JP7134730B2 - Imaging device and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device, its control method, and a program.

Conventionally, information about a lens position at which an object at infinity is focused is stored in an imaging device or lens. The user manually adjusts the focus state by moving the focus ring while looking at the display position of the focus index on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image displayed on the screen of the imaging device. However, the lens position at which the subject at infinity is in focus changes due to manufacturing errors in the imaging device and lens, differences in temperature during shooting, attachment of a conversion lens, and the like. Therefore, during manual focus (MF) control, even if the display position of the focus index on the GUI image displayed on the screen of the imaging device is adjusted to a position at infinity, the subject at infinity may not be in focus. there were.

A similar phenomenon occurs not only during manual focus control but also during autofocus (AF) control. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 discloses that when a focus operation member is mechanically operated to the end of the operable range to bring an object at infinity into focus, even when a conversion lens is attached, the Techniques capable of focusing have been proposed. When a conversion lens is mounted, the position of the focus lens for focusing on an object at infinite distance is shifted in the close direction by the amount of change in the position of the focus lens for focusing on the maximum object at infinity expected from the manufacturing error. For this reason, if the photographer manually moves the focus adjustment lens to the end of the drivable range mechanically to focus on an object at infinity, the target position for driving the focus lens will be reduced. is shifted from the infinite far end position recorded in the table. This makes it possible to focus on an object at infinity.

JP 2009-198975 A

However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not consider the case of manually adjusting the focus state by moving the focus ring while looking at the display position of the focus index on the GUI image displayed on the screen of the imaging device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an imaging device and a control method for the imaging device that facilitates focusing on an object at infinity by correcting the display position of the index displayed on the screen of the imaging device. be.

In order to solve the above problems, one of the inventions according to the present application is an imaging device capable of adjusting the focus by moving the position of the focus lens according to a user operation, and Acquisition means for acquiring information including a focus lens position corresponding to a distance, and a focus lens that is the position of the focus lens after adjustment when the focus is adjusted according to a user operation for focusing on an object at infinity. a control means for controlling display of an index of the subject distance corresponding to the position at a display position determined by using the focus lens position included in the information, wherein the control means controls a subject distance index that can be photographed. Control is performed to display a graphic image positioned at the subject distance corresponding to the position of the focus lens on the scale from the side to the super-infinity side as the index, and registration of the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite subject distance. The display position of the index is corrected according to the focus lens position after the adjustment when the instruction is received.

According to the present invention, by correcting the display position of the index displayed on the screen of the imaging device, it becomes easy to focus on the subject at infinity.

1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a digital camera as an example of an imaging device of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the digital camera; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining normalization function acquisition processing; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a lens information table including focus lens positions corresponding to infinite subject distances; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining acquisition processing of a normalization function; FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance in Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a registration processing mode for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the embodiments illustrated below. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the present invention. The content set forth in the specification and drawings is illustrative and should not be taken as limiting the invention. Various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention includes all configurations obtained by combining each embodiment and its modifications.

1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing the appearance of a digital camera as an example of the imaging device of the present invention. 1A is a front perspective view of the digital camera 100, and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100. FIG. In FIG. 1, a rear display unit 28 provided on the rear surface of the camera is a display unit that displays images and various types of information. The outside viewfinder display section 43 is a display section provided on the upper surface of the camera, and displays various setting values of the camera such as shutter speed and aperture. A shutter button 61 is an operation unit for instructing photographing. A mode changeover switch 60 is an operation unit for switching between various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover that protects a connector (not shown) such as a connection cable that connects the digital camera 100 to the connection cable for the device. The main electronic dial 71 is a rotary operation member included in the operation unit 70, which will be described later. By turning the main electronic dial 71, setting values such as shutter speed and aperture can be changed. A power switch 72 is an operation member for switching ON and OFF of the power of the digital camera 100 . A sub-electronic dial 73 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a rotary operation member included in the operation unit 70, and can move a selection frame, advance an image, and the like. A cross key 74 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a cross key (four-direction key) whose up, down, left, and right portions can be pressed. An operation corresponding to the pressed portion of the cross key 74 is possible. A SET button 75 is included in the operation unit 70, is a push button, and is mainly used for determining selection items. The multi-controller 76 is included in the operation unit 70, and can perform key operations in eight directions: up, down, left, right, upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left. An LV button 80 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a button for switching between ON and OFF of live view (hereinafter referred to as LV) in the menu button. In the moving image shooting mode, it is used to instruct start and stop of moving image shooting (recording). An enlargement button 77 is included in the operation unit 70 and is an operation button for turning ON/OFF the enlargement mode and changing the enlargement ratio in the enlargement mode in the live view display in the shooting mode. In the reproduction mode, it functions as an enlargement button for enlarging the reproduced image and increasing the enlargement ratio. A reduction button 78 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a button for reducing the enlargement ratio of the enlarged reproduced image and reducing the displayed image. A playback button 79 is included in the operation unit 70 and is an operation button for switching between shooting mode and playback mode. By pressing the playback button 79 in the imaging mode, the mode is shifted to the playback mode, and the latest image among the images recorded in the recording medium 200 (to be described later) can be displayed on the rear display unit 28 . The quick return mirror 12 is moved up and down by an actuator (not shown) according to an instruction from the system control unit 50, which will be described later. A communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens side (detachable). The eyepiece finder 16 is a looking-in type finder for confirming the focus and composition of an optical image of a subject obtained through a lens unit 150 (to be described later) by observing the focusing screen 13 . A lid 202 is a lid of a slot in which the recording medium 200 is stored. The grip portion 90 is a holding portion having a shape that allows the user to easily hold the digital camera 100 with his or her right hand.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the lens unit 150 is a removable and replaceable lens unit. The lens 103 is normally composed of a plurality of lenses including a focus lens for focus adjustment, but only one lens is shown here for simplicity. A communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal for the lens unit 150 to communicate with the digital camera 100 side, and a communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens unit 150 side. The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control section 50 via the communication terminals 6 and 10, and controls the diaphragm mechanism 1 via the diaphragm drive circuit 2 by the internal lens system control circuit 4. FIG. Also, the focus is adjusted by moving the position of the focus lens (focus lens position) via the lens drive circuit 3 . During manual focus control, the lens driving circuit 3 moves the position of the focus lens in accordance with the user's focus operation of moving a focus ring (not shown). The position of the principal point that can be regarded as the center of the focus lens is defined as the focus lens position. When a focus lens group is configured by combining a plurality of focus lenses, the position of the principal point that can be regarded as the center of the focus lens group is defined as the focus lens position.

The AE sensor 17 measures the brightness of the subject through the lens unit 150 . The focus detection section 11 outputs defocus amount information to the system control section 50 . Based on this, the system control unit 50 controls the lens unit 150 to perform phase difference AF.

The quick return mirror 12 (hereinafter referred to as mirror 12) is moved up and down by an actuator (not shown) according to an instruction from the system control unit 50 during exposure, live view shooting, and video shooting. The mirror 12 is a mirror for switching the luminous flux incident from the lens 103 to the finder 16 side and the imaging section 22 side. The mirror 12 is normally arranged so as to reflect the light flux to the finder 16 , but when photographing is performed or live view display is performed, the mirror 12 is directed upward to guide the light flux to the imaging section 22 . Retreat from the rising luminous flux (mirror up). Further, the mirror 12 has a half-mirror at its central portion so that part of the light beam can be transmitted therethrough so that part of the light beam is incident on the focus detection unit 11 for focus detection.

By observing the focusing screen 13 through the pentaprism 14 and the finder 16, the photographer can confirm the focus and composition of the optical image of the subject obtained through the lens unit 150. FIG.

The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50 .

The imaging unit 22 is an imaging device configured by a CCD, a CMOS device, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A/D converter 23 converts analog signals into digital signals. The A/D converter 23 is used to convert the analog signal output from the imaging section 22 into a digital signal.

The image processing unit 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction, and color conversion processing on the data from the A/D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15 . Further, the image processing unit 24 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained arithmetic results. As a result, TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (Auto White Balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results.

Output data from the A/D converter 23 is directly written into the memory 32 via the image processing section 24 and the memory control section 15 or via the memory control section 15 . The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A/D converter 23 and image data to be displayed on the rear display unit 28 . The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, moving images for a predetermined period of time, and audio.

The memory 32 also serves as an image display memory (video memory). The D/A converter 19 converts image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the rear display unit 28 . Thus, the image data for display written in the memory 32 is displayed on the rear display section 28 via the D/A converter 19 . The rear display unit 28 displays on a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) according to the analog signal from the D/A converter 19 . A digital signal that has been A/D converted once by the A/D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted to analog by the D/A converter 19 and transferred to the rear display unit 28 in sequence for display. As a result, it functions as an electronic viewfinder and enables through image display (live view display).

The in-finder liquid crystal display 41 displays a frame (AF frame) indicating the range-finding point where autofocus is currently being performed, an icon indicating the setting state of the camera, and the like, via an in-finder display drive circuit 42. be done.

Various setting values of the camera such as the shutter speed and the aperture are displayed on the outside-finder liquid crystal display section 43 via the outside-finder display section drive circuit 44 .

The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable/recordable memory, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 50 . The program here is a program for executing various flowcharts described later in this embodiment.

The system control unit 50 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire digital camera 100 . By executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 described above, each process of this embodiment, which will be described later, is realized. A system memory 52 uses a RAM. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are developed. In addition, the system control unit also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D/A converter 19, the rear display unit 28, and the like.

A system timer 53 is a timer that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

A mode changeover switch 60 , a first shutter switch 62 , a second shutter switch 64 , and an operation section 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control section 50 . The mode switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 between a still image recording mode, a moving image shooting mode, a playback mode, and the like. Modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), and a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode). In addition, there are various scene modes, program AE modes, custom modes, etc., which are shooting settings for each shooting scene. The mode switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 between a still image recording mode, a moving image shooting mode, a playback mode, and the like. Modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), and a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode). In addition, there are various scene modes, program AE modes, custom modes, etc., which are shooting settings for each shooting scene. A mode selector switch 60 allows direct switching between these modes. Alternatively, after once switching to the shooting mode list screen with the mode switching switch 60, one of the displayed multiple modes may be selected and switched using another operation member. Similarly, the movie shooting mode may also include multiple modes.

The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 provided on the digital camera 100 is pressed halfway (imaging preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. Operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (automatic white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are started by the first shutter switch signal SW1.

The second shutter switch 64 is turned ON when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, that is, when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (imaging instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of photographing processing operations from reading out signals from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data in the recording medium 200. FIG.

Each operation member of the operation unit 70 is appropriately assigned a function for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the rear display unit 28, and acts as various function buttons. The function buttons include, for example, an end button, a return button, an image forward button, a jump button, a refinement button, an attribute change button, and the like. For example, when the menu button is pressed, a menu screen on which various settings can be made is displayed on the rear display section 28 . The user can intuitively perform various settings by using the menu screen displayed on the rear display unit 28, the up, down, left, and right four-direction buttons and the SET button.

The operation unit 70 is various operation members as an input unit that receives operations from the user. The operation unit 70 includes at least the following operation units. Shutter button 61 , main electronic dial 71 , power switch 72 , sub electronic dial 73 , cross key 74 , SET button 75 , LV button 76 , enlargement button 77 , reduction button 78 , playback button 79 .

The power control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching blocks to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining amount of the battery. Also, the power supply control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 50, and supplies necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

The power supply unit 30 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. A recording medium I/F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or hard disk. A recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

The communication unit 54 is connected wirelessly or by a wired cable, and transmits and receives video signals and audio signals. The communication unit 54 can be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can transmit images (including through images) captured by the imaging unit 22 and images recorded on the recording medium 200, and can receive image data and other various information from external devices. can.

The orientation detection unit 55 detects the orientation of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55, whether the image captured by the imaging unit 22 is an image captured with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or an image captured with the digital camera 100 held vertically is determined. It is identifiable. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22, and rotate and record the image. . An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the posture detection unit 55 .

As one of the operation units 70, a touch panel 70a capable of detecting contact with the rear display unit 28 is provided. The touch panel 70a and the rear display section 28 can be configured integrally. For example, the touch panel 70 a is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the rear display section 28 and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the rear display section 28 . Then, the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a and the display coordinates on the rear display section 28 are associated with each other. As a result, it is possible to construct a GUI image as if the user could directly operate the screen displayed on the rear display unit 28 . The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a.
- A finger or pen that has not touched the touch panel 70a newly touches the touch panel 70a. That is, the start of touch (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Down).
- The touch panel 70a is in a state of being touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter referred to as Touch-On).
- Moving while touching the touch panel 70a with a finger or pen (hereinafter referred to as touch-move).
- Immediately releasing the touch panel 70a while sliding it as if flicking it with a finger (hereinafter referred to as flick).
- The finger or pen that has touched the touch panel 70a has been released. That is, the end of the touch (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Up).
A state in which nothing is touched on the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Off).

When touchdown is detected, touchon is also detected at the same time. After touchdown, touchon continues to be detected unless touchup is detected. A touch-move is also detected when a touch-on is detected. Even if touch-on is detected, touch-move is not detected if the touch position does not move. After it is detected that all the fingers and pens that have touched have touched up, the touch is turned off.

The system control unit 50 is notified of these operations/states and the coordinates of the position where the finger or pen touches the touch panel 70a through the internal bus. The system control unit 50 determines what kind of operation (touch operation) has been performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. As for the touch move, the moving direction of the finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical component/horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on the change in the position coordinates. If it is detected that the touch-move has been performed for a predetermined distance or more, it is determined that a slide operation (drag) has been performed. An operation of touching a touch panel with a finger and quickly moving it by a certain distance and then releasing it is called a flick. A flick is, in other words, an operation of quickly tracing the touch panel 70a as if flicking it with a finger. It is possible to determine that a flick has been performed when a touch-move of a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or more is detected, and a touch-up is detected as it is (it can be determined that a flick has occurred following a drag). Further, a touch operation of simultaneously touching a plurality of points (for example, two points) to bring the touch positions closer to each other is called pinch-in, and a touch operation of moving the touch positions away from each other is called pinch-out. Pinch-out and pinch-in are collectively called pinch operation (or simply pinch). The touch panel 70a may be any one of various types of touch panels such as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, and an optical sensor type. good. Depending on the method, there is a method of detecting that there is a touch when there is contact with the touch panel, and a method of detecting that there is a touch when there is an approach of a finger or pen to the touch panel.

(Embodiment 1)
In this first embodiment, an example of registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance in parallel with photographing processing will be described. The subject distance is, for example, the distance from the subject to the digital camera 100 . The distance from the subject to the lens unit 150, the distance from the subject to the principal point of the lens 103, or the distance from the subject to the principal point of the focus lens may be called the subject distance.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of GUI images displayed on the screen of the digital camera 100. FIG. However, the image showing the actual focus lens position may not be displayed. The user manually adjusts the focus state by moving the focus ring while looking at the display position of the focus index on the rectangular GUI image displayed on the rear display unit 28 of the digital camera 100 . FIG. 3A shows that during manual focus control, the live view image 300 displayed on the rear display unit 28 focuses on an object at infinity, but the display position of the focus index on the GUI image is infinity. An example of deviation from the far position is shown. In this case, the actual position of the focus lens of the digital camera 100 is at a position where the subject at infinity is in focus. FIG. 3B shows an example in which the display position of the focus index on the GUI image is adjusted to the position of infinity, but the subject at infinity is not actually in focus. In this case, the actual position of the focus lens of the digital camera 100 is shifted from the position where the subject at infinity is in focus.

FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d) are diagrams showing examples of screens for registering the focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance. In FIG. 3C, a live view image 300 is displayed on the display surface of the rear display section 28 . A subject 301 is a subject positioned at infinity, such as a distant building, mountain, or starry sky. The focus index 302 is a graphic image positioned at the subject distance corresponding to the actual position of the focus lens on the scale of the subject distance from the closest side to the super-infinity side on the GUI image. In FIG. 3A, the display position of the focus index 302 is shifted from the position of infinity. The ideal state is that when the focus index 302 is positioned at infinity on the object distance scale from the closest side to the super-infinity side on the GUI image, the object 301 at infinity is actually focused. . Therefore, if the subject 301 at infinity is not focused even if the display position of the focus index on the GUI image is adjusted to the position at infinity, the user must adjust the position of the focus lens so that the subject 301 at infinity is in focus. to adjust. Then, by touching and pressing the infinity registration button 303, an infinity registration instruction is issued to register the position of the focus lens after adjustment as the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance. Then, the position of the focus lens after the user adjustment when the infinity registration button 303 is touched is updated as the focus lens position at which the subject at infinity is focused. As a result, when the focus index 302 on the GUI image is positioned at infinity, the object 301 at infinity is actually brought into focus. Here, the infinite distance registration button 303 of the GUI that can be touch-operated is exemplified, but a physical infinite distance registration button may be provided on the operation unit 70 .

FIG. 3D shows a state in which the live view image 300 is enlarged and displayed. Enlarging and displaying the live view image 300 in this way makes it easier for the user to check the in-focus state. By touching and pressing up, down, left, and right arrow buttons displayed at the edges of the screen of the live view image 300, the area of the image to be enlarged and displayed can be moved. As shown in FIG. 3D, even when the live view image 300 is enlarged and displayed, the user can issue an infinite distance registration instruction by touching and pressing the infinite distance registration button 303 . When the infinity registration button 303 is touch-pressed, the position of the focus lens after the user adjustment when the infinity registration button 303 is touched is updated as the focus lens position at which the subject at infinity is focused.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance during manual focus control in the first embodiment. Each process in this flow chart is implemented by the system control unit 50 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

In step S<b>1 , the system control unit 50 acquires lens information including information such as the manufacturing number, model number, zoom position, switch position, etc. of the lens from the lens unit 150 . In step S2, the system control unit 50 performs normalization function acquisition processing, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S<b>3 , the system control unit 50 acquires information on the current position of the focus lens (focus lens position) from the lens unit 150 . In step S4, after the display position of the focus index 302 corresponding to the current focus lens position is converted by the normalization function obtained in step S2, the focus index 302 is displayed on the GUI image on the screen of the rear display unit 28. I do. At this time, for the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance included in the lens information acquired in step S1, the normalization function corresponding to the entire range of photographable object distances is used to calculate the focus index 302. Display position normalization is performed.

In step S5, the system control unit 50 accepts the user's focus operation (operation to move the focus ring), and moves the display position of the focus index 302 on the GUI image according to the user's operation. When the user performs a focus operation by moving the focus ring, the focus index 302 moves on the GUI image on the screen of the rear display unit 28 and the position of the actual focus lens of the lens unit 150 moves. While confirming the display position of the focus index 302 on the GUI image, the user can adjust the position of the focus lens so that the subject at infinity is in focus.

In step S6, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has issued a photographing instruction. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 61 has been fully pressed (imaging instruction). It may be determined whether or not the second shutter switch signal SW2 is generated.

If the system control unit 50 determines in step S6 that a photographing instruction has been issued (Yes), the process advances to step S7 to perform image pickup processing, and then the process advances to step S10. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 determines in step S6 that no photographing instruction has been issued (No), the process proceeds to step S8 to determine whether or not an instruction to register at infinity has been received.

If the system control unit 50 determines in step S8 that the infinite distance registration instruction has been received in response to the depression of the infinite distance registration button 303 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S9. In step S<b>9 , the system control unit 50 registers (updates) lens information including the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance in the nonvolatile memory 56 and the lens unit 150 . Specifically, the position of the focus lens after the user adjustment when the infinity registration button 303 is touched is registered (updated) as the focus lens position at which the subject at infinity is focused. As a result, when the focus index 302 on the GUI image is positioned at infinity, the object 301 at infinity is actually brought into focus. After step S9, the process proceeds to step S10. If it is determined in step S8 that the infinity registration button 303 has not been pressed for the predetermined period (Yes), the process proceeds to step S10.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a lens information table including focus lens positions corresponding to an object distance of infinity. Focus information 603 is registration information of a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance. The numerical value of the focus lens position in FIG. 6 is, for example, a numerical value representing the distance from the reference position in the lens unit 150 to the principal point of the focus lens. However, it may be the distance from the actual infinitely distant subject to the digital camera 100, or the distance from the actual infinitely distant subject to the principal point of the lens 103 or the focus lens. The S/N information 601 is the manufacturing number. The P/N information 602 is the model number. The manufacturing number and model number may differ depending on the storage destination (nonvolatile memory 56/lens unit 150). For example, in the non-volatile memory 56, lens manufacturing number and model number information is registered, and in the lens unit 150, digital camera 100 manufacturing number and model number information is registered.

The Focus information 603 in FIG. 6 is updated from the information on the focus lens position acquired in step S3 to the information on the focus lens position after the user adjustment by executing step S9.

Time information 604 is the date and time when step S9 was executed. The temperature information 605 is the temperature inside the digital camera 100 when step S9 was executed, and is acquired by a temperature sensor (not shown). Pitch information 606 is the pitch angle of the camera when step S<b>9 is executed, and is acquired by the orientation detection unit 55 . Roll information 607 is the roll angle of the camera when step S<b>9 is executed, and is acquired by the posture detection unit 55 . Zoom information 608 is the zoom position of the lens when step S9 is executed, and Switch information 609 is the switch position of the lens when step S9 is executed.

In step S10, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not to end the processing of this flow. If it is determined to end the processing of this flow (Yes), the processing of this flow ends. For example, when an instruction to switch from shooting mode to playback mode is received, or when a power-off operation is received, it is determined that the process of this flow is finished. If it is determined not to end the processing of this flow (No), the process returns to step S1 and the above-described processing is repeated. After the process of step S9 is performed, the process returns to step S1, and when the processes of steps S1 to S4 are performed, when the focus index 302 on the GUI image is at the position of infinity, the subject 301 is actually located at infinity. to focus on.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the normalization function acquisition process (generation process) in step S2 of FIG. Each process in this flow chart is implemented by the system control unit 50 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

In step S11, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not registration information of the focus lens position for the infinite object distance corresponding to the lens information acquired in step S1 is held in the non-volatile memory 56 in the camera body. . Specifically, the S/N information 601 of the serial number or the P/N information 602 of the model number included in the lens information acquired in step S1 and the serial number or serial number of the registration information held in the nonvolatile memory 56 Determine if the model number information matches. Note that one or more of the Time information 604, the Temperature information 605, the Pitch information 606, the Roll information 607, the Zoom information 608, and the Switch information 609 included in the lens information are similar to each other as a condition for determination. may be added.

If it is determined in step S11 that the registration information of the focus lens position for the infinite object distance corresponding to the acquired lens information is held in the camera body (Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the system control unit 50 acquires part or all of the corresponding registration information from the non-volatile memory 56 in the camera body, and proceeds to step S16.

If it is determined in step S11 that the registration information of the focus lens position for the infinite object distance corresponding to the acquired lens information is not held in the camera body (No), the process proceeds to step S13. In step S<b>13 , the system control unit 50 determines whether the lens unit 150 holds registration information of the focus lens position of the infinite object distance corresponding to the acquired lens information. The determination in step S13 may be made by determining whether information on the focus lens position is included in the lens information acquired in step S1. Further, as information different from the lens information acquired in step S1, it may be determined whether the registered information of the focus lens position of the infinite object distance is held. For example, it may be checked whether the manufacturing number or model number information of the registration information held in the lens unit 150 and the manufacturing number or model number of the digital camera 100 match. It should be noted that the similarity of any one or more of the Time information 604, the Temperature information 605, the Pitch information 606, the Roll information 607, the Zoom information 608, and the Switch information 609 may be added to the determination condition.

If it is determined in step S13 that the lens unit 150 holds the registration information of the focus lens position for the infinite object distance corresponding to the acquired lens information (Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the system control unit 50 acquires part or all of the corresponding registration information from the lens unit 150, and proceeds to step S16.

If it is determined in step S14 that the lens unit 150 does not hold the registration information of the focus lens position for the infinite object distance corresponding to the acquired lens information (No), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the system control unit 50 acquires a predetermined default focus lens position from the nonvolatile memory 56 or the lens unit 150, initializes the focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance, and proceeds to step S16. move on.

In step S16, the system control unit 50 corrects the focus lens position corresponding to the obtained object distance of infinity. If the environment (e.g. temperature) at the time of registration of the focus lens position for an infinite subject distance differs from the current environment (e.g. temperature), the focus lens position that brings the subject at infinity into focus must be different from the time of registration. There is Therefore, in step S16, based on the difference between the environment (for example, temperature) at the time of registration of the focus lens position for the infinite object distance and the current environment (for example, temperature), the focus lens position for the infinite object distance at the time of registration is determined. Correct the position. By doing so, it is possible to obtain the focus lens position during use even when there is little registration information. In step S16, for example, a correction table is used that indicates the correspondence between the focus lens position at an infinite subject distance and the temperature. Such a correction table is created, for example, based on the results of pre-measurement before product shipment, and stored in the non-volatile memory 56 within the digital camera 100 .

In step S17, the system control unit 50 acquires (generates) a normalization function using the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance after the correction in step S16.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining normalization function acquisition processing (generation processing). FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the display position of the focus index before normalization. 7B and 7C are diagrams showing the display position of the focus index after normalization. In FIG. 7(b), normalization is performed by generating a normalization function corresponding to the entire range of object distances, with the end of the photographable object distance on the close side as the starting point and the end on the ultra-infinity side as the end point. It is a diagram in the case of FIG. 7(c) shows the total range of photographable subject distances, starting from the adjusted focus lens position closest to the focus lens position at infinity and ending at the end on the ultra-infinity side. FIG. 10 is a diagram when normalization is performed by generating a normalization function corresponding to a part; In this way, for the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance after correction, a normalization function corresponding to the entire range or a part of the photographable object distance is acquired (generated), and the focus The display position of the indicator 302 is normalized. Normalization may be performed linearly or logarithmically with respect to the focus lens position at an infinite subject distance.

By performing normalization using the normalization function generated in this manner, the display position of the focus index is corrected. By aligning the focus index 302 on the GUI image with the position corresponding to the infinite object distance, the user can actually focus on the infinite object accurately.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by correcting the display position of the focus index on the GUI image, it becomes easy to focus on an object at infinity. More specifically, the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance can be registered in parallel with the photographing process, and the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance can be corrected. By performing normalization using the focus lens position corresponding to the corrected infinity subject distance, the display position of the focus index on the GUI image is corrected. Therefore, by setting the focus index on the GUI image to a position corresponding to the infinite object distance, the user can actually focus on the infinite object accurately.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance is registered by registration processing independent of photographing processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance during manual focus control in the second embodiment. Each process in this flow chart is implemented by the system control unit 50 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program. 8 are the same as steps S1 to S7 and S10 in FIG. 3, so description thereof will not be repeated.

When the user is adjusting the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance, the focus lens does not move outside (ultra-infinity side) from the registered focus lens position for the infinite object distance. It is controlled by the system control unit 50 .

In step S21, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not to start a registration processing mode for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite object distance. For example, by touching and pressing an infinite distance registration mode button (not shown) displayed near the infinite distance registration button 303 illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the registration processing mode can be started. If it is determined to start the registration processing mode in step S21 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S22 to start the registration processing mode. On the other hand, if it is determined not to start the registration processing mode for registering the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance in step S21 (No), the process proceeds to step S10.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a registration processing mode for registering a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance. Each process in this flow chart is implemented by the system control unit 50 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

In step S23, the system controller 50 instructs the lens unit 150 to open the diaphragm. When focusing on an object at infinity, the depth of field is deep when the aperture is closed, making it difficult to distinguish between in-focus and out-of-focus states. When the aperture is open, the depth of field becomes shallower, making it easier to distinguish between in-focus and out-of-focus conditions, making it possible to accurately focus on subjects at infinity.

In step S24, the system control unit 50 accepts the user's focus operation (operation to move the focus ring), and moves the display position of the focus index 302 on the GUI image according to the user's operation. When the user performs a focus operation by moving the focus ring, the focus index 302 moves on the GUI image on the screen of the rear display unit 28 and the position of the actual focus lens of the lens unit 150 moves. The user can adjust the position of the focus lens that brings the subject at infinity into focus while confirming the display position of the focus index 302 on the GUI image. At this time, the adjustment sensitivity of the focus operation in step S24 of FIG. 9 is set to be lower than that of the focus operation of step S5 in FIG. 8, thereby facilitating fine focus adjustment.

In step S25, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not an infinite distance registration instruction is received by pressing the infinite distance registration button 303 illustrated in FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d).

If the system control unit 50 determines in step S25 that the infinite distance registration instruction has been received by pressing the infinite distance registration button 303 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S9. In step S<b>9 , the system control unit 50 registers (updates) lens information including the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance in the nonvolatile memory 56 and the lens unit 150 . Specifically, the position of the focus lens after the user adjustment when the infinity registration button 303 is touched is registered (updated) as the focus lens position at which the subject at infinity is focused. As a result, when the focus index 302 on the GUI image is positioned at infinity, the object 301 at infinity is actually brought into focus. After step S9, the process proceeds to step S28.

If it is determined in step S25 that the infinity registration button 303 has not been pressed for the predetermined period (No), the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, it is determined whether or not the registration processing mode for registering the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite subject distance has been cancelled. For example, it is determined whether or not a cancel button (not shown) displayed near the infinite distance registration button 303 illustrated in FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d) has been pressed. If it is determined in step S27 that the cancellation has not been performed (No), the process returns to step S24, and the processes of steps S24, S25, and S27 are repeated.

When the system control unit 50 determines that the cancellation has been performed in step S27 (No), the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the system control unit 50 instructs the lens unit 150 to resume opening the diaphragm to the state before opening, and the flow of FIG. 9 ends.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, by correcting the display position of the focus index on the GUI image, it becomes easy to focus on an object at infinity. . In addition, the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite subject distance can be registered by registration processing independent from the photographing processing, and the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite subject distance can be corrected. In addition, since processing is performed to register the focus lens position corresponding to the infinite object distance with the aperture opened, it becomes easier to distinguish between the in-focus state and the out-of-focus state as compared with the first embodiment. , you will be able to accurately focus on an object at infinity.

Note that the above-described various controls performed by the system control unit 50 may be performed by one piece of hardware, or may be performed by a plurality of pieces of hardware (for example, a plurality of processors or circuits). You may control the whole apparatus.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described as an example, but any device having a means for determining the shooting state can be applied. That is, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, mobile phone terminals, portable image viewers, printers equipped with displays, digital photo frames, music players, game machines, electronic book readers, and the like.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to The computer is composed of a processor such as a CPU or MPU, for example. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions. A computer program per se for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is also one aspect of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 imaging device 150 lens unit 50 system control section 28 rear display section

Claims (12)

An imaging device capable of adjusting the focus by moving the position of the focus lens according to a user operation,
acquisition means for acquiring information including a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance;
When the focus is adjusted according to the user's operation to focus on the subject at infinity, the index of the subject distance corresponding to the focus lens position, which is the position of the focus lens after adjustment, is set to the focus lens included in the information. and a control means for controlling display at a display position determined using the position,
The control means performs control to display, as the indicator, a graphic image positioned at the subject distance corresponding to the position of the focus lens on a scale from the closest side to the super-infinity side of the photographable subject distance, and 1. An imaging apparatus, comprising: correcting the display position of the index according to the adjusted focus lens position when receiving an instruction to register a focus lens position corresponding to a long subject distance. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means updates the focus lens position included in the information using the adjusted focus lens position. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means performs control to store said information about the updated focus lens position in a memory within said imaging apparatus. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means stores the information about the updated focus lens position in a memory of a removable lens unit. When receiving an instruction to register a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance, the control means generates a normalization function using the adjusted focus lens position, and uses the normalization function to determine the index. 5. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the display position is normalized. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said control means generates a normalization function corresponding to the entire range of object distances that can be photographed. 6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said control means generates a normalization function corresponding to a partial range of the entire range of object distances that can be photographed. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information includes at least one of a manufacturing number and a model number of the lens unit. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means registers, in said information, a temperature when registering a focus lens position corresponding to an object distance of infinity. 10. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein, when receiving an instruction to register a focus lens position corresponding to an object distance of infinity, said control means performs control to open the diaphragm. The imaging device described. A program for causing a computer to function as various means of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . A control method for an imaging device capable of adjusting focus by moving the position of a focus lens according to a user operation,
an obtaining step of obtaining information including a focus lens position corresponding to an infinite subject distance;
When the focus is adjusted according to the user's operation to focus on the subject at infinity, the index of the subject distance corresponding to the focus lens position, which is the position of the focus lens after adjustment, is set to the focus lens included in the information. a control step for controlling display at a display position determined using the position;
In the control step, control is performed to display, as the index, a graphic image positioned at a subject distance corresponding to the position of the focus lens on a scale from the closest side to the super-infinity side of the photographable subject distance; A control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: correcting a display position of the index according to the adjusted focus lens position when receiving an instruction to register a focus lens position corresponding to a long object distance.

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