JP6000716B2 - Operating device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device that can give a click feeling to an operator who manually operates an operation member.

In the interchangeable lens type digital camera, it is known that the setting value of the camera can be changed in addition to the focus adjustment by manual operation of the focus ring. In such a digital camera, the setting value of the camera can be changed by manually rotating the focus ring in a state in which the user has previously set a specific button provided on the camera body. Each time the user presses a specific button in advance, the camera setting items are sequentially selected from among the setting items such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity, white balance, exposure correction, and the like. The value is changed according to the manual rotation of the focus ring by the user. A display for changing the setting items or notifying the user of the set values is also made.

Regarding the operability of the focus ring and other operating members incorporated in the lens barrel of the lens unit, the contact friction of the operating ring is changed by arranging the vibrator of the ultrasonic actuator and controlling the vibrator. A technique is known that can increase and decrease the amount of rotational operation force over a wide range (see Patent Document 1).

Further, in a reproduction system including a rotating body portion operated by a user, the rotation body portion can be subjected to click-like rotation regulation by a rotating torque by an electric motor, and the rotating body portion can be controlled by a vibration motor or a piezoelectric element. There is known a technique that can vibrate the slab (see Patent Document 2).

In addition, even in situations where you cannot look into the camera from above and it is difficult to rotate the mode setting dial, you can easily set the mode while checking the mode on the LCD monitor display on the back of the camera. In order to do this, the mode setting dial is rotated by pressing the mode setting button on the back of the camera body to switch the rotation position, that is, the mode position, and based on the mode position signal detected by the mode position detector, A digital camera for switching modes is known (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2005-316394 A International Publication No. 2006/068114 JP 2005-257726 A

In digital cameras that can be adjusted by manual operation of the focus ring described above, the focus ring is designed to rotate smoothly and steplessly as much as possible so that the focus can be adjusted manually. Since there is no feeling, if the same operation as the focus ring is performed when selecting the mode etc., the focus ring will rotate excessively with respect to the target setting value, or it will rotate easily after setting, and the setting value and Problems such as changing the setting mode occur.

In addition, as in Patent Document 1, the technique for controlling the vibrator to increase or decrease the contact friction force of the operation ring cannot obtain a click feeling and cannot realize a change in mode or the like due to the operation. It was not possible to confirm the mode changed to.

Further, as in Patent Document 2, in the method of controlling the rotational torque of the electric motor in order to cause the clicker-like movement restriction or vibration in the rotating body portion, the configuration associated with the electric motor and the control thereof are complicated, It is not suitable for cameras that require downsizing. Further, since the click feeling of the operation and the set value are not linked, the current state cannot be confirmed.

Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, the mode setting dial can be automatically rotated by pressing the mode setting button on the back of the camera body while confirming the display content of the LCD monitor on the back of the camera. There is no disclosure about giving a click feeling to the operation member of the camera. Therefore, the display is not changed in synchronization with the click feeling of the operation member of the camera. In Patent Document 3, a mode can be set, but the contents of the mode cannot be set in synchronization with the click feeling.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention can provide an operator with a click feeling according to a set mode and can inform the operator of the contents operated in conjunction with the click operation. An object is to provide an apparatus.

An operating device according to a first aspect of the present invention controls an operating member that is manually rotatable with respect to a fixed member, and a load force amount that is disposed on the fixed member and the operating member rotates. Based on the output from the position detection means, the position detection means for detecting the relative position of the operation member with respect to the fixed member or the load control means, the operation mode setting means for setting the operation mode, and the like. when the above operation member at a position specified is rotational operation, and operation feeling control means for controlling said load control means to apply a click feeling to the operation member, which is set by the operation mode setting means operating Display means for displaying a mode setting state, display changing means for changing the content displayed on the display means in conjunction with a rotation operation accompanied by a click feeling of the operation member, Storage means for storing a mode item and its setting item, and cycle information for causing a click feeling corresponding to the setting item, and the load control means is in the set operation mode. relevant information read from the storage means, characterized in that to change the click feeling in accordance with the operation mode the set by controlling the contact friction force between the operating member and the fixing member on the basis of the information And

   The operating device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the operating device according to the first aspect, wherein the load control means is in a state of being pressed against the load means for applying a predetermined load to the operating member and the load means. A vibration-contacting vibrator, wherein the operation feeling control means controls the vibration of the vibrator to change a load applied to the load means, thereby giving a click feeling to the operation member. Features.

  The operation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the operation device according to the first aspect, wherein the load control means includes a first gear portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the operation member, and the first gear portion. A second gear part that meshes with the first gear part and applies a predetermined load to the first gear part, and a motor that rotationally drives the second gear part. By controlling the output and changing the load applied to the first gear portion of the operation member by the second gear portion, a click feeling is imparted to the operation member.

The operation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the operation device according to the first aspect, wherein the display change means displays the operation mode related information read from the storage means on the display means and the operation member. The operation mode related information is moved with respect to an index indicating the operation mode related information in conjunction with the rotation of the image, or the index is moved with respect to the displayed operation mode related information. .

The operation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the operation device according to the first aspect, wherein the display change means is information related to the operation mode displayed on the display means in accordance with a rotation speed of the operation member. The display form is changed.

The operation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the operation device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the display form is a state in which a mode name set by the operation mode setting means and a numerical value related to the mode name are displayed. When the rotational speed of the operating member is higher than a predetermined value, the numerical value is displayed in a first numerical range at a first numerical interval, and the rotational speed of the operating member is lower than the predetermined value. In this case, the first numerical interval or a range smaller than the first numerical range is displayed at the second numerical interval.

The operating device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the operation device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the display form includes a plurality of mode items and a mode name set by the operation mode setting means among the plurality of mode items. When the rotation speed of the operation member is lower than a predetermined value , a display for switching to the set mode name is performed for the plurality of mode items, and the rotation speed of the operation member is When it is faster than the predetermined value, more mode items than the plurality of mode items are arranged in an ellipse, and a display for switching to the mode name set in the mode items displayed in the ellipse is performed. It is a characteristic.

According to the present invention, there is provided an operating device that can give an operator a click feeling according to a set mode and can inform the operator of the contents operated in conjunction with the click operation. can do.

It is a figure for demonstrating the operating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure applied to the digital camera. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of an interchangeable lens that constitutes the digital camera of the first embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the mechanism which drives 1 group frame of the interchangeable lens of 1st embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the load control mechanism attached to the fixed frame based on 1st embodiment. Optical axis direction sectional drawing AA for demonstrating the detailed structure of the load control mechanism attached to the fixed frame based on 1st embodiment. The disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the specific structure of the piezoelectric material which comprises the vibrator | oscillator 171 based on 1st embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the state which assembled the vibrator | oscillator 171 based on 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the concept of the voltage application to the piezoelectric material based on 1st embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the modification of the piezoelectric material demonstrated in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the modification of the piezoelectric material demonstrated in FIG. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the modification of the vibrator | oscillator applied to this invention. External view of a modification of the vibrator described in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the attachment state of the vibrator | oscillator demonstrated in FIG. The figure which represented the mode of the vibrator | oscillator and rotor at the time of giving predetermined frequency voltage to a piezoelectric material and vibrating. The figure for demonstrating the frequency voltage input into the piezoelectric material which comprises a vibrator | oscillator. The circuit diagram which shows schematically the structure of a piezoelectric material control circuit. The time chart which shows each signal form output from each structural member in the piezoelectric material control circuit of FIG. The graph which shows the state of the displacement of a contact site | part when the vibration amplitude of a fundamental vibration is changed with a voltage control circuit. A graph showing the relationship between the corresponding rotation angle of the operation ring to generate a click feeling, the operation force amount of the operation ring, the vibration amplitude of the corresponding transducer, and the input voltage The figure which gave the different input voltage signal to the piezoelectric material so that the different click feeling from what was shown in FIG. 19 may be obtained. Flow chart (1) showing a main processing sequence of the digital camera according to the present invention A flowchart (2) showing a main processing sequence of the digital camera according to the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detail of the lens operation processing subroutine of S106. The flowchart which shows the detail of a rotation feeling change process (S203) subroutine. The figure which shows an example of the relationship between the rotation angle of an operation ring, and rotational resistance at the time of giving a click feeling to an operation ring in subroutine S304. The figure which shows an example of the relationship between the rotation angle of an operation ring, and rotation resistance force when control of a vibrator | oscillator is started by the process of S305 in shutter speed mode or aperture stop mode. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing sequence of the lens microcomputer 106 for controlling the click feeling of the operation ring in a subroutine S304. The figure which shows the example of a display when the mode switching operation part is pressed down and MF mode is selected based on 2nd embodiment. The figure which shows the state which rotated the operation ring and switched the display at the time of MF mode. The modification of the state which rotated the operation ring and switched the display. The figure for demonstrating the sequence of the display operation | movement of FIG. The schematic sectional drawing of the lens-barrel comprised so that the operation ring could slide back and forth in an optical axis direction based on 3rd embodiment of this invention. AA sectional drawing of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the periphery of the gear 172a, the gear 177, and the fixing plate 171b which are transmission mechanisms based on a load control mechanism. FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of a BB cross section illustrated in FIG. 34 and is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a gear 172a and a gear 177 constituting the load control mechanism 170. The figure for demonstrating the switching operation | movement of the gear 177 at the time of the slide movement of an operation ring. The figure for demonstrating the attachment state of 170 A of load control mechanisms which applied the motor to the fixed frame based on 4th embodiment. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 37 and is a diagram for explaining details of the load control mechanism 170A to which the motor is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram for explaining a configuration applied to a digital camera.

The digital camera shown in FIG. 1 includes an interchangeable lens 100 and a camera body 200, which are communicably connected via an I / F 300.

  The interchangeable lens 100 includes a focus lens 101, a zoom lens 102, an aperture mechanism 103, drivers 104, 105, 113, a lens microcomputer 106, a flash memory 107, a mode switching operation unit 108, a position sensor 109, a vibrator 171 and a piezoelectric element. A body control circuit 112, a rotor 172, a display unit 115, and an operation ring 111 are included.

Although the details will be described later, the position sensor 109 is a generic term for position sensors, and specifically, a rotational position detection sensor 109A for detecting the rotational position of the operation ring 111 with respect to the fixed frame 122, and the fixed frame 122. In contrast, a slide start detection sensor 109B that detects that the operation ring 111 has started to slide is included.

The camera body 200 includes a mechanical shutter 201, an image sensor 202, and an analog processing unit 203.
, An analog / digital conversion unit (hereinafter referred to as “A / D conversion unit”) 204, an AE processing unit 205,
An image processing unit 206, an AF processing unit 207, an image compression / decompression unit 208, an LCD driver 209,
LCD 210, memory interface (hereinafter referred to as "memory I / F") 211, recording medium 212, SDRAM 213, main body microcomputer 214, flash memory 2
15, an operation unit 216, a bus 217, and a power supply circuit 218.

  First, the configuration of the interchangeable lens 100 will be described.

  The focus lens 101 condenses the optical image of the subject on the image sensor 202, and the zoom lens 102 scales the optical image of the subject. Of course, the focus lens 101 may be operated when zooming an optical image.

The lens microcomputer 106 includes drivers 104, 105, 114, and I / F3.
00, the flash memory 107, the mode switching operation unit 108, the position sensor 109, the piezoelectric body control circuit 112, and the display unit 115. Lens microcomputer 10
6 reads / writes information stored in the flash memory 107 and controls the drivers 104, 105, 113 and the piezoelectric body control circuit 112. The lens microcomputer 106 can communicate with the main body microcomputer 214 via the I / F 300, transmits various information to the main body microcomputer 214, and receives various information from the main body microcomputer 214. Receive. For example, the lens microcomputer 106 receives information according to output signals from the mode switching operation unit 108 and information according to output signals (detection signals) from the position sensors 109 (the rotation position detection sensor 109A and the slide start detection sensor 109B). It transmits to the microcomputer 214 for the main body.

For example, the lens microcomputer 106 receives control information of the piezoelectric body control circuit 112 from the main body microcomputer 214. The lens microcomputer 106 further controls the piezoelectric body control circuit 112 and the display unit 115 based on the control information received from the main body microcomputer 214. Further, the mode switching operation unit 108
The piezoelectric body control circuit 112 and the display unit 115 can also be controlled based on the output signal of and the output signal of the position sensor 109 (rotational position detection sensor 109A, slide start detection sensor 109B).

The driver 104 receives an instruction from the lens microcomputer 106 and drives the focus lens 101 to change the focus position. In response to an instruction from the lens microcomputer 106, the driver 105 drives the zoom lens 102 to change the focal length. Upon receiving an instruction from the lens microcomputer 106, the driver 113
The aperture mechanism 103 is driven. The aperture mechanism 103 adjusts the amount of light of the subject and the amount of blur of the subject image.

  The piezoelectric body control circuit 112 drives the vibrator 117 (specifically, the piezoelectric body 171a included in the vibrator 171) under the control of the lens microcomputer 106.

  The display unit 115 is operated by the lens microcomputer 106 based on the position information of the rotation position detection sensor 109A that detects the rotation position of the operation ring 111 and the speed information calculated by the lens microcomputer 106 from the position information. Be controlled.

The mode switching operation unit 108 is a button for instructing to change the role of the operation ring 111 that is an operation member, for example. Each time the mode switching operation unit 108 is pressed, the lens microcomputer 106 (or the main body microcomputer 214) may change the role of the operation ring 111 from a state of functioning as a “mode switching” member to a “setting”. It switches between two states, a state that functions as a “value change” member.

  When the role of the operation ring 111 is “mode switching”, the lens microcomputer 106 (or the main body microcomputer 214) rotates the operation ring 111, so that the focus mode, zoom mode, Shooting mode, ISO sensitivity mode, shutter speed mode, aperture mode, white balance mode, ATR (art) mode (a mode in which multiple images can be selected to make the captured image a black-and-white image or a painting-like image), etc. Switch sequentially to either. Then, when the mode switching operation unit 108 is pressed in the state of the selected desired mode, the mode is fixed.

  Along with the confirmation of this mode, the role of the operation ring 111 is changed so as to function as an operation member for changing each setting value in the confirmation mode. For example, when the mode is determined as a manual focus mode (hereinafter referred to as MF mode) which is one of the focus modes, the operation ring 111 serves as a distance operation ring for adjusting the focal position.

As will be described in detail later, the operation ring 111 is disposed, for example, by being fitted to the outer periphery of the interchangeable lens 100 so as to be rotatable around the optical axis, and is configured to be rotatable by a manual operation by the user. ing.

  The operation ring 111 may be a rotary dial member provided on the camera body 200 side. In this case, operation information of the operation member is input / output to / from the lens microcomputer 106 on the interchangeable lens 100 side through the I / F 300 as necessary. In addition, the structure using the lever member which slides with respect to a fixing member may be sufficient instead of the ring shape rotated with respect to a fixing member.

  The vibrator 171 is frictionally coupled while being pressed against a rotor 172 (corresponding to load control means) that is a rotating member, and vibrates in response to a control signal from the piezoelectric body control circuit 112. The piezoelectric body control circuit 112 (corresponding to the operation feeling control means) is controlled by the lens microcomputer 106 and controls the vibration state of the vibrator 171 to control the frictional coupling force with the rotor 172, that is, the rotational resistance force. . Thereby, the rotational resistance force of the operation ring 111 connected to the rotor 172 by a mechanism for transmitting the rotational force is controlled. Although details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, the configuration of the vibrator 171 is, for example, a laminated piezoelectric body (171a) and a vibrating body (171c, 171d).

The rotational position detection sensor 109 </ b> A that is the position sensor 109 detects the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the operation ring 111 and outputs the detection signal to the lens microcomputer 106. The rotational position detection sensor 109A is, for example, an operation ring 11 as will be described in detail later.
1 is a GMR element (giant magnetoresistive element) provided to face a magnetic scale provided on the inner peripheral side of 1. Of course, the position detection mechanism does not need to be magnetic, and may be optical.

Next, the configuration of the camera body will be described.
The mechanical shutter 201 is driven in response to an instruction from the microcomputer 214 for the main body, and controls the time for exposing the subject to the image sensor 202.

The image sensor 202 receives the light collected by the focus lens 101 and the zoom lens 102 by a photodiode constituting the pixel, performs photoelectric conversion, and outputs the light amount to the analog processing unit 203 as a charge amount.

  The image sensor 202 is an image sensor in which a Bayer array color filter is arranged in front of a photodiode constituting each pixel, and a line in which R pixels and G (Gr) pixels are alternately arranged in the horizontal direction; It has a line in which G (Gb) pixels and B pixels are alternately arranged, and the two lines are also alternately arranged in the vertical direction.

  Note that the image sensor 202 may be a CMOS type or a CCD type. Further, not only a Bayer array but also a stacked image sensor such as Foveon (registered trademark of Foveon Inc.), an image sensor including the analog processing unit 203 and the A / D conversion unit 204, and the like may be used.

The analog processing unit 203 performs waveform shaping on the electrical signal (analog image signal) read from the image sensor 202 while reducing reset noise and the like, and further increases the gain so that the target brightness is obtained. .

  The A / D converter 204 converts the analog image signal output from the analog processor 203 into a digital image signal (hereinafter referred to as image data).

A bus 217 is a transfer path for transferring various data generated in the digital camera to each unit in the digital camera. The bus 217 includes an AE processing unit 205 and an image processing unit 206.
, AF processing unit 207, image compression / decompression unit 208, LCD driver 209, memory I / F 21
1, SDRAM 213, and main body microcomputer 214.

The image data output from the A / D converter 204 is temporarily stored in the SDRAM via the bus 217.
213 is stored. The SDRAM 213 is a storage unit that temporarily stores various data such as image data obtained by the A / D conversion unit 204 and image data processed by the image processing unit 206 and the image compression / decompression unit 208.

The image processing unit 206 performs various image processes on the image data read from the SDRAM 213. The image data after each processing is performed by the image processing unit 206 is SDRAM.
213 is stored.

The AE processing unit 205 calculates subject brightness from the image data. The data for calculating the subject brightness may be an output of a dedicated photometric sensor. The AF processing unit 207 extracts a high-frequency component signal from the image data, and acquires a focus evaluation value by AF (Auto Focus) integration processing.

The image compression / decompression unit 208 compresses image data by a predetermined compression method and expands (decompresses) image data compressed by the predetermined compression method. For example, when the handled image data is a still image, compression and decompression are performed by the JPEG method or the like, and when the handled image data is a moving image, the Motion-JPEG method or H.264 is used. Perform compression and decompression using the H.264 method. When recording image data relating to a still image, the image compression / decompression unit 208 includes an SDRAM
Image data is read from 213, the read image data is compressed according to, for example, the JPEG compression method, and the compressed JPEG image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 213.

The JPEG image data stored in the SDRAM 213 is created as a JPEG file by adding a JPEG header necessary for constructing a JPEG file by a microcomputer 214 for main body that comprehensively controls various sequences of the camera body 200. . The main body microcomputer 214 stores the created JPEG file in the memory I / O.
Recording is performed on the recording medium 212 via F211. The recording medium 212 is, for example, a recording medium including a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 200, but is not limited thereto.

The LCD driver 209 displays an image on the LCD 210. For the display of the image, a rec view display that displays the image data immediately after shooting for only a short time, and a J recorded on the recording medium 212.
Includes playback display of PEG files and display of moving images such as live view display. When playing back a JPEG file recorded on the recording medium 212, the image compression / decompression unit 208 reads the JPEG file recorded on the recording medium 212, performs decompression processing (decompression processing), and decompresses the image data. Is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 213. LCD driver 2
09 reads the decompressed image data from the SDRAM 213, converts the read image data into a video signal, and then outputs it to the LCD 210 to display an image.

An operation unit 216 and a flash memory 215 are further connected to the main body microcomputer 214.

The operation unit 216 is an operation member such as a power button, a release button, a playback button, a menu button, a moving image button, and various input keys. When one of the operation members of the operation unit 216 is operated by the user, the main body microcomputer 214 executes various sequences according to the user's operation.

The power button is an operation member for instructing power on / off of the digital camera. When the power button is pressed, the main body microcomputer 214 turns on or off the power of the digital camera.

The release button has a two-stage switch of a first release switch and a second release switch. When the release button is pressed halfway and the first release switch is turned on, the main body microcomputer 214 performs a shooting preparation sequence such as AE processing and AF processing. Further, when the release button is fully pressed and the second release switch is turned on, the main body microcomputer 214 executes the shooting sequence to perform shooting.

The playback button is an operation member for instructing playback of a file recorded on the recording medium 212. When the play button is pressed, the microcomputer 214 for the main body executes the playback sequence to perform playback.

The menu button is an operation member for instructing display of a menu that allows camera settings to be changed. When the menu button is pressed, the microcomputer 214 for the main body
Execute the camera setting sequence to display the menu.

  The moving image button is an operation member for giving a moving image shooting instruction. When the moving image button is pressed, the main body microcomputer 214 performs moving image shooting by executing a moving image shooting sequence.

The flash memory 215 stores various parameters necessary for the operation of the digital camera, such as a white balance gain and a low-pass filter coefficient corresponding to the white balance mode, a manufacturing number for specifying the digital still camera, and the like. The flash memory 215 also stores various programs executed by the microcomputer 214. The microcomputer 214 reads parameters necessary for various sequences from the flash memory 215 according to a program stored in the flash memory 215, and executes each process.

  In the camera body 200 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a power supply circuit 218 for supplying power to each circuit unit is shown. The power supply circuit 218 is controlled by the main body microcomputer 214 to supply necessary power to each circuit unit at an appropriate timing. Further, the power supply circuit 218 can supply power to each circuit unit of the interchangeable lens barrel 100 via the I / F 300. In this case, the main body microcomputer 214 performs power supply control in cooperation with the lens microcomputer 106.

  Next, a specific configuration example of the interchangeable lens barrel 100 in the digital camera will be shown, and a specific configuration example for realizing the operability corresponding to the operation mode in the operation ring 111 will be described in detail below. To do.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the interchangeable lens 100 constituting the digital camera of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a predetermined cross-sectional view of the main components as viewed from the subject side for explaining the mechanism for driving the first group frame 124 of FIG. Here, the subject side of the interchangeable lens 100 is the front, and the camera body side is the rear.

The interchangeable lens 100 holds a first group frame 124 that holds two lenses from the front, a second group frame 125 that holds the next two lenses, and the remaining four lenses, and holds an aperture mechanism. 3
It consists of a group frame 126. A so-called bayonet mount 121 for attaching to the camera body 200 (see FIG. 1) is provided at the rear end of the interchangeable lens 100. The mount 121 is fixed to the fixed frame 122 with screws or the like. In addition, the mount 121 is provided with an electrical signal terminal (not shown). When the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200, the mount 121 is electrically connected to the kiban 123, and the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected. Telecommunications and power supply.

  The drive mechanism in each of the first group frame 124, the second group frame 125, and the third group frame 126 is configured by a similar mechanism. Therefore, only the driving mechanism of the first group frame 124 will be described below.

  On the outer periphery of the first group frame 124 and the second group frame 125, a shaft-shaped first group feed screw 127 formed with a lead screw is arranged in parallel to the optical axis O and rotatable about the axis of the optical axis O. ing. One end of the first group feed screw 127 is fitted into a hole (camera body side) of the protruding portion on the inner peripheral side of the fixed frame 122 and the other end is fixed to the hole (subject side) of the front fixed frame 162 fixed to the fixed frame 122. ). A first group screw gear 128 is fixed to the rear end portion of the first group feed screw 127 by caulking, press fitting, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, another protrusion (not shown) of the fixed frame 122 has a plate-like first group motor base 1.
A first group motor 130 integral with the motor 29 is fixed with screws or the like. A first group motor gear 131 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft of the first group motor 130 by press fitting or the like, and a first group screw gear 128 is engaged with the first group motor gear 131. At the other end of the rotation shaft of the first group motor 130, a first group position detection hood 132 provided with a plurality of slits radially with respect to the rotation shaft center is fixed by press fitting or the like.
A protrusion (not shown) provided on the outer peripheral side of the first group frame 124 is formed with a female screw that is screwed into the first group feed screw 127. Opposite to the position where the first group feed screw 127 is installed and the optical axis, both ends are fixed to the protruding portion on the inner peripheral side of the fixed frame 122, and the first group guide shaft 133 installed parallel to the optical axis O is held. Has been. The first group guide shaft 133 is fitted into a long hole extending in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis formed on the protrusion provided on the outer periphery of the first group frame 124, and the first group guide screw 127 is screwed into the fixed frame. It is positioned and held at 122.

  Next, the operation of the first group frame 124 will be described.

When the first group motor 130 is rotated, the first group screw gear 128 meshed with the first group motor gear 131 rotates, and the first group feed screw 127 integral with the first group screw gear 128 rotates. Then
The first group frame 124 meshed with the first group feed screw 127 is subjected to a force that rotates around the rotation axis of the first group feed screw 127, but the rotation of the first group frame 124 is stopped by the first group guide shaft 133. Therefore, one rotation of the first group feed screw 127 moves in the direction of the optical axis O by the screw pitch. At this time, the backlash generated at the first group feed screw 127 and the backlash generated at the first group guide shaft 133 are pressed by a spring (not shown) so that the backlash disappears. The rotation is reliably transmitted to the first group frame 124.

  With such a configuration, the position of the first group frame 124 can be accurately detected by detecting the rotation of the motor shaft with the first group position detection hood 132 attached to the other end of the motor shaft.

  The aperture mechanism 103 includes an aperture plate 134, an aperture plate 137 that is held by an aperture base 135 and an aperture cover 136 and is arranged to be rotatable around the optical axis O, and the aperture plate 137 and a plurality of aperture channels 134. A cam and pin mechanism is provided between them. Further, a gear is provided on the outer peripheral side protruding portion of the diaphragm plate 137, and the diaphragm motor gear 138 attached to one end of the motor shaft is engaged. The aperture motor gear 138 meshes with the aperture motor 140 disposed on the aperture motor base 139.

  Therefore, when the aperture motor 140 rotates, the aperture motor gear 138 rotates, and this driving force is transmitted to the aperture plate 137 to rotate. As the diaphragm plate 137 rotates, a plurality of diaphragm honey 134 simultaneously operate along the cam to form a so-called iris diaphragm that restricts the opening of the diaphragm lid 136. The size of the iris diaphragm formed by the diaphragm honey 134 can be changed according to the brightness of the subject.

  Next, the operation ring 111 will be described.

The operation ring 111 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the fixed frame 122 so as to be rotatable around the optical axis. A cylindrical scale 141 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the operation ring 111. The scale 141 is a magnetic scale in which N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in a band shape in the circumferential direction at an equal pitch. A position sensor 109 is provided on the outer periphery of the fixed frame 122 so as to face the scale 141. This position sensor 109 is a rotational position detection sensor 109A for detecting the rotational position of the operation ring 111, and is, for example, a GMR element (giant magnetoresistive element) whose resistance changes due to a magnetic field change of the scale 141, A change in relative position with respect to the scale 141 is detected as a change in the voltage signal. It is also possible to control each frame manually by controlling each motor in accordance with this electrical signal. Whether it is manual or automatic (for example, autofocus) can be set by operating an operation member included in the operation unit 216 of the camera body 200.
Alternatively, the interchangeable lens 100 may be provided with operation members such as buttons, levers, and dials, and can be set by the operation.

The motors and rotational position detection sensor 109A described above are electrically connected through a flexible substrate 145 to a kiban 123 on which the main circuit of the photographic lens is mounted.
Each of them is controlled by a lens microcomputer 106 mounted on the camera 23.

The motor shown here is a rotary electromagnetic motor, but it may be a piezoelectric motor using a piezoelectric body or a linear motor that operates directly in the optical axis direction. If the motor is a stepping motor, a motor position detector is not required.

In addition, the position of the frame is detected by a photo interrupter that detects the position of the frame attached to the motor. However, a magnetic detection system such as GMR or a Hall element may be used, or an electrostatic system that detects a change in capacitance. Etc. Further, instead of detecting the rotation of the motor, a method of directly detecting the movement of the frame may be used. Further, if a position detector for detecting the origin position of the position is further installed and an operation for confirming the origin position in a predetermined state is performed, position detection can be made more accurate.

Further, regarding the position detection of the operation ring 111, not a magnetic type but an optical type detector or an electrostatic type detector may be used.

Next, the load control mechanism 17 generates a click feeling in synchronization with the rotation of the operation ring 111 when the operation ring 111 which is a manual operation member is operated to change the setting item or the setting value.
The configuration of 0 will be described.

4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the load control mechanism 170 disclosed in FIG. 5 is attached to the fixed frame 122. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of the load control mechanism 170. FIG.

In FIG. 4, the vibrator 171 constituting the load control mechanism 170 is screw-fixed to the fixed frame 122 via a fixed plate 171b. Although details will be described with reference to FIG. 5, a load control mechanism 170 is configured, and a rotor 172 serving as load control means is provided with a gear 172 a that meshes with the operation ring 111.

  In FIG. 5, vibrators 171 that are vibrated at a predetermined timing in order to control the rotational resistance of the operation ring 111 are each a laminated piezoelectric body 171a having a hole in the center and a plate-like fixing plate 171b. Are stacked in the plate thickness direction and sandwiched between the vibrating body A171c and the vibrating body B171d, and the piezoelectric body 171a, the fixing plate 171b, and the vibrating body B171d sandwiched between them are vibrated by a bolt 171e. The body A171c is screwed and fixed by crimping.

  The rotor 172 constituting the load control mechanism 170 is rotatably fitted to a shaft portion extended from the intermediate screw fitting portion of the bolt 171e, one end surface is in contact with the outer end surface of the vibrating body A171c, and the other end portion. Is pressed by the spring 173. A recess in which the ball 176 and the bearing 175 are disposed is formed at the other end, and the bearing 175 disposed in the recess is pressed by the spring 173. A screw is formed at the tip of the bolt 171e, and a nut 174 is fitted to this screw to compress the spring 173 to press the bearing 175.

  When the friction coefficient of the contact portion is μ and the pressing force of the spring 173 is Fp, the friction force F = μ × Fp is generated at the contact portion between the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A 171c. The friction force F is generated by the rotor 172 and the gear. It is transmitted to the operating ring 111 that is engaged, and an operating load is applied to the operating ring 111. Although not shown, the vibrator 171 is screw-fixed to the fixed frame 122 via the fixed plate 171b. The fixed plate 171b is arranged at a node of longitudinal vibration in the vibrator 171 so as not to inhibit the vibration of the vibrator 171.

  Here, in a state where no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a, a large frictional force is generated at the contact portion between the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A171c, and the relative position between the operation ring 111 and the fixed frame 122 is maintained. Therefore, for example, when the operation ring 111 is not manually operated, the vibrator 171 can be in a non-driven state so that the operation ring 111 can be fixedly held by a frictional contact force.

Further, when a frequency voltage is generated in the piezoelectric body 171a, the vibrator 171 becomes the interchangeable lens 100.
And the frictional force of the contact portion between the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A 171c is reduced. When the supply of the frequency voltage to the piezoelectric body 171a is stopped, a frictional force is generated between the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A171c, and the operating force amount of the operating ring 111 meshed with the rotor 172 by the gear becomes remarkably large, and the resistance force is increased. Become.

  Therefore, by repeatedly supplying and stopping the frequency voltage, it is possible to create a click feeling on the operation ring 111. Further, the frictional force corresponding to the click force amount which is a resistance force can be changed by controlling the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body 171a, and the click force amount can also be controlled. is there. Moreover, when the frequency of the frequency voltage is set to a predetermined value, the vibrator 171 can resonate to generate a very large vibration amplitude, and the frictional force can be made extremely small. At this time, the vibration amplitude can be changed by slightly changing the frequency from the resonance frequency, and the frictional force can also be changed by changing the frequency.

  In FIG. 2, the other symbols are as follows.

Reference numeral 144 denotes a rubber provided on the operation ring 111 as a slip stopper. Reference numeral 146 denotes an aperture position detection splash. Reference numeral 147 denotes a third group guide shaft. Reference numeral 148 denotes an aperture position detector. Reference numeral 149 denotes a third group feed screw. Reference numeral 150 denotes a third group position detection trap. Reference numeral 151 denotes a third group motor. Reference numeral 152 denotes a third group motor base. Reference numeral 153 denotes a third group screw gear. Reference numeral 154 denotes a third group motor gear. Reference numeral 155 denotes a second group feed screw. Reference numeral 156 denotes a second group position detection trap. Reference numeral 157 denotes a ball. Reference numeral 158 denotes a spring. Reference numeral 159 denotes a second group motor base. Reference numeral 160 denotes a second group motor gear. Reference numeral 161
Is a two-group screw gear. Reference numeral 162 denotes a front fixed frame. Reference numeral 163 denotes a second group motor.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a specific configuration of the piezoelectric body 171a constituting the vibrator 171 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a state in which the vibrator 171 of the present invention is assembled. FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the piezoelectric body 171a is composed of a laminated piezoelectric body constituted by stacking a large number of circular plate-like piezoelectric single plates made of piezoelectric ceramics such as lead zirconate titanate.

   As its basic configuration (reference numeral 400), a mounting hole 410 is formed at the center, and a hole similar to that of the circular plate-shaped piezoelectric plate A401 (first plate-shaped piezoelectric body) is formed at the center. A circular plate-like piezoelectric plate B402 (second plate-like piezoelectric body) having a predetermined thickness is paired to form a unit (400), and these units (400) Multiple layers are stacked. The mounting hole 410 is a hole for sandwiching the piezoelectric body 171a between the vibrating body A (171c) and the vibrating body B (171d) and fixing with the bolt 171a.

The circular plate-shaped piezoelectric plate A401 having the predetermined thickness has a circular electrode C401c (surface electrode) printed on one surface, and extends from the circular electrode C401c to the side surface of the piezoelectric plate A401. A rectangular plate-shaped side electrode 1B (401b) printed electrically connected to a position;
The circular electrode C401c and the side electrode 1B (401b) are electrically insulated from each other and printed on the side surface of the circular plate-like piezoelectric plate A401 and different from the side electrode 1B (401b). A rectangular plate-shaped side surface electrode 1A (401a) is formed.

Further, the circular plate-like piezoelectric plate B402 having the predetermined thickness includes a circular electrode C402c (surface electrode) printed on one surface, and the piezoelectric plate B40 from the circular electrode C402c.
A rectangular plate-shaped side electrode 2A (402a) printed in a position extending to the side surface 2 and electrically connected to a position extending to the side surface corresponding to the side electrode 1A; Electrode C40
2c and the side electrode 2A (402a) are electrically insulated, and the side electrode 1B (401
b) corresponding to the side surface of the circular plate-shaped piezoelectric plate B402 and the side electrode 1B.
A rectangular plate-shaped side surface electrode 2B (402b) printed on a side surface different from (401b) is formed.

The surface of the piezoelectric plate A401 where the circular electrode C401c is not printed and the surface of the piezoelectric plate B402 where the circular electrode C402c is printed are stacked so as to face each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the side electrode 1A (401a) and the side electrode 2A (402
a) and the side electrode 1B (401b) and the side electrode 2B (402).
and b) are stacked so that they are linearly arranged in one row.

Therefore, when the piezoelectric plates are stacked, the electrodes 1A, 2A and the electrodes 1B, 2B formed on the side surfaces
By B, every other stacked piezoelectric plate is connected to the circular electrodes (401c, 402c).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an electrode plate 403 is disposed on the outermost surface of the piezoelectric body 171a. Two semicircular electrodes are formed on the surface of the electrode plate 403 so as to be symmetric with respect to the mounting hole 410. Reference numeral 403a denotes an electrode A of the electrode plate 403, and a side electrode in contact with the side electrode 1A (401a) is arranged on the side surface. Reference numeral 403b denotes an electrode B of the electrode plate 403, and a side electrode in contact with the side electrode 1B (401b) is arranged on the side surface.

In addition, the electrode A and the electrode B of the electrode plate 403 made of ceramics but having no piezoelectric action include
A flexible circuit board 404 provided with attachment holes 410 is connected. Circuit pattern A (404a) of flexible circuit board 404 having the same shape as electrode A is connected to electrode A, and circuit pattern B (404b) of flexible circuit board 404 having the same shape as electrode B is connected to electrode B. It is connected.

In FIG. 6, a plurality of piezoelectric single plates are stacked, but the same configuration is possible even if the piezoelectric single plates are manufactured in a folded form.

Further, FIG. 7 has a mounting hole 410 and is formed by laminating and sintering a plurality of piezoelectric single plates on which circular electrodes C401c and circular electrodes C402c are alternately printed, and two electrodes are formed on the side surface. A piezoelectric body 171a is shown in which the flexible circuit board 404 is conductively bonded to an external electrode after being printed and polarized. In addition, after laminating and sintering a disk-shaped piezoelectric single plate having no holes, a hole may be formed in the center by cutting.

In the laminated piezoelectric material formed in this way, each electrode plate A, B is polarized in the same direction in the plate thickness direction by applying a high voltage between the electrodes A (1A, 2A) and the electrodes B (1B, 2B). The Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 showing the concept of voltage application to the piezoelectric body, one of the electrodes A and B of the polarized piezoelectric body 171a is connected to the ground 191 of the piezoelectric body control circuit 112, and the other is connected to the piezoelectric body control circuit. 1
When a frequency voltage is applied to 12 signal output terminals, the piezoelectric body 171a expands and contracts in the plate thickness direction.

  Next, modified examples of the piezoelectric body described in FIGS. 6 to 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively, and the point that is greatly different is that the shape of the piezoelectric plate is changed from a circular shape to a rectangular shape. Accordingly, the circular electrode is also a rectangular electrode having a mounting hole. Furthermore, the electrode shape of the flexible circuit board 404 and the outermost electrode plate C is also changed from a semicircular shape to a rectangle.

  As described above, the circular electrode described in FIG. 6 is different in the shape of a rectangle, but in FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same functions as those described in FIG. ing.

  In this modification, the piezoelectric plates A and B have a rectangular shape (rectangular shape). However, the end portions may be square, and may be square or polygonal. If the shape of the laminated piezoelectric material is changed from a circular shape to a square shape, in particular, a rectangular shape or a square shape, a plurality of piezoelectric materials can be cut out from a single piezoelectric ceramic, which increases cutting efficiency and is advantageous in terms of cost. is there.

  Next, an example in which the vibrator using the piezoelectric body described in the above-described modification is applied to the load control mechanism of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example (vibrator 171A) of the vibrator 171 applied to the load control mechanism of the present invention, FIG. 12 is an external view thereof, and FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an attached state thereof. FIG.

  Hereinafter, only a portion different from the vibrator used in the load control mechanism described in FIG. 5 will be described.

  As apparent from the external view of FIG. 12, the shape of the vibrating body A (171c) is greatly different.

  That is, the side of the vibrating body A (171c) that contacts the rotor 172 is a cylinder, and the side that contacts the piezoelectric body 171a is a prism that is inscribed in the cylinder. And the hole which lets the volt | bolt 171e pass is opened in the center part. Furthermore, the piezoelectric body 171a and the vibrating body B (171d) have shapes corresponding to the prisms of the vibrating body A (171c).

By making the rear end side of the vibrator 171 into a prism in this way, it can be formed in a small size, and an arrangement space for the flex 404 extending from the piezoelectric body 171a can be secured. In the case of a laminated piezoelectric material having a rectangular outer shape, a plurality of electrodes are printed on one large piezoelectric plate, and a plurality of laminated plates on which a plurality of electrodes are printed are fired and cut. Can be manufactured. Therefore, there is an effect that mass production can be easily performed. Further, since the rectangular piezoelectric bodies having the same shape are stacked, when the bolt 171e is rotated and tightened, the vibrating body A 171c and the vibrating body B (171d) can be easily held so as not to rotate.

Next, regarding the control of the friction acting between the contact portions between the vibrating body A 171 c and the rotor 172 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, particularly the friction reduction mechanism, the piezoelectric body was vibrated by applying a predetermined frequency voltage. Fig. 14 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e
), (f), (g) and a frequency voltage input to the piezoelectric body 171a constituting the vibrator 171 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14 (a), in the initial state of the piezoelectric body, the rotor 1 in which the gear 172a is formed.
72 is pressed in the direction of the vibrating body A 171 c by the spring 173, so that the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A
171c is in frictional contact. The pressing force to the vibrating body A 171c is adjusted by adjusting the tightening position of the nut 174 that meshes with the bolt 171e.

The adjustment of the pressing force has been described with respect to an example of a compression coil spring. However, a disc spring or the like may be used, and any force may be used as long as pressure can be generated between the vibrating body A 171 c and the rotor 172, such as a magnetic force by a magnet. A mechanism may be used.

The vibrating body A 171 c is preferably made of a highly rigid metal or ceramic, and the rotor 172 that is in contact with the vibrating body A 171 c is preferably made of a highly wear-resistant metal or ceramic. In addition, in order to suppress generation | occurrence | production of an audible sound, it is good to form the rotor 172 with the material which knead | mixed carbon fiber, glass fiber, and ceramic powder in resin, such as PPS.

FIG. 15 shows the rotor 17 in FIGS. 14 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) described below.
2 and the state of the vibrating body A 171 c constituting the vibrator 171 is changed to a frequency voltage (
And the input voltage when changing the piezoelectric body 171a). In particular,
When the piezoelectric body 171a having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is vibrated by applying a frequency voltage, it is applied to the piezoelectric body 117a corresponding to the time T0 in FIG. 14 (a) to the time T6 in FIG. 14 (g). The voltage signal to be shown.

  In an initial state where no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a (FIG. 14 (a): T0 in FIG. 15), the rotor 172 is pressed against and contacts the vibrating body A171c by the pressing force of the spring 173.

Here, the piezoelectric body 171a is vibrated to form a vibrating body A171 constituting the end of the vibrator 171.
On the end face of c, acceleration of several tens of thousands m / s ² level is generated by ultrasonic vibration.

  When a voltage having a predetermined frequency of 20 kHz or more of a sine wave is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a, ultrasonic vibration of about 1 μm is generated on the contact surface between the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A171c, and the rotor 172 is lifted from the vibrating body A171c. 172 is almost in contact with the vibrating body A171c.

Next, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a so that the piezoelectric body 171a extends, the vibration body A 171c presses against the rotor 172 in a state where a product of the acceleration of displacement of the piezoelectric body and the mass of the vibrator 171 is newly applied. Then, the displacement acceleration is gradually decreased to 0, and the maximum voltage is applied, and the piezoelectric body 171a is expanded to the maximum (FIG. 14B; T1 in FIG. 15). Note that when the initial generated acceleration is very large, depending on conditions, the vibrating body A 171 c may not contact the rotor 172 in this state.

After the maximum deformation, the piezoelectric body 171a starts to shrink and returns to the initial state. At this time, the spring 173 cannot sufficiently pull back the displacement due to the acceleration generated by the piezoelectric body (the piezoelectric body has a small time constant, but the spring 173 has a relatively large time constant, so a response delay occurs), and thus vibration occurs. The state where the body A 171 c does not contact the rotor 172 is realized (FIG. 14C; T 2 in FIG. 15).

The vibration body A 171c continues to be in contact with the rotor 172 even when the maximum voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a in the direction in which the piezoelectric body 171a is contracted (FIG. 14 (d); T3 in FIG. 15).

Next, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body 171a decreases to 0, and the piezoelectric body 171a returns to the initial state of displacement 0, but the vibrating body A 171c does not contact the rotor 172 (FIG. 14 (e
; T4 in FIG.

Further, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a in the extending direction, and the piezoelectric body 171a extends, the vibrating body A171c contacts the rotor 172 at a predetermined position, and the fixed body 122 has the vibrating body A17.
Acceleration is applied in a direction away from 1c (FIG. 14 (f); T5 in FIG. 15).

When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 171a in the contracting direction again and the piezoelectric body 171a returns to the initial state, the vibrating body A 171c and the rotor 172 are not in contact again (FIG. 14 (g); T6 in FIG. 15).

As described above, the operation from FIG. 14 (c) to FIG. 14 (g) is repeated as one cycle. From FIG. 14 (a) to FIG. 14 (c), the state of the transient characteristic from the stationary state to the occurrence of steady vibration is obtained, so that FIG. 14 (c) to FIG. 14 (g) are repeated in the steady state.

The vibrating body A 171c contacts the rotor 172 in one cycle from FIG. 14 (c) to FIG. 14 (g) only for an instant in the vicinity of FIG. 14 (f). In the meantime, the frictional force F becomes zero.

Therefore, the average frictional force F in one cycle is very small. Actually, if the operating ring 111 is operated when the rotor 172 and the vibrating body A 171c are not in contact with each other, the frictional force F operates at 0, and the brake is instantaneously applied with the frictional force at the vibration cycle interval of the piezoelectric body 171a. However, since the vibration period is very small, it operates smoothly as if the frictional force was constantly reduced.

As can be seen from this operation, the vibration body A1 is changed by changing the vibration amplitude of the piezoelectric body 171a.
The contact time with the rotor 172 of 71c changes. Make the vibration amplitude very small (the amplitude is 0
When the vibration body A 171 c and the rotor 172 are almost in contact with each other, the frictional force F≈μFp. Here, μ is a friction coefficient of the contact surface between the vibrating body A 171 c and the rotor 172, and Fp is a pressing force of the spring 173.

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram schematically showing the configuration of the piezoelectric body control circuit 112 of the piezoelectric body 171a. FIG. 17 is a time chart showing the form of each signal output from each component in the piezoelectric body control circuit 112 of FIG.

  The piezoelectric body control circuit 112 has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 16, and in each part thereof, a waveform signal (Sig1 to Sig4) shown in the time chart of FIG. 17 is generated, and based on these signals, the following is performed. Be controlled.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, the piezoelectric body control circuit 112 includes an N-ary counter 192, a 1/2 frequency divider 193, an inverter 194, a plurality of MOS transistors Q00, Q01, Q02, a transformer 195, and a resistor R00. Yes.

The ON / OFF switching operation of the MOS transistor Q01 and the MOS transistor Q02 connected to the primary side of the transformer 195 is configured to generate a signal (Sig4) having a predetermined cycle on the secondary side of the transformer 195. The piezoelectric body 171a is driven based on the signal of this predetermined period, and vibrations as shown in FIG. 12 are generated.

The lens microcomputer 106 uses the two IO ports P_PwCont and IO port D_NCnt provided as control ports and the piezoelectric generator control circuit 112 via the clock generator 198 present in the lens microcomputer 106 as follows. Control. The clock generator 198 outputs a pulse signal (basic clock signal) to the N-ary counter 192 at a frequency sufficiently faster than the signal frequency applied to the piezoelectric body 171a. This output signal is a signal Sig1 having a waveform represented by the time chart in FIG. The basic clock signal is input to the N-ary counter 192.

The N-ary counter 192 counts the pulse signal and outputs a count end pulse signal every time it reaches a predetermined value “N”. That is, the basic clock signal is divided by 1 / N. This output signal is a signal Sig2 having a waveform represented by the time chart in FIG. In this divided pulse signal, the duty ratio between High and Low is not 1: 1. there,
The duty ratio is converted to 1: 1 through the 1/2 frequency divider 193. The converted pulse signal corresponds to the signal Sig3 having a waveform represented by the time chart in FIG.

In the High state of the converted pulse signal, the MOS transistor Q01 to which this signal is input is turned on. On the other hand, this pulse signal is applied to MOS transistor Q02 via inverter 194. Therefore, in the low state of the pulse signal, the MOS transistor Q02 to which this signal is input is turned on. When the MOS transistor Q01 and the MOS transistor Q02 connected to the primary side of the transformer 195 are alternately turned on, a signal having a cycle such as the waveform signal Sig4 in FIG. 17 is generated on the secondary side.

The winding ratio of the transformer 195 is determined from the output voltage of the voltage control circuit 196 and the voltage necessary for driving the piezoelectric body 171a. The resistor R00 is provided to limit the excessive current flowing through the transformer 195. The power supply circuit 218 includes, for example, the camera body 20.
The output voltage of the voltage control circuit 196 provided from the camera body 200 (see FIG. 1) to the interchangeable lens 100 (see FIG. 1) through the I / F 300 (see FIG. 1).
To be supplied.

The output voltage of the voltage control circuit 196 is set from Vcnt of the lens microcomputer 106, and the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body 171a is determined.

  The vibration amplitude of the piezoelectric body 171a is determined by the output voltage of the voltage control circuit 196.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing the displacement state of the contact portion when the vibration amplitude of the basic vibration is changed by the voltage control circuit. As is clear from FIG. 18, the vibrating body A 171 c and the rotor 172
The contact position in the Z direction (optical axis direction) changes when the amplitude is expanded with respect to the reference amplitude.
Due to the expansion of the vibration amplitude, the time during which the vibrating body A 171 c contacts the rotor 172 is reduced, and the frictional force between the vibrating body A 171 c and the rotor 172 changes. However, even if the vibration amplitude is increased, the frictional force does not become zero and converges to a constant frictional force F0 close to zero.

On the other hand, when the vibrator 171 is not vibrating, that is, when the vibration amplitude is 0, the vibrating body A
When the friction coefficient between 171c and the rotor 172 is μ, the generated friction force F = μ × Fp with the pressing force Fp, and when the vibration amplitude is controlled by the voltage control circuit 196, the friction force is F to F
It can be changed to zero.

In order to produce a click feeling, the frictional force between the vibrating body A 171 c and the rotor 172 may be changed according to the rotational position of the operation ring 111, and the vibration amplitude may be changed according to the position of the operation ring 111. Can be realized.

  FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the corresponding rotation angle of the operation ring for generating the click feeling, the operation force amount of the operation ring, the vibration amplitude of the vibrator corresponding thereto, and the input voltage. FIG. 19 is an example, and the shape of this graph can be changed. For example, although FIG. 19 is set to generate 10 clicks by one rotation of the operation ring 111, the number of clicks can be freely changed.

In FIG. 19, the clicks are choreographed at equal intervals around the entire circumference.
It is possible to set the frictional force F within the remaining 180 °. Furthermore, it is possible to substitute clicks at unequal intervals instead of equal intervals. When the operation ring 111 is set for focusing that does not require a click feeling, if the vibration amplitude is made constant regardless of the position of the operation ring 111, the frictional force between the vibrating body A 171c and the rotor 172 becomes constant. The operating force of the ring 111 is constant. Further, the operation force 111 of the operation ring 111 can be set to a different operation force amount by setting the vibration amplitude of the vibrator 171 to a different value.

Also, as shown in FIG. 20, an input voltage signal different from that shown in FIG.
By giving to 1a, it is also possible to obtain a click feeling different from that shown in FIG. Specifically, after the vibration amplitude is suddenly increased from 0 to A, the vibration amplitude is maintained for a predetermined period of time, and then is not set to 0 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to set the ring frictional force F0 to the maximum value F over a predetermined time.

In FIG. 16, when the piezoelectric body 171a is driven, the MOS transistor Q
00 must be in the ON state, and a voltage must be applied from the voltage control circuit 196 to the center tap of the transformer 195. In this case, ON / OFF control of the MOS transistor Q00 is controlled by the IO port P_ of the lens microcomputer 106.
This is done via PwCont. The set value “N” of the N-ary counter 192 can be set from the IO port D_NCnt of the lens microcomputer 106. Therefore, the lens microcomputer 106 appropriately controls the set value “N”, thereby the piezoelectric body 171a. The drive frequency can be arbitrarily changed.

Alternatively, the vibration frequency of the vibrator 171 may be increased by using the drive frequency as the resonance frequency of the vibrator 171 to operate at a low voltage. When the resonance frequency is set, it is necessary to detect the vibration state of the piezoelectric body 171a and to control the resonance frequency. In the detection of the vibration state, for example, at the resonance frequency, the impedance of the piezoelectric body is reduced, the current input to the piezoelectric body 171a is increased, and the phase of the current and the voltage changes, so that the current input to the piezoelectric body 171a It can be detected by detecting the voltage. Alternatively, the resonance of the vibrator 171 is detected by detecting a voltage or a phase of the output voltage from the vibration detection piezoelectric body by using a part of the single plate on which the piezoelectric body 171a is laminated as a vibration detection piezoelectric body. I can do it.

The frequency output by the piezoelectric body control circuit 112 can be calculated by the following equation (1). That is,
fdrv = fpls / 2N (1)
Here, N is a set value for the N-ary counter 192, fpls is a frequency of an output pulse of the clock generator 198, and fdrv is a frequency of a signal applied to the piezoelectric body 171a. still,
The calculation based on the equation (1) is performed by the lens microcomputer 106, for example.

Further, in this embodiment, fdrv is preferably set to a frequency of 20 kHz or more. Piezoelectric body 17
1a vibrates at a frequency of fdrv, but this frequency band is an ultrasonic region,
It cannot be heard by humans. The digital camera shown in FIG. 1 is also used for shooting a moving image. At that time, audio may be recorded at the same time, and the drive sound is required to be low. Since the sound in the ultrasonic band exceeds the human audible range, a normal microphone does not detect it.

21 and 22 are flowcharts showing a main processing sequence performed by the digital camera to which the operating device according to the present invention is applied. This processing sequence starts when the power button is pressed by the user and the digital camera is turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when this processing sequence starts, first, the main body microcomputer 214 performs processing for initializing each part of the digital camera (S100). In this initialization process, for example, a flag indicating whether or not a moving image is being recorded (hereinafter referred to as “moving image recording flag”) is reset (set to off), and the operation mode of the operation ring 111 is set. Is switched to the focus mode, and a process of changing the control of the vibrator 171 so as to obtain the operability corresponding to the focus mode as the operability of the operation ring 111 is performed.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the playback button has been pressed (S101). Here, when the determination result is Yes, a reproduction process (reproduction sequence) is performed (S102). In this reproduction process, a list of files recorded on the recording medium 212 is displayed on the LCD 210, and a file selected and determined by the user is reproduced. Then, after S102 ends, the process returns to S101.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S101 is No, it is determined whether or not the menu button has been pressed (S103). If the determination result is Yes, camera setting processing (camera setting sequence) is performed (S104). In this camera setting process, a menu for changing the camera setting is displayed on the LCD 210, and the camera setting is changed according to the camera setting selected and determined by the user. In this process, for example, the user can change the setting of the still image recording mode to any one of JPEG recording, JPEG + RAW recording, RAW recording, and the like. Also, set the recording format of the movie file to AVI: M
otion-JPEG, AVCHD: H. H.264, MP4: H. H.264 or the like can be changed. Further, the setting of the luminance change mode can be changed to adding shading, adding human peripheral shading, not setting, or the like. After S105, the process is S1.
Return to 02.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S103 is No, it is determined whether or not a mode switching operation has been performed (S105). When the mode switching operation unit 108 is pressed, that is, when the determination result is Yes, lens operation processing (lens operation sequence) is performed (S106). The details of this lens operation processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 23. However, the processing according to the rotation operation of the operation ring 111 is performed according to the switched mode or the rotation operation is performed in the set mode. Do. Here, after S106, the process returns to S101.

If the mode switching operation is not performed in S105, it is determined whether or not the operation ring 111 has been rotated (S107). If the operation ring 111 is rotated, S
Go to 106 and perform lens operation processing (lens operation sequence). The operation ring 11
If there is no rotation operation of 1, that is, if the determination result in S106 is No, it is determined whether or not the moving image button has been pressed (S108).

If the determination result in S108 is Yes, the moving image recording flag is reversed (S109).
The inversion of the moving image recording flag means that the moving image recording flag is turned on when the moving image recording flag is turned off, and that the moving image recording flag is turned off when the moving image recording flag is turned on.

After S109, it is determined whether or not moving image recording is in progress. That is, it is determined whether or not the moving image recording flag is ON (S171). Here, when the determination result is Yes, in order to start moving image recording, a new moving image file is generated for recording (S111).

  On the other hand, if S108 is No, if S171 is No, the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. 22 (reference A), and transitions from a state where the release button is not pressed to a state where the release button is pressed and the first release switch is turned on. It is determined whether or not (S113). Here, when the determination result is Yes, AE processing (S114) and AF processing (S115) are performed as a shooting preparation sequence.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S113 is No, it is determined whether or not the release button is pressed and the second release switch is turned on (S116). Here, when the determination result is Yes, the imaging sequence of S117 to S120 is performed. In this photographing sequence, photographing processing by the mechanical shutter 201 is performed (S117), and image processing for still image photographing is performed on the obtained image data (S118). Then, the image data is displayed on the LCD for a very short time.
Rec view display to be displayed on 210 is performed (S119), and then recorded on the recording medium 212 as a JPEG file (S120).

  On the other hand, if the determination result in S113 is No, it is determined whether or not the release button is pressed and the second release switch is turned on (S116). Here, when the determination result is Yes, a shooting sequence is performed (S117 to S120). In this photographing sequence, photographing processing by the mechanical shutter 201 is performed (S117), and image processing for still image photographing is performed on the obtained image data (S118). Then, REC view display is performed in which the image data is displayed on the LCD 210 for a very short time (set time, for example, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, etc.) (S119), and then recorded on the recording medium 212 as a JPEG file. (S120).

  In addition, after the processing of S111 or when S116 is No, AE processing for moving image shooting is performed (S121), shooting processing using an electronic shutter is performed (S122), and moving image is obtained with respect to the obtained image data. Image processing for photographing is performed (S123), and live view display for displaying the image data on the LCD 210 is performed (S124). Then, it is determined whether or not moving image recording is in progress. That is, it is determined whether or not the moving image recording flag is on (S125). If the determination result is Yes, the image data is compressed in the set format and recorded in the moving image file generated in S111 (S126).

  After the process of S115, after the process of S120, after the process of S126, or when S125 is No, it is determined whether the power button is pressed and the power of the digital camera is turned off (S127). Here, if the determination result is No, the process returns to the process of S101 of FIG. 21, and if the determination result is Yes, the process sequence is terminated.

  FIG. 23 is an example of the lens operation processing subroutine of S106.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the lens operation processing subroutine, first, the mode switching operation unit 1
It is determined whether or not 08 has been pressed (S201). Microcomputer 214 for main body
When it is determined Yes in S105, that is, when the mode switching operation is pressed, the setting is switched in a predetermined order every time the operation mode is pressed (S202). Here, the predetermined order is, for example, an order in which the focus mode, the zoom mode, the photographing mode, the ISO sensitivity mode, the shutter speed mode, the aperture mode, and the aperture mode are returned to the focus mode again. In this case, for example, when the mode switching operation unit 108 is pressed when the operation mode setting is the focus mode, the operation mode setting is switched from the focus mode to the zoom mode.

  After the process of S202, a process of changing the rotation feel when the operation ring 111 is rotated is performed according to the switched operation mode, that is, the set operation mode (S203). The details of the rotation feel changing process will be described later with reference to FIG. 24, but this is a process for changing the operation resistance of the operation ring by changing the vibration content of the vibrator.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S201 is No, that is, if there is no mode switching operation and the operation ring 111 is operated in the operation mode state that has been set so far, the operation ring 11
In accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount of 1, the process according to the setting is performed (S204). This S2
The process according to the setting of the operation mode performed in 04 is a process for changing the rotation feel set in S203, and is set as follows, for example.

(1) When the operation mode is set to the focus mode, the rotation resistance is set to be always the minimum within the settable range. Therefore, it is set so that a click operation feeling does not occur. When the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right (same as viewed from the camera body side), the focus lens 101 is moved to the near side, and when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the left (same from the camera body side), the focus lens 101 is The operation ring 111 is moved to the infinity side by a movement amount corresponding to the rotation amount (or rotation position) of the operation ring 111.
As described above, since the operating ring 111 and the rotor 172 are rotationally coupled and the rotor 172 and the vibrator 171 are in frictional contact with each other, the rotational resistance is controlled by controlling the vibrator 171. Can be controlled. Therefore, when the user manually rotates the operation ring 111, the user can generate a rotational resistance force having a predetermined magnitude as a rotation feel suitable for the focus operation.

  (2) When the operation mode is set to the zoom mode, similarly to the focus mode, the rotation resistance is always set to be the minimum within the settable range. Therefore, it is set so that a click operation feeling does not occur. Then, when the operation ring 111 is rotated clockwise, the zoom lens 102 is rotated in the direction in which the focal length is shortened, and when the operation ring 111 is rotated counterclockwise, the zoom lens 102 is rotated in the direction in which the focal length is increased. Alternatively, it is moved by a movement amount corresponding to the rotational position).

(3) When the operation mode is set to the shooting mode, when the operation ring 111 is rotated clockwise with a predetermined click feeling, shooting is performed according to the rotation amount (or rotation position) of the operation ring 111. A process of sequentially switching the mode settings in a predetermined order is performed. Here, the predetermined order is, for example, the order of shooting modes P (program), A (aperture priority), S (shutter speed priority), M (manual), and ART (art). On the other hand, when the operation ring 111 is rotated counterclockwise with a predetermined click feeling, according to the rotation amount (or rotation position) of the operation ring 111, the shooting mode is set in the reverse order to the case of the right rotation. A process of switching sequentially is performed. The click operation feeling when the operation mode is set to the shooting mode is determined by dividing the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 into equal angular intervals of 72 degrees and obtaining the click feeling five times in one rotation. The vibrator 171 is controlled so as to obtain such a click feeling.
Here, the rotation angles at predetermined five equiangular intervals are the rotation angles from the reference position (absolute position) of the operation ring 111, and the above five shooting modes (P, A, S, M, ART) are used. Correspond. Therefore, when the user manually rotates the operation ring 111, the user can obtain a click feeling suitable for the shooting mode setting operation.
Even when the above five shooting modes (P, A, S, M, ART) are set, it is possible to set so as not to generate a click operation feeling. In this case, “click feeling unnecessary mode” is added to the operation mode selected by pressing the mode switching operation unit 108, and when “click feeling unnecessary mode” is selected in S202, the operation ring 111 is selected in S203. May be set so that the rotational resistance force becomes a predetermined value. In addition to the “click feeling unnecessary mode”, the “A rotation resistance mode”, “B rotation resistance mode”, etc. can be provided as the operation mode selected by pressing the mode switching operation unit 108 to select the rotation resistance. You may do it. In this case, the operation ring 111 may be manually rotated with reference to a liquid crystal display unit or an index provided in the lens barrel.

(4) When the setting of the operation mode is the ISO sensitivity mode, when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right with a predetermined click operation feeling, according to the rotation amount (or rotation position) of the operation ring 111, A process of sequentially switching the ISO sensitivity setting according to a predetermined order is performed. Here, the predetermined order is an order in which the ISO sensitivity is, for example, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. On the other hand, when the operation ring 111 is rotated counterclockwise with a predetermined click feeling, the ISO sensitivity setting is sequentially switched according to the rotation amount of the operation ring 111 according to the reverse order to the case of the right rotation. .
When the operation mode is set to the ISO sensitivity mode, the click operation feeling is performed by dividing the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 into equal angular intervals of 45 degrees so that eight click feelings can be obtained in one rotation. The vibrator 171 is controlled so as to obtain such a click feeling.
Here, the rotation angles at predetermined eight equiangular intervals are the rotation angles from the reference position of the operation ring 111, and the eight ISO sensitivities (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600,
3200, 6400, 12800). Therefore, the user can operate the operation ring 111.
When the is manually rotated, a click feeling suitable for ISO sensitivity setting operation can be obtained. As in the shooting mode, “click feeling unnecessary mode” “A rotation resistance mode”
The “B rotation resistance mode” or the like can be selected, and the above eight ISO sensitivities (100, 2
00, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800) can be set so as not to generate a click operation feeling. In this case, the operation ring 111 may be manually rotated with reference to a liquid crystal display unit or an index provided in the lens barrel.

(5) When the setting of the operation mode is the shutter speed mode, the rotation resistance increases as the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 increases in the predetermined rotation angle range of the operation ring 111, and the predetermined rotation angle. Outside the range, the rotational resistance is set so as to increase rapidly. When the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right, the exposure time is shortened. When the operation ring 111 is rotated to the left, the exposure time is increased. Processing to switch settings is performed. Note that the direction in which the exposure time is shortened is also a direction in which the shutter speed is increased, and the direction in which the exposure time is increased is also a direction in which the shutter speed is decreased. The predetermined rotation angle range is a range of the rotation angle from the reference position of the operation ring 111, and is associated with a switchable shutter speed range in advance, and the lower limit of the rotation angle range is the fastest. Corresponding to the shutter speed, the upper limit of the rotation angle range corresponds to the slowest shutter speed.
In this way, the user can determine the rotation direction of the operation ring 111 for that purpose based on the sense of rotational resistance of the operation ring 111 when switching to a desired shutter speed setting. In addition, the user is about to switch over the range of switchable shutter speeds, due to a feeling of rotational resistance that suddenly increases in the operation ring 111,
Can perceive.

  (6) When the operation mode is set to the aperture mode, as in the shutter speed mode, in the predetermined rotation angle range of the operation ring 111, the rotation resistance increases as the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 increases. Outside of the predetermined rotation angle range, the rotational resistance is set so as to increase rapidly. Depending on the amount of rotation (or rotational position) of the operation ring 111, the operation ring 111 rotates in the direction to squeeze the diaphragm mechanism 103 when rotated to the right, and opens in the direction to open the diaphragm mechanism 103 when rotated to the left. Process to switch settings. Here, the direction in which the aperture mechanism 103 is stopped is also the direction in which the aperture value (F value) is increased, and the direction in which the aperture mechanism 103 is opened is also the direction in which the aperture value is decreased. The predetermined rotation angle range is a rotation angle range from the reference position of the operation ring 111, and is associated with a switchable aperture range in advance. Therefore, the lower limit of the rotation angle range corresponds to the smallest F value, and the upper limit of the rotation angle range corresponds to the largest F value.

By doing so, the user can determine the rotation direction of the operation ring 111 for that purpose based on the rotational resistance feeling of the operation ring 111 when switching to a desired aperture setting. In addition, the user can perceive that switching is performed beyond the range of the aperture that can be switched by the sense of rotational resistance force of the operation ring 111 that suddenly increases.

The shutter speed mode and the aperture mode may be set so that a click feeling can be obtained. When setting is made so that a click feeling is obtained, when the user manually rotates the operation ring 111, for example, the operation ring 1 can be used as a rotation feel suitable for the aperture setting operation.
It is possible to feel the amount of change in the number of stops between the 11 click positions (the amount of exposure indicating the change in aperture value). In this case, the number of clicks may be changed according to the set step change amount, and the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 corresponding to each click may be changed.

In the above, the setting of each operation mode and the processing operation thereof have been described.
It is also possible to reverse the processing performed according to the rotation direction. That is, the operation ring 111
Is performed when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right.
It is also possible to perform the processing performed when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the left.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the rotation feel change processing (S203) subroutine. After S203 or S204, this processing sequence returns.

  As shown in FIG. 24, when this processing sequence starts, the main body microcomputer 214 first determines whether or not the setting of the operation mode switched in S202 is the focus mode or the zoom mode (S301). ). When the determination result is Yes focus mode or zoom mode, control of the vibrator 171 is started so that the rotational resistance of the operation ring 111 is always minimized (S302).

On the other hand, when the determination result in S301 is No, that is, when neither the focus mode nor the zoom mode is set, the setting of the operation mode switched in S202 is the shooting mode or I
It is determined whether or not the mode is the SO sensitivity mode (S303). When the determination result is Yes, the shooting mode or the ISO sensitivity mode, a click feeling is obtained as the rotation feeling of the operation ring 111 at predetermined five or eight equiangular rotation angles of the operation ring 111. Thus, the control of the vibrator 171 is started (S304).

On the other hand, when the determination result in S303 is No, the setting of the operation mode switched in S202 is the shutter speed mode or the aperture mode. In this case, the operation ring 1
As the rotation feeling of the vibrator 11, the vibrator 11 has a rotational resistance that increases as the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 with respect to the reference position increases in a predetermined rotation angle range of the operation ring 111.
The control of 0 is started (S305). In this case, the vibrator 171 is controlled so that the rotational resistance is increased and the rotational resistance is rapidly increased outside the predetermined rotational angle range.

After S302, after S304, or after the processing of S305 ends, the process returns from the rotation feel change subroutine to S101 in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 and the rotational resistance force when the vibrator 171 is controlled to give a click feeling to the operation ring 111 in the subroutine S304 of FIG. .

In FIG. 25, the horizontal axis indicates the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 from the reference position, and the vertical axis indicates the rotation resistance force (resistance during rotation) of the operation ring 111. The solid line indicates the relationship between the rotation angle and the rotation resistance when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right, and the dotted line indicates the relationship between the rotation angle and the rotation resistance when the operation ring 111 is rotated counterclockwise. Show. The operation ring 111 is set so that the rotation angle increases when rotated to the right, and the rotation angle decreases when rotated to the left.

The rotation angle positions (E, F, G) indicated by the three arrows in FIG. 25 are rotation angles at which the respective settings in the shooting mode or the ISO sensitivity mode mode are switched at equal angular intervals. . The rotation angle indicated by these three arrows is the same as the operation ring 11 described above.
This corresponds to a predetermined rotation angle of 5 or 8 equiangular intervals.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 25, the relationship between the rotation angle and the rotation resistance when the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right changes as follows.

When the control of the vibrator 171 is started by the processing of S304 and the operation ring 111 is rotated to the right, the setting angle in the shooting mode or ISO sensitivity mode mode is switched to A before the rotation angle with a constant inclination indicated by B. Increases rotational resistance. Then, at a position indicated by C that is closer to the rotation angle at which the setting is switched, the rotational resistance is reduced at a constant inclination indicated by D, and when the rotational angle E at which the setting is switched is reached, the original rotational resistance force indicated by A is restored. Return. By such a change in the rotational resistance of the operation ring 111, the user can obtain a click feeling when the operation ring 111 reaches the rotation angle at which the setting is switched.

The relationship between the rotation angle and the rotation resistance when the operation ring 111 is rotated counterclockwise is shown in FIG.
As indicated by the dotted line 5, it changes in the opposite direction as indicated by the solid line. That is, when the control of the vibrator 171 is started by the process of S304 and the operation ring 111 is rotated counterclockwise, the position H in front of the rotation angle at which the setting in each mode state of the photographing mode or ISO sensitivity is switched (the position and rotation of the above A). In the case of the same resistance force), the rotational resistance force increases with a constant inclination indicated by I. Then, at K, which is closer to the rotation angle at which the setting is switched, the rotational resistance is reduced at a constant inclination indicated by J, and when the rotation angle E at which the setting is switched is reached, the original rotation resistance indicated by A, H. Return to power. Here, the rotation angle E at which the setting is switched, that is, the rotation angle that is switched by the right rotation and the rotation angle that is switched by the left rotation are the same rotation angle position. The same click feeling is generated in the ring 111, and the setting in each mode state is switched. As described above, when the rotational resistance and the mode switching position are set, the operation ring 111 can be rotated with a small resistance in each mode state. Further, since a click feeling can be obtained immediately before the mode switching, the operation can be performed smoothly.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 and the rotational resistance when the control of the vibrator 171 is started by the process of S305 in the shutter speed mode or the aperture mode. .

 In FIG. 26, the horizontal axis indicates the rotation angle from the reference position of the operation ring 111, and the vertical axis indicates the rotation resistance force (resistance during rotation) of the operation ring 111. In FIG. 26, the rotation angle (P, Q) indicated by two arrows indicates the lower limit P of the rotation angle range of the operation ring 111 and the upper limit Q of the rotation angle range. The lower and upper limits correspond to the fastest shutter speed and the slowest shutter speed, or the smallest F value and the largest F value.

When the control of the vibrator 171 is started by the process of S305 and the operation ring 111 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 26, the rotational resistance changes as follows. That is, in the predetermined rotation angle range of the operation ring 111, the rotation resistance force increases as the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 increases, and the rotation resistance force decreases as the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 decreases. By changing the rotation resistance of the operation ring 111 as described above, the user can determine the rotation direction of the operation ring 111 for that purpose based on the feeling of the rotation resistance of the operation ring 111 when switching to a desired setting. Further, outside the predetermined rotation angle range of the operation ring 111 (when the rotation angle is smaller than P or when the rotation angle is larger than Q),
It is set so that the rotational resistance increases rapidly. By changing the rotational resistance of the operation ring 111 in this manner, the user can perceive that the shutter speed or the aperture setting is to be switched beyond the switchable setting range.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing sequence of the lens microcomputer 106 that controls the click feeling as the operation feeling of the operation ring 111 in the subroutine S304.

  As shown in FIG. 27, when this processing sequence is started, the lens microcomputer 106 first reads the operation mode of the operation ring 111 from the flash memory 107 (S401). In this example, when the setting of the operation mode is switched in response to pressing of the mode switching operation unit 108, the information on the switched operation mode is stored in the flash memory 107 in S106. Here, a case where the shooting mode or the ISO sensitivity mode is stored in the flash memory 107 and the information is read will be described.

Subsequently, the position x of the operation ring 111 is detected based on the output signal of the position sensor 109 (S402). Note that the position x of the operation ring 111 is a position with respect to the reference position of the operation ring 111 and corresponds to the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Subsequently, the frequency Noscf0 and the voltage Vc corresponding to the reference position x detected in S402.
onv (x) is read from the flash memory 107 (S403). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that information about the frequency Noscf0 and the voltage Vconv (x) corresponding to the reference position x is stored in the flash memory 107 in advance. Here, the voltage Vconv (x) corresponding to the reference position x is, for example, experimentally determined based on force data obtained from a corresponding conventional mechanical click mechanism.

Subsequently, the frequency Noscf0 read in S403 is set to the frequency Noscf (S
404), the voltage Vconv (x) read in S403 is set to the voltage Vconv (
S405). Further, the frequency Noscf set in S404 is set in the N-ary counter 192 via the IO port D_NCnt of the lens microcomputer 106 (S4).
06), the voltage Vconv set in S405 is applied to the lens microcomputer 106.
The voltage control circuit 196 is set through the IO port Vcnt (S407).

Subsequently, the IO port P_PwCont of the lens microcomputer 106 is set to Hi (S408). Thereby, the vibration of the piezoelectric body 171a starts. And it will be in a standby state (S409). In the standby state, the vibration of the piezoelectric body 171a continues under the above setting. Next, it is determined whether or not the operation ring 111 has been operated (S410). If the determination result is No, the process returns to S409.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S409 is Yes and the operation ring 111 is operated, it is determined whether or not to stop driving the piezoelectric body (S411). Here, when S411 is Yes,
That is, for example, when an operation such as pressing the playback button is performed, it is determined that the driving of the piezoelectric body is stopped, and the IO port P_PwCont of the lens microcomputer 106 is set to Lo (S412). Thereby, the vibration of the piezoelectric body 171a is stopped, and this processing sequence is ended.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in S411 is No, that is, if the vibration of the piezoelectric body 171a is not stopped, the process returns to S402, and the processes after S402 are repeated again.

  By such a processing sequence, the operation ring 111 having a feel similar to a mechanical click feeling can be realized. In addition, as information on the voltage Vconv (x) corresponding to the reference position x, information corresponding to the shooting mode, information on the ISO sensitivity mode, and the like are stored in the flash memory 107, so that the shooting mode, the ISO sensitivity mode, and the like are stored. Accordingly, the operation ring 111 having a click feeling at different position intervals (angular intervals) can be realized. The piezoelectric body 171a described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9 is suitable for obtaining a click feeling of the operation ring 111 according to the present invention because it can respond quickly at less than 1 ms and can change the friction instantaneously. .

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the second embodiment, a manual focus mode (hereinafter referred to as MF mode) is further added as a mode selected by the mode switching operation unit 108, and the operation ring 111 is switched to the MF mode. It is embodiment regarding the state of the display part 115 at the time of rotating.

  FIG. 28 shows the display when the MF mode is selected by pressing the mode switching operation unit 108 in the lens operation processing subroutine in FIG. 23 (operation mode switching) in the first embodiment described above. An example is shown.

FIG. 29 shows a state in which the display is switched by rotating the operation ring 111 in the MF mode selected by the mode switching operation unit 108, FIG. 30 is a modified example thereof, and FIG. 31 is a display operation of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a sequence.

In FIG. 28, the display unit 115 displays “MF” indicating that it is in the manual focus mode.
“Av” indicating a mode for setting an aperture value, “Tv” indicating a mode for setting a shutter speed, “+/−” indicating a mode for setting an exposure correction value,
A mode item such as “ISO” indicating a mode for setting the ISO sensitivity is a mode display 1.
15d. When a desired mode is selected from these by pressing the mode switching operation unit 108, the selected mode is displayed surrounded by a rectangular mode display frame 115c. Further, the mode content of the selected mode is displayed as the memory 115a on the lower side thereof, and the memory 115a is displayed as the index 11 by rotating the operation ring 111.
5b is moved and displayed.

As shown in the initial state display of FIG. 29 (1-1), the mode name “MF” indicating the MF mode is displayed surrounded by the mode display frame 115c.
The mode is selected by the mode switching operation unit 108. As for the shooting distance of the interchangeable lens 200, “3” in the memory 115a in which the index 115b indicates the shooting distance.
Therefore, it is displayed that the shooting distance of 3 m has been selected by rotating the operation ring 111.

When the operation ring 111 is rotated in this state, the memory 115a is sequentially moved and displayed in the rotation direction corresponding to the rotation direction and rotation position. FIG. 29 (1-2) shows the operation ring 111.
It is displayed that the shooting distance of 0.5 m has been selected by rotating right (viewed by the user).

FIG. 29 (2-1) shows the mode switching operation unit 10 in the initial state display of FIG. 29 (1-1).
The mode button (8) is pressed to select the aperture mode (hereinafter referred to as Av mode) (
Mode switching operation unit ON). When the Av mode is selected, the memory 115a changes to a preset aperture F number display. Also, the F number indicated by the index 115b is set in advance. The F number is displayed by calling a numerical value stored in the flash memory 107 of the interchangeable lens 100.

When the operation ring 111 is rotated in the state of FIG. 29 (2-1), the rotation direction,
The memory 115a is sequentially moved and displayed in the rotation direction corresponding to the rotation position. At this time, as described in S305 of FIG. 24, the load control mechanism 170 is controlled to generate a click feeling in the operation ring 111. Specifically, the F number is index 1 by the rotation of the operation ring 111.
A click sensation occurs every time one shifts 15b.

FIG. 30 is a modified example in which the display content changes depending on the rotation speed of the operation ring 111. In the following description, “low-speed rotation” is defined as a click in the rotation direction of the operation ring 111 being 2 times / S or less, and “high-speed rotation” is greater than 2 rotations / S in the rotation click of the operation ring 111. Define as value. However, this is just an example because the senses differ from person to person.

  The rotation speed is detected by differentiating position data detected by a position detection sensor such as a known photo sensor or magnetic sensor using a differentiation circuit, and the microcomputer 106 determines the reference.

As shown in the initial state of FIG. 30 (1-1), when the MF mode is selected by the mode button which is the mode switching operation unit 108, the mode name 115e “MF” is displayed on the mode display unit 115.
"Is displayed, and a subject distance and an index 115b indicating that the shooting distance is" 1 m "are displayed in the memory 115a. When the operation ring 111 is rotated at a low speed while being clicked in this initial state, as shown by the operation ring low-speed rotation in FIG.
If the subject distance of 5a is changed to a finer numerical value (0.5 increments of 4.5 to 6.5), and the operation ring 111 is continuously rotated at a low speed while being clicked, the memory 115
a moves relative to the indicator 115b. The operation ring 11 is interlocked with the change of the display.
The change in the subject distance with respect to the operation angle of 1 also becomes fine.

Further, when the operation ring 111 is rotated at a high speed while being clicked from the state of the operation ring low-speed rotation in FIG. 30 (1-2), as shown in the operation ring high-speed rotation in FIG. 30 (1-3), the memory 115a. The subject distance becomes a rough numerical value, and the change in the subject distance with respect to the operation angle of the operation ring 111 also increases. Of course, the rotational resistance force with respect to the operation ring 111 may be set in a state where there is no click feeling as in the general MF mode.

In this way, the display is changed according to the rotation speed of the operation ring 111 and the operation ring 1
By making the rotation angle of 11 correspond to it, it is possible to adjust the subject distance precisely by slowly rotating the operation ring 111 when it is desired to precisely adjust the subject distance. Further, when it is desired to change the subject distance quickly, the operation ring 111 can be quickly turned to greatly change the subject distance. Therefore, since the operation and the display correspond to each other regardless of the position of the subject, the change can be made smoothly and quickly without a sense of incongruity.

  30 (2-1) to (2-3) and FIGS. 30 (3-1) to (3-2) are modifications of the present embodiment, in which the mode is changed at the rotational speed of the operation ring 111. It is a figure for demonstrating a form.

  More specifically, the mode is not changed by pressing the mode switching operation unit 108 a plurality of times, but the camera is set in a mode changeable state by pressing the mode switching operation unit 108 once. The mode is changed at the rotational position.

In this modification, the mode switching operation unit 10 which is a mode button in the state of FIG.
When 8 is turned on, the mode button in FIG. 30 (2-1) is turned on, and the operation ring 111 is turned on.
It becomes a mode switching state in which the mode can be changed by rotating. In this state, MF, Av,
Each mode of Tv and +/− is displayed. Here, it is displayed that “MF” is selected by the mode display frame 115c.

When the operation ring 111 is slowly rotated while being clicked in the state of FIG. 30 (2-1), the mode display frame 115c sequentially moves to the right, and the mode is switched. FIG.
The display of “operation ring low speed rotation” in (2-2) indicates that the mode is switched to Av.

Operation ring 1 with a click in the “operation ring low-speed rotation” state of FIG. 30 (2-2)
When 11 is quickly turned, the display is MF, Av, Tv, +/-, ISO, WB, ART, indicating each mode, as shown in “Operation ring high speed rotation” in FIG. 30 (2-3). The AF is arranged on an ellipse, and the mode is sequentially switched corresponding to the rotation direction of the operation ring 111. FIG. 30 (2
In “-3)“ Operating ring high speed rotation ”,“ +/− ”mode is switched so that“ +/− ”is surrounded by the mode display frame 115c.

On the other hand, when the mode switching operation unit 108 is turned on in the display state of FIG. 30 (2-2), the mode (Av mode in this case) selected at that time is fixed, as shown in the state of FIG. 30 (3-1). The Av mode is selected, and the selection items of the Av mode are displayed. That is, FIG.
In 0 (2-2), since the Av mode is selected, the memory 115a displays the F number when the mode button is turned on.

In this state, if the operation ring 111 is slowly rotated (low-speed rotation) while being clicked, the memory 115a becomes a finer display as in the subject distance display as shown in FIG. 30 (3-2). Since the F number is displayed here, there is a numerical display for each exposure level.
The points in between are in 1-scale increments with 1/3 step exposure. Of course, the increment of the number of steps may be set more coarsely, or a plurality of modes having different increments of the number of steps may be provided.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a sequence for performing the display operation shown in FIG. When the power switch 216a of the camera is turned on, the lens microcomputer 1 in the lens
In 06, an initialization operation is performed (S501).

Next, it is determined whether the mode switching operation unit 108 is pressed and the mode can be changed (S
502), if No, it is determined that the mode can be changed at the rotational position of the operation ring 111, and the mode set by the operation ring 111 is displayed on the memory 115a of the display unit 115 (S503).

Then, a load pattern corresponding to the position and speed of the operation ring 111 in the mode state is read into the lens microcomputer 106 (S504), and it is determined whether the operation ring 111 as an operation member has been operated (S505). If the determination is No, it is determined whether the power switch is turned off (S518).

On the other hand, if the determination in S505 is Yes, the position and speed of the operation ring 111 are detected (S5
06), a set value corresponding to the position and speed is displayed (S507). For example, setting values and load patterns corresponding to the position and speed are stored in advance in the flash memory 107 as a table.

  Next, similarly, the load control mechanism 170 is controlled according to the load pattern to give a predetermined feeling of operation of the operation ring 111 (S508). Next, it is determined whether the mode button is turned on (S509). If the mode button is not turned on, it is determined whether the power switch is turned off (S518).

On the other hand, in the case of Yes in S509, as in the case of Yes in the determination in S510, the operation ring 111 is in the mode setting state and displays the mode item (S511). Next, a load pattern corresponding to the position and speed of the operation ring 111 is read into the lens microcomputer 106 (S504). Here, since the operation ring 111 is an operation member for setting a mode, a load pattern for generating a click feeling is set for each mode.

Next, whether or not the operation ring 111 has been operated is determined from the output signal of the position sensor 109A that detects the position of the operation ring 111 (S513). If operated, the same operations as steps S506, S507, and S508 are performed in steps S514, S515, and S516, and it is determined whether the mode button is turned on (S517).

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S513 is No, it is next determined whether the mode button has been turned on (S517). If the determination in step S517 is Yes, a series of operations from step 503 is performed, and if the determination is No, it is determined whether the power is off (S518). If the determination is Yes in step S518, the operation ends. If the determination is No, the process returns to the determination of the mode switching state in step S502.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The basic fairness of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, FIGS. 2 and 3 described in the first embodiment are also used in the description of this embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and different members are given new reference numerals for description.

FIG. 32 is a schematic sectional view of a lens barrel according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is AA sectional drawing. FIG. 34 is a view for explaining a transmission mechanism of the gear 172a constituting the load control mechanism 170. The gear 172a, the gear 177 and the fixing plate 1 shown in FIG.
It is an enlarged view of the periphery of 71b. Further, FIG. 35 is a schematic view of the BB cross section shown in FIG. 34, and is a view for explaining the relationship between the gear 172a and the gear 177 constituting the load control mechanism 170. Further, FIG. 36 is a view for explaining the operation of the gear 177 when the operation ring 111 is slid. The gear 172a and the gear 177 are load means in this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the operation ring 111 in which the rubber 144 for preventing slippage is provided on the outer peripheral portion and the gear 111 a is provided on the inner peripheral surface is the interchangeable lens 100.
With respect to the optical axis direction, the fixed frame 122 is manually slidable forward and backward and rotatable. A plurality of grooves 111b for fitting the balls 157 are formed on the peripheral surface side where the operation ring 111 is not provided along the circumference.

The ball 157 is pressed toward the groove 111b by a spring 158 provided on the fixed frame 122. For example, when the operation ring 111 slides toward the camera body 200, the ball 157 fits from the groove 111b to the groove 111b. Instead, it gives the user a click feeling and informs the user that the user has slid by this click feeling.

As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the fixed frame 122 has the load control mechanism 170 described in FIG.
And a gear base 178 arranged in parallel to the load control mechanism 170 is fixed via a fixing plate 171b.

The gear base 178 includes a shaft 18 parallel to the bolt 171e constituting the load control mechanism 170.
1 and a spring 180 disposed on the shaft 181 and a gear 177 are disposed, and the gear 111a of the operation ring 111 is engaged with a gear of the rotor 172 constituting the load control mechanism 170 via the gear 177. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 36, the operation ring 111 is connected to the camera body 2 on the operation ring 111.
A flange 111c is provided for moving the gear 177 against the spring 180 when sliding toward the 00 side. Accordingly, when the gear 177 is pushed and moved in the sliding direction in conjunction with the sliding movement of the operation ring 111, the gear 177 and the gear 177a are disengaged. Then, the operation ring 111 can rotate smoothly without receiving the load of the load control mechanism 170, that is, without energizing the load control mechanism 170.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the rotational position of the operation ring 111 is detected by the sensor 109 and the scale 141, but the position and size of the scale 141 are the state in which the operation ring 111 is slid back and forth. Also, the position sensor 109 is provided so that the position of the operation ring 111 in the rotational direction can be detected.

Further, the operation ring 111 is slid to the subject side with respect to the camera body 200, that is, the gear 172 and the gear 177 of the rotor 172 are engaged with each other (the state shown in FIG. 36).
FIG. 23 is a state where the operation mode is switched in S203 of FIG. 23, in which the operation ring 111 is slid toward the camera body 200, that is, the gear 172 and the gear 177 of the rotor 172.
Is in a manual focus mode in which smooth focusing is possible.

Here, when the operation ring 111 is slid again to the subject side, the gear 177 is pressed toward the subject side by the spring 180 and tries to mesh with the gear of the rotor 172.
When the rotation deviation (play) of 1 is large, the gear teeth of the rotor 172 and the gear teeth of the gear 177 interfere with each other and are difficult to mesh. In order to prevent such a situation, if the rotation deviation (play) of the operation ring 111 is slightly rotated by a level equal to or less than one pitch of the gear, the meshing is always performed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 32, the slide position of the operation ring 111 is detected by a slide start detection sensor 109B configured by a switch and a switch board. The slide start detection sensor 109B is provided so as to detect the position of the operation ring 111 when it is slid to the subject side and the position of the operation ring 111 when it is slid to the camera body 200 side. When the switch is slid to the main body 200 side, the focus is switched to manual focus, and when the switch is slid to the subject side, the operation mode is switched (switching of the operation mode in S203 in FIG. 23).

Further, when the operation ring 111 is configured to be slidable back and forth as described above, the switch can be configured to be turned on only once when the operation ring 111 is slid back and forth once. For example, if the switch is turned on at the position where the operation ring 111 is slid toward the subject, and the switch is switched from on to off when the operation ring 111 is slid toward the camera body 200, the switch slides toward the subject. The rotational feeling of the operation ring 111 can be changed at the moved position, and the operation ring 111 can be used as a manual focus operation member at the position where the switch is slid to the camera body 200 side. Further, the operation ring 111 is not mechanically slid, but is configured such that the operation ring can be pressed against the subject side or the camera body 200 side, and a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure when the operation ring is pressed is fixed to the operation ring 111 or fixed. Section frame 122
It is also possible to detect that the slide operation is performed by using the detected pressure of the pressure sensor instead of the switch.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, the load control mechanism 170A that generates a click feeling in synchronization with the rotation of the operation ring 111 when the operation ring 111 that is a manual operation member is operated to change the setting item or the setting value. This is an example of a case where a motor 571 is used instead of the vibrator 171 in the first embodiment described above.

  Since the basic configuration other than the use of the motor 271 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, FIGS. 2 and 3 described in the first embodiment are used in the description of this embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the same components, and only different members are given new reference numerals for explanation.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating the load control mechanism (170A) attached to the fixed frame (122) of the interchangeable lens barrel in the digital camera to which the operating device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 37 is a front view when seen from the direction of the arrow [D] in FIG. FIG. 38 shows a detailed configuration of the load control mechanism (170A), and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 38, the motor 271 constituting a part of the load control mechanism 170A is fixed to the main body 273. As shown in FIG. 37, the main body 273 is fixed to the fixed frame 122 with screws 182. The rotating shaft of the motor 271 passes through the main body 273, and a pinion gear 272 is fixed to the tip thereof. The pinion gear 272 protrudes on the side opposite to the part where the motor 271 is mounted with the main body 273 interposed therebetween. The pinion gear 272 meshes with a gear 172a of a rotor 172 (loading means) that is a rotating member.

  Further, the gear 172 a of the rotor 172 meshes with the internal gear 111 a of the operation ring 111. The rotor 172 is disposed between the main body 273 and the upper plate 274, and is rotatably supported with respect to the main body 273 and the upper plate 274.

  In the load control mechanism 170A according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the rotor 172 is a load unit, and the motor 271 is a unit that controls the rotational resistance force of the operation ring 111. That is, the rotor 172 is rotatably fitted to a shaft part 273a implanted in the main body 273, and the gear 172a provided on the outer peripheral side is connected to the pinion gear 272 of the motor 271 and the operation as described above. The ring 111 is configured to mesh with each of the internal gears 111a.

  Therefore, when the coil terminal of the motor 271 is short-circuited, a rotational resistance force due to the detent torque of the motor 271 is generated between the motor 271 and the rotor 172, and the amount of resistance force between the gear 172a and the internal gear 111a. Is transmitted from the rotor 172 to the operation ring 111, and an operation load is applied to the operation ring 111. Thereby, the relative position between the operation ring 111 and the fixed frame 122 is maintained.

  Note that when the operation ring 111 is not manually operated, the coil terminal of the motor 271 may be short-circuited so that the rotation of the operation ring 111 is fixedly held. Here, the coil terminal of the motor 271 is short-circuited by a switching operation (ON operation) of a switching element such as a transistor connected to the coil terminal of the motor.

  Further, when the coil terminal of the motor 271 is opened, the detent torque of the motor 271 is not generated, and the rotational resistance between the pinion gear 272 and the rotor 172 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to create a click feeling on the operation ring 111 by repeating the ON state and the OFF state of the switching element in the short state and the open state between the coil terminals of the motor 271. Further, the amount of click force, which is a resistance force, is changed by providing a plurality of resistors having different resistance values connected in series to the coil terminal of the motor 271 and selecting the connected resistor using a switching element and changing the resistance value. It is possible. In this case, as the resistance value increases, the rotational resistance between the pinion gear 272 and the rotor 172 becomes lower because the coil terminal of the motor 271 is closer to the open state.

  Furthermore, the same rotational resistance between the pinion gear 272 and the rotor 172 can be obtained by controlling the motor 271 with a motor drive circuit and performing so-called servo control that stops the motor 271 at a predetermined position. Specifically, in a state where the rotational resistance between the pinion gear 273 and the rotor 172 is high, it is sufficient to apply control to constantly control the motor 271 to the click position based on the position signal from the position detector. In order to change the rotation resistance, the maximum current value flowing through the motor 271 may be changed in accordance with the signal of the position detector.

  According to the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration, substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the processing sequence of the digital camera shown in the main flow of FIG. 21 or the control operation of the operation ring of the operation ring of FIG. 27 can be configured to be executed only by the body microcomputer 214 or the lens. It is also possible to configure so that only the microcomputer 106 is executed. Alternatively, the body microcomputer 214 and the lens microcomputer 106 can be configured to execute in cooperation.

Further, for example, the operation ring 111 can be configured to be provided in the camera body 200. In this case, for example, the operation ring 111 can be provided in the camera body 200 as a rotary operation member such as a dial.

In addition, the digital camera is not limited to a camera whose lens can be replaced, and can be a camera whose lens cannot be replaced, such as a compact camera. In this case, for example, the operation ring 111 can be provided on the lens barrel of the camera, and the operation ring 111 is provided as a rotary operation member such as a dial as described above. Is also possible.

In the above-described digital camera, the setting is switched according to the rotation angle of the operation ring 111 from the reference position. The reference position is an absolute position, but the reference position is set as a relative position. It is also possible to do. For example, using the position of the operation ring 111 at the time when the setting of the operation mode is switched as a reference position, the operation ring 1 from the reference position is set.
The setting may be switched according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount. In addition,
In this case, it is a matter of course that the rotational resistance force of the operation ring 111 is changed according to the rotational direction and the rotational amount, for example, as shown in the click feeling of FIG. 25 and the rotational resistance of FIG.

Further, the operation ring 111 can be configured to be capable of rotating infinitely.
It is also possible to configure such that only a certain rotation angle range rotates, such as 80 degrees. In this case, for example, when the reference position is a relative position, the operation ring 111 can be configured to rotate infinitely. When the reference position is an absolute position, It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the operation ring 111 rotates only within a certain angular range.

As described above, the present embodiment of the present invention has been described. According to the present invention, the operability of the operation ring 111 can be changed to a focus mode, a zoom mode, a shooting mode, an ISO sensitivity mode,
The operation ring 111 can be set to an appropriate click feeling and weight according to each operation mode such as a shutter speed mode and an aperture mode. In addition, since the display of the operation mode changed by the operation ring 111 is changed in accordance with the position and speed of the operation ring 111, it is possible to display with a sense of unity with the operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Interchangeable lens 101 Focus lens 102 Zoom lens 103 Diaphragm mechanism 104, 105, 114 Driver 106 Lens microcomputer 107 Flash memory 108 Mode switching operation part 109 Position sensor 109A Rotation position detection sensor 109B Slide start detection sensor 111 Operation ring 112 Piezoelectric Body control circuit 113 Driver 115 Display unit 115a Memory 115b Index 115c Mode display frame 115d Mode display 115e Mode name 121 Mount 122 Fixed frame 123 Kiban 124 First group frame 125 Second group frame 126 Third group frame 127 First group feed screw 128 First group screw gear 129 1st group motor stand 130 1st group motor 131 1st group motor gear 132 1st group position detection harness 133 1st group guide shaft 134 1st aperture shaft 135 1st aperture stand 36 Diaphragm lid 137 Diaphragm plate 138 Diaphragm motor gear 139 Diaphragm motor stand 140 Diaphragm motor 141 Scale 146 Diaphragm position detection 147 Group motor base 153 Third group screw gear 154 Third group motor gear 155 Second group feed screw 156 Second group position detection 159 Second group motor base 160 Second group motor gear 161 Second group screw gear 162 Front fixed frame 163 Second group motor 170, 170A
Load control mechanism 171, 171 A
Vibrator 171a Piezoelectric body 171b Fixed plate 171c Vibrating body A
171d Vibrating body B
171e bolt 172 rotor 172a gear 173 spring 174 nut 175 bearing 176 ball 177 gear 178 gear base 179 plate 180 spring 191 ground 192 N-ary counter 193 1/2 frequency divider 194 inverter 195 transformer 196 voltage control circuit 198 clock generator 200 201 Mechanical shutter 202 Image sensor 203 Analog processing unit 204 A / D conversion unit 205 AE processing unit 206 Image processing unit 207 AF processing unit 208 Image compression / decompression unit 209 LCD driver 210 LCD
211 Memory I / F
212 recording medium 213 SDRAM
214 Microcomputer for main body 215 Flash memory 216 Operation unit 217 Bus 218 Power supply circuit 271 Motor 272 Pinion gear 273 Main body 274 Upper plate 300 I / F
401 Piezoelectric plate A
402 Piezoelectric plate B
401a, side internal electrode 1A
402a, side internal electrode 2A
401b Side surface internal electrode 1B
402b Side surface internal electrode 2B
401c, 402c
Circular internal electrode C (rectangular electrode C)

Claims (7)

An operation member arranged to be manually rotatable with respect to the fixed member;
A load control means for controlling a load force amount when the operation member rotates and is disposed on the fixing member;
Position detecting means for detecting a relative position of the operation member with respect to the fixing member or the load control means;
An operation mode setting means for setting the operation mode;
An operation feeling control means for controlling the load control means to give a click feeling to the operation member when the operation member is rotated at a position specified based on an output from the position detection means;
Display means for displaying the setting state of the operation mode set by said operation mode setting means,
Display changing means for changing the content displayed on the display means in conjunction with a rotation operation with a click feeling of the operation member;
Storage means for storing the mode item and its setting item, and cycle information for making the user feel a click corresponding to the setting item;
Comprising
Said load control means, the information associated with the operation mode the set read from the storage unit, which is the set by controlling the contact friction force between the operating member and the fixing member on the basis of the information An operating device that changes to a click feeling according to an operation mode. The load control means includes load means for applying a predetermined load to the operation member, and a vibrator that is in frictional contact with the load means while being pressed.
2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operation feeling control means gives a click feeling to the operation member by changing a load applied to the load means by controlling vibration of the vibrator. . The load control means includes a first gear portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the operation member, and a second gear that meshes with the first gear portion and applies a predetermined load to the first gear portion. And a motor that rotationally drives the second gear portion,
The operation feeling control means controls the output of the motor and gives a click feeling to the operation member by changing a load applied by the second gear portion to the first gear portion of the operation member. The operating device according to claim 1. The display changing means displays the operation mode related information read from the storage means on the display means, and operates the operation mode with respect to an index indicating the operation mode related information in conjunction with the rotation of the operation member. The operation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation information is moved, or the index is moved with respect to the operation mode related information being displayed . The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the display change unit changes a display form of information related to the operation mode displayed on the display unit according to a rotation speed of the operation member. The display form is a state in which the mode name set by the operation mode setting means and a numerical value related to the mode name are displayed, and the numerical value indicates that the rotation speed of the operation member is higher than a predetermined value. In this case, the first numerical value range is displayed at a first numerical value interval. When the rotation speed of the operation member is lower than a predetermined value, the first numerical value range or a range smaller than the first numerical value range is displayed. The operation device according to claim 5, wherein the operation device is displayed at a second numerical interval. The display form is a display for informing a mode name set by the operation mode setting means from the plurality of mode items and the plurality of mode items, and the rotational speed of the operation member is lower than a predetermined value. In this case, display is performed for switching to the set mode name for the plurality of mode items, and when the rotational speed of the operation member is faster than a predetermined value, more mode items than the plurality of mode items are displayed. 6. The operating device according to claim 5, wherein the operation device is arranged in an elliptical shape and performs display for switching to a mode name set in the mode item displayed in the elliptical shape .

Images