JP4660859B2 - Lens device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lens apparatus, and more particularly to a lens apparatus including a detachable lens driving device (drive unit) capable of driving and controlling a zoom lens device applied to a television camera such as an ENG camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an ENG lens used for a television camera for coverage, etc., a movable lens (in a lens barrel) (by moving an operation ring such as a focus ring, a zoom ring, an iris ring, etc. disposed on the peripheral surface of the lens barrel) By moving the focus lens and zoom lens) and the aperture, various optical adjustments such as focus, zoom, and iris can be performed. The operation ring can be directly rotated by a cameraman by hand, and can also be driven electrically by a servo mechanism of a drive unit attached to the side of the lens barrel.
[0003]
The drive unit has a drive motor for focusing, zooming, and iris mounted therein, and has a structure for transmitting the rotational driving force of these motors to each operation ring by a gear transmission mechanism. For example, to perform a zoom operation, the zoom drive motor can be driven by operating the zoom seesaw switch provided on the drive unit, and the zoom ring can be moved at a speed corresponding to the amount of push of the zoom seesaw switch. It can be rotated.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The drive unit is detachable from the lens body, and is commonly used for various lenses. Recently, digital control of lenses has progressed, and many functions have been installed. Among them, there are known lenses having functions related to lens correction, such as ramping correction in which the F value falls on the telephoto side and field angle correction for correcting field angle fluctuations during focus adjustment. In addition, serial communication is performed between the lens and the camera, and data such as a focal length is transmitted to the camera side (Japanese Patent No. 3021673).
[0005]
However, even if the drive unit can be mechanically attached to various lenses, if the optical data stored in the memory in the unit is different from the data of the target lens, the drive unit is used for that lens. Can not do it. There is a mode in which optical data is stored for all lenses, and the usage data is selected by a manual switch depending on the lens to be mounted. However, the operation is troublesome and a selection error may occur.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lens apparatus that automatically identifies a lens model and enables common use of a drive unit.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lens body in which a lens movable in the optical axis direction is housed in a lens barrel, and is mounted on a side surface of the lens barrel of the lens body to drive the lens electrically. A lens driving device, wherein the lens body includes an operation ring that rotates along a peripheral surface of the lens barrel, and the lens driving device includes a driving motor and the driving motor. A power transmission mechanism that transmits power of the motor to the operation ring; and an electric operation member that rotates the operation ring by driving the drive motor, and the lens drive on the lens barrel side surface of the lens body. Identification means for providing lens model identification information is provided at the connection portion with the apparatus, while identification information is received from the identification means at the connection portion with the lens body of the lens driving device. Information reading means are provided for, the lens driving device, necessary for each model for a plurality of lenses models, the ramping correction to limit the zoom operation to avoid a decrease in F value associated with the telephoto direction zooming operation data and data storage means but stored, the information read automatically recognizes the lens model from the identification information acquired by the means, the lens to obtain the data corresponding to the lens type indicated by the acquired identification information from the data storage means Control means for performing lens control for performing the ramping correction corresponding to the model.
[0008]
According to the present invention, the lens driving device includes electric driving means such as a motor and is detachable from the lens body. The lens body is provided with identification means specific to each model. When the lens driving device is mounted on the lens body, identification information is acquired by the information reading means. Based on this identification information, the lens model to be controlled is automatically recognized, and the control means acquires data necessary for control from the data storage means. Thus, lens control corresponding to a plurality of lens types can be performed with one lens driving device, and the lens driving devices can be shared.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a lens apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a lens apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A lens apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an inner focus type zoom lens used for a broadcast television camera such as an ENG camera. An operation ring such as a focus ring 4, a zoom ring 6, and an iris ring 8 is provided on a lens barrel 2. Is provided. Although the internal structure of the lens barrel 2 is not illustrated, the inside of the lens barrel 2 is a focus lens (group) that can move in the optical axis direction for focusing in order from the front, and the optical axis direction for zooming. Optical members such as a zoom lens (group), an iris, and a relay lens (group) that can be moved to each other are disposed. When the focus ring 4 rotates, the focus lens moves in the optical axis direction. When the zoom ring 6 rotates, the zoom lens moves in the optical axis direction. When the iris ring 8 rotates, the iris diaphragm diameter changes. To do.
[0011]
A drive unit 12 that electrically drives the focus ring 4, the zoom ring 6, and the iris ring 8 is installed on the side of the lens barrel 2. The drive unit 12 has a case 14, and the case 14 is attached to the side of the lens barrel 2 via screws 16 and 16. A focus driving motor, a zoom driving motor, and an iris driving motor (not shown) are arranged in the case 14, and these motors are respectively connected to the focus ring 4 and the zoom ring via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). 6. It is connected to the iris ring 8 so that power can be transmitted. Accordingly, when the focus driving motor rotates, the focus ring 4 rotates, when the zoom driving motor rotates, the zoom ring 6 rotates, and when the iris driving motor rotates, the iris ring 8 rotates.
[0012]
On the upper surface of the case 14 of the drive unit 12, an operation member called a zoom seesaw switch 18 for performing a zoom operation electrically is provided. The zoom seesaw switch 18 is configured to return to a predetermined return position when the operation is released, and to swing in both directions with respect to the return position. When the zoom seesaw switch 18 is operated to the tele (T) side or the wide (W) side, the zoom ring 6 is rotated to the tele side or the wide side by the zoom drive motor, and the zoom lens moves in the tele direction or the wide direction. Also, the larger the operating angle of the zoom seesaw switch 18, the faster the zoom lens moves. By connecting a camera body or an external controller (zoom demand, focus demand, etc.) to the drive unit 12, each drive motor is driven by a control signal given from outside to control zoom, focus, aperture, etc. You can also.
[0013]
Further, an angle-of-view correction ON / OFF switch 20 is provided on the upper surface of the case 14 of the drive unit 12, and when this switch 20 is turned on, the angle-of-view correction function becomes effective. The angle-of-view correction function is a function for preventing a change in angle of view caused by a change in the focus position by moving the zoom lens when the focus lens is moved electrically or manually and the focus position is changed. When the view angle correction ON / OFF switch 20 is turned off, this view angle correction function does not operate.
[0014]
The power transmission mechanisms of the focus drive motor and focus ring 4, the zoom drive motor and zoom ring 6, and the iris drive motor and iris ring 8 can be disconnected or connected by a clutch. The operation ring in which the clutch is turned on and the power transmission mechanism is connected can be electrically driven by the drive motor, and the power transmission mechanism is disconnected when the clutch is turned off. The operating ring can be directly manually driven by the hand holding the operating ring.
[0015]
For each operation of focus, zoom, and iris, the user can select, for example, either “electric mode” or “manual mode” with a predetermined switch. The “electric mode” is a mode in which the clutch is turned on and the power transmission mechanism is connected. When this mode is set, the operation ring can be driven only by the drive motor. That is, by operating an electric operation member (for example, the zoom seesaw switch 18 or the like) provided in the drive unit 12 or by giving a control signal to the drive unit 12 from an external controller or the camera body, The operating ring can be driven electrically by driving.
[0016]
The “manual mode” is a mode in which the clutch is turned off and the power transmission mechanism is disconnected. When this mode is set, the operation ring can be directly manually rotated. At this time, the electric operation member is invalid and the electric operation is prohibited.
[0017]
When the angle of view correction ON / OFF switch 20 is on, even when the zoom operation mode is “manual mode”, the clutch of the power transmission mechanism of the zoom ring 6 is automatically activated when the focus position changes. Turned on. Then, the zoom ring 6 is electrically driven by the zoom driving motor to perform field angle correction. When the zoom operation mode is the “electric mode”, since the clutch is always on, the angle of view is corrected without switching the clutch on.
[0018]
In the above description, the drive unit 12 is provided with a focus drive motor, a zoom drive motor, and an iris drive motor so that any of the focus ring 4, zoom ring 6, and iris ring 8 can be driven electrically. However, the present invention can be applied even if only the zoom drive motor is provided in the drive unit 12 and only the zoom ring 6 can be driven electrically. The focus drive motor and the iris drive motor are not necessarily provided.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the lens apparatus 1 of the present example. The lens body 24 includes a focus lens 26 and a zoom lens 28. The drive unit 12 as a lens driving device includes a focus driving motor 30, a zoom driving motor 32, a CPU 34 that controls the control, and the like.
[0020]
The control signal output from the zoom seesaw switch 18 is input to the CPU 34 via the A / D converter 36. The CPU 34 generates a drive signal for driving the zoom lens 28 based on the control signal from the zoom seesaw switch 18 and outputs the drive signal to the amplifier 40 via the D / A converter 38. As a result, a voltage corresponding to the drive signal is applied from the amplifier 40 to the zoom drive motor 32 to drive the zoom drive motor 32, and the zoom lens 28 moves at a speed instructed by the zoom seesaw switch 18.
[0021]
The position (zoom position) of the zoom lens 28 is detected by a potentiometer 42, and the detection signal of the potentiometer 42 is input to the CPU 34 via the A / D converter 36.
[0022]
Similarly, a control signal output from a focus demand (not shown) is input to the CPU 34 via the A / D converter 36. The CPU 34 generates a drive signal for driving the focus lens 26 based on a control signal from the focus demand. The drive signal is output to the amplifier 44 via the D / A converter 38, and a voltage corresponding to the drive signal is applied from the amplifier 44 to the focus driving motor 30. The power of the focus drive motor 30 is transmitted to the focus lens 26 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown), so that the focus lens 26 moves to a position commanded by the focus demand.
[0023]
The position (focus position) of the focus lens 26 is detected by a potentiometer 46, and the detection signal of the potentiometer 46 is input to the CPU 34 via the A / D converter 36.
[0024]
The drive unit 12 is provided with a changeover switch 50 for selectively switching the focus operation method to either the servo method or the manual method, and a changeover switch 52 for selectively switching the zoom operation method to the servo method or the manual method. The selection signal of each switch (50, 52) is input to the CPU 34.
[0025]
When the manual method is selected by the focus operation method changeover switch 50, the operation from the focus demand becomes invalid, and the manual focus operation for moving the focus lens 26 by manually rotating the focus ring 4 by the cameraman. Is possible. Further, when the servo method is selected, as described above, the focus operation by the focus demand becomes possible.
[0026]
Similarly, when the manual method is selected by the zoom operation method changeover switch 52, the operation from the zoom seesaw switch 18 or the zoom demand becomes invalid, and the zoom ring 6 is manually operated to rotate the zoom ring 6. A manual zoom operation for moving the lens 28 is possible. When the servo method is selected, as described above, the zoom operation using the zoom seesaw switch 18 or the zoom demand becomes possible.
[0027]
The drive unit 12 stores data of compatible models in the memory 54 so that the drive unit 12 can be used by connecting to the lens body 24 of a different model. The memory 54 is a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. The lens main body 24 and the drive unit 12 are provided with a lens identifying unit 56 for providing lens model (model name) information on the lens main body 24 side, and a drive unit 12 side for reading information from the lens identifying unit 56 at the connecting portion of the lens main body 24 and the drive unit 12. Lens type name reading means 58 is provided.
[0028]
When the drive unit 12 is connected to the lens body 24, the lens type name is automatically detected by the lens type name reading means 58, and the information is input to the CPU. The CPU 34 automatically recognizes the lens model to be controlled, and reads and uses data necessary for controlling the lens from the memory 54.
[0029]
FIG. 3 shows an example of lens data stored in the memory 54. Although the lens data corresponding to the three types of lens models is shown in the figure, the memory 54 stores a plurality of lens data for all the corresponding models. It is preferable that the lens data in the memory 54 can be added / updated (updated) using a communication function or other data transmission / reception means so as to cope with addition of a model, specification change, and the like.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the lens data for each lens model includes “lens model name”, “focal length data”, “subject distance data (minimum shootable distance: MOD)”, “ramping correction data”, “pumping”. Correction data "," pupil position data ", and the like.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 4, ramping refers to a phenomenon in which the F value drops from a certain focal length when the zoom lens is changed from wide to telephoto, and ramping correction is just before the F value decreases. This is a function to stop the zoom operation. The CPU 34 controls the zoom by calculating a ramping point from data such as the open F value and the focal length.
[0032]
Pumping refers to changes in the angle of view due to focusing. To prevent such changes in the angle of view due to focus movement, a pumping function that automatically controls the zoom position to keep the angle of view constant according to focus movement is used. This is called correction (view angle correction). As shown in FIG. 5, the memory 54 stores the zoom movement amount with respect to the focus movement amount at each focal length. For example, data is stored such that when the focus is moved by 10% of the full stroke, the zoom is moved by 5% of the full stroke.
[0033]
The exit pupil position changes depending on the zoom, focus, and iris positions. The memory 54 stores the pupil position at a certain F value as data. This pupil position data is transmitted to a camera (not shown) and used for color shading correction on the camera side.
[0034]
Information is transmitted between the camera and the drive unit 12 by serial communication. Data such as the lens type name, MOD, open F value, pupil position, focus position, zoom position, and iris position are sent from the drive unit 12 to the camera side.
[0035]
Next, specific examples (first example to third example) of means for automatically recognizing the lens model will be described.
[0036]
A first example is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. As shown in FIG. 6, a connector (male) 60 is provided on the side surface of the lens barrel 2, and a connector (female) 62 that can be engaged with the connector 60 is provided on the drive unit 12 side. As shown in FIG. 7, the connectors 60 and 62 have a long shape along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel 2, and the pin arrangement of the connector 60 has a different pattern for each lens model. The connector 62 on the drive unit 12 side is compatible with all types of connectors 60, and the CPU 34 can determine the lens model by inputting an electrical signal corresponding to the shape of the connector 60 connected to the connector 62 to the CPU 34. it can.
[0037]
The male / female relationship of the connectors 60, 62 can be reversed. As shown in FIG. 8A, a connector (female) 64 having an uneven pattern corresponding to the lens model is formed on the lens barrel 2 side, and on the drive unit 12 side, as shown in FIG. An embodiment in which a connector (male) 66 is provided is also possible. In this case, the pin 66A of the connector 66 on the drive unit 12 side is configured to protrude and retract, and the state of the pin 66A changes according to the uneven pattern on the lens barrel 2 side. FIG. 8A shows an example in which the concave and convex pattern of the connector 64 is changed for a lens with a zoom ratio of 15 times and a lens with a magnification of 20 times. Can be set.
[0038]
9 and 10 show a second example. As shown in these drawings, a barcode 70 is provided on the side surface of the lens barrel 2, and a barcode reader 72 is provided on the drive unit 12 side. The barcode 70 has a different code pattern for each lens model. In FIG. 10, each barcode 70 of a lens with a zoom ratio of 15 times and a lens with a magnification of 20 times is shown.
[0039]
When the drive unit 12 is attached to the lens barrel 2, the barcode 70 is read by the barcode reader 72, and the information is input to the CPU 34, whereby the lens model is automatically recognized.
[0040]
11 and 12 show a third example. As shown in FIG. 11, a convex portion 74 is provided on the side surface of the lens barrel 2, and a photo interrupter 76 is provided on the drive unit 12 side. As shown in FIG. 12A, the convex portion 74 has a different key shape for each lens model. In the drawing, an example in which the shape of the convex portion 74 is changed for a lens with a zoom ratio of 15 times and a lens with a magnification of 20 times is shown. Can be set.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 12B, a plurality of the photo interrupters 76 are arranged in an array, and whether or not the convex portions 74 on the lens barrel 2 side are inserted into the detection grooves 76A of the photo interrupter 76. Accordingly, a detection signal corresponding to the shape of the convex portion 74 is output from the photo interrupter 76. The CPU 34 can determine the lens model based on the detection signal from the photo interrupter 76.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the lens device of the present invention, the identification unit provided in the lens body is read by the information reading unit of the lens driving device, and the model of the lens to be controlled is automatically recognized, and suitable for the lens. Since the lens data can be taken out from the data storage means, one lens driving device can be used in common for a plurality of lens models.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a lens device (ENG lens) for a television camera to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lens device of the example. FIG. Conceptual diagram of the memory map of the memory being used [Fig. 4] Graph used to explain the ramping correction function [Fig. 5] Graph used to explain the angle of view correction function [Fig. 6] Automatic recognition of the lens model FIG. 7 is a side view of the lens device shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a connector provided on the lens barrel side of the lens device shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of means for automatically recognizing a lens model. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the bar code shown in FIG. 9. FIG. Outline showing third example of automatic recognition means Figure 12 is a diagram EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS showing an example of a photo-interrupter provided on the convex portion and the drive unit side provided on the lens barrel side of the lens apparatus shown in FIG. 11
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens apparatus, 2 ... Lens barrel (lens main body), 12 ... Drive unit (lens drive device), 24 ... Lens main body, 26 ... Focus lens, 28 ... Zoom lens, 30 ... Focus drive motor, 32 ... Zoom drive Motor 34... CPU (control means) 54. Memory (data storage means) 56. Lens identification means (identification means) 58 58 Lens type name reading means (information reading means)

Claims (6)

A lens apparatus comprising: a lens body in which a lens movable in the optical axis direction is housed in a lens barrel; and a lens driving device that is mounted on a side surface of the lens body of the lens body and electrically drives the lens In
The lens body has an operation ring that rotates along a peripheral surface of the lens barrel,
The lens driving device includes a drive motor, a power transmission mechanism that transmits power of the drive motor to the operation ring, an electric operation member that rotates the operation ring by driving the drive motor, With
The connecting portion with the lens driving device on the lens barrel side surface of the lens body is provided with an identification means for providing identification information of the lens model,
An information reading means for obtaining identification information from the identification means is provided at a connection portion between the lens driving device and the lens body,
The lens driving device stores data necessary for ramping correction for limiting the zoom operation in order to avoid a decrease in the F value associated with the zooming operation in the tele direction for each of a plurality of lens models. When,
The information read automatically recognizes the lens model from the identification information acquired by the unit, the carrying out ramping correction corresponding to the lens model to obtain the data corresponding to the lens type indicated by the acquired identification information from the data storage means Control means for controlling the lens;
A lens apparatus comprising: The lens apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information reading unit automatically acquires the identification information from the identification unit in a state where the lens driving device is mounted on the lens body. As the identification means, a first connector having a different pin arrangement pattern for each lens model is used, and as the information reading means, a second connector compatible with all kinds of connectors of the identification means is used, the electric signal corresponding to the shape of the connector connected to the second connector, the lens device according to claim 1 or 2 lens type is characterized in that it is not. As the identification means, a first connector having a concavo-convex pattern corresponding to a lens model is used, and as the information reading means, a second connector having a retractable pin is used, and conforms to the concavo-convex pattern. By changing the state of the pin, a second connector that is compatible with all types of connectors of the identification means of the pin is used, and by an electrical signal according to the shape of the connector connected to the second connector, lens apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 lens type is characterized in that it is not. Examples identification means, bar code is provided, as the information reading means, the lens apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bar code reading device is provided. Examples identifying means, the convex portions are provided with different key shapes for each lens type, as the information reading means, the lens apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the photo-interrupter is used.

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