JP6501832B2 - Photography apparatus, control method for photography apparatus, and control program for photography apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photographing device provided with an electric zoom lens, a control method of the photographing device, and a control program of the photographing device .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photographing devices such as cameras having a lens barrel provided with a photographing optical system for forming an image of a subject and photographing still images, moving images and the like are generally put into practical use and widely spread. In the conventional photographing apparatus of this type, there is always a demand for downsizing so as to be convenient for carrying, and in recent years, a tendency to be multifunctional to cope with various photographing situations is remarkable.

  For example, in a conventional photographing apparatus of this type, a plurality of driving mechanism units are provided to drive each of a plurality of optical lenses constituting the photographing optical system according to the purpose, and the plurality of driving mechanisms are provided. Drive control to realize the zoom function and the focus adjustment function. Further, in order to freely execute these various functions in response to the user's request, a plurality of operation members are provided on the imaging device main body or the exterior portion of the lens barrel and the like.

  In a conventional photographing apparatus, as an operation member for performing a zoom operation and a focus adjustment operation, for example, a plurality of annular operation members provided rotatably around the optical axis of a photographing optical system in a lens barrel, A pressing button provided on the lens barrel or the exterior of the camera body or the like, an operation member such as a lever pivoting type or slide sliding type is provided. The conventional photographing apparatus is configured such that the user (user) can perform electric zoom control and auto focus control by appropriately operating these various operation members as necessary. There is.

  When photographing using these plural operation members, for example, the fine focus adjustment operation at the time of performing close-up photography etc., the strict framing operation at the time of performing photographing of people, scenery etc., etc. In addition to the operation, there is a demand that the user finally wants to carry out the manual operation or the fine adjustment operation.

  On the other hand, in recent years, along with the miniaturization of imaging equipment, the lens barrel itself applied to the imaging equipment tends to be miniaturized. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of operation members are disposed on the imaging device main body, the exterior surface of the lens barrel, or the like in the same manner as in the conventional embodiment, the operability of the operation members may be impaired.

  For example, in a lens barrel in a conventional photographing apparatus, there is a lens barrel in which a plurality of annular operation members that rotate around the optical axis of the photographing optical system are provided adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction. In the case of such a configuration, if the annular operation members are arranged close to each other, when trying to operate only one of them, erroneous operation such as erroneous operation of two operation members simultaneously There is a possibility.

  Specifically, let us consider a configuration in which, for example, a zoom ring and a focus ring are disposed close to each other in the optical axis direction in a lens barrel in a conventional photographing device. In this configuration, for example, when the user tries to operate only the zoom ring using fingers in order to perform the zooming operation, the same fingers may touch the focus ring simultaneously. Then, there is a possibility that the user may make an erroneous operation such as rotating the two annular operating members at the same time.

  While there is an increasing demand for items to be operated in this manner, speed of operation, rough adjustment, fine adjustment, etc., there is a reality that the operating unit has become smaller and the degree of freedom has decreased. At the same time, it is difficult to understand what kind of operation is what kind of control.

  Therefore, in the lens barrel in the conventional photographing apparatus, for example, the operation member having a form different from the conventional one in place of the conventional annular rotary operation member, for example, JP-A-2010-117444, etc. Various proposals have been made by

  The lens barrel in the photographing apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-2010-117444 is provided with a touch pad as an operation member provided on the lens barrel, instead of the rotation operation member of the conventional form. I have increased the freedom of design.

JP, 2010-117444, A

  However, in the means disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-2010-117444, simplification of operation, intuitive operation, easiness of fine adjustment, and the like are not considered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described point, and the object of the present invention is to provide a control method and control method of imaging parameters by which fine control and rough control can be switched intuitively by simple operation. An imaging device , a control method of the imaging device, and a control program of the imaging device .

In order to achieve the above object, a photographing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a photographing optical system for forming an optical image of a subject and an imaging device for receiving an optical image of the subject and performing photoelectric conversion to output an image signal. The image pickup unit, zoom control means for performing zoom control, and an operation signal by a touch operation or a slide operation to set two shooting ranges representing a zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment, and set two shooting ranges A touch panel that performs a zoom fine adjustment inside, a display unit that visibly displays an image signal output from the imaging unit and two imaging ranges that represent the zoom range, and a zoom that is visibly displayed on the display unit and a signal processing control unit for executing zoom fine adjustment mode for performing fine adjustment of zoom settings performed detailed zoom control by the zoom control means within the scope, the signal processing system When the unit receives the switching instruction signal to the zoom fine adjustment mode, the unit controls the zoom control unit to set the zoom setting to the wide-angle side of the set zoom range, and then the zoom for the zoom fine adjustment. Wait for the range setting instruction signal.

A control method of a photographing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an imaging unit including a photographing optical system for forming an optical image of a subject and an imaging element for receiving an optical image of the subject and performing photoelectric conversion to output an image signal. And a zoom control unit for performing zoom control, wherein the touch panel receives two operation signals representing a zoom range for finely adjusting the zoom upon receiving an operation signal by a touch operation or a slide operation. The zoom fine adjustment is performed within the two set shooting ranges, and the display unit visibly displays the image signal output from the imaging unit and the two shooting ranges representing the zoom range. The processing control unit performs a zoom fine adjustment mode in which the zoom control is finely performed by performing the detailed zoom control by the zoom control unit within the zoom range visually displayed on the display unit. Further, when the signal processing control unit receives the switching instruction signal to the zoom fine adjustment mode, the signal processing control unit controls the zoom control unit to set the zoom setting to the wide angle side of the set zoom range, and Wait for a setting instruction signal of the zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment.
Furthermore, a control program of a photographing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit including a photographing optical system for forming an optical image of a subject and an imaging device for receiving an optical image of the subject and performing photoelectric conversion to output an image signal. And a zoom control unit for performing zoom control, the control program of the photographing apparatus, wherein the zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment when the touch panel receives an operation signal by the touch operation or the slide operation in the computer Setting the two shooting ranges representing the image, finely adjusting the zoom within the set two shooting ranges, and viewing the image signal output from the imaging unit and the two shooting ranges representing the zoom range Display enabling the signal processing control unit to perform detailed zoom control by the zoom control means within the zoom range visually displayed on the display unit. The zoom fine adjustment mode for fine adjustment of the image is executed, and the signal processing control unit controls the zoom control means when the signal processing control unit receives a switching instruction signal to the zoom fine adjustment mode, and the zoom setting is set. After setting to the wide angle side of the zoom range, a procedure for waiting for a setting instruction signal of the zoom range for the above-mentioned zoom fine adjustment is performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control method of photographing parameters in which fine adjustment and rough adjustment can be switched intuitively by simple operation, photographing apparatus provided with the control method, control method of photographing apparatus and control program of photographing apparatus. Can.

A block diagram schematically showing an internal main configuration of a photographing apparatus (camera) according to a first embodiment of the present invention Conceptual diagram of shooting conditions when shooting using the shooting device (camera) of FIG. 1 A flowchart showing a processing sequence of camera control in the photographing device (camera) of FIG. 1 A flowchart showing a subroutine (processing of step S117) in the processing sequence of FIG. 3 A conceptual diagram showing a photographing range when the situation shown in FIG. 2 is to be photographed by the photographing device (camera) of FIG. 1 In the photographing apparatus (camera) of FIG. 1, an example of live view image display when operating in the zoom fine adjustment mode is shown, and the live view image in operation in the zoom fine adjustment mode and the zoom fine adjustment under the circumstances. Image showing the setting operation of the desired zoom range of The figure which shows the example of a display of the live view image after changing as a result of setting operation of FIG. Flowchart showing camera control processing sequence in photographing apparatus (camera) according to the second embodiment of the present invention A view showing a display example of a display unit at the time of shooting operation in a shooting apparatus (camera) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a love view image displayed on a display unit of the shooting apparatus The example of the love view image at the time of zoom fine adjustment mode in the imaging device (camera) of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown, and the figure which shows the display example of the display part immediately after switching to zoom fine adjustment mode. The zoom operation in the fine adjustment mode of the photographing apparatus (camera) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown, and the zoom operation is performed from the state of FIG. 10 to the telephoto side (long focus side; tele side). Figure showing a display example of the display unit of The zoom operation in the fine adjustment mode of the photographing apparatus (camera) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown, and the zoom operation is performed from the state of FIG. 10 to the wide angle side (short focus side; wide side). Figure showing a display example of the display unit of An example of the display state of the display unit 18 after zoom drive control is performed in the zoom fine adjustment mode in the photographing device (camera) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. A diagram showing an example of a display screen when the zoom position is set substantially at the center of the zoom range when the zoom position of FIG. 10 is set to the zoom position of FIG. 11 with the other zoom end rotated in the tele direction. FIG. 12 shows an example of the display state of the display unit 18 after the zoom drive control is performed in the zoom fine adjustment mode in the photographing device (camera) of the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 shows an example of a display screen when the zoom position is set approximately at the center of the zoom range when the setting of FIG. 12 is made by rotating the other zoom end in the wide direction at the zoom position of FIG. The figure which shows the relationship between the ring rotation amount of the focus ring at the time of zoom fine adjustment mode in the imaging device (camera) of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the change amount of an angle of view. The figure which shows the relationship between the ring rotational speed of a focus ring at the time of zoom fine adjustment mode in the photography apparatus (camera) of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and an angle of view change speed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by the illustrated embodiments. In the drawings used for the following description, in order to make each component a size that can be recognized in the drawings, the component may be shown with different scales. Therefore, in the present invention, the numbers of the components, the shapes of the components, the ratio of the sizes of the components and the relative positional relationship between the components described in these drawings are limited to only the illustrated embodiment. It is not a thing.

  Each embodiment of the present invention described below photoelectrically converts an optical image (object image) formed by a photographing optical system including, for example, an optical lens using a solid-state imaging device or the like, and the result of the photoelectric conversion processing The image signal obtained by the above is converted to digital image data representing a still image or a moving image, the image data is recorded on a recording medium, and a still image or a moving image based on the digital image data recorded on the recording medium Is applied to a photographing device (camera) configured to be able to be displayed using a display device.

First Embodiment
First, a schematic configuration of a photographing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal main configuration of a photographing apparatus (camera) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 of the present embodiment is configured of a camera body 10 and a lens barrel 20. The present camera 1 is a so-called interchangeable-lens type camera in which the lens barrel 20 is configured to be detachable from the camera body 10. In the present embodiment, a lens-interchangeable camera is described as an example of the photographing device. However, the camera as the photographing device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this form. Even if it is a lens fixed type camera of the form by which the lens-barrel 20 was comprised integrally, it can apply in the same manner.

  The camera body 10 includes a signal processing control unit 11, a body side communication unit 12, an imaging element 13, a recording unit 14, an operation unit 15, a temporary recording unit 16, a display unit 18, a touch panel 18b, and a clock. It comprises the part 19 and the face detection part 31 grade | etc.,.

  The signal processing control unit 11 has a function as a control unit that controls the overall operation of the present camera 1 in an integrated manner, processes control signals for controlling various constituent units, and Circuit portion having a function as a signal processing unit that performs image signal processing and the like on image data).

  Inside the signal processing control unit 11, various circuit units such as a focus processing unit 11a, an image processing unit 11b, a touch determination unit 11c, and a display control unit 11d are provided.

  Among them, the focus processing unit 11a receives an image signal output from the imaging device 13 and performs contrast detection and the like to perform image signal processing such as focus adjustment processing, focus position determination, distance determination (distance measurement) processing and the like. It is a circuit unit to be performed.

  The image processing unit 11 b is a processing circuit unit that performs various types of image processing based on the image data acquired by the imaging device 13.

  The touch determination unit 11 c is a signal processing circuit that receives an instruction input signal from the touch panel 18 b and determines the content of the instruction. For example, when an icon display or the like on the display image of the display unit 18 is displayed, the user (user) performs a touch operation, a slide operation or the like on the position on the touch panel 18b corresponding to the icon display or the like being displayed. And determine their operation. The determination result by the touch determination unit 11 c is transmitted to the signal processing control unit 11, and in response to this, the signal processing control unit 11 executes control processing according to the icon display and the like during display.

  The display control unit 11 d is a control circuit unit that drives and controls the display unit 18. The display control unit 11 d receives image data (image signal) generated and acquired by an imaging unit including the imaging element 13 and a lens 26 (described later) and the like, and visually recognizes this as an image on the display panel of the display unit 18. Control to display as possible.

  Here, the imaging unit transmits a light from an object (object) to be imaged and forms an optical image of the object, such as a lens 26 (which will be described later) which is an imaging optical system. It is a unit configured to include an imaging element 13 that receives a formed subject image and performs photoelectric conversion processing.

  The imaging device 13 is, for example, a CCD image sensor using a circuit element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a solid-state imaging device such as a MOS type image sensor using a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor; metal oxide semiconductor) The photoelectric conversion element etc. which are elements are applied. The analog image signal generated by the imaging device 13 is output to the focus processing unit 11a and the image processing unit 11b of the signal processing control unit 11, and various image signal processing is performed.

  The recording unit 14 receives the image signal output from the imaging device 13 and processed by the image processing unit 11 b and converts the image signal into a predetermined form, and the signal processing circuit unit generates the signal processing circuit unit. It is a component configured to include a recording medium for recording image data, and a control unit for driving and controlling the recording medium. As the conversion processing of the image signal performed here, for example, processing of converting the image data of the recording format by performing signal compression processing etc., reading the image data recorded on the recording medium, performing expansion processing, etc., the image signal It is signal processing etc. to be restored. Note that this type of compression / decompression processing is not limited to the form performed by the signal processing circuit unit included in the recording unit 14, and, for example, a similar signal processing circuit unit is provided in the signal processing control unit 11, It is good also as a form which performs.

The temporary recording unit 16 is a circuit unit for temporarily recording image data and the like acquired by the imaging device 13 and is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. A semiconductor memory device or the like is applied.

  The operation unit 15 is various operation members in the form of a normal push button type, slide type, dial type or the like provided on the exterior portion of the camera body 10 of the camera 1, and for example, a shutter release button (not shown) Etc. refer to the components for operation including various common operation members. As an operation member included in the operation unit 15, for example, there is also a so-called four-direction operation member or the like. The four-direction operation member is also used, for example, when selecting an item on a menu screen displayed on the display unit 18 or instructing a position on a display image. The four-direction operation member functions as an operation member replacing the touch panel 18b described later. An instruction signal from the four-way operation member is output to the signal processing control unit 11, and various control is performed by the control circuit in the signal processing control unit 11.

  Moreover, in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, the touch panel 18 b is provided as an operation member for operation other than the operation unit 15. The touch panel 18 b is disposed on the display surface of the display unit 18, and a user (user) touches a predetermined area corresponding to the image being displayed on the display unit 18 or an area corresponding to various icon displays. The operation member is configured to generate various operation instruction signals by performing an operation, a slide operation, and the like. The instruction input signal from the touch panel 18b is sent to the touch determination unit 11c of the signal processing control unit 11, and the operation input is determined.

  The display unit 18 is controlled by the display control unit 11 d of the signal processing control unit 11. That is, the display unit 18 displays a live view image, for example, based on image data output from the imaging device 13 and processed by the image processing unit 11 b of the signal processing control unit 11 or expanded by the recording unit 14 It is a display unit that reproduces and displays recorded images based on image data etc., and displays icons and menu screens etc. based on various icon data etc prepared in advance in the recording unit 14 etc. The display unit 18 includes, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD; Liquid Crystal Display), a plasma display (PDP; Plasma Display), an organic electro-luminescence display (OEL), and a drive circuit thereof. It consists of

  In other words, the display unit 18 is a display device that reproduces and displays an image based on image data already captured and recorded under the control of the display control unit 11 d in the reproduction mode, while under the control of the display control unit 11 d in the photographing mode. By continuously and continuously displaying real-time images based on processed image data output from the image pickup device 13 and passing through the image processing unit 11b, it also functions as an electronic view finder for observing and confirming a shooting range. In the present embodiment, an example in which the display panel of the display unit 18 is provided on the back side of the camera body 10 is shown, but the configuration example of the display unit 18 is not limited to such a form. . For example, the display portion may be a small display panel that can be used as an electronic view finder (EVF). Furthermore, a display unit and a small display unit may be provided on the back surface, and both may be switched and used.

  The clock unit 19 is an internal clock of a computer called a so-called real-time clock (RTC). The clock unit 19 is used, for example, to assign date and time information such as a data file, and to control timekeeping or time control during control processing.

  The face detection unit 31 corresponds to a human face or an object of a specific type of animal or plant (for example, a dog, a cat, a bird, a flower, etc.) in an image displayed based on image data output from the imaging device 13. Object image detection circuit unit for detecting whether or not an image to be detected exists. The face detection unit 31 may not only detect a face image, but may additionally include one that performs, for example, color detection or pattern detection. The signal processing control unit 11 has a function of performing control to keep tracking the image pattern and keep focusing even if the subject image detected by the face detection unit 31 moves within the shooting screen. .

  The body side communication unit 12 is electrically connected with the lens side communication unit 22 described later to exchange control signals, information signals, and the like between the camera body 10 and the lens barrel 20. Side communication signal processing circuit unit.

  Next, in the lens barrel 20, the lens control unit 21, the lens side communication unit 22, the lens side operation unit 23, the zoom drive unit 24a, the focus drive unit 24b, the diaphragm drive unit 24c, and the zoom lens position A detection unit 25a, a focus lens position detection unit 25b, a first rotation detection unit 27a, a second rotation detection unit 27b, and a lens 26 as an imaging optical system are mainly included.

  The lens control unit 21 is a control unit that controls the operation of each component unit on the lens barrel 20 side under the control of the signal processing control unit 11 on the camera body 10 side. The lens control unit 21 can be omitted. In that case, the control on the lens barrel 20 side may be borne by the signal processing control unit 11 on the camera body 10 side.

  The lens side communication unit 22 is electrically connected with the body side communication unit 12 to exchange control signals, information signals, and the like between the lens barrel 20 and the camera body 10. Side communication signal processing circuit unit.

  The lens side operation unit 23 is various operation members provided on the lens barrel 20 side, and more specifically, for example, a focus ring 23a (first operation member, first operation ring) for performing manual focus adjustment operation And a zoom ring 23b (second operation member, second operation ring) or the like for manually performing a zoom operation. These two operation rings 23a and 23b are formed, for example, in an annular shape (ring shape), are disposed on the outer peripheral side of the lens barrel 20 so as to expose the outer peripheral surface, and the photographing optical system of the lens barrel 20 The annular operation member is provided so as to be rotatable about the optical axis of the lens 26. And these two operation rings 23a and 23b are juxtaposed in the optical axis direction, and are provided at positions adjacent to each other.

  As described above, in the lens barrel 20 of the camera 1 of this embodiment, one of the two operation rings 23a and 23b is the focus ring 23a, and the other is the zoom ring 23b. Here, the focus ring 23 a is configured to be infinitely rotatable in the forward and reverse directions around the optical axis of the lens 26. On the other hand, the zoom ring 23b can be turned around the optical axis of the lens 26 only in a predetermined range in the forward and reverse directions. When the zoom ring 23b is rotated in one direction within a predetermined range, zooming to the long focus side, for example, is performed, and when it is rotated in the other direction within the predetermined range, the short focus side Zooming is configured to be performed. That is, the zoom ring 23b functions as a zoom switch that turns the zoom operation on and off by turning operation, and is configured to be able to perform a desired zoom operation according to the turning direction. The zoom control and the zoom operation refer to enlargement or reduction of an object image formed by the photographing optical system, that is, control and operation for changing the magnification of the object image.

  In this case, for example, when the zoom ring 23b is rotated to the middle point in the predetermined range within the predetermined range in one direction or the other direction, the switch of the first step is turned on, and the zoom ring 23b is further The second stage of the switch may be turned on when it is rotated to the end of the allowable rotation range). Such a configuration makes it possible to use the step switch for switching control of the zooming speed. Moreover, since the number of switching stages in that case can be set arbitrarily, it is not limited to two stages, and may be configured as a multistage switch of three or more stages.

  Furthermore, the zoom ring 23b is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be configured to be infinitely rotatable in the forward and reverse directions around the optical axis of the lens 26, as with the focus ring 23a.

  The zoom control in the camera 1 of the present embodiment thus configured starts with the zoom switch turned on by the turning operation of the zoom ring 23 b. The zooming speed at this time is controlled in accordance with the amount of rotation of the zoom ring 23b.

  In addition, the zoom ring 23b is configured to always maintain a predetermined position (neutral position) as a reference. Therefore, when the user performs the zooming operation, the user performs the rotating operation of the zoom ring 23b while observing the finder screen of the display unit 18 or the like. When desired framing is obtained by the rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b, for example, when the user releases the zoom ring 23b, the zoom ring 23b returns to the original neutral position, and the zoom operation is turned off. Such zoom control is electric zoom control similar to that by a camera of a conventional general form. Such conventional motorized zoom control is not suitable for performing the zoom fine adjustment, and is used when performing the rough adjustment operation in the present embodiment.

  In addition to this, in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, a zoom range of a predetermined range is set out of the settable zoom ranges (range from the zoom end on the short focus side to the zoom end on the long focus side) The zoom fine adjustment mode is provided as an operation mode in which fine adjustment of the zoom setting can be performed in order to perform precise zoom control within the setting zoom range to set strict framing. In this zoom fine adjustment mode, after setting a predetermined zoom range by a normal zooming operation using the zoom ring 23b and a touch operation on the display screen of the display unit 18, zooming is performed using another operation member, for example, the focus ring 23a. Fine adjustment of settings is performed to perform detailed zoom control. That is, in the state where the zoom fine adjustment mode is set and the zoom control is executed, the focus ring 23a has a function different from the operation member for the original focusing operation, that is, the zoom fine adjustment for performing the zoom fine adjustment operation It is controlled to function as an operation member for Details of the operation in the zoom fine adjustment mode will be described later.

  In addition, as the lens side operation unit 23 other than the two operation rings 23a and 23b, other operation members such as operation members for switching photographing modes such as normal photographing and proximity photographing may be provided. These other operation members are portions that are not directly related to the present invention, so the illustration and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The first rotation detection unit 27a converts the amount of rotation of the focus ring 23a (first operation ring), that is, the amount of mechanical displacement of the rotation of the operation ring into an electrical signal, processes this signal, and rotates the rotation direction or rotation It is a circuit unit including a sensor or the like that detects an amount or the like. The second rotation detection unit 27b is a circuit unit that detects an operation state such as rotation or switch on / off of the zoom ring 23b (second operation ring). For example, a rotary encoder or the like is applied as the first rotation detection unit 27a and the second rotation detection unit 27b.

  The zoom drive unit 24 a is a control circuit unit that performs zoom drive control of the zoom drive mechanism unit 26 a (described later) in the lens 26 under the control of the lens control unit 21 and is a zoom control unit. The focus drive unit 24b is also a control circuit unit that performs drive control of a focus drive mechanism unit 26b (described later) in the lens 26 under the control of the lens control unit 21, and is a focus drive unit. As for the focusing method, the imaging device may be moved without moving the lens. The diaphragm drive unit 24c is also a control circuit unit that performs drive control of the diaphragm drive mechanism unit 26c (described later) in the lens 26 under the control of the lens control unit 21.

  The zoom lens position detection unit 25a is a position detection circuit that detects the position on the optical axis of the zoom optical system. The focus lens position detection unit 25b is a position detection circuit that detects the position on the optical axis of the focus optical system. The two position detectors (25a, 25b) include, for example, a switch for initial position determination, a photocoupler, and the like.

  The lens 26 is a photographing optical system including a plurality of optical lenses and the like for transmitting light from an object (subject) to be photographed and forming an optical image of the object as described above, and the photographing optical system In addition to a plurality of lens barrel members for holding each of the individual optical lenses, and a drive lens barrel for advancing and retracting the plurality of lens barrel members individually in the optical axis direction, a zoom drive mechanism 26a and a focus drive mechanism It comprises the part 26b, the diaphragm drive mechanism part 26c, etc. The photographing optical system is composed of a plurality of optical lenses, and is constituted by, for example, a zoom optical system which contributes to a zooming operation (zooming), a focusing optical system which contributes to a focusing operation (focusing), an optical system for lens aberration correction, etc. Be done.

  The zoom drive mechanism unit 26a is a drive unit including a drive source (actuator) for driving the zoom optical system involved in the zoom operation in the photographing optical system, a drive mechanism for transmitting the drive power thereof, and the like.

  The focus drive mechanism section 26b is a drive unit including a drive source (actuator) for driving the focus optical system involved in the focus operation in the photographing optical system, a drive mechanism for transmitting the drive power thereof, and the like.

  The diaphragm drive unit 24c is a drive unit including a drive source (actuator) for driving a diaphragm mechanism for adjusting the light amount of a light beam transmitted through the photographing optical system, a drive mechanism for transmitting the drive power thereof, and the like.

  The camera body 10 and the lens barrel 20 are configured to have other various configuration units and the like in addition to the above-described components, but the various configuration units and the like are directly connected to the present invention. Since the configuration is not related, the detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted, assuming that the configuration is the same as that of a conventional general camera.

  For example, although a shutter mechanism for opening and closing an optical path of a photographing optical system and adjusting a light quantity of a light flux transmitted through the photographing optical system at the time of photographing operation is not shown and described, the camera 1 of this embodiment Also has a normal shutter mechanism similar to that of a conventional camera. The shutter mechanism may be a focal plane shutter disposed on the camera body 10 side or a lens shutter disposed on the lens barrel 20 side. When the shutter mechanism is disposed on the camera body 10 side, the shutter mechanism is mainly controlled by the control unit on the body side. Further, when the shutter mechanism is disposed on the lens barrel 20 side, the shutter mechanism is controlled mainly via the lens control unit 21 under the control of the control unit on the body side.

  The operation at the time of photographing using the camera 1 of this embodiment configured in this way will be described below. FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of a shooting condition when shooting using the camera 1 of the present embodiment. It is assumed that a user (user) 100 having a camera 1 of the present embodiment in hand captures a scene including two persons 101 and the like as main imaging targets as shown in FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the main imaging target 101, the flower 102, the mountain 102, and the like exist within the imaging range of the camera 1.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence of camera control in the camera of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a subroutine (processing of step S117) in the processing sequence of FIG.

  First, it is assumed that the camera 1 of the present embodiment is in the power-on state and in the operable start-up state. When in this state, in step S101, the signal processing control unit 11 confirms whether the currently set operation mode is the shooting mode. Here, if it is confirmed that the shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step S102. If it is confirmed that the mode is set other than the shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S151.

  In step S102, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the imaging unit including the imaging device 13 and the lens 26, the display unit 18, and the like to execute image data acquisition processing and live view image display processing. Then, it progresses to the process of step S111.

  Subsequently, in step S111, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the body side communication unit 12 to perform lens communication processing with the lens control unit 21 of the lens barrel 20 via the lens side communication unit 22. In the lens communication process, acquisition of lens information such as the type of lens barrel 20 mounted on the camera body 10 is performed.

  In the lens communication process, confirmation of whether the lens barrel 20 is attached to the camera body 10 and confirmation of whether the lens replacement operation has been performed are also performed. Here, for example, when communication between the body side communication unit 12 and the lens side communication unit 22 can not be established, it is determined that the lens barrel 20 is not attached to the camera body 10, and in that case, signal processing The control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11 d to perform control to display a warning display or the like to that effect, thereby urging the user (user) to mount the lens barrel 20. Then, the lens communication process is executed after waiting for confirmation of lens attachment. In addition, lens communication processing is performed so that lens information regarding the lens barrel 20 currently held by the signal processing control unit 11 on the camera body 10 side and lens communication processing result that the camera body 10 is currently mounted. If the lens information acquired from the lens barrel 20 side which does not match does not match, it is determined that the lens replacement operation has been performed, and in that case, the signal processing control unit 11 newly acquires the lens information Is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording unit 16 or the like. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S116, the signal processing control unit 11 communicates with the lens control unit 21 through the communication units 12 and 22 to monitor the signals from the first rotation detection unit 27a and the second rotation detection unit 27b. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the focus ring 23a (first operation ring) and the zoom ring 23b (second operation ring) have been operated. Here, when the operation of at least one or both of the rings 23a and 23b is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S117. If neither operation of the rings 23a and 23b is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S118.

  In the next step S117, the signal processing control unit 11 executes a subroutine (processing sequence in FIG. 4) of ring operation detection processing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S118. The details of the process of step S117 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S118, the signal processing control unit 11 confirms whether or not the operation mode relating to the photographing process currently set is set to the still image photographing mode. Here, if it is confirmed that the still image shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step S119. If an operation mode other than the still image shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S121.

  In step S119, the signal processing control unit 11 executes a predetermined still image photographing process. The sequence of the still image shooting process is the same as the process performed by a conventional general camera. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

  When the operation mode setting other than the still image shooting mode is confirmed in the process of step S118 described above and the process proceeds to the process of step S121, in step S121, the signal processing control unit 11 performs the currently set shooting process. Check whether the operation mode related to is set to the moving image shooting mode. Here, if it is confirmed that the moving image shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step S122. If an operation mode other than the moving image shooting mode, that is, a still image shooting mode is set, the process returns to the process of step S101 described above.

  In step S122, the signal processing control unit 11 starts a predetermined sequence of moving image shooting processing. The sequence of the moving image shooting process is also similar to the process performed by a conventional general camera. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

  When the moving image shooting process of step S122 described above is started, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 in the next step S123, and the moving image shooting process is constantly performed throughout the process. Continue to check the end indication signal of. Here, when the instruction signal instructing the end of the moving image shooting process is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S124. If the moving image shooting process end instruction signal is not confirmed, the process returns to the process of step S102 described above, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Then, in step S124, the signal processing control unit 11 executes the ending process of the moving image shooting process, and then controls the recording unit 14 to execute the process of recording the acquired image data. Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S101.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the process of step S101 described above that the operation mode set in the camera 1 is other than the shooting mode, and the process proceeds to the process of step S151, the signal processing control unit 11 is selected in step S151. Makes a confirmation as to whether the currently set operation mode is the playback mode. Here, when it is confirmed that the reproduction mode is set, it is assumed that the process proceeds to a predetermined reproduction processing sequence, and the process proceeds to step S152.

  In step S152, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the recording unit 14 to read out thumbnail image data of the image data recorded on the recording medium, performs predetermined signal processing, and then performs processing via the display control unit 11d. The display unit 18 is controlled to execute file list display processing. Note that, instead of this file list display process, the following display process may be executed. That is, when it is confirmed that the camera 1 is in the reproduction mode, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the recording unit 14 to read the latest image data among the image data recorded on the recording medium, and performs predetermined signal processing After that, the display unit 18 may be controlled via the display control unit 11 d to execute the reproduction process of the latest image. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S153.

  Subsequently, in step S153, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 or the touch panel 18b, and confirms whether or not a file selection instruction signal is generated. Here, the file selection instruction signal is an instruction signal to select any one of the displayed file list. In the case of the latest image display, it is an instruction signal for selecting and instructing either the image data immediately before the image data being displayed or the oldest image data in the recorded image data. In the process of step S153, when the signal processing control unit 11 confirms the generation of the file selection instruction signal, the process proceeds to the process of the next step S154. If the file selection instruction signal is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S156.

  Next, in step S154, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the recording unit 14 to read out the image data selected in the process of step S153 out of the image data recorded on the recording medium, and performs predetermined processing. After the signal processing, the display unit 18 is controlled via the display control unit 11 d to execute the reproduction process of the selected image. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S155.

  In step S155, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 or the touch panel 18b, and confirms whether or not an instruction signal to end the display of the selected image has been generated. If the selected image display end instruction signal is not confirmed in step S155, the process returns to the process of step S154 described above. That is, the display process of the same selected image is continued. When the selected image display end instruction signal is confirmed, the process returns to step S152, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the file selection instruction signal is not confirmed in the process of step S153 described above, the process proceeds to step S156. In step S156, the signal processing control unit 11 receives an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 or the touch panel 18b. Is monitored to confirm whether a reproduction mode end instruction signal has been generated. Here, the reproduction mode end instruction signal is, for example, a mode switching operation or a power off operation. In step S156, when the reproduction mode end instruction signal is not confirmed, the process returns to the process of step S152 described above, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If the reproduction mode end instruction signal is confirmed, the process returns to step S101, and the subsequent processes are repeated. When a power-off operation is performed as a trigger for generating a reproduction mode end instruction signal, the present camera control processing sequence is ended assuming that all operations are ended. This processing sequence is omitted in FIG. 3 in order to avoid complication of the drawing.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the process of step S151 described above that the mode is set other than the reproduction mode, the process sequence of transition to another operation mode is executed. Here, as another operation mode, there is, for example, an image communication mode etc. However, since these other operation modes are not directly related to the present invention, the detailed description thereof is omitted, and it is set other than the reproduction mode. As a process sequence in the case where there is, it returns to the process of the above-mentioned step S101 for convenience.

  The above-described series of reproduction processing sequences in the camera 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of a conventional general camera.

  The signal processing control unit 11 of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment constantly monitors an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 or the touch panel 18b. Then, when an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 or the touch panel 18b is confirmed at any time during the above process sequence, the process corresponding to the confirmed instruction signal is interrupted. Therefore, regardless of the operation status of the camera 1, when a predetermined interrupt signal (for example, a power off signal, a reset signal, an operation switching signal, etc.) is confirmed, the process under execution is interrupted or under execution. After completion of the processing, processing (for example, power off processing, reset processing, operation switching processing, etc.) corresponding to the interrupt instruction is executed.

  Next, details of a subroutine (processing of step S117 in FIG. 3) of ring operation detection processing in the camera of the present embodiment will be described below using FIG.

  As described above, either or both of the two operation rings 23a and 23b are operated in the process of step S116 of FIG. 3 described above, and the process proceeds to the process of step S117, that is, the process sequence of FIG.

  First, in step S301 in FIG. 4, the signal processing control unit 11 confirms whether or not the two operation rings 23a and 23b are simultaneously rotated with respect to the detection result in the process of step S116 described above. Do. Here, if it is confirmed that the two operation rings 23a and 23b are simultaneously rotated, the signal processing control unit 11 performs control corresponding to the rotation operation to each operation ring 23a and 23b. After prohibiting, the process proceeds to the next step S311. Here, when the simultaneous rotation operation of the two operation rings 23a and 23b is detected, the control corresponding to the rotation operation of each operation ring is prohibited for the following reason. That is, when the simultaneous rotation operation of the two operation rings 23a and 23b is detected, it can not be determined whether the operation is intended or erroneous operation. Therefore, even if the simultaneous rotation operation is an erroneous operation, at the stage of this processing step, in order to prevent the currently set focus setting and zoom setting from being unintentionally shifted, The control corresponding to the simultaneous rotation operation is prohibited.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the operation ring is not simultaneously rotated, for example, if the operation of only one of the two operation rings 23a and 23b is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S311, the signal processing control unit 11 confirms whether or not the zoom fine adjustment mode is currently set. Here, if the zoom fine adjustment mode is already set, the process proceeds to step S312.

  Subsequently, in step S312, the signal processing control unit 11 cancels the currently set zoom fine adjustment mode, and switches the setting to the normal zoom control mode. Thereafter, the process returns to the original processing sequence (FIG. 3), and proceeds to the process of step S118 of FIG. In the process of step S312, prior to the release process of the zoom fine adjustment mode, a warning display to that effect (indication that the fine adjustment mode is switched to the normal zoom control mode) is displayed on the display unit 18 You may ask for the user's approval or disapproval.

  On the other hand, in the process of step S311 described above, when the zoom fine adjustment mode is not currently set and the normal zoom control mode is set, the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, the signal processing control unit 11 starts execution of the zoom fine adjustment mode switching process of switching the zoom control to the zoom fine adjustment mode.

  Next, in step S321, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11d to execute a predetermined icon display process on the display screen of the display unit 18. The icon data displayed here is, for example, data recorded in advance in the recording unit 14 or the like.

  Here, the display screen of the live view image in the zoom fine adjustment mode and the concept of the operation thereof will be described. FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing a photographing range when the situation shown in FIG. 2 described above is to be photographed by the camera 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, a rectangular frame indicated by a dotted line and denoted by a reference numeral 18w indicates an imaging range obtained by setting the imaging optical system of the lens barrel 20 of the camera 1 of this embodiment to the shortest focal length end (maximum wide angle end). The shooting frame shown. In addition, in FIG. 5, a rectangular frame indicated by a solid line and denoted by a reference numeral 18 is set as a display range (shooting range; shooting frame) of the live view image displayed on the display screen of the display unit 18. That is, in FIG. 5, the live view image shown by the display unit 18 shows a state in which the zoom range which can be set by the lens barrel 20 of the camera 1 is zoomed by a predetermined amount than the wide-angle end. .

  When the photographing optical system is set at an arbitrary zoom position while the camera 1 is in use, when the process of step S320 in FIG. 4 (zoom fine adjustment mode switching process) is executed, the display of the display unit 18 is displayed. The screen is in the state of a rectangular frame designated by a solid line 18 in FIG. 5 and is in a state of waiting for an operation input by the user. At this time, the display screen of the display unit 18 is superimposed on the live view image to be photographed, and a description display 63 such as “Do you want to finely adjust the zoom?” The icon 62 etc. are displayed (processing of step S 321 in FIG. 4; described later).

  While the display screen is displayed, the user may touch the "OK" icon 62 via the touch panel 18b, for example, or operate an OK button (not shown) or the like included in the operation unit 15 on the camera body 10 side. To accept the switch to the zoom fine adjustment mode. Thereby, the zoom control mode of the camera 1 is switched to the zoom fine adjustment mode. In addition, when the user does not accept switching to the zoom fine adjustment mode, the user performs an operation to that effect during display of the display screen, for example, in the area other than the “OK” icon 62 via the touch panel 18b. The process can be canceled by operating a predetermined operation or a predetermined operation member or the like included in the operation unit 15 on the camera body 10 side.

  That is, in step S322 in FIG. 4, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the touch panel 18b or the operation unit 15, and confirms whether an “OK” instruction has occurred. Here, if the “OK” instruction is confirmed, it is assumed that the user has accepted the switching process to the zoom fine adjustment mode, and the process proceeds to the next step S323. Further, when the “OK” instruction is not confirmed, it is assumed that the user does not accept the switching process to the zoom fine adjustment mode, a predetermined cancellation process is executed, and the process sequence of FIG. Returning to the process sequence (FIG. 3), the process proceeds to the process of step S118 of FIG.

  In this manner, when the switching process to the zoom fine adjustment mode is accepted by the user, subsequently, in step S323, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the lens control unit of the lens barrel 20 via the communication units 12 and 22. Communicate with 21 Then, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the zoom driving unit 24 a by controlling the zoom driving unit 24 a via the lens control unit 21 to perform the zoom driving control of the zoom optical system by the zoom driving mechanism unit 26 a to set the zoom setting to the widest end (See FIG. 6).

  Subsequently, in step S324, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11d to display an instruction for designating a zoom range on the display screen of the display unit 18, that is, for the zoom fine adjustment mode. Execute icon display processing of. The icon data displayed here is, for example, data recorded in advance in the recording unit 14 or the like. Here, the signal processing control unit 11 waits for an operation input by the user. Here, the user designates a desired zoom range in the zoom fine adjustment mode by performing a touch operation to designate two points on the touch panel 18b.

Here, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show an example of live view image display when operating in the zoom fine adjustment mode in the camera 1 of the present embodiment. Among these, FIG. 6 shows a live view image in operation in the zoom fine adjustment mode, and shows a state in which a desired zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment is set under the condition. Further, FIG. 7 shows a display example of the live view image after change as a result of the setting operation of FIG. 6 As described above, the mode switching operation to the zoom fine adjustment mode is performed in the situation of FIG. The live view image of the display unit 18 is changed to the display shown in FIG. That is, zoom drive control is performed in the process of step S323 of FIG. 4 described above, and the zoom setting is set to the wide-angle end (wide end). Subsequently, in the process of step S324, a predetermined icon display process for specifying a zoom range is performed. In this case, a zoom fine adjustment icon 61 and an explanation display 64 such as “Please touch two points” are displayed in a predetermined area of the display screen, superimposed on the live view image to be photographed (see FIG. 7). Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the zoom fine adjustment icon 61 has a plurality of (two in this example) annular portions 61a imitating an annular operating member and a position along the periphery of the annular portion 61a. It consists of the indicator 61b.

  While the display screen of FIG. 6 is displayed, the user performs touch operation on any two points on the display screen of the display unit 18 via the touch panel 18 b using fingers and the like. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the user is performing a touch operation on two points of the point A and the point B with the finger 100. The touch operation performed here is an operation to set the zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment. That is, the zoom setting currently set is the maximum wide-angle end (wide end) as described above, and the shooting range closest to the wide angle which can be set by the shooting optical system of the camera 1 is displayed. Of the shooting range, the user designates a desired two points by touch operation to set a desired zoom range. In the example shown here, one of two points designated by performing the touch operation is one corner of the photographing range defined by the designated angle of view of one of the desired zoom ranges (short focus (wide angle) shift) The other one point is set as one corner of the imaging range defined by the designated angle of view of the other (long focus (telephoto focusing)) of the desired zoom range. Thereby, one designated point A by the touch operation is set to one imaging range (short focus (wide angle) shift) indicated by a symbol 18A in two rectangular frames indicated by dotted lines in FIG. As for the designated point B, the other (long-focus (telephoto) -focused) imaging range indicated by reference numeral 18B in the two rectangular frames indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 7 is set.

  As described above, when the user performs the two-point touch operation by the touch operation, the zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment is set.

  Then, in step S325 in FIG. 4, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors the output of the instruction signal from the touch determination unit 11c, and confirms whether or not a two-point touch operation has been performed. Here, when the two-point touch operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S326. If a two-point touch operation is not confirmed within a predetermined time set in advance, or if a cancellation instruction is confirmed, a predetermined cancellation process is executed to exit the processing sequence of FIG. Returning to the original process sequence (FIG. 3), the process proceeds to the process of step S118 of FIG. In addition, the above-mentioned predetermined time shall refer to time measurement by clock part 19. The cancel instruction may be, for example, an instruction signal by a predetermined operation such as a double tap operation at the same point, an interrupt instruction signal from another operation member of the operation unit 15, or the like.

  Subsequently, in step S326, the signal processing control unit 11 determines the zoom setting range for the zoom fine adjustment based on the result of the setting operation by the two-point touch operation described above, and displays it via the display control unit 11d. The unit 18 is controlled to execute display processing to that effect. An example of the display result at this time is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7, two imaging | photography range showing the zoom range for zoom fine adjustment is displayed by two rectangular frames 18A and 18B. In addition to this, an arrow icon 61 c extended from each of the two indicators 61 b of the zoom fine adjustment icon 61 is displayed. In this case, one of the arrow icons 61c points to the rectangular frame 18A, and the other of the arrow icons 61c is displayed to point to the rectangular frame 18B.

  When the zoom setting range for fine adjustment of the zoom is determined as described above, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the zoom drive unit 24 a via the lens control unit 21 to use the zoom drive mechanism unit 26 a. The zoom drive control of the zoom optical system may be performed to set one of the set zoom ranges, for example, a zoom setting closer to the short focus (wide angle). In this case, one imaging range is displayed using the entire display screen of the display unit 18, and the other imaging range is displayed by a rectangular frame 18B by a dotted line.

  While the display screen of FIG. 7 is displayed, the user can finely adjust the zooming within the set zoom range by rotating the focus ring 23a (step S303 of FIG. 4 described later). processing). In this case, the focus ring 23a functions as an operation member for driving the zoom drive mechanism 26a via the zoom drive unit 24a unlike the normal operation mode.

  In addition, as the operation means of the zoom fine adjustment, apart from the operation of the focus ring 23a described above, a touch & slide operation along the annular portion 61a of the zoom fine adjustment icon 61 through the touch panel 18b on the display screen of FIG. Good.

  Furthermore, apart from these operations, a dial-like member having a form similar to that of the annular portion 61a of the zoom fine-tuned icon 61 is provided on the camera body 10, and similar zoom fine adjustment is performed by rotating the dial-like member. It is good also as a form which performs control of.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the process of step S301 described above that the simultaneous rotation operation is not performed and the process proceeds to the process of step S302, the signal processing control unit 11 is set to the zoom fine adjustment mode at this step S302. Check if it is Here, if the zoom fine adjustment mode is already set, the process proceeds to step S303. When it is confirmed that the zoom fine adjustment mode is not currently set and the normal zoom control mode for performing normal zoom control is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S303, the signal processing control unit 11 determines whether or not the focus ring 23a of the two operation rings 23a and 23b has been turned about the detection result by the process of step S116 in FIG. 3 described above. Make a confirmation. Here, when the rotation operation of the focus ring 23a is confirmed, it is determined that the zooming operation for the fine adjustment of the zoom is performed, and the process proceeds to the next step S304. In addition, when the operation for rotating the zoom ring 23b is confirmed except for the focus ring 23a, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, the signal processing control unit 11 executes normal focus control or zoom control in accordance with the performed ring operation. Incidentally, since these normal focus control and zoom control are the same as those of a conventional general camera, the details thereof will be omitted.

  The process of step S305 described above will be described in detail. As described above, in order to enter the process of step S305, if the zoom fine adjustment mode is not set in the process of step S302 (the normal zoom control mode is set), or the process of step S302 is performed. It is confirmed that the zoom fine adjustment mode is confirmed and the operation of the zoom ring 23b is confirmed in the process of step S303.

  Therefore, in the former case, that is, in the normal zoom control mode, control is performed based on the operation of the normal operation ring. Also, in the latter case, that is, when the zoom ring 23b is operated when the zoom fine adjustment mode is set, the user does not perform the zoom fine adjustment, for example, zoom for the zoom fine adjustment again. It is determined that the setting of the range is to be performed, etc., and control based on the normal operation of the operation ring is performed. Thereafter, the process returns to the original processing sequence (FIG. 3), and proceeds to the process of step S118 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the zoom fine adjustment operation by the rotation operation of the focus ring 23a is confirmed in the process of step S303 described above and the process proceeds to the process of step S304, the signal processing control unit 11 performs the process of step S303 described above in step S304. As a result of the zoom fine adjustment operation of the focus ring 23a by the processing in (4), it is confirmed whether the zoom position is set at one zoom end of the zoom setting range. Here, if it is confirmed that the zoom end in the zoom setting range has been reached, the process proceeds to the next step S306. If it is confirmed that the zoom end is not reached within the zoom setting range, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S306, the signal processing control unit 11 changes the zoom setting so that the zoom end is different from the zoom end in the zoom setting range. By this processing, even if the rotation operation to one direction of the focus ring 23a is continued, the zoom operation within the zoom setting range can be seamlessly and continuously performed. Thereafter, the process returns to the original processing sequence (FIG. 3), and proceeds to the process of step S118 of FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S307, the signal processing control unit 11 executes zoom fine adjustment control within the zoom setting range in accordance with the turning operation of the focus ring 23a. Thereafter, the process returns to the original processing sequence (FIG. 3), and proceeds to the process of step S118 of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the simultaneous rotation operation of the two operation rings 23a and 23b formed of the annular operation members is used as a trigger for switching to the zoom fine adjustment mode, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, simultaneously operating a plurality of operation members such as a pressing button or a slide sliding type included in the operation unit 15 provided on the camera body 10 side may be used as a trigger for mode switching.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, by operating the two operation rings 23a and 23b provided adjacent to each other at the same time for downsizing, an operation mode (concretely, zoom control It is configured to switch seamlessly to the zoom fine adjustment mode). In this case, when simultaneous operation of the two operation rings 23a and 23b is detected, control is performed so as to forbid normal control by the operation rings 23a and 23b. As described above, when the two operation rings 23a and 23b are operated at the same time, the normal control assigned to each operation ring 23a and 23b is prohibited, so that the simultaneous operation of the two operation rings 23a and 23b is an erroneous operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent an accident such as a setting deviation and to shift the zoom control to the zoom fine adjustment mode seamlessly.

  Then, after switching to the zoom fine adjustment mode, a desired zoom range is set on the display screen of the display unit 18, and the focus ring 23a adjacent to the zoom ring 23b for performing the zoom operation is rotated. It is controlled so that the fine adjustment operation of zooming can be performed.

  Therefore, in the zoom control based on the zoom fine adjustment mode, strict zooming can be easily performed by performing detailed zoom control of the imaging range desired by the user (user). As a result, since setting (framing) of a desired imaging range can be performed more easily than ordinary motorized zoom control, it is possible to widen the width of image expression and acquire various photographed images.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment of the present invention to be described next shows an example in which the display mode in the zoom fine adjustment mode is different from that of the above-described first embodiment. The basic configuration of the photographing device (camera) itself of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the camera control sequence is only slightly different. Therefore, about the same composition as the above-mentioned 1st embodiment, illustration is omitted and it explains using the same numerals. Moreover, illustration and description are abbreviate | omitted also about the same processing sequence, and only a different part is demonstrated below.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a camera control processing sequence in the photographing device (camera) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIGS. 9-14 is a display example of the display part at the time of imaging | photography operation in the imaging device (camera) of this embodiment. Among these, FIG. 9 shows an example of the love view image displayed on the display unit of the main photographing device (camera). 10 to 14 each show an example of a love view image in the zoom fine adjustment mode in the photographing apparatus (camera). Among these, FIG. 10 is a display example of the display unit immediately after switching to the zoom fine adjustment mode. 11 and 12 show a state in which the setting operation is being performed in the zoom fine adjustment mode. FIG. 11 is a display example of the display unit when the zoom operation is performed from the state of FIG. 10 to the telephoto side (long focus side; tele side). FIG. 12 is a display example of the display unit when the zoom operation is performed from the state of FIG. 10 to the wide angle side (short focus side; wide side). FIGS. 13 and 14 show examples of the display state of the display unit 18 after zoom drive control is performed in the zoom fine adjustment mode. FIG. 13 shows the state after FIG. 11, where the zoom end of one zoom end is at the zoom position of FIG. 10 and the zoom end of the other is rotated in the tele direction. Is an example of the display screen when the zoom position is set to. FIG. 14 shows the zoom range substantially in the rear state of FIG. 12, that is, in the setting of FIG. 12 where one zoom end is rotated to the zoom position of FIG. 10 and the other zoom end is rotated to the wide direction. It is an example of a display screen at the time of setting a zoom position to the center.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the live view image of FIG. 9, it is assumed that subjects 101 such as a plurality of persons exist in the range to be photographed. The actions described below assume that shooting is performed using the camera 1 of the present embodiment in this situation.

  First, in step S401 in FIG. 8, the signal processing control unit 11 confirms whether the current operation mode is set to the photographing mode. Here, if it is confirmed that the shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step S402. If it is confirmed that the mode is set other than the shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S421 (corresponding to step S101 in FIG. 3).

  In step S402, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the imaging unit (the imaging device 13, the lens 26, and the like), the display unit 18, and the like to execute image data acquisition processing and live view image display processing. Then, it progresses to the process of step S403 (equivalent to step S102 of FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, illustration of the lens communication process (the process of step S111 in FIG. 3) in the above-described embodiment is omitted. This is because this is a processing step not directly related to the present invention. Therefore, in the processing sequence of FIG. 8, lens communication processing and the like may be included after the live view image display processing of step S402.

  Subsequently, in step S403, the signal processing control unit 11 communicates with the lens control unit 21 through the communication units 12 and 22 to monitor the signal from the second rotation detection unit 27b, and the zoom is performed. Check the operation state of the ring 23b. Here, when the operation of the zoom ring 23b is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S406. If the operation of the zoom ring 23b is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, the signal processing control unit 11 executes mode determination processing relating to the currently set zoom control. Here, if it is confirmed that the zoom fine adjustment mode has already been set, the process proceeds to step S451. If the normal zoom control mode is set, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, the signal processing control unit 11 communicates with the lens control unit 21 through the communication units 12 and 22 to monitor the signal from the first rotation detection unit 27a, and the signal processing control unit 11 of the focus ring 23a. Check the operation status. Here, when the operation of the focus ring 23a is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S409. If the operation of the focus ring 23a is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S409, the signal processing control unit 11 executes focus drive processing in accordance with the amount of rotational operation of the focus ring 23a operated in the processing of step S405 described above. This focus drive process is a normal focus drive control process performed according to a normal manual focus adjustment operation (manual focus operation; MF operation) (details are omitted).

  Subsequently, in step S410, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the operation unit 15, the touch panel 18b, and the like. Here, when the instruction signal of the photographing operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S411. If the instruction signal for the photographing operation is not confirmed, the process returns to step S401.

  In step S411, the signal processing control unit 11 executes a normal photographing operation. The processing sequence of this photographing processing operation is the same as the processing performed by a conventional general camera, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S401.

  The above processing sequence (S401 to S411) is a normal processing sequence when performing normal imaging in the normal operation mode. The following processing sequence represents the portion related to the present invention, that is, the operation in the zoom fine adjustment mode in the camera 1 of the present embodiment.

  That is, when the operation of the zoom ring 23b is confirmed in the process of step S403 described above and the process proceeds to the process of step S406, in step S406, the signal processing control unit 11 performs the mode determination process related to the zoom control currently set. (The same process as the process of step S404). Here, if it is confirmed that the zoom fine adjustment mode has already been set, the process proceeds to step S408. When the normal zoom control mode is set, for example, when the camera 1 is in a state immediately after start-up, the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors instruction signals from the operation unit 15, the touch panel 18b, the operation ring 23, and the like, and confirms whether or not a mode switching operation related to zoom control has been performed. In this case, as the mode switching operation of the zoom control, for example, a predetermined operation of repeating the reciprocating rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b plural times within a predetermined time in the normal zoom control mode or the like is assumed.

  For example, an operation such as repeating the reciprocating rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b a plurality of times within a predetermined time, specifically, for example, a situation where the zoom ring 23b is repeatedly rotated in small increments toward the wide side and the tele side Is considered to perform a detailed zoom operation using the zoom ring 23b. In the zoom operation by the zoom ring 23b, since the electric zoom control is performed by turning on and off the switch, fine drive control can not be performed, and control for obtaining a desired framing is difficult. Therefore, as described above, when a predetermined operation such as a reciprocating rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b is performed, the zoom control mode (zoom fine adjustment mode) in which fine adjustment operation of zooming can be performed is seamlessly switched. ing.

  In addition, as the mode switching operation of the zoom control, for example, the operation ring is rotated while the operation of the predetermined operation member included in the operation unit 15, the operation to the predetermined area of the touch panel 18b, or the operation member is pressed. The operation may be performed by combining a plurality of members, or the simultaneous operation of two adjacent operation rings 23a and 23b.

  When the mode switching operation of the zoom control is confirmed in the process of step S407, it is determined that the operation is a switching operation to the zoom fine adjustment mode, and the process proceeds to the process of step S471. If the zoom control mode switching operation is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S479. Here, the zoom position set at the time of the zoom control mode switching operation is the reference position for the zoom fine adjustment to be performed from now, for example, one zoom end position of the zoom range at the time of the zoom fine adjustment. It is set as. The reference position at which the zoom fine adjustment is performed is not limited to this. For example, the zoom position (reference position) set at the time of mode switching operation is set as the center position of the zoom range of the zoom fine adjustment. May be

  In step S 471, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11 d to superimpose it on the live view image being displayed on the display unit 18 to display a display screen corresponding to the zoom fine adjustment mode (FIG. Display 10).

  Here, as a form of the display screen in the zoom fine adjustment mode, for example, a display example shown in FIG. 10 will be described. In FIG. 10, the display unit 18 continues to display a live view image including the subject 101 to be photographed. Superimposing on this display, for example, the zoom fine adjustment icon 61A is displayed at a substantially central portion near the lower edge of the screen in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the zoom fine-tuned icon 61A is a figure imitating an annular ring member (such as the zoom ring 23b) and an operation direction indication icon imitating an arrow displayed near this annular icon It consists of etc. In FIG. 10, “ZM” is an example of a character icon representing “zoom”. Also, “T” is an example of a character icon indicating “tele (telephoto) direction” and “W” indicates “wide (wide angle) direction”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, rectangular frame-like small windows 18t and 18w are displayed in the vicinity of both corners near the lower edge so as to sandwich the zoom fine adjustment icon 61A. The two small windows 18t and 18w are areas for displaying an indication of a shooting range which changes in accordance with the zoom setting in the zoom fine adjustment mode. Specifically, the shooting range when zooming to the telephoto side is displayed on one of the small windows 18t. In the other small window 18w, a shooting range when zooming to the wide angle side is displayed.

  In the process of step S471 described above, the signal processing control unit 11 further controls the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11d to set the zoom setting currently set in both the small windows 18t and 18w. An image of a corresponding imaging range, that is, an image substantially the same as the live view image is displayed. The example shown in FIG. 10 shows the state immediately after the zoom fine adjustment mode is set. Accordingly, in each of the two small windows 18t and 18w, an image equivalent to the live view image being displayed on the display unit 18 is displayed. That is, at this point in time, since the zoom operation is not performed immediately after the zoom fine adjustment mode is set, the same image is displayed in each of the small windows 18t and 18w.

  Returning to FIG. 8, as described above, after the mode switching operation is not performed in the process of step S407, and after the mode switching process is completed in the process of step S471, the process of step S479. Go to

  In step S479, the signal processing control unit 11 executes a normal zoom lens drive control process according to the rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S410.

  When the setting operation in the zoom fine adjustment mode is performed after the zoom fine adjustment mode is set by the mode switching process of step S471 described above, the process returns from step S479 to step S410 and then returns to step S404 again. Returning to the process of step S406, it is confirmed in the process of step S406 that the current zoom fine adjustment mode is set, and the process proceeds to step S408.

  Then, in step S408, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors instruction signals from the operation unit 15, the touch panel 18b, the operation ring 23, etc., and confirms whether or not the operation to cancel the zoom fine adjustment mode has been performed. Do. In this case, as the zoom fine adjustment mode release operation, for example, an operation of rotating the focus ring 23a and an operation of rotating the zoom ring 23b, an operation of a predetermined operation member of the operation unit 15, or a touch panel It is a touch operation to a predetermined area to 18b. Here, when the zoom fine adjustment mode release operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S485. If the zoom fine adjustment mode release operation is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S481.

  When the operation in the zoom fine adjustment mode is continued, that is, in the process of step S408, it is determined that the mode cancellation instruction is not confirmed and the zoom fine adjustment mode is continued, and the process proceeds to the next step S481. In step S 481, the signal processing control unit 11 monitors the signal from the second rotation detection unit 27 b to confirm the rotation direction of the zoom ring 23 b. Here, if it is confirmed that the rotational direction of the zoom ring 23b is the tele (Tele) direction, the process proceeds to step S482. If it is determined that the rotational direction of the zoom ring 23b is wide, the process proceeds to step S483.

  Subsequently, in step S482, the signal processing control unit 11 performs predetermined zoom drive control in accordance with the turning operation of the zoom ring 23b in the tele (Tele) direction, and the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11d. Control to display the corresponding live view image. At the same time, display change processing (view angle change processing) of the photographing range of the small window 18t on the tele (Tele) side is performed. In this case, the zoom position at which the turning operation of the zoom ring 23b in the tele direction is stopped is set to the other zoom end position of the zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S489.

  11 changes according to processing (processing in step S482) executed by turning the zoom ring 23b in the tele direction when the display screen of the display unit 18 is in the state of FIG. An example of the display screen after As shown in FIG. 11, in the live view image, a subject 101t enlarged as compared with FIG. 10 is displayed, and an image corresponding to this is displayed in the small window 18t. At the same time, in FIG. 11, the small window 18 w displays a frame display 18 wa indicating the angle of view corresponding to one zoom end position (reference position) set at the time of the processing of steps S 407 and S 47 described above. ing. That is, the small window 18w in FIG. 11 indicates the entire imaging range when the imaging optical system of the present camera 1 can set imaging at the widest angle end, and within that range, imaging corresponding to the set zoom end position The range is indicated by a frame display 18wa.

  In step S483, the signal processing control unit 11 performs predetermined zoom drive control in accordance with the rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b in the wide direction, and substantially the same as in step S482 described above. The display unit 18 is controlled via the unit 11 d to display the corresponding live view image. At the same time, display change processing (view angle change processing) of the imaging range of the small window 18 w on the wide side is performed. In this case, the zoom position at the time when the rotation operation of the zoom ring 23b in the wide direction is stopped is set to the other zoom end position of the zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S489.

  12 changes according to processing (processing in step S483) executed by turning the zoom ring 23b in the wide direction when the display screen of the display unit 18 is in the state of FIG. An example of the display screen after As shown in FIG. 12, in the live view image, a subject 101w reduced as compared with FIG. 10 is displayed, and an image corresponding to this is displayed in the small window 18w. At the same time, in FIG. 12, in the small window 18t, an image of an imaging range corresponding to one zoom end position (reference position) set at the time of the processing of the above-described steps S407 and S471 is displayed.

  In step S489, the signal processing control unit 11 sets a predetermined change flag. Here, the change flag is a flag indicating that the zoom range (both end positions thereof) for the zoom fine adjustment in the zoom fine adjustment mode has been set.

  Thus, when the process of step S489 is completed, the setting of the zoom range in the zoom fine adjustment mode is performed. Subsequently, in the zoom fine adjustment mode, the operation when the zoom fine adjustment is performed is as follows.

  When the setting of the zoom range in the zoom fine adjustment mode is completed due to the completion of the process of step S489 described above, the process returns to step S403 after the determination of step S410 through step S479, and then proceeds to the process of step S404. In the mode determination processing of, it is confirmed that the zoom fine adjustment mode has already been set, and the process proceeds to step S451.

  Then, in step S451, the signal processing control unit 11 confirms the change flag. Here, if the change flag is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S452. If the change flag is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S454.

  In step S452, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the zoom drive unit 24a via the lens control unit 21 to perform the zoom drive control of the zoom optical system by the zoom drive mechanism unit 26a, and the zoom range in which both ends are set. An angle-of-view change process is performed to set the zoom position of the zoom optical system substantially at the center of.

  Here, FIGS. 13 and 14 show examples of the display state of the display unit 18 when the zoom drive control is performed in the zoom fine adjustment mode. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the zoom range of FIG. 11 in the case of the setting of FIG. 11 in which one zoom end is rotated to the zoom position of FIG. 10 and the other zoom end is rotated in the tele direction. It is an example of a display screen at the time of setting a zoom position to the center. Also, FIG. 14 shows the zoom range in the state after FIG. 12, that is, in the case of setting of FIG. 12 in which one zoom end is rotated to the zoom position of FIG. 8 is an example of a display screen when the zoom position is set to the approximate center of.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the zoom fine adjustment mode, after setting of the zoom range is completed, an arrow or the like indicating the rotation direction is displayed in the vicinity of the icon 61A to assist the zoom fine adjustment operation. The guide display is made to appear. Here, the arrow display is a display showing the rotation direction. The guide displays such as "T", "W" and the like attached in the arrow direction are displays that mean "tele" and "wide", respectively. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand the operation method of the zoom fine adjustment simply by looking at the display of the display unit 18, and, for example, performs the ring rotation operation according to the arrow display corresponding to the desired direction in which the fine adjustment is desired. The device of the display is made to be good.

  Subsequently, in step S453, the signal processing control unit 11 clears the change flag, and proceeds to the process of the next step S454.

  In the camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the focus ring 23 a is used to perform an operation for the zoom fine adjustment. Therefore, in the process of the next step S454, the rotation operation of the focus ring 23a is confirmed.

  That is, in step S454, the signal processing control unit 11 communicates with the lens control unit 21 through the communication units 12 and 22, monitors the signal from the first rotation detection unit 27a, and performs the above-described focus ring. Check the operation status of 23a. Here, when the operation of the focus ring 23a is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S455. If the operation of the focus ring 23a is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S455, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the zoom drive unit 24a via the lens control unit 21 in accordance with the rotation operation of the focus ring 23a to drive a predetermined zoom of the zoom optical system by the zoom drive mechanism unit 26a. Execute control.

  That is, in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, when the focus ring 23a is operated in the zoom fine adjustment mode, zoom drive control is performed in accordance with a rotation operation instruction of the focus ring 23a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S410.

  When the mode release instruction is confirmed in the process of step S408 described above and the process proceeds to the process of the next step S485, in step S485, the signal processing control unit 11 sets the zoom control mode to the normal zoom control mode. Execute mode change process to change to.

  Subsequently, in step S486, the signal processing control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 via the display control unit 11d to erase the display of the icon display (61A, 18t, 18w, etc.) for the zoom fine adjustment mode. As a result, the display on the display unit 18 returns to the state in which only a normal live view image is displayed, that is, the state shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the process of step S479.

  When it is confirmed in the process of step S401 described above that the operation mode set in the camera 1 is other than the photographing mode, and the process proceeds to the process of step S421, in step S421, the signal processing control unit 11 Determines that the current operation mode is the reproduction mode, and executes a predetermined reproduction process. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined reproduction processing is reproduction processing performed by a conventional camera. About this reproduction | regeneration processing, since it is a part which is not directly related to this embodiment, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, the processing sequence in the case where it is set to a mode other than the reproduction mode is also a part not directly related to the present embodiment, so the illustration and detailed description thereof will be omitted. When this reproduction process is completed, the process returns to the process of step S401 described above.

  The relationship between the ring rotation amount of the focus ring 23a and the change amount of the angle of view in the zoom fine adjustment mode is controlled to have a 1: 1 relationship (symbol A in the drawing) as shown in FIG. 15, for example. May be Further, control may be made such that a rough fine adjustment can be performed near the zoom end near the wide end and a fine adjustment near the zoom end near the telephoto (symbol B2 in the drawing). Contrary to this, fine control may be performed near the zoom end near the wide angle, and control may be made such that a rough angle of view change occurs near the zoom end near the telephoto (symbol B1 in the drawing).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the relationship between the ring rotational speed and the angle-of-view change speed may be controlled by a linear relationship (symbol C in the figure). It is good also as control (code | symbol D in the figure) that angle change will also become large when rotating a ring at high speed, reducing angle change.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, as a means for realizing the zoom function, the zoom optical system of the photographing optical system is advanced and retracted in the optical axis direction to enlarge or reduce the object image formed by the photographing optical system. Although the configuration of an imaging device (camera) having a so-called optical zoom function to be performed is illustrated, the imaging device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this form. For example, it may be a photographing apparatus (camera) provided with a so-called digital zoom function that performs enlargement or reduction of an image including a subject by performing predetermined image processing on an image signal output from an imaging element. Furthermore, the present invention can be easily applied to a photographing apparatus (camera) having an optical zoom function and a digital zoom function and configured to use both seamlessly.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as it is, and at the implementation stage, the constituent elements can be modified and embodied without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components of all the components shown in the embodiment may be deleted. Furthermore, components in different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

  Each processing sequence described in each of the above-described embodiments may allow a change in procedure as long as the nature thereof is not violated. Therefore, for example, the order of each processing step may be different every time the series of processing sequences is performed, or the execution order of each processing step may be changed with respect to the above-described processing sequence. You may

  That is, even if the operation flow in the claims, the specification and the drawings is described using “first”, “next” and the like for the sake of convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing. Further, it goes without saying that the respective steps constituting the operation flow can be appropriately omitted for portions which do not affect the essence of the invention.

  Also, among the techniques described here, many of the controls and functions described in the flowchart can be set by a software program, and the computer reads and executes the program to realize the above controls and functions. be able to. The program may be recorded or stored in whole or in part as a computer program product on a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM or the like, a non-volatile memory, or a storage medium such as a hard disk or volatile memory. It can be distributed or provided at the time of product shipment or via a portable medium or communication line. The user (user) can easily realize the photographing apparatus of the present embodiment by downloading the program via a communication network and installing it on a computer or installing it from a recording medium to a computer .

  The present invention is not limited to a photographing device which is an electronic device specialized for a photographing function such as a digital camera, and another form of electronic device having a photographing function, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a recording device, an electronic notebook The present invention can be widely applied to various electronic devices with a photographing function, such as personal computers, tablet terminals, game devices, portable televisions, watches, navigation devices using a GPS (Global Positioning System), and the like.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be similarly applied to an electronic device having a function of acquiring an image using an imaging element and displaying the acquired image on a display device, such as observation devices such as a telescope, binoculars, and a microscope.

1 ...... Camera,
10: camera body, 11: signal processing control unit, 11a: focus processing unit, 11b: image processing unit, 11c: touch determination unit, 11d: display control unit, 12: body side communication unit, 13: image pickup device, 14: recording unit, 15: operation unit, 16: temporary recording unit, 18: display unit, 18b: touch panel, 19: clock unit,
20: lens barrel, 21: lens control unit, 22: lens side communication unit, 23: lens side operation unit, 23a: focus ring, 23b: zoom ring, 24a: zoom drive unit, 24b ...... Focus drive unit, 24c: Aperture drive unit, 25a: Zoom lens position detection unit, 25b: Focus lens position detection unit, 26: Lens, 26a: Zoom drive mechanism unit, 26b: Focus drive mechanism Part, 26c: Aperture drive mechanism part, 27a: First rotation detection part, 27b: Second rotation detection part,
61, 61A ...... Zoom Fine Icon,

Claims (5)

An imaging unit comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an optical image of an object; an imaging element for receiving an optical image of the object; performing photoelectric conversion; and outputting an image signal;
Zoom control means for performing zoom control;
A touch panel that receives an operation signal by a touch operation or a slide operation, sets two shooting ranges representing a zoom range for zoom fine adjustment, and performs zoom fine adjustment within the set two shooting ranges;
A display unit for visibly displaying an image signal output from the imaging unit and two imaging ranges representing the zoom range;
A signal processing control unit for executing a zoom fine adjustment mode for finely adjusting the zoom setting by performing detailed zoom control by the zoom control unit within a zoom range visually displayed on the display unit;
Equipped with
When the signal processing control unit receives the switching instruction signal to the zoom fine adjustment mode, the signal processing control unit controls the zoom control means to set the zoom setting to the wide angle side of the set zoom range, and then the zoom fine adjustment. Wait for setting indication signal of zoom range for
An imaging device characterized by The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing control unit performs a zoom fine adjustment within a set zoom range upon receiving an operation instruction signal from a predetermined operation member. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays, on the image being displayed based on the image signal, a circular icon having an index position indicating the imaging range representing the zoom range. .   An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit configured to form an optical image of an object; an imaging element configured to receive an optical image of the object upon receiving the optical image of the object; and output an image signal; Control method of
  The touch panel receives an operation signal by a touch operation or a slide operation, sets two shooting ranges representing a zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment, and performs the zoom fine adjustment within the set two shooting ranges.
  The display unit visibly displays an image signal output from the imaging unit and two imaging ranges representing the zoom range;
  The signal processing control unit executes a zoom fine adjustment mode for finely adjusting the zoom setting by performing the detailed zoom control by the zoom control means within the zoom range visually displayed on the display unit.
  Further, when the signal processing control unit receives the switching instruction signal to the zoom fine adjustment mode, the signal processing control unit controls the zoom control means to set the zoom setting to the wide angle side of the set zoom range, Wait for setting indication signal of zoom range for adjustment
  A control method of photographing equipment characterized in that.   An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit configured to form an optical image of an object; an imaging element configured to receive an optical image of the object upon receiving the optical image of the object; and output an image signal; Control program, and
  On the computer
  When the touch panel receives an operation signal by a touch operation or a slide operation, the touch panel sets two shooting ranges representing a zoom range for the zoom fine adjustment, and performs the zoom fine adjustment within the set two shooting ranges.
  A display unit visibly displays an image signal output from the imaging unit and two imaging ranges representing the zoom range;
  The signal processing control unit executes a zoom fine adjustment mode for finely adjusting the zoom setting by performing detailed zoom control by the zoom control unit within the zoom range visually displayed on the display unit.
  Furthermore, when the signal processing control unit receives the switching instruction signal to the zoom fine adjustment mode, the signal processing control unit controls the zoom control means to set the zoom setting to the wide angle side of the set zoom range, and then the zoom Wait for setting indication signal of zoom range for fine adjustment
  Control program for shooting equipment to execute the procedure.

Images