JP4522956B2 - CAMERA SYSTEM CONTROL DEVICE, ITS PROGRAM, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM, CAMERA SYSTEM, AND CAMERA SYSTEM CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera system control device used in a portable device including a camera with an optical zoom, a program thereof, a computer-readable recording medium, a camera system, and a control method of the camera system.

  Conventionally, electronic devices such as video cameras and digital cameras have been downsized. Recently, a small electronic device such as a mobile phone with an optical zoom camera built therein is known.

  However, when downsizing an electronic device such as a video camera or a digital camera, or when an optical zoom camera is built in a small electronic device, it is necessary to reduce the space occupied by the lens unit. Therefore, there is a need for a lens unit that does not impair functions such as focus and zoom even when the space occupied by the lens unit is reduced. To date, a lens unit that serves as a zoom lens and a focus lens, or a lens unit that simultaneously moves the zoom lens and the focus lens with one motor has been adopted as a lens unit that solves the above-described problems.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a digital camera in which a zoom lens and a focus lens can be moved simultaneously with one motor by combining a zoom lens and a focus lens in a cam groove formed in a cam cylinder. ing.
JP 2004-23580 A (published on January 22, 2004)

  However, the above-described conventional digital camera has a problem that it may cause confusion to the user during the optical zoom.

  In other words, the photographing optical system as seen in the configuration of the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a product regardless of the distance from infinity to close-up when viewed on a large monitor such as a PC display. There are lens positions where only an image with an unacceptable resolution can be acquired. However, when an image acquired at the lens position is viewed on a small display unit such as a liquid crystal display of a mobile phone, it may be mistaken for being in focus depending on the subject distance.

  Therefore, when the image acquired at the lens position is viewed on a small display unit, depending on the subject distance, the image acquired at the lens position can be seen for a moment during the optical zoom, rather than the image after autofocus (AF). May be mistaken for high resolution. As a result, the user is confused, and the comfortable operation feeling for the electronic device for switching the optical zoom is remarkably impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable switching of optical zoom without causing confusion for a user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera system control apparatus according to the present invention forms an image of light by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and can change the focal length, and an image is formed by the optical system. A camera system control device for controlling a camera system having display means for displaying image data obtained by converting the converted light, wherein the lens position information acquisition means acquires position information of the movable lens, and the position of the movable lens. When the information is positional information where the movable lens is located within an image non-guaranteed range where the subject is not focused regardless of the distance from the infinity to the close-up, the image on the display means Calculation that outputs a command to stop the image display on the display means when the determination to stop the display and the determination to stop the image display are made. It is characterized in that it comprises a stage.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the camera system control method of the present invention displays a display step of displaying image data in which light imaged by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens is converted by a display unit; A lens position information acquisition step of acquiring the position information of the movable lens by the lens position information acquisition means, and a position of the movable lens by the calculation means to the subject regardless of the distance from the infinity to the close-up distance of the subject. And a calculation step of outputting a command to stop the image display on the display means when the position information is the position information where the movable lens is located within the non-focused image non-guaranteed range.

  In an optical system in which light can be imaged by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and the focal length can be changed, the subject distance (distance from the principal point of the movable lens closest to the subject to the subject) is from infinity. There is a case where the movable lens is located within an image non-guaranteed range where the subject is not focused at any distance up to the close-up. In the image non-guaranteed range, when the movable lens is positioned, there is a position where an image that may seem confusing to the user as a high-resolution image is acquired. The term “infinity” refers to the term “infinity” in terms of a camera, and refers to a distance that does not require further focusing when focusing in order from near to far. The close-up is the distance closest to the subject among the distances that can be focused on the subject.

  According to the above invention, when the movable lens is positioned within the image non-guaranteed range, a command for stopping the image display on the display means is output. When the above command is output, the image display on the display unit is stopped by, for example, stopping the output of the image data to the display unit or stopping the image display on the display unit.

  Therefore, an image that is obtained when the movable lens is positioned within the image non-guaranteed range and that may seem confusing to the user as a high-resolution image at first glance is not displayed on the display unit. Become. Therefore, the user does not see an image that may be confused by the user. As a result, it is possible to switch the optical zoom without causing user confusion.

  By the way, the camera system control device may be realized by hardware or may be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. Specifically, the program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as a camera system control device, and the program is recorded on a recording medium according to the present invention.

  When these programs are executed by a computer, the computer operates as a camera system control device. Therefore, similarly to the camera system control device, it is possible to switch the optical zoom without causing user confusion.

  In the camera system control apparatus of the present invention, the camera system further includes image processing means for converting the light imaged by the optical system into image data and outputting the image data to be displayed on the display means. Preferably, the arithmetic means stops outputting the image data from the image processing means by outputting a command to stop the image display to the image processing means.

  Thereby, it is not necessary to perform a process of stopping the image display by the display means or the like.

  The camera system control apparatus of the present invention further includes storage means for storing position information of the movable lens that is in focus when the subject distance is infinity and close-up as a correction value, and the calculation means is the storage means. It is preferable to perform the determination according to the corrected image non-guaranteed range after correcting the image non-guaranteed range with reference to the correction value stored in the image.

  Note that the correction value as the position information of the movable lens that focuses on the object at infinity and close-up distance varies from one optical system to another due to manufacturing variations. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly correct the position information of the movable lens that focuses on the object at the infinity and close-up distance for each optical system based on the deviation of the correction value for each optical system.

  Thereby, the image non-guaranteed range is corrected by the calculation means with reference to the correction value. Therefore, even if the data of the image non-guaranteed range used in the calculation unit for each different optical system is the same, it is It becomes possible to correct to the corresponding image non-guaranteed range. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide different arithmetic units for different optical systems.

  In the camera system control apparatus of the present invention, the calculation means performs the determination according to the corrected image non-guaranteed range after correcting the image non-guaranteed range according to the reduction rate of the image data. It is preferable.

  Note that there is a relationship between the image data reduction rate and the image non-guaranteed range that can be set narrowly in inverse proportion to the increase in the image data reduction rate. .

  As a result, by correcting the image non-guaranteed range to become narrower as the reduction rate of the image data increases, the movable range of the movable lens can be made wider than when no correction is performed. The movement range of the movable lens is widened, so that it is possible to focus on a subject at a closer distance. In addition, when the setting of the image non-guaranteed range is narrowed by correction, it is possible to shorten the period for issuing a command to stop the image display on the display means. Furthermore, the period during which image display is stopped can be shortened even during video recording.

  In order to solve the above problems, the camera system control apparatus of the present invention forms an image of light by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and can change the focal length, and forms an image by the optical system. System control apparatus for controlling a camera system having image conversion means for converting the output light into image data, performing image processing and outputting, and display means for displaying the image data output from the image conversion means The lens position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information of the movable lens, and the position information of the movable lens is an image in which the subject is not focused when the subject distance is any distance from infinity to close-up. When the position information is such that the movable lens is located within the non-guaranteed range, the image processing setting in the image conversion means is set to lower the resolution. With a determination to switch to, when performing determination of switching the setting of lowering the resolution, the instruction for switching the setting to decrease the resolution is characterized in that it comprises calculating means for outputting to said image converting means.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, the camera system control method of the present invention converts light imaged by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens into image data by an image conversion means, and performs image processing. An image conversion step for performing and outputting; a display step for displaying the image data output from the image conversion unit by the display unit; and a lens position information acquisition step for acquiring the position information of the movable lens by the lens position information acquisition unit. The position information of the movable lens by the calculation means is position information indicating the position of the movable lens within an image non-guaranteed range where the subject is not focused regardless of the distance from the infinity to the close-up. A calculation step for determining that the setting of the image processing in the image conversion means is switched to a setting for reducing the resolution. If the determination to switch the setting of lowering the resolution in the calculation process has been performed, it is characterized by performing image processing for reducing the resolution at the image conversion step.

  In addition, the optical system that can form light with a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and change the focal length does not focus on the subject regardless of the subject distance from infinity to close-up. There is a case where the movable lens is located within the image non-guaranteed range. And among the positions of the image non-guaranteed range, there is a position where an image that may be confused by the user as a high-resolution image at first glance is obtained when the movable lens is positioned. . The term “infinity” refers to the term “infinity” in terms of a camera, and refers to a distance that does not require further focusing when focusing in order from near to far. The close-up is the distance closest to the subject among the distances that can be focused on the subject.

  According to the above invention, the image processing setting in the image conversion means is switched to the setting for reducing the resolution in accordance with the position information of the movable lens acquired by the lens position information acquisition means. When the lens is positioned, the resolution of the image displayed on the display means is lowered.

  Therefore, an image that is obtained when the movable lens is located within the image non-guaranteed range and that may seem confusing to a high-resolution image at first glance may be a low-resolution image. It becomes possible. Therefore, the user does not see a high-resolution image at first glance, which may cause the user to be confused. As a result, it is possible to switch the optical zoom without causing user confusion.

  By the way, the camera system control device may be realized by hardware or may be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. Specifically, the program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as a camera system control device, and the program is recorded on a recording medium according to the present invention.

When these programs are executed by a computer, the computer operates as a camera system control device. Therefore, similarly to the camera system control device, it is possible to switch the optical zoom without causing confusion for the user. In the camera system control device of the present invention, the calculation means includes the position of the movable lens. It is preferable to change the setting value of the degree to which the resolution is lowered in a stepwise manner in accordance with the information.

  As a result, the resolution is gradually reduced according to the position information of the movable lens, so the difference in resolution between the image before the resolution is lowered and the image after the resolution is lowered is gradually increased. It will become. Therefore, the change in resolution from the image before lowering the resolution to the image after lowering the resolution is more gradual than when switching only when the resolution is lowered or not lowered. Further, since the change is made in stages, the change in resolution from the image after switching to the setting for reducing the resolution to the image before switching to the setting for reducing the resolution also becomes gradual. Therefore, even if the user views the image during the optical zoom switching, the operation can be continued comfortably.

  In the camera system control apparatus of the present invention, the calculation means performs the determination according to the corrected image non-guaranteed range after correcting the image non-guaranteed range according to the reduction rate of the image data. It is preferable.

  Note that there is a relationship between the image data reduction rate and the image non-guaranteed range that can be set narrowly in inverse proportion to the increase in the image data reduction rate. .

  As a result, by correcting the image non-guaranteed range to become narrower as the reduction rate of the image data increases, the movable range of the movable lens can be made wider than when no correction is performed. The movement range of the movable lens is widened, so that it is possible to focus on a subject at a closer distance. In addition, when the setting of the image non-guaranteed range is narrowed by correction, it is possible to shorten the period for issuing a command to stop the image display on the display means. Furthermore, the period during which image display is stopped can be shortened even during video recording.

  In order to solve the above problems, the camera system of the present invention forms an image of light by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and can change the focal length, and an image is formed by the optical system. It is characterized by comprising display means for displaying the image data converted from the light, and any one of the camera system control devices described above.

  According to the above invention, since any one of the camera system control devices described above is provided, the optical zoom can be switched without causing confusion for the user.

  In order to solve the above problems, the camera system of the present invention has an optical system that can form an image of light by using a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and can change a focal length, and an image that is imaged by the optical system. Image conversion means for converting image data to image data and performing image processing and outputting; display means for displaying image data output from the image conversion means; and the camera system control device according to any one of the above It is characterized by having.

  According to the above invention, since any one of the camera system control devices described above is provided, the optical zoom can be switched without causing confusion for the user.

  According to the present invention, the image processing setting in the image conversion means is switched to the setting for reducing the resolution according to the position information of the movable lens acquired by the lens position information acquisition means. When the movable lens is positioned within an image non-guaranteed range where the subject is not focused even at a distance, the resolution of the image displayed on the display means can be lowered.

  Further, according to the present invention, the image processing setting in the image conversion means is switched to a setting for reducing the resolution in accordance with the position information of the movable lens acquired by the lens position information acquisition means. When the movable lens is positioned, the resolution of the image displayed on the display means can be lowered.

  Therefore, the user does not see a high-resolution image at first glance, which may cause the user to be confused. Therefore, the optical zoom can be switched without causing confusion for the user.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 as follows.

  First, the outline of the configuration of the camera system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, as an example, a schematic configuration of the camera system 1 in a mobile phone with an optical camera is shown using a block diagram.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the camera system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a lens unit 14, an actuator 15, a drive circuit 16, an image sensor 17, an analog front end (AFE) 18, a timing generator (TG) 19, and a signal processing unit. 20, a camera CPU 10, a lens position detection unit 21, a display unit 22, a host CPU 23, a memory 24, an external storage device unit 25, a data bus 26, and a key 27.

  The lens unit 14 includes a first group lens 41, a second group lens 42, and a third group lens 43. The lens unit 14 forms an image of incident light from the outside on the image sensor 17 by changing the distance among the first group lens 41, the second group lens 42, and the third group lens 43. The actuator 15 is a motor or the like that operates the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43. The drive circuit 16 is a circuit that drives the actuator 15.

  When a camera module, which is an electronic component having a camera function, is used in a mobile phone or the like, the capacity must be reduced as much as possible, and therefore the number of motors must be reduced as much as possible. However, if the cam structure is used, the positions of both the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 can be changed by one drive circuit 16 and one actuator 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, a cam structure is used for the camera module. The image sensor 17 is a bifocal lens module that switches the magnification between optical 1 × and optical 2 ×, and the actuator 15 is a device that changes optical zoom and focus with one motor.

  The image sensor 17 converts the light imaged by the lens unit 14 into an electric signal. The AFE 18 converts an analog signal, which is an electric signal converted from light by the image sensor 17, into a digital signal. The TG 19 drives the image sensor 17.

  The signal processing unit 20 converts digital signal data converted from analog signals by the AFE 18 into image data. The signal processing unit 20 transmits a drive signal for driving the image sensor 17 to the TG 19. Further, the signal processing unit 20 also transmits an optical zoom switching command from the host CPU 23 to the camera CPU 10. The camera CPU 10 controls the signal processing unit 20 and sends a drive signal to the drive circuit 16 by an optical zoom switching command from the host CPU 23.

  The lens position detection unit 21 detects position information of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43. The position information is the first position from the reference position with the physical absolute positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 detected by a position sensor such as a photo interrupter every time the camera system 1 is started as a reference position. This is information indicating how far the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 have moved. In the present embodiment, the position information is the number of motor steps of the actuator 15 that is spent moving the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43.

  The display unit 22 performs display such as a liquid crystal display. The host CPU 23 transmits a command corresponding to the operation of the key 27. The memory 24 is a storage device built in the mobile phone, and the external storage device 25 is a storage device such as an SD card not built in the mobile phone.

  The data bus 26 is a bus that connects the signal processing unit 20 and the display unit 22, the host CPU 23, the memory 24, the external storage device 25, and the like so as to exchange data. The key 27 is an input unit that is operated by the user.

  Next, the configuration of the camera CPU 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the camera CPU 10 according to the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the camera CPU 10 includes a lens position information acquisition unit 31, a calculation unit 32, and a drive signal selection unit 33.

  The lens position information acquisition unit 31 acquires position information of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 from the lens position detection unit 21.

  The calculation unit 32 performs calculation according to a predetermined procedure based on the position information acquired by the lens position information acquisition unit 31. Then, a command for stopping the output of the image data to the display unit 22 is issued to the signal processing unit 20 in accordance with the result of the calculation. Further, in the calculation unit 32, detailed processing in the position calculation unit 32 in which the switching of the optical zoom is completed based on the above calculation will be described later.

  The drive signal selection unit 33 selects and transmits a drive signal to be transmitted to the drive circuit 16 in response to an optical zoom switching command from the host CPU 23 transmitted through the signal processing unit 20.

  The lens position information acquisition unit 31, the calculation unit 32, and the drive signal selection unit 33 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the storage device and controlling peripheral circuits such as an input / output circuit (not shown). It is a block.

  Next, the operation of the camera system 1 will be described.

  First, incident light from the outside passes through the lens unit 14 and forms an image on the image sensor 17. Here, the first lens group 41 in the lens unit 14 remains fixed in the lens unit 14. The second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 operate in the optical axis direction. Specifically, when the optical zoom is switched or AF is performed, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 operate in the optical axis direction under the control of the camera CPU 10.

  Subsequently, the light imaged on the image sensor 17 by the lens unit 14 is converted into an electric signal (analog signal) by the image sensor 17 and sent to the AFE 18. Here, how the operation of the image sensor 17 is controlled will be described. First, the TG 19 converts the drive signal output from the signal processing unit 20 into a voltage level suitable for driving the image sensor 17. Then, when the TG 19 applies a voltage suitable for driving the image sensor 17 to the image sensor 17, the image sensor 17 operates.

  After receiving the analog signal from the image sensor 17, the AFE 18 amplifies the minute analog signal. Then, AD conversion is performed, and digital signal data (digital data) is transferred to the signal processing unit 20. The signal processing unit 20 performs correction processing such as shading correction and flaw correction on the transferred digital data, and various image processing such as white balance control and edge enhancement. Then, after performing the correction process and the image process, the digital data subjected to the correction process and the image process is stored in the memory 24.

  Subsequently, the digital data stored in the memory 24 is displayed on the display unit 22. When the digital data stored in the memory 24 is stored in a storage device such as an SD card, the digital data is transferred from the memory 24 to the external storage device 25 under the control of the host CPU 23. Then, the digital data stored in the memory 24 is stored in the external storage device 25.

  Next, the optical zoom switching operation will be described.

  The optical zoom can be switched by the user operating the key 27 during the operation of the camera system 1 described above. First, based on the input to the key 27, it is determined that the host CPU 23 switches the optical zoom. An optical zoom switching command is transmitted to the camera CPU 10 via the data bus 26. The camera CPU 10 receives an optical zoom switching command and sends a signal to the drive circuit 106 so that the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 operate at predetermined positions.

  Here, the relationship among the number of motor steps, the optical zoom magnification, and the focus distance is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the number of motor steps, the left vertical axis represents the optical zoom magnification, and the right vertical axis represents the focus distance. Further, 0 step (hereinafter referred to as HP) on the horizontal axis in FIG. 3 is a reference position detected by a position sensor such as a photo interrupter. As described above, the reference position is a physical absolute position of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 detected by a position sensor such as a photo interrupter every time the camera system 1 is started up. Then, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 operate relatively with the reference position as a reference. When the camera system 1 is operating, the camera CPU 10 always holds position information of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 as data.

  The range of movement of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 during AF is from 0 steps to 200 steps at 1x optical magnification, from 400 steps to 500 steps at 2x optical magnification, and image display is performed from the remaining 200 steps to 400 steps. It is assumed that the movement is not performed as the one not used in the above. The reason why the steps 200 to 400 are not used for image display will be described below.

  When the number of motor steps is between 200 steps and 400 steps, it is a period for switching the magnification of the optical zoom. If image data acquired between step 200 and step 400 is displayed, it is considered that an image with a remarkably low resolution is displayed because the subject is not in focus. However, when shooting a subject that is closer than the closest specification when the optical zoom is doubled, there is a best focus on the subject between 200 steps and 400 steps, although the quality of the image cannot be guaranteed. ) There are cases. The image quality in this case means whether the image is blurred (has a sense of resolution) as seen by the user's eyes. In addition, although the quality of the image cannot be guaranteed, the best focus on the subject means that the image visible to the actual user displayed on the display unit 22 is the result of the camera system 1 performing autofocus and focusing on the subject. It means that you are blurred. That is, there is a possibility that an image that is visible for a moment when the optical zoom is switched is more likely to be a higher-resolution image than an image that has been subjected to AF when the optical zoom is doubled.

  Further, when displaying an image at the same magnification, the user can determine that the image is a remarkably low resolution image other than the high resolution image that can be seen for a moment. However, when displaying a reduced image on a small display such as a mobile phone, it is difficult to determine the resolution at first glance because the image is small, and the user is confused as to whether the image is in focus. there is a possibility. Therefore, in the present invention, in order not to confuse the user, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are positioned at positions other than the range in which the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are moved by AF (AF search range). In such a case, the image display is stopped.

  The AF search range fluctuates depending on an adjustment value for correcting individual variations of the camera module such as the main body of the lens unit 14 and the distance between the lens unit 14 and the image sensor 17. Accordingly, it is possible to set an AF search range suitable for each camera module by correcting the AF search range based on the adjustment value. The adjustment value is data obtained by individually measuring the camera module during the manufacturing process at a position where infinite distance and close-up photography (for example, 10 cm, etc.), which differ depending on manufacturing variations, are focused.

  The term “infinity” refers to the term “infinity” in terms of a camera, and refers to a distance that does not require further focusing when focusing in order from near to far. The close-up is the distance closest to the subject among the distances that can be focused on the subject.

  Next, processing in the camera CPU 10 will be described.

  As described above, the processing in the camera CPU 10 includes processing for controlling the signal processing unit 20 and processing for sending a driving signal to the driving circuit 16 by an optical zoom switching command from the host CPU 23.

  First, a process in which the camera CPU 10 controls the signal processing unit 20 as a process characteristic of the present invention will be described. First, the lens position information acquisition unit 31 acquires the position information (number of motor steps of the actuator 15) of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 from the lens position detection unit 21. Subsequently, the calculation unit 32 performs calculation according to the number of motor steps acquired by the lens position information acquisition unit 31. The calculation here is a determination as to whether or not the motor step number corresponds to the motor step number when the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are located outside the AF search range. Taking the case of FIG. 3 as an example, the interval between 200 steps and 400 steps falls outside the AF search range. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 3, the calculating part 32 determines whether the said motor step number is 200 steps or more and less than 400 steps.

  Then, the calculation unit 32 determines that the number of motor steps is outside the AF search range (within any range from infinity to close-up, where the subject is not focused, within the image non-guaranteed range). In this case, an image data output stop command that is a command for stopping the output of image data in the signal processing unit 20 is sent to the signal processing unit 20. Subsequently, the signal processing unit 20 stops outputting image data to the memory 24. As a result, the image display on the display unit 22 is stopped.

  Note that the adjustment value may be used to correct the AF search range used for calculation by the calculation unit 32, and the calculation may be performed after correction. In this case, the adjustment value may be stored in a memory (not shown) and referred to by the calculation unit 32 to be used for correcting the AF search range.

  Next, processing in which the camera CPU 10 sends a drive signal to the drive circuit 16 in response to an optical zoom switching command from the host CPU 23 will be described.

  First, the drive signal selection unit 33 receives an optical zoom switching command sent from the host CPU 23 through the signal processing unit 20. Subsequently, the drive signal selection unit 33 that has received the optical zoom switching command selects a drive signal to be transmitted to the drive circuit 16 in accordance with the optical zoom switching command. Then, a drive signal corresponding to the received optical zoom switching command is transmitted to the drive circuit 16. For example, when switching between optical 1 × and optical 2 ×, there are two patterns: switching from optical 1 × to optical 2 × and switching from optical 2 × to optical 1 ×. The drive signal selector 33 can generate two types of drive signals for driving the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 by the number of motor steps necessary for the movement of the two patterns. Then, one of the two types of driving signals is transmitted in response to one of the two types of optical zoom switching commands corresponding to the two patterns.

  The calculation in the calculation unit 32 may be configured to perform calculation with reference to information on the number of steps corresponding to the outside of the AF search range stored in a memory (not shown), or in advance outside the AF search range. The configuration may be such that the calculation is performed by a program in which the number of steps corresponding to is incorporated.

  In the present embodiment, the image display on the display unit 22 is stopped by stopping the output of the image data from the signal processing unit 20 to the memory 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image display on the display unit 22 may be stopped by stopping the transfer of the image data from the memory 24 to the display unit 22. Further, the camera CPU 10 controls a control unit (not shown) for switching ON / OFF of display on the display unit 22, and the image display is stopped by preventing the display unit 22 from displaying the image data transferred from the memory 24. May be.

  The operation flow in the camera system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1, switching of the optical zoom is started by the user operating the key 27, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven by an instruction from the camera CPU 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the camera CPU 10 compares whether or not the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are outside the AF search range (outside the display range). And when it is outside a display range (it is Yes at Step S3), it moves to Step S4. If it is not out of the display range (No in step S3), the process returns to step S2 to repeat the flow.

  In step S4, the output of the image data from the signal processing unit 20 is stopped by the camera CPU 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S5. The output of the image data can be stopped by changing the setting of the signal processing unit 20 by the camera CPU 10. Subsequently, in step S5, the second lens group 42 and the third lens group 43 are driven. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, it is compared whether the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are outside the display range. And when it is no longer outside the display range (Yes in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. If it is still outside the display range (No in step S6), the process returns to step S5 to continue driving the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43.

  In step S7, the output of the image data is started again by changing the setting of the camera CPU 10. As a result of the above flow in which image data outside the display range is not displayed, image data outside the display range is not stored in the memory 114. Therefore, the display on the display unit 112 of the image data before being out of the display range, that is, the image data within the display range is held. Therefore, image data outside the display range is not displayed on the display unit 112. Further, even during moving image shooting, images outside the display range are not recorded by the above-described flow.

  Subsequently, in step S8, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are positions corresponding to the optical zoom switching destination (movement destination). If it is determined by the camera CPU 10 that the camera is to be moved (Yes in step S9), the switching of the optical zoom is terminated in step S10. If the destination is not determined (No in step S9), the process returns to step S8 to repeat the flow.

  The determination by the camera CPU 10 as to whether the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are movement destinations corresponds to the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 when the optical zoom switching is completed. This can be done by determining whether the number of motor steps acquired by the lens position information acquisition means 31 has reached the number of motor steps to be performed (number of destination motor steps). Further, the calculation unit 32 may determine whether or not the motor step number acquired by the lens position information acquisition unit 31 has reached the destination motor step number, or a calculation unit other than the calculation unit 32 may be used. You may make it the structure to perform.

  According to the above configuration, of the image at the position where the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 stop during AF (the image after AF) and the image that can be seen for a moment when the optical zoom is switched, the image at the time of switching the optical zoom. Since the image is not displayed, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused when the resolution of the image seen when the optical zoom is switched is better than the image after AF.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. Configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the image that is visible at the time of the optical zoom switching is not displayed on the ideographic part 112 of the image after the AF and the image that is visible for a moment when the optical zoom is switched. This prevents user confusion that can occur when the resolution is better than the image.

  On the other hand, the user's confusion can also be prevented by setting the image at the time of optical zoom switching to a lower resolution than the resolution of the image after AF. In the second embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration that prevents the user from being confused by making the image at the time of optical zoom switching lower than the resolution of the image after AF.

  In general, the image displayed on the display unit 112 is subjected to edge enhancement processing in order to make the image look high-resolution. In the present embodiment, edge enhancement is weakened outside the AF search range, and a low resolution image is intentionally displayed by using a low pass filter. By performing these processes, it is possible to eliminate the sense of resolution outside the AF search range, avoid user confusion, and save the image without stopping when recording a moving image.

  A flow for reducing the resolution of an image during optical zoom switching will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S21, switching of the optical zoom is started by the user operating the key 27, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven by an instruction from the camera CPU 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the camera CPU 10 compares whether or not the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are within the filter setting switching range (within the low resolution setting range). Within the filter setting switching range corresponds to the same range as the outside of the display range in the first embodiment. If it is within the filter setting switching range (Yes in step S23), the process proceeds to step S24. If it is not within the filter setting switching range (No in step S23), the process returns to step S22 and the flow is repeated.

  In step S24, the image data output from the signal processing unit 20 is set to a low resolution under the control of the camera CPU 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S25. The image data can be reduced in resolution by the camera CPU 10 changing the setting of the edge enhancement processing in the signal processing unit 20 and the setting of the low-pass filter.

  Here, the values set in the signal processing unit 20 are shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows the edge emphasis processing and the low-pass filter setting values for the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43. That is, taking FIG. 6 as an example, when the position of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 is at a position where the number of motor steps is 200 steps or more and 400 steps or less, the set value of the edge enhancement processing is reduced, Increase the setting value of the low-pass filter. In FIG. 6, the set values for the optical 1 × and the optical 2 × are set to the same level. However, since the resolution and the lens brightness (aperture ratio) are different between the optical 1 × and the optical 2 ×, the optical The set value may be changed between 1 × and 2 × optical.

  In addition, the edge enhancement processing in the signal processing unit 20 and the determination of the low pass filter setting change are performed by the calculation unit 32 of the camera CPU 10. Specifically, when the calculation unit 32 determines that the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are within the low resolution setting range, the setting value of the edge enhancement processing is decreased with respect to the signal processing unit 20. Perform an order. Further, when the calculation unit 32 determines that the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are within the low resolution setting range, it instructs the signal processing unit 20 to increase the setting value of the low pass filter. Do. The criterion for increasing or decreasing the size here is smaller than the setting value of the edge emphasis processing when it is not within the low resolution range, or than the setting value of the low pass filter when not within the low resolution range. It means to make it bigger.

  Subsequently, in step S25, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven. In step S26, it is compared whether or not the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are not within the filter setting switching range. If it is not within the filter setting switching range (Yes in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27. If it is still within the filter setting switching range (No in step S26), the process returns to step S25 to repeat the flow. In step S27, the camera CPU 10 changes the edge enhancement processing and low-pass filter settings in the signal processing unit 20, and returns the setting of the image data to be output from the setting for deliberately reducing the resolution to the AF setting.

  Subsequently, in step S28, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven. In step S29, whether the lens position is the movement destination is compared. It is determined whether or not the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are positions (movement destinations) corresponding to the switching destination of the optical zoom. If it is determined by the camera CPU 10 that the camera is to be moved (Yes in step S29), the switching of the optical zoom is ended in step S30. If the destination is not determined (No in step S29), the process returns to step S28 and the flow is repeated.

  According to the above configuration, of the image at the position where the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 stop during AF (the image after AF) and the image that can be seen for a moment when the optical zoom is switched, the image at the time of switching the optical zoom. Is always displayed at a resolution lower than that of the image after AF, so that it is possible to prevent the user from being confused when the resolution of the image seen when switching the optical zoom is better than the image after AF.

  However, according to the above configuration, the resolution of the image may change abruptly at the switching point between the edge enhancement processing and the low-pass filter setting. Therefore, a configuration that can avoid the above problem by gradually changing the edge enhancement processing and the setting of the low-pass filter is shown below.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow for gradually changing the edge enhancement processing and the setting of the low-pass filter, using FIG.

  First, in step S51, switching of the optical zoom is started by the user operating the key 27, and the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven by an instruction from the camera CPU 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the camera CPU 10 compares whether the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are within the filter setting switching range. If it is within the filter setting switching range (Yes in step S53), the process proceeds to step S54. If it is not within the filter setting switching range (No in step S53), the process returns to step S52 and the flow is repeated.

  In step S54, the setting of the edge enhancement processing in the signal processing unit 20 is changed stepwise by the camera CPU 10 according to the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43. In step S55, the setting of the low-pass filter in the signal processing unit 20 is changed stepwise by the camera CPU 10 according to the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43.

  Here, the values set in the signal processing unit 20 by the camera CPU 10 are shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows edge enhancement processing and low-pass filter setting values for the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43. That is, the case of switching from optical 1 × to optical 2 × will be described as an example with reference to FIG. 8. When the number of motor steps becomes 200 steps or more, the setting value of the edge emphasis processing starts to decrease stepwise. Then, start increasing the set value of the low-pass filter. Then, at the position of 300 steps, which is the middle of the range of 200 steps or more and 400 steps or less, which is the low resolution setting range, the setting value of the edge enhancement processing becomes the minimum, and the setting value of the low-pass filter becomes the maximum. Subsequently, from step 300 to step 400, the setting value of the edge emphasis process that has once reached the minimum value starts to increase stepwise, and the setting value of the low-pass filter that has once reached the maximum value starts to decrease stepwise. When switching from 2 × optical zoom to 1 × optical zoom, the process reverse to the above process is followed. In FIG. 8, the set values for the optical 1 × and the optical 2 × are the same level. However, the resolution and aperture ratio are different between the optical 1 × and the optical 2 ×, so the optical 1 × and the optical 2 are different. The setting value may be changed depending on the time.

  In addition, the calculation unit 32 of the camera CPU 10 performs stepwise changes in edge enhancement processing and low-pass filter setting in the signal processing unit 20. 8 will be described in detail as an example. The stepwise edge enhancement processing and low-pass filter setting values shown in FIG. 8 are signaled in correspondence with the number of motor steps in the range of 0 step or more and 500 steps or less. A calculation unit 32 performs a calculation to be set in the processing unit 20. That is, the edge enhancement process and the low pass filter setting change are performed only within the low resolution setting range of 200 steps or more and 400 steps or less. If it is not within the low resolution setting range, the same setting value is continuously set and the setting is not changed.

  Subsequently, in step S56, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven. Then, the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, it is compared whether the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are not within the filter setting switching range. If it is not within the filter setting switching range (Yes in step S57), the process proceeds to step S58. If it is still within the filter setting switching range (No in step S57), the process returns to step S54 and the flow is repeated.

  In step 58, the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are driven. In step S59, it is determined whether or not the positions of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 are positions corresponding to the optical zoom switching destination (movement destination). If it is determined by the camera CPU 10 that the camera is to be moved (Yes in step S59), the switching of the optical zoom is ended in step S60. If the destination is not determined (No in step S59), the process returns to step S58 and the flow is repeated.

  According to the above configuration, of the image at the position where the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 stop during AF (the image after AF) and the image that can be seen for a moment when the optical zoom is switched, the image at the time of switching the optical zoom. Is always displayed at a resolution lower than that of the image after AF, so that it is possible to prevent the user from being confused when the resolution of the image seen when switching the optical zoom is better than the image after AF. In addition, since the resolution changes gradually during the switching of the optical zoom, even if the user views the image during the switching of the optical zoom, the operation can be continued comfortably.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 9A to 10, a display range in which the image display is stopped during the optical zoom switching described above, and a filter for changing the resolution of the display image to a low resolution during the optical zoom switching. A method for changing the setting switching range according to the reduction rate of the image data will be described. Here, it is assumed that the reduction rate of image data = signal processing unit output size / number of used pixels. The signal processing unit output size is the resolution of the image data output from the signal processing unit 20.

  For example, UXGA digital data is input to the signal processing unit 20 and the signal processing unit 20 outputs QVGA image data. UXGA refers to a resolution of 1600 × 1200 pixels, and QVGA refers to a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels.

  The UXGA input size (the resolution of the digital data input to the signal processing unit 20) is reduced by using all the UXGA size (1600 × 1200 pixels) and the digital zoom is not performed, and the QVGA size inside the UXGA The appearance of the image data output from the signal processing unit 20 is different from the case of maximizing the digital zoom in which (320 × 240) is cut out and stored in the QVGA size as it is.

  The difference in the appearance of the image data output from the signal processing unit 20 in the above two cases will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A shows a case where the input size is reduced and output. FIG. 9B shows a case where the size inside the input size is cut out and output as it is. When comparing the case of FIG. 9A and the case of FIG. 9B, it is easier to determine the presence or absence of a sense of resolution because the subject is enlarged when the size inside the input size is cut out. Become. Therefore, the basic operation of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 is performed with reference to the case of FIG. 9B, and the second group lens 42 so that the permissible circle of confusion is within one pixel. Control of driving of the third lens group 43 is performed.

  However, when the input size of the UXGA is reduced to the output size of the QVGA, one pixel is created from five pixels, so that the allowable circle of confusion is within 5 pixels in calculation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the larger the reduction ratio of the image data, the wider the range in which the image can be guaranteed (display range, image guaranteed range), and the time for processing the output image data can be shortened. . Here, the larger the reduction ratio of the image data, the wider the range in which the image can be guaranteed. Therefore, the larger the reduction ratio, the wider the moving range of the second group lens 42 and the third group lens 43 during AF. .

  In addition, since the image guarantee range is widened, the image non-guaranteed range is narrowed. Therefore, it can be said that the image non-guaranteed range becomes narrower as the reduction ratio increases.

  The calculation unit 32 performs a calculation based on the correspondence between the reduction ratio and the image non-guaranteed range as shown in FIG. 10, and corrects the display range according to the reduction ratio. Then, after correcting the display range, the calculation based on the position information is performed.

  In the camera CPU 10 of the present invention, it is preferable to stop the output from the signal processing unit 20 when the second group lens and the third group lens are positioned within the image non-guaranteed range even during moving image data recording.

  As a result, images within the image non-guaranteed range are not recorded even during moving image shooting.

  Further, in the camera CPU 10 of the present invention, when the second group lens and the third group lens are positioned within the image non-guaranteed range even during moving image data recording, the image processing setting in the signal processing unit 20 is set to lower the resolution. It is preferable to switch to.

  As a result, an image within the image non-guaranteed range can be recorded with a reduced resolution even during moving image shooting.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in different embodiments can be appropriately combined. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the camera CPU 10, particularly the lens position information acquisition unit 31, the calculation unit 32, and the drive signal selection unit 33 may be configured by hardware logic, or realized by software using the CPU as follows. May be.

  That is, the camera CPU 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing programs and various data is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program for the camera CPU 10 which is software for realizing the functions described above is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the camera CPU 10 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the camera CPU 10 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  As described above, the camera system control apparatus, the program thereof, the computer-readable recording medium, the camera system, and the camera system control method of the present invention can switch the optical zoom without causing confusion for the user. To. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used in an industrial field related to a small optical zoom camera and an electronic apparatus incorporating the small zoom camera.

It is a functional block diagram of camera CPU in the present invention. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the camera system in this invention. It is a figure which shows the correlation with the step number of a motor, optical zoom magnification, and a focus distance. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow in the case of stopping the output of the image data in the camera system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow in the case of switching the filter characteristic in the signal processing part in other embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the setting value in the case of switching the filter characteristic in the said signal processing part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow in the case of switching the filter characteristic in the signal processing part in other embodiment of this invention in steps. It is a graph showing the setting value in the case of switching the filter characteristic in the said signal processing part in steps. (A) And (b) is the figure shown about reduction of the image data in the said signal processing part. It is a figure which shows the correlation of the reduction rate of image data, and an image guarantee range.

Explanation of symbols

1 Camera System 10 Camera CPU (Camera System Control Device)
14 Lens unit (optical system)
15 Actuator 16 Drive circuit 17 Image element (image processing means)
18 Analog front end (AFE, image processing means)
19 Timing generator (TG)
20 Signal processing unit (image processing means, image conversion means)
21 Lens position detection unit 22 Display unit (display means)
23 Host CPU
24 Memory 25 External storage unit 26 Data bus 27 Key 31 Lens position information acquisition unit (lens position information acquisition means)
32 Calculation unit (calculation means)
33 Drive signal selector 41 First lens group 42 Second lens group (movable lens)
43 Third lens group (movable lens)

Claims (6)

An optical system capable of imaging light by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and changing a focal length;
A camera system control apparatus for controlling a camera system having display means for displaying image data obtained by converting light imaged by the optical system,
Lens position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the movable lens;
The image non-guaranteed range at the lens position where the subject is not in focus at any distance from infinity to close-up is corrected according to the reduction ratio of the image data, and the corrected image When the position information of the movable lens indicates that the movable lens is located within the non-guaranteed range, when the determination to stop the image display on the display unit and the determination to stop the image display are performed A camera system control device comprising: a calculation means for outputting a command for stopping the image display on the display means. The camera system further includes image processing means for converting the light imaged by the optical system into image data and outputting the image data to be displayed on the display means,
2. The camera system control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computing means stops outputting image data from the image processing means by outputting a command to stop the image display to the image processing means. .   An optical system capable of imaging light by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens and changing a focal length;
  Display means for displaying image data obtained by converting light imaged by the optical system;
  A camera system comprising the camera system control device according to claim 1.   A program for operating a computer as each of the means included in the camera system control device according to claim 1.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 4.   A display step of displaying image data obtained by converting light imaged by a plurality of lenses including a movable lens by a display means;
  A lens position information acquisition step of acquiring position information of the movable lens by a lens position information acquisition means;
  The calculation means corrects the non-guaranteed range of the lens position where the subject is not focused at any distance from infinity to close-up according to the reduction rate of the image data. A calculation step of outputting a command to stop the image display on the display means when the position information of the movable lens indicates that the movable lens is located within the specified image non-guaranteed range. And a control method of the camera system.

Images