JP5197214B2 - Information registration system, information registration method, and registration apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information registration system, an information registration method, a registration apparatus, and an imaging apparatus for registering correction information of a detachable lens apparatus in an imaging apparatus.

  In recent years, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera to which a lens apparatus can be attached and detached, correction information of the lens apparatus is stored in a memory, and correction information corresponding to the mounted lens apparatus is read from the memory to correct a captured image. There is something. In this imaging apparatus, it is necessary to previously store correction information of the lens apparatus to be mounted and used in a memory.

In Patent Document 1, unique information for identifying a lens device is acquired from a lens device mounted on a camera body, and optical characteristic information of a lens corresponding to the acquired unique information is acquired via a computer network and stored in a memory. A technique related to an imaging device that stores data is disclosed.
JP 2006-267770 A

  However, in the above prior art, lens information is automatically selected from the unique information of the lens device attached to the imaging device and stored in the memory of the imaging device. Therefore, the user cannot visually confirm which lens device correction information is stored in the memory of the imaging device from a list of lens devices that can be registered from the registration device to the imaging device.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to register which lens device correction information is registered from a list of lens devices that can be registered from the registration device to the imaging device when the correction information of the lens device is registered in the imaging device. It is possible to confirm visually.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information registration system comprising: an imaging device in which a lens device in which identification information is set can be attached and detached; and a registration device for communicating with the imaging device and registering correction information of the lens device in the imaging device. The registration device is attached to the imaging device and lens information storage means for storing lens information including information for specifying the model of the lens device and corresponding correction information so as to be referred to by identification information. An acquisition unit that acquires identification information set in the lens device from the imaging device, and a list of lens device models in which the lens information is stored in the lens information storage unit, in the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit Display means for displaying a confirmation screen for distinguishing the model of the corresponding lens device from the model of the other lens device, and the imaging via the confirmation screen An operation unit that accepts designation of a model of a lens apparatus that registers the correction information to a device from a user, and registration information including correction information and identification information of the lens apparatus that has received designation by the operation unit, from the lens information storage unit Transmitting means for transmitting to the imaging device, and the imaging device is set in a correction information storage means for storing correction information of the lens device and a lens device mounted in response to a request from the registration device A reply means for returning the identification information to the registration apparatus; a reception means for receiving the registration information transmitted from the registration apparatus; and the correction information storage based on the registration information received by the reception means. And an updating means for updating the stored contents of the means. This is achieved by an information registration system according to the present invention.

In addition, the above object is to identify the imaging device having the correction information storage means for storing the correction information of the lens device, the operation means, the display means, and the model of the lens device so that the lens device in which the identification information is set is removable. Lens information storage means for storing lens information including information to be corrected and corresponding correction information so that it can be referred to by identification information, and is connected to the imaging apparatus to register correction information of the lens apparatus in the imaging apparatus. And a registration device for acquiring the identification information set in the lens device mounted on the imaging device from the imaging device by the registration device, and the lens information storage. A list of lens device models in which the lens information is stored in the means, a lens device model corresponding to the identification information acquired in the acquisition step, as another lens device A confirmation screen for distinguishably displaying the model, and a display step of the registration device is displayed on the display unit, via the confirmation screen, the specification of the model of the lens apparatus for registering the correction information to the image sensing device, An operation step that the registration device receives from the user through the operation means, and registration information that includes correction information and identification information of the lens device that has received designation through the operation step, the registration device from the lens information storage means to the imaging device The imaging apparatus stores the correction information based on the registration process received by the imaging process, the reception process in which the imaging apparatus receives the registration information transmitted from the registration apparatus, and the registration information transmitted from the registration apparatus. And an update step for updating the stored contents of the means.

  According to the present invention, when registering correction information of a lens device in an imaging device, a user determines which lens device correction information is registered from a list of lens devices that can be registered in the imaging device from the registration device. It can be visually confirmed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, the embodiment of the present invention shows the most preferable mode of the invention, and does not limit the scope of the invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 301 described below is a so-called digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera).

  The imaging device 301 includes an imaging unit 10, a data processing unit 20, an output image memory 30, a data interface unit 31, an image display unit 32, a user interface unit 33, and a central control unit 34. The imaging unit 10 includes a lens device 11 and an imaging element 12. The data processing unit 20 includes an AGC / A / D conversion unit 21, an image data conversion unit 22, an image deterioration correction processing unit 23, an image processing unit 24, and a compression processing unit 25.

  Specifically, the central control unit 34 includes a CPU 34a (Central Processing Unit) and a built-in memory 34b. The CPU 34a has a function of performing overall management and processing instructions of the imaging apparatus 301. In the figure, dotted arrows indicate the flow of processing, and solid arrows indicate the flow of image data.

  The imaging unit 10 is a part that images a subject by projecting the subject onto the light receiving surface of the imaging element 12 by the lens device 11. Specifically, the imaging unit 10 detects the above-described subject via a command from the CPU 34a when a shutter (not shown) of the imaging device 301 is pressed and when the image display unit 32 is used as a viewfinder. Take an image.

  Here, the lens device 11 includes an imaging optical system 11a for imaging a subject and a memory 11b in which unique identification information for enabling identification of the type and individual of the lens device 11 is set. The lens device 11 has a mechanism (not shown) for driving the zoom, focus position, and aperture of the image pickup optical system 11a, and the zoom state, focus position, and aperture diameter at the time of shooting are detected via the CPU 34a. It has possible functions. The identification information stored in the memory 11b can be read from the central control unit 34 via a contact (not shown) that electrically connects the lens device 11 and the imaging device 301. The lens device 11 can be attached to and detached from the imaging device 301, and a plurality of lens devices 11 can be attached to the imaging device 301. Further, optical characteristic correction data (correction information) such as peripheral light attenuation, distortion aberration, lateral chromatic aberration and axial chromatic aberration of the lens device 11 is stored in a built-in memory 34b as correction information storage means.

  The imaging element 12 is a single photoelectric conversion element that converts an optical signal based on an image formed on the light receiving surface into an electric signal for each light receiving pixel corresponding to the position. In addition, the image sensor 12 has a function of performing color separation on each pixel of the light receiving unit by using R (red), G (green), and B (blue) filters arranged in a checkered pattern as shown in FIG. doing. The exposure time of the image sensor at the time of shooting and the timing of subject image acquisition are controlled by the CPU 34a, and image data acquired as an electrical signal is transferred to the data processing unit 20 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 34a.

  The image signal transferred to the data processing unit 20 is first transferred to the AGC / A / D conversion unit 21. The transferred image signal is amplified and corrected by AGC (Automatic Gain Control), converted into digital data by the A / D converter, and transferred to the image data converter 22. Further, the transferred digital data is converted into digital image (gradation) data by the image data converter 22.

  The digital image data converted by the image data conversion unit 22 is transferred to the image processing unit 24 through image correction processing by the image deterioration correction processing unit 23 or without performing correction processing. In this process branch, whether the camera settings are set to be corrected or not corrected, whether there is correction data for the optical system used for shooting, or there is no correction data It occurs by the condition.

  The image degradation correction processing unit 23 corrects image degradation of the captured image captured by the lens device 11. The image data transferred to the image deterioration correction processing unit 23 in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 34a is based on the optical characteristic correction data of the lens device 11 stored in the built-in memory 34b, and the image deterioration caused by the above-described optical characteristics of the lens device 11 respectively. Is corrected. Specifically, peripheral light attenuation characteristics, lateral chromatic aberration characteristics, axial chromatic aberration characteristics, distortion aberration characteristics, and the like are corrected by the optical characteristic correction data. In this case, the data used for the image deterioration correction process by the image deterioration correction processing unit 23 may be any data that is effective for correction, such as a lens design value, lens aberration data, and lens aberration correction parameter.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 24 performs image conversion processing based on a plurality of color system data such as color system conversion processing and luminance color separation. In general, these image conversion processes are performed on the premise that the subject image-forming positions in each color system coincide with an arbitrary pixel position. Although there are various methods for correcting each optical characteristic, any means may be used for correction.

  The image data subjected to the image deterioration correction is transferred to the image processing unit 24, and subjected to various image processing such as luminance color separation processing, white balance adjustment, gray balance adjustment, density adjustment, color balance adjustment, and edge enhancement. .

  The image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 24 is transferred to the compression processing unit 25 and compressed by a predetermined image compression processing method. The compression method may be any method as long as image data can be compressed, such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group), TIFF (Tag Image File Format), and JPEG2000. The compressed image data is transferred to and stored in the output image memory 30 as output image data.

  The output image memory 30 for storing the output image data is a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the digital still camera, and the output image can be directly transferred to other information terminal devices via this recording medium. The output image memory 30 is a rewritable memory such as a card-like memory such as a compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, PC card, ATA card, or the like. The output image memory 30 may be a general-purpose memory such as an MO disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a ZIP, a CD-R, a CD-RW, or a DVD-ROM, and may take any form. .

  The data interface unit 31 is an interface for connecting to other information terminal devices so that they can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Specifically, the data interface unit 31 performs data communication via USB communication, LAN, the Internet, or the like under the control of the central control unit 34. For example, the data interface unit 31 can transfer the image data stored in the output image memory 30 to another information terminal device by wired transmission or wireless transmission.

  The image display unit 32 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and can display image data recorded in the output image memory 30, camera shooting settings, and the like. It is also possible to display a subject image as a viewfinder. The image display function of the image display unit 32 can be turned ON / OFF and display information can be switched via the user interface unit 33.

  Next, the operation of the registration apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described while showing the cooperation with the imaging apparatus described above. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the lens information registration system 1. As shown in FIG. 3, in the lens information registration system 1, the imaging device 301 is a digital camera having the optical correction function described above, and a plurality of lens devices 11 can be attached.

  On the other hand, the registration device 302 is an information device such as a so-called personal computer, and an application program capable of communicating with the imaging device 301 is installed. In addition, it is assumed that the correction value of the optical characteristic correction data described above is recorded in the registration device 302 for each lens device.

  Generally, since the registration device 302 has a sufficient recording capacity, it is assumed that all correction values of the lens device 11 corresponding to the imaging device 301 are recorded as the correction values recorded here. The means for recording the above-mentioned optical characteristic correction data in the registration device 302 may be downloaded by connecting to the Internet, for example, or may be recorded directly on the personal computer from an external recording medium.

  In order to acquire the optical characteristic correction data, the image pickup apparatus 301 illustrates, for example, necessary ones from the optical characteristic correction data recorded in the registration apparatus 302 via the USB cable 303 from the data interface unit 31 in FIG. 1 can be recorded in the central control unit 34 in one.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of recorded contents of a recording medium on which optical characteristic correction data is recorded. Regarding the optical characteristic correction data, the structure recorded in the central control unit 34 in the imaging device 301 and the structure recorded in the registration device 302 may be common. The data structure of the recording medium is roughly divided into an area 801 of the entire optical characteristic correction table, and lens data areas 802 and 803 of each lens, and the correction is subsequently connected by the number of corresponding lenses.

  Information recorded in the optical correction table header information 804 in the area 801 includes, for example, the number of lenses supported by the optical correction table, the data amount of correction data per lens, and the correction data amount of each optical correction data. Etc. should be recorded.

  The header information 805 of each lens data is specific to each lens device, such as a lens ID (identification information) and lens name, and information specifying the model, the focal length, the shortest shooting distance, and the open distance of the tele end and wide end of the lens The aperture value etc. are recorded so that they can be referred to. This information is used to specify a lens device or use it as a parameter when performing correction calculation. In addition, by referring to the lens ID of the header information 805 and reading data that matches the lens ID read from the lens device, it is possible to read the optical characteristic correction data corresponding to the lens device. . That is, in the recording medium, lens information such as lens name and other information specifying the type of the lens device and corresponding correction information is stored so as to be referred to by the lens ID.

  Corresponding optical correction values are recorded in the lens data area of each lens. For example, as the peripheral light amount correction data 806, data indicating how much light amount falls at the distance from the center of the optical axis at each zoom position, focus position, and aperture position is recorded. Further, as the distortion correction data 807, data indicating how much the image is actually distorted with respect to the ideal image height at each distance from the optical axis center at each zoom position, focus position, and aperture position is recorded. . Similarly, as the chromatic aberration correction data 808, correction values such as how much the R and B component imaging positions deviate from the G component at the distance from the optical axis center at each zoom position, focus position, and aperture position. Is recorded. Of course, the optical characteristics to be corrected and the contents of the data are not limited to this.

  Here, the configuration of the registration apparatus 302 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the registration device 302 includes a control unit 401, a RAM 402, a storage unit 403, a display unit 404, an operation unit 405, and an I / F unit 406.

  The control unit 401 is composed of a CPU or the like, and centrally controls the operation of each unit of the registration device 302. Specifically, the control unit 401 controls the operation of each unit by developing the program data 403a stored in the storage unit 403 into a RAM 402 (Random Access Memory) and sequentially executing the program data 403a.

  A storage unit 403 as lens information storage means is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, and stores program data 403a and optical correction data 403b. In addition, the storage unit 403 can attach and detach the recording medium 407 with a connection connector (not shown), and performs reading of data stored in the recording medium 407, writing of data to the recording medium 407, and the like. For example, the program data 403a, the optical correction data 403b, etc. may be read from the recording medium 407 and stored in the storage unit 403. The program data 403a is the application program described above, and the optical correction data 403b is data read from the recording medium on which the optical characteristic correction data described above is recorded and stored in the storage unit 403.

  The display unit 404 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and performs screen display under the control of the control unit 401. Specifically, the display unit 404 performs screen display related to a UI (User Interface) described later. The operation unit 405 is, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device, and receives an operation input from the user and outputs it to the control unit 401. Specifically, the operation unit 405 receives an operation instruction from a user in the UI, such as a registration instruction by designating a model of a lens apparatus for registering correction information.

  The I / F unit 406 is an interface that is communicably connected to an external device by wireless or wired under the control of the control unit 401. Specifically, the I / F unit 406 performs USB communication with the imaging device 301 connected via the USB cable 303. The I / F unit 406 performs data communication according to a predetermined communication protocol with an external device 306 connected via a communication network 305 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). For example, as data communication with the external device 306 via the communication network 305, there is a case where the above-described optical characteristic correction data is downloaded via the Internet.

  Next, operations of the imaging device 301 and the registration device 302 in the lens information registration system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a ladder chart showing the operations of the imaging device 301 and the registration device 302. 7 and 8 are examples of UI screens displayed on the display unit 404 by the application program described above, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the registration apparatus 302.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the registration device 302, when the communication connection with the imaging device 301 is confirmed, the application program is started under the control of the control unit 401 and the UI is displayed on the display unit 404. The UI displayed on the display unit 404 at the time of activation is a UI related to selection of the main menu, and has areas 501, 502, and 503 as shown in FIG.

  In the area 501, settings that cannot be changed from the application of the connected digital camera are displayed. Specifically, there are drive mode (single shot, continuous shot), shooting mode (manual, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, etc.), remaining battery level and number of possible shots. An area 502 displays settings of the digital camera 301 that can be changed from the application. Specific examples include a white balance mode, ISO sensitivity, recording image quality, and photometry mode. In the area 503, a shooting menu is displayed so that settings relating to the image can be performed. For example, a mode for outputting a color / brightness specific to a specific subject, such as “landscape mode” or “portrait mode”, or WB correction for performing fine adjustment on the white balance set in the area 502 is performed. Can be set. Registration of optical characteristic correction data relating to the present case is also possible from this area 503. The UI screen layout is not limited to the above description.

  From here, the process in the case of registering the optical characteristic correction data of the desired lens apparatus in the registration apparatus 302 owned by the user will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 6, 8, and 9. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the control unit 401 of the registration apparatus 302 starts processing for registering optical characteristic correction data in the imaging apparatus 301 when the user clicks the “optical correction” button in the area 503 ( S701).

  When the processing is started in S701, the control unit 401 performs a communication check with the imaging device 301 (S702). In the check in S <b> 702, the identification information of the lens device 11 currently mounted on the connection destination imaging device 301 from the registration device 302 side and the optical characteristics registered in advance in the central control unit 34 in the imaging device 301. Request correction data (S401). Upon receiving the request, the imaging device 301 transmits the identification information (for example, name and lens ID) of the currently mounted lens device and the optical characteristic correction data registered in the central control unit 34 to the registration device 302 (S402). .

  Accordingly, in the registration device 302, identification information of the lens device 11 to be registered attached to the imaging device 301 is acquired by the processing of S401 and S402. As the information to be transmitted in S402, the entire structure shown in FIG. 8 may be transmitted, or only the identification information of the registered lens apparatus may be extracted and transmitted. That is, in S402, the lens apparatus identification information registered in the optical characteristic correction data stored in advance by the central control unit 34 is returned.

  When the communication check described above is completed, the control unit 401 acquires information returned from the imaging apparatus 301 (S703), and displays the UI for performing lens registration on the display unit 404 prior to transmission of data to be registered. Get ready to display. A screen displayed on the display unit 404 as a UI is a confirmation screen for confirming data contents prior to transmission of data to be registered. As illustrated in FIG. 8, an area 601, an area 602, and a button 603 are displayed. , Button 604 and OK button 605.

  In a region 602, a list of names (models) and the like of lens devices that can be optically corrected recorded in the registration device 302 is displayed. This list display is performed by the control unit 401 reading out the optical correction data 403b stored in the storage unit 403. In addition, the control unit 401 checks the check box at the head of each lens name displayed in the area 602 for the lens apparatus for which the optical characteristic correction data acquired in S402 is registered (S704). ). That is, a list of lens devices recorded in the registration device 302 is displayed in the area 602, and correction information is stored in the imaging device 301, and the registered lens device can check another lens depending on whether or not it is checked. It is displayed so that it can be distinguished from the device. Therefore, in the area 602, it is possible to explicitly notify the user that the lens device whose optical characteristic correction data has been registered in the imaging device 301 has already been registered.

  On the other hand, based on the identification information acquired in S <b> 402, the control unit 401 includes the optical characteristic correction data related to the mounted lens device in the optical characteristic correction data recorded in the registration device 302. It is determined whether or not (S705). That is, in S <b> 705, it is determined whether or not the optical characteristic correction data regarding the lens apparatus currently mounted on the imaging apparatus 301 is recorded in the registration apparatus 302.

  If the control unit 401 determines in S705 that the image has been recorded, the total number of registered lens device models can be registered in the imaging device 301 based on the registered optical characteristic correction data acquired in S402. It is determined whether the number has been exceeded (S706). More specifically, the control unit 401 compares the number of registered lens devices with the number to be registered this time with the number of lens devices that can be registered in advance in a memory or the like, and compares the former. It is determined whether the number does not exceed the latter number.

  In step S706, if the number of registered lens devices is less than the number that can be registered, the control unit 401 checks the check box for the name of the mounted lens device displayed in the area 602 as described above. (S707). In other words, in S707, the registration device 302 displays the lens device being mounted and the other lens devices so that they can be identified by the presence or absence of a check in the check box. At this time, if the optical characteristic correction data of the mounted lens device is not in the registration device 302, or if the number of registered lens devices is greater than or equal to the registerable number, the control unit 401 displays the display unit 404. A warning is displayed by a pop-up window or the like (S706a). By this warning display, the registration device 302 can notify the user that the lens device cannot be registered any more in the imaging device 301 or that there is no optical characteristic correction data of the lens device that is attached.

  When the above processing is completed, the control unit 401 displays the UI of FIG. 8 on the display unit 404 (S708). By doing so, the user can know at a glance which lens device is registered in the imaging device 301 and which lens device is not registered. Here, a check box is given as an example, but means for notifying the user is not limited to this. However, if only a check is made, the mounted lens device and the already registered lens device cannot be distinguished on display. Therefore, when checking the mounted lens device, for example, “A mounted A lens has been added” or the like may be explicitly displayed in the area 603 or the like. The display method is not limited to the area 603, and for example, a technique such as changing the color of the character of the corresponding lens name displayed in the area 602 may be used.

  When the UI shown in FIG. 8 is being displayed on the display unit 404 and the currently mounted lens device 11 is replaced, the imaging device 301 is registered with the registration device 302 under the control of the central control unit 34 as the replacement notification means. The identification information of the lens device after replacement which is newly mounted is transmitted (S403). In the registration device 302 that has acquired this identification information, the control unit 401 determines whether or not the optical characteristic correction data of the newly mounted lens device is recorded on the registration device 302. If it has been recorded, the control unit 401 adds a check to the check box of the name of the newly mounted lens device on the area 602, and updates the UI display. When the optical characteristic correction data is not recorded, the control unit 401 may display a warning on the display unit 404.

  At the time of updating the UI display, it is preferable not to remove the check of the lens device that was mounted last time before replacement. If the check is not removed in this way, the number of checks can be increased by exchanging the lens devices one after another. Therefore, a user who owns a plurality of lens devices can efficiently register the optical characteristic correction data of the lens device owned by the user only by exchanging the lens device of the image capturing device 301.

  In addition, the control unit 401 accepts an additional selection of the user via the mouse or the like of the operation unit 405 for the check box of each lens device displayed in the area 602, and adds a check according to the selection instruction ( S709). In this case, the user selects a desired lens from the lens name list in the area 602. For example, the name of a lens device having a name (model) different from that of the lens device mounted on the imaging device 301 is selected from the lens name list.

  In general, there are several tens of lenses that can be mounted in one interchangeable-lens imaging device, and there are more than a hundred in many cases. Of these, the user must search for a desired lens, and it is very difficult to select from a list of all lenses. For this purpose, a selection button for each category such as “super wide angle / wide angle”, “standard / medium telephoto”, “telephoto”, “macro”, “zoom”, “APS-C sensor dedicated lens” is arranged in the area 601. The control unit 401 displays only the lens devices of the selected category in the area 602 according to the user's operation instruction via the selection button arranged in the area 601. Thus, the user can efficiently search for a desired lens when selecting from the lens name list.

  When the control unit 401 receives a user instruction via the button 604, the control unit 401 displays only the lens apparatus in which the area 602 is checked. As a result, the user can check the list of registered lens devices at a glance. In the area 603, the maximum number of registrations of the image pickup apparatus 301 and the number of lenses currently registered in the image pickup apparatus 301 are described, and it is clearly shown how many can be registered.

  In S709, when the lens apparatus is checked, if the correction function related to the checked lens apparatus is restricted, the control unit 401 may display a warning on the display unit 404 when the check is made. good. In other words, in S709, a warning is displayed when the correction information included in the checked lens information to be registered satisfies a warning condition set in advance in the memory, such as a restriction on the correction function.

  As a warning condition that should be displayed as a warning, there is a case where a lens apparatus that is checked is one that does not have distance information. In general, the focal length information and the aperture value are transmitted by most lens apparatuses to the imaging apparatus through communication with the imaging apparatus. However, there are many lens devices that do not communicate information about distance information that is not easily affected by fluctuations in the optical system. In the case of such a lens device, there is a high possibility that correction is not appropriately applied as compared with a lens device that communicates other distance information. Whether or not the lens device communicates distance information cannot be determined from the lens name or the like. Therefore, when the check is made, the user is warned to that effect, so that the user can use the correction function in the imaging apparatus after recognizing the risk that the correction is not properly applied.

  Furthermore, as an example of a case where it is better to display a warning, there is a case where a warning is displayed when the lens apparatus has optical characteristics that cannot be corrected. For example, in a lens apparatus such as a fisheye lens, a very large correction must be applied to correct distortion. Accordingly, it is difficult for such a lens apparatus to perform correction due to the load on the system, and the imaging apparatus 301 may not support correction. On the other hand, peripheral light amount correction and magnification aberration correction can be corrected in the same manner as other lens devices. When such a lens device exists, the user may be notified by displaying a warning on the display unit 404 that distortion correction cannot be performed when this lens device is checked.

  Information on whether or not the lens device has the distance information described above and information on whether or not the lens device cannot perform distortion correction may be recorded in the header information 805 of the optical characteristic correction table illustrated in FIG. When the check is made, the control unit 401 can determine whether or not the warning is displayed by referring to the optical correction data 403b, and can display the warning on the display unit 404 when necessary.

  Since the user clicks the OK button 605 after completing the selection, the control unit 401 determines the presence / absence of a data registration instruction by the user by determining whether the OK button 605 is operated (S710). When there is a data registration instruction, the control unit 401 transmits registration information including optical characteristic correction data of the checked lens device and identification information of the lens device to the connected imaging device 301 (S711, S404).

  Then, in the imaging device 301, the central control unit 34 completes registration when recording of the optical characteristic correction data in the built-in memory 34b based on the registration information transmitted from the registration device 302 is completed (updating the storage content). A notification is transmitted to the registration device 302 (S405). In the registration device 302, when the registration completion notification is received, the processing of the control unit 401 described above is completed (S712). Through this series of processing, the user can efficiently register the optical characteristic correction data of the desired lens device in the imaging device 301.

[Second Embodiment]
As a second embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment in which the recording structure of the optical characteristic correction data is recorded in the central control unit 34 of the imaging apparatus 301 and the recording structure of the storage unit 403 in the registration apparatus 302 is changed will be described. In addition, since the imaging device 301 and the registration device 302 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the recording structure of the optical characteristic correction data has been described as being common to the imaging device 301 and the registration device 302. However, in the case of a common recording structure, the following problem occurs. When the optical characteristic correction table is managed by the lens ID, the user performs registration based on the name of the lens device as shown in an area 602 in FIG. Although it is sufficient that the lens ID and the name correspond completely one-to-one, in reality, a plurality of lens IDs may be assigned even if one lens has the same optical system.

  This is a case where, for example, the firmware in the lens apparatus is changed during the production of the lens, and even if the lens apparatus has the same name, it is necessary to separate the old farm individual from the new farm individual. Is occurring at the time when the situation is allocated. Such a lens device has the same name and optical system, but there are a plurality of lens IDs. For such a lens device, if the imaging device 301 side and the registration device 302 side have a common structure as shown in the first embodiment, the user naturally has a lens ID of which name overlaps the lens ID. I do n’t know if you ’ve got it. Therefore, when a certain lens device is selected, a problem that the number of registered lenses shown in the region 603 increases at a stretch is difficult for the user to understand. In addition, even if the maximum number of registrations is determined, registration for the maximum number is not possible.

In the second embodiment, a method for solving this problem will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of recorded contents of the central control unit 34 in the imaging device 301 according to the second embodiment. The difference from FIG. 4 described above is that a correction data reference table 904 is added between the area 901 and the lens data area 902.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the correction data reference table 904 is roughly divided into two areas. One is areas 1001 to 1003 where lens IDs are recorded. The other is areas 1004 to 1006 in which offset Data 1 to 3 corresponding to the lens IDs of the areas 1001 to 1003 are recorded. Offset Data means a value of an offset amount up to an address where optical characteristic correction data of the corresponding lens ID is recorded, that is, reference information of correction information based on identification information. Therefore, the correction data reference table 904 can refer to the same correction information with a plurality of pieces of identification information by appropriately setting the offset Data. The number of combinations of the lens ID and offset data is set to be larger than the maximum number of registered lenses.

  An operation flow of the registration device 302 when registering optical characteristic correction data from the registration device 302 to the imaging device 301 when this recording method is used will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the user determines optical characteristic correction data to be written on the imaging apparatus 301 by the same method as in the first embodiment, the OK button 605 illustrated in FIG. 6 is operated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 401 detects the click of the OK button 605, and starts the process according to the second embodiment (S1101).

  When the processing is started, the control unit 401 internally performs the following processing before transmitting the optical characteristic correction data to the imaging device 301. First, the control unit 401 acquires all the lens names that are checked (S1102). When there is no checked lens in S1102, the control unit 401 transmits a table with empty optical characteristic correction data to the imaging device 301 (corresponding to S404 in FIG. 4).

  In S1102, when there is a checked lens apparatus, the control unit 401 refers to the optical correction data 403b and seeks optical characteristic correction data related to the checked lens apparatus one by one. Specifically, the control unit 401 first determines whether or not the first checked lens device has a plurality of lens IDs (S1103). That is, in S1103, the presence / absence of optical characteristic correction data having the same name as the lens device to be registered and referred to by a different lens ID is determined.

  Therefore, when the plurality of lens IDs are not provided, the control unit 401 records the lens IDs in the first area (area 1001) illustrated in FIG. Further, the control unit 401 records the offset value up to the place containing the optical characteristic correction data in the area (area 1004) corresponding to the first area (S1105).

On the other hand, the case of having a plurality of lens IDs will be described. In this case, it is assumed that one lens name has two lens IDs. At this time, the control unit 401 records one of the two lens IDs in the first area (area 1001) in FIG. 11, and sets the first offset value to the place where the optical characteristic correction data is stored. Is recorded in an area (area 1004) corresponding to this area. Further, the control unit 401 enters the other lens ID in the area 1002 and records the same value as the area 1004 in the area 1005 as an offset value up to the place where the optical characteristic correction data is stored (S1104). That is, in S1104, reference destination information for referring to the same optical characteristic correction data with different lens IDs is recorded.
Therefore, for the same name (model) and different identification information, only one registered information is recorded including correction information. For other registration information, registration information including reference destination information for referring to one registration information instead of the correction information is recorded.

  By the processing described above, even if the lens IDs are different, the optical system is the same, and when the difference in lens ID is simply separating the old farm individual from the new farm individual, the optical characteristic correction data can be shared. In this manner, by adding the correction data reference table 904 to the optical characteristic correction data, it is not necessary to have redundant correction information regarding overlapping lens IDs. Furthermore, even if lens IDs overlap due to differences in firmware, correction information does not overlap, so that it is not possible to actually register the maximum number of lenses, and the user does not have to worry about the above-mentioned problems related to the maximum number of registrations. .

  The control unit 401 repeatedly performs the above-described operation for all the lens apparatuses to be registered (S1106). After S1106, the control unit 401 records the optical characteristic correction data to be registered with the data structure described with reference to FIG. 10 and transmits the data to the imaging apparatus 301 (specifically, similar to S404, the transmission is performed). Only the optical characteristic correction data to be used is different). At this time, the control unit 401 refers to the registered optical characteristic correction data acquired from the imaging apparatus 301 in S401 and S402, and checks whether or not it overlaps with the optical characteristic correction data to be registered. When overlapping in this check, the control unit 401 may transmit only reference destination information for referring to the overlapping optical characteristic correction data with different lens IDs to the imaging apparatus 301. That is, only the reference destination information may be transmitted for the optical characteristic correction data that has already been registered in the imaging apparatus 301. By doing so, it is possible to refer to the optical characteristic correction data already registered in the imaging apparatus 301 with different lens IDs. Since the processes other than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Note that the description in the above-described embodiment shows an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration and operation in the embodiment described above can be changed as appropriate.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment can also be realized in software by a computer of a system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.). Therefore, the computer program itself supplied to the computer in order to implement the above-described embodiment by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is also one aspect of the present invention.

  The computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be in any form as long as it can be read by a computer. For example, it can be composed of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, but is not limited thereto. A computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is supplied to a computer via a storage medium or wired / wireless communication. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium such as an MO, CD, and DVD, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a computer program supply method using wired / wireless communication, there is a method of using a server on a computer network. In this case, a data file (program file) that can be a computer program forming the present invention is stored in the server. The program file may be an executable format or a source code. Then, the program file is supplied by downloading to a client computer that has accessed the server. In this case, the program file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be distributed and arranged on different servers. That is, a server apparatus that provides a client computer with a program file for realizing the above-described embodiment is also one aspect of the present invention.

  In addition, a storage medium in which the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is encrypted and distributed is distributed, and key information for decrypting is supplied to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition, and the user's computer Installation may be allowed. The key information can be supplied by being downloaded from a homepage via the Internet, for example. Further, the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may use an OS function already running on the computer. Further, a part of the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be configured by firmware such as an expansion board attached to the computer, or may be executed by a CPU provided in the expansion board. Good.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the arrangement | sequence of an image pick-up element. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the outline | summary of a lens information registration system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of the recording content of the recording medium which recorded the optical characteristic correction data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a registration apparatus. It is the ladder chart which showed operation | movement with an imaging device and a registration apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a screen of UI. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a screen of UI. It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the registration device. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of the recording content of the central control part in the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of a correction data reference table. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the process in the registration apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Claims (11)

In an information registration system comprising: an imaging device that can attach and detach a lens device for which identification information is set; and a registration device that is connected to the imaging device and registers correction information of the lens device in the imaging device.
The registration device
Lens information storage means for storing lens information including information for specifying the model of the lens device and corresponding correction information so as to be referred to by the identification information;
Acquisition means for acquiring identification information set in the lens device mounted on the imaging device from the imaging device;
A list of lens device models in which the lens information is stored in the lens information storage means is displayed so that the lens device models corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition means can be distinguished from other lens device models. Display means for displaying a confirmation screen;
Via the confirmation screen, an operating means for accepting designation of a model of a lens apparatus for registering the correction information in the imaging apparatus from a user;
Transmitting means for transmitting registration information including correction information and identification information of the lens apparatus that has received designation by the operation means from the lens information storage means;
With
The imaging device
Correction information storage means for storing correction information of the lens device;
In response to a request from the registration device, return means for returning the identification information set to the mounted lens device to the registration device;
Receiving means for receiving the registration information transmitted from the registration device;
Updating means for updating the stored contents of the correction information storage means based on the registration information received by the receiving means;
An information registration system comprising:   The display means displays the confirmation screen in which a model of a lens apparatus corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition means is designated as a model of a lens apparatus that registers the correction information in the imaging apparatus. The information registration system according to claim 1.   3. The information registration system according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit receives designation of a model of a lens device of a model different from the lens device mounted on the imaging device via the confirmation screen. . In addition to the identification information of the mounted lens device, the reply means also returns the identification information of the lens device in which the correction information is stored in the correction information storage means to the registration device,
4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, on the confirmation screen, the lens device model stored in the correction information storage device is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other lens device models. 5. The information registration system according to one item. The correction information storage means further stores reference destination information for referring to the same correction information with a plurality of identification information,
The transmission unit includes correction information only in one registration information for the specified lens device having the same model but different identification information, and includes the one registration information for other registration information. The information registration system according to claim 4, wherein registration information including reference destination information for reference instead of correction information is transmitted to the imaging apparatus. The registration device
The total number of lens device models stored in the correction information storage means and the number of lens device models for which designation has been received via the confirmation screen, and a preset number of registerable imaging devices, And a determination means for determining whether or not the correction information of the lens apparatus that received the designation to the imaging apparatus can be registered,
6. The information registration system according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays a warning when the determination unit determines that registration cannot be performed on the confirmation screen. The imaging device
When the lens device attached to the imaging device is replaced, it further comprises an exchange notification means for notifying the registration device of identification information set in the lens device after replacement,
When the identification information is notified by the replacement notification means during the display of the confirmation screen, the display means sets the model of the lens apparatus after replacement corresponding to the notified identification information as the model of another lens apparatus. The information registration system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the confirmation screen is updated so that the information can be identified.   8. The information registration system according to claim 7, wherein the display unit displays the confirmation screen in which a model of the lens device after the replacement is selected as the lens device that has received the designation.   The display means, when the identification information is notified by the replacement notification means, if the model of the lens device before the replacement is specified on the confirmation screen, in addition to the model of the lens device before the replacement, 8. The information registration system according to claim 7, wherein the confirmation screen on which a model of the lens device after the replacement is selected is displayed. Corresponding to an image pickup apparatus having a correction information storage means for storing the lens apparatus correction information, the lens apparatus set with the identification information being detachable, and information for specifying the operating means, the display means, and the lens device model A registration device for storing lens information including correction information so that the lens information can be referred to by identification information, and for registering correction information of the lens device in the imaging device by communication connection with the imaging device; The information registration method by
An acquisition step in which the registration device acquires identification information set in the lens device attached to the imaging device from the imaging device;
A list of lens device models in which the lens information is stored in the lens information storage means is displayed so that the lens device models corresponding to the identification information acquired in the acquisition process can be distinguished from other lens device models. A display step of displaying a confirmation screen on the display means by the registration device;
Via the confirmation screen, an operation step in which the registration device accepts designation of a model of a lens device for registering the correction information in the imaging device from a user by the operation means;
A transmission step in which the registration device transmits registration information including correction information and identification information of the lens device that has received designation in the operation step from the lens information storage unit to the imaging device;
A receiving step in which the imaging device receives the registration information transmitted from the registration device;
An update step in which the imaging device updates the stored content of the correction information storage unit based on the registration information received in the receiving step;
An information registration method comprising: A registration device for registering correction information of the lens device in the imaging device by connecting the lens device in which the identification information is set to the removable imaging device.
Lens information storage means for storing lens information including information for specifying the model of the lens device and corresponding correction information so as to be referred to by the identification information;
Acquisition means for acquiring identification information set in the lens device mounted on the imaging device from the imaging device;
A list of lens device models in which the lens information is stored in the lens information storage means is displayed so that the lens device models corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition means can be distinguished from other lens device models. Display means for displaying a confirmation screen;
Via the confirmation screen, an operating means for accepting designation of a model of a lens apparatus for registering the correction information in the imaging apparatus from a user;
Transmitting means for transmitting registration information including correction information and identification information of the lens apparatus that has received designation by the operation means from the lens information storage means;
A registration device comprising:

Images