is a video signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 201. The timing of reading the video signal from the image sensor 201 is the next Since it is a field, it is one less than the number in the 801 field.

Reference numeral 804 indicates in which field the output signal of the adder 307 is a video signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the image pickup device 201.
The output signal of the adder 307 becomes indefinite until the video signal is captured by 01, and a signal delayed by one field is output after the video signal is captured. Reference numeral 805 indicates which of the input video signal 300 and the output signal of the adder 307 is selected by the output switching circuit 309 according to the switching signal from the microcomputer interface circuit 304 of FIG. In 806, the output video signal 310 is the image sensor 20.
1 shows in which field the video signal is obtained by photoelectric conversion.

Next, the flow of the zoom processing will be described focusing on the processing of the camera microcomputer 208. In the zoom operation from the wide side to the tele side, in field n, time t
When the optical zoom reaches the optical tele end in (n) 1, the lens microcomputer 115 prepares the electronic zoom permission information for the next communication with the camera microcomputer 208.

In field (n + 1), time t (n)
An electronic zoom permission signal is passed from the lens microcomputer 115 to the camera microcomputer 208 by the communication of 1. The camera microcomputer 208 performs the input video signal 300 in the field (n + 2) in the zoom processing at time t (n + 1) 2.
Is stored in the memory circuit 301.

In field (n + 2), time t (n +
1) In the zoom processing of 1, the processing for storing the input video signal 300 in the field (n + 3) in the memory circuit 301, and the already stored field (n + 3)
2) The input video signal 300 of 2) is enlarged to the field (n + 3), and the output switching circuit 309 outputs the enlarged video signal (n +
1) ′ is output and the output of the output switching circuit 309 is selected to the input side from the adder 307.

In field (n + 3), time t (n +
3) In the zoom processing of 1, the processing for storing the input video signal 300 in the field (n + 4) in the memory circuit 301, and the already stored field (n + 4)
3) The input video signal 300 of 3) is expanded to the field (n + 4), and the output switching circuit 309 outputs the video signal (n + 4).
2) 'is output. The processing after the field (n + 4) is the same as the processing in the field (n + 3).

Next, the temporal change 8 of the output video signal 310
06 will be described. Since it is the field n that the zoom lens reaches the optical tele end, the field (n-
The signals photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device 201 up to 1) and the signals photoelectrically converted in the field n in which zooming has ended halfway can be said to be video signals during optical zoom. Therefore,
The output video signal 310 up to field (n + 1) is a signal during optical zoom. The video signal output 310 of the field (n + 2) is not the signal during the optical zoom or the signal during the electronic zoom because the signal photoelectrically converted in the field (n + 1) is output as it is. Field (n + 3)
The subsequent video output signal 310 is a video signal during electronic zooming because it is an expansion of the signal stored in the memory circuit 301 in the immediately preceding field.

From the above description, it is understood that if there is a delay in executing the electronic zoom on the camera side after receiving the electronic zoom permission signal, zooming is temporarily interrupted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to make it possible to smoothly switch between the optical zoom and the electronic zoom.

[0031]

In a lens apparatus according to the present invention, a variable power lens means for performing a zoom operation, a control means for controlling the zoom operation of the variable power lens means, and an electronic zoom permission during the zoom operation. A signal output means is provided for outputting a signal and an electronic zoom preparation permission signal that gives advance notice of the electronic zoom permission signal.

In the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, an image pickup means for picking up a subject and outputting an image signal, an electronic zoom means for electronically expanding the image signal, an electronic zoom preparation permission signal and an electronic zoom permission signal. And a control means for controlling the electronic zoom means when each of the signals is input.

In the image pickup system according to the present invention, the variable power lens means for performing the zoom operation, the first control means for controlling the zoom operation of the variable power lens means, the electronic zoom permission signal during the zoom operation, and A lens device having a signal output unit that outputs an electronic zoom preparation permission signal that gives an advance notice of the electronic zoom permission signal, an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject and outputs an image signal, and an electronic that electronically enlarges the image signal. Zoom means, signal input means for inputting the electronic zoom preparation permission signal and the electronic zoom permission signal,
Second control means for controlling the electronic zoom means when the above signals are input are provided.

In the computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention, a control process for controlling the zoom operation by the variable magnification lens, an electronic zoom permission signal during the zoom operation, and an electronic zoom preparation permission for notifying the electronic zoom permission signal are given. A program for executing signal output processing for outputting signals and is stored.

In another computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention, an image pickup process for picking up a subject and outputting an image signal, an electronic zoom process for electronically expanding the image signal, and an electronic zoom preparation permission signal. And a program for executing a signal input process for inputting an electronic zoom permission signal and a control process for enabling the electronic zoom process when each of the signals is input.

[0036]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The lens-convertible video camera used in the embodiment of the present invention has substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG. The major flow of processing performed by the camera microcomputer 208 is the same as in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The storage medium 117 is the lens microcomputer 1
A program for executing processing including processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 in 15 is stored.
Further, the storage medium 214 stores a program for executing processing including the processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 in the camera microcomputer 208. A semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic medium, or the like is used as these storage media 117 and 214.

First, step 406 (FIG. 7) of the processing flow of the camera microcomputer 208 in the embodiment of the present invention.
A detailed description of the above will be given together with the flowchart of FIG.
In the following description, it is assumed that the variable power lens group 102 is moved only by the zoom switches 210 and 211.

In FIG. 2, when the processing is started in step 901, it is checked in step 902 whether the zoom operation is being performed. When the zoom switches 210 and 211 are both pressed or not pressed,
The process proceeds to step 907, and when only one is pressed, the process proceeds to step 903. In step 903, it is checked which of the switches 210 and 211 is pressed. If the television switch 210 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 904, and if the wide switch 211 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 9
Go to 08.

In step 904, the lens microcomputer 11
It is checked whether or not the electronic zoom permission information comes from No. 5, and if it is permitted, the process proceeds to step 905, and if not, the process proceeds to step 910. In step 905, it is checked whether it is the tele end of the electronic zoom, and if it is the tele end, step 9
Proceed to 07. Otherwise, it proceeds to step 906. In step 906, the interpolation coefficient is increased / decreased according to whether the switch 210 or 211 is pressed to perform the electronic zoom operation, and the enlargement processing circuit 2 is operated according to the operation result.
Control 05. After this control, a zoom lens stop request signal is sent to the lens microcomputer 115 in step 907.

On the other hand, in step 908, it is checked whether or not the electronic zoom is currently in progress. If the electronic zoom is currently in progress, the process proceeds to step 906. Otherwise, in step 909, a request signal for moving the zoom lens to the wide side is sent to the lens. Send to the microcomputer 115. On the other hand, in step 910, it is checked whether or not an electronic zoom preparation permission signal is received from the lens microcomputer 115, and if it is permitted, the process proceeds to step 911. Otherwise, proceed to step 912. Step 9
In step 11, pre-preparation for starting the above-described electronic zoom operation is performed, and the flow advances to step 912. When the electronic zoom permission signal is received from the lens microcomputer 115 by the preparation for step 911, the input image signal 300 is stored in the memory circuit 301 so that the electronic zoom operation can be performed immediately. In step 912, a request signal for moving the zoom lens to the tele side is sent to the lens microcomputer 115. Step 90 above
When any of 7, 912, and 909 ends, step 9
At 13, the procedure returns to the main routine.

Next, the processing of the lens microcomputer 115 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process relating to a zoom operation which is a part of the process of the lens microcomputer 115, and here, the manual zoom will be described as an example. When the processing is started in step 1001, it is checked in step 1002 whether the zoom stop request signal is received from the camera microcomputer 208. If the zoom lens is stopped, the process proceeds to step 1008. Otherwise, it proceeds to step 1003. In step 1003, it is checked from the information from the camera microcomputer 208 whether the moving direction of the zoom lens is the tele direction or the wide direction.
Go to 05.

In step 1004, it is checked whether the zoom lens is at the telephoto end, and if it is at the telephoto end, step 1008 is performed.
Otherwise, go to step 1006. In step 1005, it is checked whether the zoom lens is at the wide end, and if so, the process proceeds to step 1008, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1006. In step 1006,
The moving speed of the zoom lens and the moving speed and moving direction of the focus lens are calculated, and the zoom lens and the focus lens are driven in step 1007 based on the calculation results. In step 1008, the zoom lens is stopped.

When the processing of step 1007 or 1008 ends, it is checked in step 1009 whether the zoom lens is at the tele end, and if it is the tele end, the processing proceeds to step 1010, and if not, the processing proceeds to step 1011. In step 1010, information for sending the electronic zoom permission signal to the camera microcomputer 208 is set. In step 1011,
Information for sending the electronic zoom prohibition signal to the camera microcomputer 208 is set, and the process proceeds to step 1012.

In step 1012, it is checked whether the zoom lens is moving to the wide side. If it is moving, step 1
If not 013, proceed to step 1015. At step 1013, the current focal length f of the zoom lens is
1/60 when operating with the zoom speed currently moving
It is checked whether or not the focal length is fn or more to reach the tele end within seconds. Step 10
14, an electronic zoom preparation permission signal is sent to the camera microcomputer 20.
Set the information to send to 8. In step 1015, information for sending the electronic zoom preparation prohibition signal to the camera microcomputer 208 is set. When step 1010, 1014 or 1015 is performed, the process returns to the main routine in step 1016.

Next, a case where the processes of the lens microcomputer 115 and the camera microcomputer 208 are integrated in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the timing of transition from the optical zoom region to the electronic zoom region when the zoom operation is performed from the wide side to the tele side, and the horizontal axis represents the flow of time, and the right side is newer. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a field flow of a standard television signal, and fields (n-1) to (n + 4) are shown. Reference numeral 1102 denotes processing in each field of the camera microcomputer 208, and the processing shown in FIG. 7 described above is performed in each field.

Reference numeral 1103 indicates in which field the input video signal 300 is a video signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the image pickup device 201, and the read timing of the video signal from the image pickup device 201 is photoelectrically converted. Since it is the next field, it is one less than the number in the 1101 field. Reference numeral 1104 denotes a field in which the output signal of the adder 307 is a video signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 201. The output of the adder 307 is output until the video signal is captured in the memory circuit 301. The signal becomes indefinite, and after the video signal is captured, the signal delayed by one field is output.

Reference numeral 1105 denotes the microcomputer interface 30.
4 shows which of the input video signal 300 and the output signal of the adder 307 is selected by the output switching circuit 309 according to the switching signal. 1106 shows in which field the output video signal 310 is a video signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 201.

Next, the flow of the zoom processing will be described focusing on the processing of the camera microcomputer 208. In the zoom operation from the wide side to the tele side, in field n, time t (n-
1) In 1, when the lens microcomputer 115 operates with the current focal length f at the zoom speed currently moving, 1 /
The electronic zoom preparation permission information is prepared for the next communication with the camera microcomputer 208 by detecting that the focal length is fn or more to reach the tele end within 60 seconds.

In the field n, the communication from the lens microcomputer 115 to the camera microcomputer 20 is performed at the time t (n) 1.
An electronic zoom preparation permission signal is passed to 8. Time t (n)
In the zoom processing of 2, the camera microcomputer 208 performs processing for storing the input video signal 300 in the field (n + 1) in the memory circuit 301. Also at time t
When the optical zoom reaches the optical tele end in (n) 3, the electronic zoom permission information is prepared for the next communication with the camera microcomputer 208.

In field n, an electronic zoom preparation permission signal is passed from the lens microcomputer 115 to the camera microcomputer 208 by communication at time t (n + 1) 1. The camera microcomputer 208 performs the input video signal 300 in the field (n + 2) in the zoom processing at time t (n + 1) 2.
For storing in the memory circuit 301, and the input video signal 300 of the field (n + 1) already stored
Is expanded to the field (n + 2), the expanded video signal (n) 'is output to the output switching circuit 309, and the output of the output switching circuit 309 is selected to the input side from the adder 307.

In field (n + 2), time t (n +
2) In the zoom processing of 1, the processing for storing the input video signal 300 in the field (n + 3) in the memory circuit 301 and the already stored field (n + 3)
The input video signal 300 of 2) is enlarged into the field (n + 3), and the output switching circuit 309 outputs the video signal (n + 3).
1) 'is output. The processing after the field (n + 3) is the same as the processing in the field (n + 2).

Next, the temporal change 8 of the output video signal 310
06 will be described. Since it is the field n that the zoom lens reaches the optical tele end, the field (n-
The signals photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device 201 up to 1) and the signals photoelectrically converted in the field n in which zooming has ended halfway can be said to be video signals during optical zoom. Therefore,
The output video signal 310 up to field (n + 1) is a signal during optical zoom. The video signal output 310 after the field (n + 2) is a video signal during electronic zooming because it is an enlargement of the signal stored in the memory circuit 301 in the field immediately before it.

In the above embodiment, the lens microcomputer 115 operates so that the current focal length f of the zoom lens remains at the zoom speed currently moving, and the focal length reaches the optical tele end within 1/60 seconds. When it is detected that fn or more, the electronic zoom preparation permission information is provided to the camera microcomputer 20.
I am preparing for the next communication with 8.
After the zoom lens reaches the optical tele end, even if a large delay time occurs for some reason in the timing when the camera microcomputer 208 obtains the electronic zoom permission information from the lens microcomputer 115, fn is the focus of the zoom lens when f ≦ fn. If the distance f operates at the zoom speed currently moving, the lens microcomputer 11 corresponding to the above delay time
By setting the focal length to reach the optical tele end within an integral multiple of the communication cycle between the camera 5 and the camera microcomputer 208, smooth switching between optical zoom and electronic zoom can be realized.

[0055]

As described above, according to the lens device of the present invention, since the electronic zoom preparation permission signal and the electronic zoom permission signal can be output to the camera side during the zoom operation, there is a delay in executing the electronic zoom. Even if there is, the zooming can operate smoothly without any interruption.

Further, according to the image pickup apparatus and the image pickup system of the present invention, the electronic zoom is enabled when the above signals are input from the lens side. Therefore, even when there is a delay in executing the electronic zoom, Zooming can operate smoothly without interruption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process related to zooming of a lens microcomputer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing relating to zooming of the camera microcomputer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an actual zoom operation result by processing of the lens and the camera microcomputer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video camera for performing lens exchange according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conventional lens.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an electronic zoom.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an enlargement processing circuit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of a camera microcomputer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing relating to communication of a camera microcomputer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing relating to zooming of the camera microcomputer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing relating to zooming of the lens microcomputer.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing an actual zoom operation result by processing of a lens microcomputer and a camera microcomputer.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 interchangeable lens 102 Variable magnification lens group 105 driver 106 stepping motor 108 rotation axis 109 racks 110 zoom encoder 115 Microcomputer (lens microcomputer) 200 Camera body 201 image sensor 205 Enlargement processing circuit 208 Microcomputer (camera microcomputer) 210, 211 Zoom switch 117, 214 storage medium

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A variable power lens means for performing a zoom operation, a control means for controlling the zoom operation of the variable power lens means, an electronic zoom permission signal during the zoom operation, and an electronic zoom for giving notice of this electronic zoom permission signal. A lens device comprising: a signal output means for outputting a preparation permission signal. 2. The lens apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal output unit outputs the electronic zoom permission signal when the variable power lens unit is at the telephoto end. 3. The signal output means outputs the electronic zoom preparation permission signal when the variable power lens means reaches the tele end within a predetermined time when the current zoom operation is continued. The lens device according to claim 1. 4. The signal output means, when the variable-magnification lens means is in a position to reach a tele end within a predetermined integral multiple time of a standard television signal when the current zoom operation is continued, The lens device according to claim 1, wherein an electronic zoom preparation permission signal is output. 5. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image signal, an electronic zoom means for electronically enlarging the image signal, and a signal input means for inputting an electronic zoom preparation permission signal and an electronic zoom permission signal. And an image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit that enables control of the electronic zoom unit when each of the signals is input. 6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal input means inputs position information of the zoom lens. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means starts control of the electronic zoom means when the electronic zoom preparation permission signal is input. 8. A variable power lens means for performing a zoom operation, a first control means for controlling a zoom operation of the variable power lens means, an electronic zoom permission signal and an advance notice of this electronic zoom permission signal during the zoom operation. A lens device having a signal output unit for outputting an electronic zoom preparation permission signal to be used, an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image signal, an electronic zoom unit for electronically enlarging the image signal, and the electronic unit Imaging provided with a signal input means for inputting a zoom preparation permission signal and an electronic zoom permission signal, and an image pickup device having a second control means for enabling control of the electronic zoom means when each of the signals is input. system. 9. The image pickup system according to claim 8, wherein said signal output means outputs said electronic zoom permission signal when said variable magnification lens means is at the telephoto end. 10. The electronic zoom preparation permission is provided when the signal output means is at a position where the zoom lens operation reaches a tele end within a predetermined time if the zoom operation is continued during the zoom operation. 9. The imaging system according to claim 8, which outputs a signal. 11. The signal output means, when the variable-magnification lens means is in a position to reach a tele end within a predetermined integral multiple time of a standard television signal when the current zoom operation is continued, 9. The image pickup system according to claim 8, wherein an electronic zoom preparation permission signal is output. 12. The imaging system according to claim 8, wherein the second control means can start control of the electronic zoom means when the electronic zoom preparation permission signal is input. 13. The signal output means and the signal input means,
9. The image pickup system according to claim 8, wherein the electronic zoom preparation permission signal and the electronic zoom permission signal are transmitted and received in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal of a standard television signal. 14. A control process for controlling a zoom operation by a variable power lens, and a signal output process for outputting an electronic zoom permission signal and an electronic zoom preparation permission signal for warning the electronic zoom permission signal during the zoom operation. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed. 15. An image pickup process for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image signal, an electronic zoom process for electronically enlarging the image signal, and a signal input process for inputting an electronic zoom preparation permission signal and an electronic zoom permission signal. And a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing the control process that enables the electronic zoom process when each of the signals is input.