JPH03160425A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a camera main body face toward a prescribed direction and also to perform the remote control of the camera main body by disposing a receiving part, an up-and-down movement means for rocking the camera main body in an up-and-down direction and a lateral driving device capable of loading on and unloading from the camera main body. CONSTITUTION:The system is provided with a remote control operation device 13 for sending a prescribed signal, a photographing means for performing a photographing action in response to a signal, a lateral driving means 11 and an up-and-down driving device. That means, the system is provided with the mechanism of a vertical driving part 10 which is integrally formed with the camera main body and a horizontal driving part 11 which is capable of loading on and unloading from the vertical driving part 10, and the vertical driving part 10 is provided with a vertical driving motor M3, a reduction gear train GV and an encoder ENV, which are fixed on a vertical table part 10A. The reduction gear train GV is connected to the rocking gear GS of a rocking member 17, and then, the camera main body CA is rocked against the vertical table part 10A by the rotation of the vertical driving motor M3 and the optical axis of a photographing lens is rocked in the up-and-down direction. Thus, the optical axis of the photographing lens can be rocked in the up-and-down direction in accordance with a remote control operation, and also the optical axis can be freely rocked up and down and from side to side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a camera system, and more particularly to a camera system configured to allow remote control of the camera body. When the camera operator takes pictures while away from the camera body, it is convenient to be able to remotely control the camera body so that it faces the camera operator (subject). JP-A-60-139998 discloses that when a pan head attached to a camera body receives a predetermined signal from a remote control transmitter, the amount of deviation of the optical axis of the camera body is calculated and the pan head drive motor is activated. A system has been disclosed in which the optical axis of the camera body is directed in a predetermined direction.

However, in this prior art, the camera head is equipped with a remote control signal receiving section, so when the camera head is removed from the camera body, the camera body cannot be remotely controlled for shooting. In addition, the pan head requires a drive motor, a speed reduction mechanism, etc., and has a considerable size and weight, making it difficult to carry around at all times.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera system in which the camera body can always be remotely controlled for photography, and the driving device for changing the direction of the camera body is simplified. Suppose that The camera system of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object of the invention, includes a remote control operating device that transmits a predetermined signal, and a receiver that receives the predetermined signal. a camera body comprising: a photographing means for performing a photographing operation in response to the predetermined signal; and a left-right drive means for driving the optical axis of the photographing lens to swing in the left-right direction in response to the predetermined signal; The camera is equipped with a vertical drive device that is removable from the camera body and drives the optical axis of the photographic lens vertically in response to the predetermined signal when attached to the camera body. As described in a second claim, the camera system of the present invention includes a remote control operating device that transmits a predetermined signal, a receiving section that receives the predetermined signal, and a photographing means that performs a photographing operation in response to the predetermined signal. , a camera body comprising a vertical drive means for driving the optical axis of the photographic lens to swing vertically in response to the predetermined signal; and a camera body that is detachable from the camera body and that responds to the predetermined signal when the camera body is attached. The camera may also include a left-right drive means for driving the optical axis of the photographing lens to swing in the left-right direction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined signal from the remote control transmitter is received in the camera body. Based on the received predetermined signal, the optical axis of the photographic lens is swung left and right to bring it to a good left and right position. The camera releases the camera based on the received predetermined signal. Note that if the vertical drive device is attached to the camera body, the vertical drive is also performed in addition to the horizontal drive described above. Further, according to the structure as set forth in the second claim, except for the fact that the vertical direction drive is performed by receiving a predetermined signal, and the left and right direction drive can be performed only when the left and right drive means is installed, the first The effect is the same as that of the structure as described in the claim. Section L: Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. first,
Figure 1 shows the external appearance of the camera body CA, of which (^) is a plan view and (B) is a front view. (C) is a left side view. In these figures, 1 allows operation of the camera body by turning on the main switch, and
By pressing F, the operation of the camera body is prohibited. 2 is the release button, and pressing it one step performs photometry and distance measurement, and pressing it two steps performs exposure. 3 is an AF (autofocus) window for distance measurement, one of which is window 3a.
It emits infrared light for distance measurement from the window 3b, and receives the infrared light reflected from the subject and returned by the other window 3b. 4 is the finder, and 5 is the photometry window. 6 is remote control (
Hereinafter referred to as "remote control j", it is a remote control light receiving window for receiving infrared light from a transmitter. 7 is a photographing lens. 8 is a zoom lever, and push this zoom lever to the right in the figure. Press in the opposite direction to zoom in, and press in the opposite direction to zoom out.Number 9 is a mode switching button, and each press switches between normal shooting mode and remote shooting mode.

10 is a vertical drive unit that moves the optical axis of the camera in the vertical direction when the camera is operated remotely. 11 is a horizontal drive unit that moves the optical axis of the camera body in the horizontal direction when remotely controlling the camera body using a remote control transmitter. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display LED (light emitting diode), which functions to notify that the remote control operator is within the field of view of the camera during remote control shooting. Next, FIG. 2 shows the remote control transmitter 13, of which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view,
(C) is a right side view. This remote control transmitter 13 has an operation button 14 on its top surface, and a part of an infrared LED 15 that emits infrared light is exposed on the front. The control signal sent to the camera body C^ to remotely control the camera body CA is transmitted by infrared light. FIG. 3A shows the mechanism of the vertical drive section 10 that is pre-integrated into the camera body CA and the horizontal drive section 11 that can be attached to and detached from the vertical drive section 10.
(Opening) is a plan view, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of Figure (A).

In FIG. 3A, the camera body C^ is swingably supported by a vertical stand 10A. The lower frame of the camera body CA supports a swinging member 17. The vertical drive unit 10 is
It has a vertical drive motor, a reduction gear train Gv connected to it, and an encoder εNV for outputting a signal as shown in FIG. 5 later, and these are fixed to the vertical platform 10^. The reduction gear train CV is connected to the swing gear CS of the seeding member l7, and the rotation of the vertical drive motor M3 causes the camera body C^ to swing relative to the vertical stand 10A, and the photographing lens 7 is rotated. Swings the optical axis vertically. Third
Diagram E clearly shows the swing mechanism. First, (a
) is a plan view of the movable member I7, (b) is a front view, (C) is a right side view, and (d) is a vertical stand lO^.
(e) is a right side view when the singing member 17 and the vertical stand 10A are combined. The swinging member 17 has left and right tongue portions 31 . 32 has a long hole 33, and a bottle 34 provided on the vertical base portion 11A passes through this long hole 33. A plate body 35 is attached to the tip of the penetrating pin 34, and both 114. 17 will be prevented from falling off. #! The lower ends of the moving member 17 and the vertical platform 11A are both arch-shaped, and correspondingly, the elongated hole 33 is also arch-shaped. When the swinging member 17 moves relative to the vertical platform 11A, the movement draws a bow-shaped trajectory. FIG. 3F mainly shows the vertical drive unit 10, and the figure (
A〉 is a plan view, and (opening) is a side sectional view. (c) is a front view. Here, the drive gear GS also exists in an arch shape below the right wall plate 17b of the swinging member l7. Same figure (
The reference numeral 36 in the figure represents the pitch circle of the drive gear GS.

Next, Fig. 3G shows the encoder ENV portion for detecting the vertical position, and Fig. 3(1) is a side sectional view and Fig. 3(ii) is a plan view. The encoder plate 37 is attached to the left wall of the vertical platform 10A, and the contact piece 38 is attached to the inner surface of the left wall plate 17a of the swinging member 17. Four contact pieces 38 correspond to each pattern formed on the encoder plate 37.
a. 38b. 38c and 38d are provided, of which the contact piece 38b is for grounding, and the contact piece 38a,
38c and 38d are SEID shown in Fig. 5, respectively.
Output rS VIEFI S vruL. ? 3
Returning to Figure A, the horizontal drive section 11 is removably attached to the camera body CA in which the vertical drive section 10 is integrated as described above. The horizontal drive section 1l is provided with a protrusion 101 that fits into a recess 100 formed in the vertical drive section IO. The rotating member 102 of the horizontal drive unit 11 is provided with a connector pin CODH and a mounting detection pin POH, and when the horizontal drive unit I1 is mounted on the camera body, the connector pin CODH is provided at the bottom of the camera body CA. Connected to the connector COC, the pin PDH acts on the drive piece of the detection switch S■ (see FIG. 4) to turn on the attachment detection switch S■.

The horizontal drive section l1 has a horizontal drive motor M4, a reduction gear train GFI connected thereto, and an encoder ENH for outputting a signal as shown in FIG. 5 later. The horizontal base part 11A has a first horizontal base part 11A and a second horizontal base part 11 that are in close contact with each other at the side portions and are separated from each other at the center portion.
A, a horizontal drive motor is placed on the first horizontal platform 11A, and a reduction gear train GH is provided on the second horizontal platform 11A2. The rotating member 102 rotates in the horizontal direction with respect to the horizontal table portion 11A by rotation of the horizontal drive motor M4.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the rotating member 102 has a first cylindrical portion 20 protruding downward in the center thereof, and a first cylindrical portion 20 that is continuous with the first cylindrical portion 20 and has a slightly smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 20. the second of
A cylindrical portion 22 consisting of a cylindrical portion 2l is provided. 1st
A rotary gear GR that meshes with the reduction gear train GH is provided on the lower outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 20. Moreover, the second cylindrical part 2
A screw hole 23 is provided on the lower surface of l. On the other hand, the first horizontal platform 11A is provided with a cylindrical portion 24 facing upward, and this cylindrical portion 24 is connected to the second cylindrical portion
1 will fit. A disk 26 having a through hole 27 is connected to the first
It is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical part 24 from below the horizontal platform part 11A1 until it abuts the step part 25, and at that position, the through hole 27
The second cylindrical part 2l is rotatably connected and fixed to the cylindrical part 24 by inserting a screw 28 through the screw hole 23 of the second cylindrical part 21. This moves the rotating member 102 to the first position.
Horizontal stand portion 11A. This means that it is fixed so that it can rotate freely. Therefore, when the horizontal drive unit 1l is combined with the vertical drive unit 10 (therefore, the camera body CA) so that the concave part 100 and the convex part 101 fit together, the camera body CA supported by the rotating member 102 is moved to the horizontal base part. It is possible to rotate relative to 11A. The encoder plate 29 of the encoder EN}l is attached to the rotating member 102 as shown in FIG. 3D, and the contact piece 30 is fixed to the second horizontal base portion 111h. The relationship between the encoder plate 29 and the contact piece 30 is shown in Figure 3C. Here, various encoder patterns are formed on the encoder plate 29, and contact pieces 30a, 30 are attached to each of these patterns.
b, 30c. 30d is compatible. In addition, contact piece 30
b is for grounding (grounding), and contact pieces 30c, 30
a, 30d are SLll+SHI as shown in Figure 5.
II! Outputs F+ SHPLIL signals.

A conceptual diagram of how the camera body CA is driven in the left-right direction by the remote control transmitter 13 with the above configuration is shown in FIG. 14(a).
A conceptual diagram of the robot being swung vertically is shown in Figure 14(b). In these (a) and (b), the camera body CA shown by the solid line is shown by the dotted line CA, and the dashed line CA. It moves like.

Next, the block circuit diagram of the camera system of this embodiment shown in Fig. 4 will be explained. In the figure, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") μC performs photometry and distance measurement depending on the state of each switch described later. Controls operations such as hoisting in a sequential manner. First, I will explain each switch. SO is the main switch, and when it is ON, camera operation is permitted, and when it is OFF, it is prohibited. SL is a photometering and ranging switch, which is turned ON by pressing the release S opening 2 one step as shown in Fig. 1.

S2 is a release switch and is turned on by pressing the release button two steps. S. 4. . is a mode switch, which is turned on by pressing mode change button 9 in Figure 1. SZ+ is a zoom-in switch and is turned on by moving the zoom lever 8 in FIG. 1 to the right in the drawing. S2. is the zoom out switch, which is turned on by moving the zoom lever mentioned above to the left in the drawing. S. is the attachment detection switch, which is turned ON when the horizontal drive unit 11 is attached to the camera body CA* sva! r
Is the vertical reference switch ON when the camera body CA is facing horizontally? *SLIO is an up/down discrimination switch that is ON when the camera body GA is facing downwards and OFF when facing upwards. SVP is a switch that turns ON and OFF once every 1° when the CAO direction of the camera body moves up or down. These switches S v*vr+ S
LID+S VPtlL is configured in the encoder ENV.

SN■, is a horizontal reference switch, and the camera body CA is in the initial position (that is, in the case of this embodiment, it is the center position, and in this position, the horizontal deviation between the camera body CA and the horizontal base part 1l^ is zero) *SLll is a left/right discrimination switch that turns ON when the camera body CA is facing to the right.
It turns OFF when facing left.

S1 is a switch that is turned ON and OFF once every time the camera moves 1 degree to the left or right. These switches SNIIEFI
S Il+ S IIFUL is the encoder I above
liNH, and its status is connector bin G.
It is detected by microcomputer μC via ODH and connector COC.

Each of the above switches SVllllEF+ SIID+ S
VPIIL+ SllEF+SLR+ SHPL
The signals generated by IL have the relationship shown in Figure 5. ZEN zoom encoder related to photographic lenses. -4 will be described later. AF/AE is a photometry/distance measurement block that performs photometry/distance measurement based on signals from the microcomputer μC and sends the results back to the microcomputer μC. The shutter block SB drives the lens for AF and the shutter for exposure based on signals from the microcomputer μC. Motor driver MDR
I is a driver for driving the zoom motor M1, and it rotates in the forward direction depending on the "H" and "L" states (combination of "H" and "L") of the outputs MCI and MC2 of the microcomputer μC. Performs reverse rotation, brake, and OFF control. Motor Drino<Q[lR
2 is a driver for driving the winding and rewinding motor M2, and the outputs MC3 and MC4 of the microcomputer μC perform the same control as the motor driver MDRI. Motor driver MD
R3 is a driver for driving the vertical drive motor of the camera, and the outputs MC5 and MC6 of the microcomputer μC perform the same control as the motor driver MDRI. The motor driver MDI24 is a driver for driving the horizontal drive motor of the camera, and the output MC7 of the microcomputer μC,
Control similar to Motor Drino<MDRI with MC8? The LED I shown in FIG. 1 is the display LED 12 shown in FIG. 1, and its lighting/non-lighting is controlled by the terminal LDI of the microcomputer μC. When the position sensor device PSD receives a remote control signal, the detection circuit OCT detects the relative angle between the optical axis of the photographing lens 7 and the position of the remote control transmitter 13 at that time based on the signal from the position sensor device PSD. Calculate and send angle data to microcomputer μC, L
ED2 is an infrared LFD for transmitting remote control signals to the camera side using infrared light, and is represented by 15 in FIG. When the remote control switch S8 is turned on using the remote control button 14 (Fig. 2), the LED 2 lights up and a signal is sent to the camera body. The communication between the detection circuit OCT and the microcomputer μC will be explained using Fig. 6(a). Detection circuit OCT
and microcomputer μC are SREQ, SCκ, CS. SIN
They are connected by four lines. When the detection circuit ROCT receives a signal from the position sensor device PSrJ by receiving a remote control signal, it first lowers the line SREQ to a low level "L" and requests the microcomputer μC to communicate. When the microcomputer μC detects "L" on line SRE, it drops it to line CS@"L". As a result, line SR
After confirming that the EQ has reached the high level ゜H,
Next, transmit the clock (8 bits) for serial communication. In synchronization with the signal, the detection circuit OCT sends angle data (left and right directions) to the microcomputer μC. After that, the microcomputer μC sends another 8-bit clock. The detection circuit OCT then sends the vertical angle data to the microcomputer μC. After that, microcontroller μC
returns CS to “H”. Communication of angle data is performed in the sequence described above. Next, according to FIG. 6(b), the 8
Let us explain the contents of bit data. In the case of left and right data, 6 bits b0 to b are the angle information between the lens optical axis and the remote control position, and the minimum unit is! It is ゜. b, is unused, and b is information as to whether the remote control transmitter 13 is located on the right or left side with respect to the lens optical axis. For example, if the remote control transmitter 13 is facing the camera,
3, the left and right data is O * 101101
(*=Don't Care). The same applies to the upper and lower data. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 11. First of all, Figure 7 is a flowchart of the main routine. When the battery is inserted into the camera body,
In step l1, the drive unit is reset as described later. Resetting the drive unit means returning the drive unit of the camera body μC to its initial position. In other words, the camera body CA and the horizontal stand part 114
This is an operation to return to the position where there is no misalignment between the camera body CA and the vertical stand 10A (hereinafter referred to as "facing horizontally").Next, go to step 12. Then, it is determined whether or not the main switch SO is turned on. If it is turned on, the process advances to step 13. If it is turned off, the determination in step I2 is repeated and the process waits until the main switch SO is turned on. In Step Snow 3, it is determined whether the photometry/distance measurement switch s1 is ON or OFF.If it is ON, the process proceeds to the Sl routine.This S1 routine G will be described later.When the switch S1 is OFF, Proceeding to step lI4, it is determined whether the mode changeover switch S.4 is ON or OFF, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step #8.If the switch Small is ON, the process proceeds to step 15, and it is determined whether the mode changeover switch S.4 is currently in remote control shooting mode or not. Or it is determined whether it is the normal shooting mode. If it is the normal shooting mode, the process proceeds to step I6 and the remote control shooting mode is set. If it is the remote control shooting mode, the process proceeds to step I7 and the normal shooting mode is set. Then, the process proceeds to step #8.In other words, each time the switch S is turned on, the mode is alternately switched from normal shooting mode to remote control shooting mode to normal shooting mode.In step 18, the zoom-in switch si+ is determined. , if ON, proceed to Sz+ON routine; if OFF, proceed to step 19 = zoom out switch S2 in step I9.

is determined, and if it is ON, S2. Proceed to ON routine.
If it is OFF, proceed to step "110" and determine whether or not the remote control shooting mode is in effect. If the mode is not remote control shooting mode, that is, in the normal shooting mode, the process returns to step I2 and the above operation is repeated.In the remote control shooting mode. At the next step 111, read the state of the line SREQ, and if it is “H”, return to step 112.Line SR
If the EQ is "L", that is, remote control photography is being performed, the process advances to the remote control routine. Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for returning the drive unit to its initial position.
In step 1, it is determined whether the camera body CA is facing a horizontal surface or not based on the ON/OFF state of the vertical reference switch Sv■. If it is not pointing horizontally, the process proceeds to step +123, where it is determined whether the camera body CA is currently facing upward or downward by turning on/off the vertical discrimination switch SLill, and then the vertical drive motor M3 is activated. Decide the direction of rotation and perform forward or reverse rotation (step 124)
or 125) - Then, repeat the operations from step 121 onwards. After that, when the camera body C^ faces the horizontal plane and the vertical reference switch SVOF is turned on, step 121
The program then proceeds to step 122 to stop the vertical drive motor. Then, in step 1131, if the horizontal drive unit 11 is not installed, the process returns to the main routine, and if it is installed, the process proceeds to step 126, where the initial position of the horizontal drive is reset. child? The operation is similar to the vertical drive case described above. That is, in step 126, the camera body C is
Determine whether ^ is facing forward. If the camera body CA is not facing the front, proceed to step 128 and determine whether the camera body CA is facing right or left based on the ON/O OFF state of the left/right discrimination switch SLI, and check the result. Determine the direction of rotation of the horizontal drive motor and rotate it forward or reverse (step 129 or J+30).
After reading L, return to step 26 and repeat the same operation. Then, when the camera body CA faces the front and the horizontal reference switches S and F are turned on, the process proceeds from step 126 to step 1127, stops the motor M4, and returns to the main routine. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for driving the zoom lens of the photographic lens 7. In this flow, operate the zoom lever 8 to select the zoom in switch SKI or the zoom out switch S2. It is executed when is turned ON. In Fig. 9(a), the zoom-in switch SKI is set to O.
In the flowchart when the answer is N, it is first determined in step 181 whether the zoom-in switch si+ is still on, and if it is, it is determined in step 182 whether the zoom lens of the photographing lens 7 has reached the telephoto end. Determine whether If it has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 183, where the zoom motor M2 is rotated forward to drive the lens in the telephoto direction. Then, return to step 1181 and repeat the above operations. In step 181, the zoom-in switch S.
is turned off, or when it is determined in step 1182 that the lens has reached the telephoto end, the process proceeds to step 184, stops the zoom motor M2, and returns to the main routine shown in FIG. Figure 9(b) shows the zoom out switch SA.
In the flowchart when D is turned on, the operation is the same as in the case of zooming in.

Next, Figure 10 is a flowchart of photometry, distance measurement, and release. When it is determined that the switch s1 is turned ON in the main routine, first, in step 151, photometry and distance measurement are performed using the photometry and distance measurement blocks AF/AE.Next, in step 1152, the release switch S2 is turned ON/OFF.
Perform F determination, and if it is OFF, proceed to step #53,
Determine ○N/OFF of photometering and ranging switch Sl, 5
If 1 is ON, the process advances to step ll54, and if OFF, the process returns to the main routine. In step +154, it is determined whether the main switch SO is ON or OFF, and if it is ON, the process returns to step #52 and the above operations are repeated. OF
At F time, return to the main routine. When it is determined in step 152 that the release switch S2 is ON, the process proceeds to step ll55, where the lens is driven for AF, and then exposure (156) is performed. Lens Risenote (157). Film winding (15B) and a series of release sequences are performed, and the process returns to the main routine. By the way, in the photometry/distance measurement mentioned above, distance data is expressed by a predetermined zone number. The relationship between the distance to the subject and the zone number, which is the distance measurement data at that time, is shown in Figure 15. Figure 11 is a flowchart for remote control shooting.
In the remote control shooting mode, when the detection circuit OCT receives infrared light from the remote control transmitter l3, the line SREQ is set to 'L'.
', the program advances from step 111 of the main routine of FIG. 7 to the remote control routine of FIG. 1l. First, at step 1100, angle data between the camera lens and the remote control transmitter l3 is input from the detection circuit OCT using the method shown in FIG. 6 described above. Next step 1l0
In Step 1, it is determined whether the horizontal drive unit 11 is attached to the camera body, and if it is attached, the process proceeds to Step 1102.
Determine whether it is necessary to rotate the camera body CA to the left or right.

If not necessary, proceed to step 11108. When necessary, the process advances to step 1103, where it is determined whether the rotation direction is right or left, and the horizontal motor is rotated forward or reverse accordingly. Then, the process proceeds to step 1106, where the number of pulses obtained by the switch SLIP0, as shown in FIG. 5, is checked to determine whether or not the rotation has reached the target angle. If it is not rotated, repeat the checking operation and wait until it rotates to the desired angle. If it rotates to the target position, step 1l0
Proceed to step 7 to stop the old motor, and proceed to step 1108. Note that when it is determined in step IllO1 that the horizontal drive unit 1l is not attached to the camera body CA, the process advances to step 0l6, and the photometry/distance measurement and auto zoom drive (111
After performing step 7), information on the shooting angle of view is obtained from the focal length by the zoom drive (1118), and compared with the angle data obtained in step 1100, it is determined whether the subject operating the remote control transmitter 13 is within the shooting angle of view. Determine whether it is included (111
9) If it is not within the field of view, proceed to step 1l20 and light the LED 12 (LEDI in Figure 4).
Displays a warning. Steps 1108 to 11113 are for driving the camera body CA in the vertical direction, and are similar to the operations in steps 11102 to 1107 described above. The above operation causes the camera body CA to face the direction of the remote control transmitter. Then, proceed to step 1114,
Perform photometry and distance measurement as described above. Next, the process advances to step 1115 to perform auto-zoom driving, which will be described later, and then to step 155 in FIG. 10, described above, to perform a series of release sequences. Note that when it is determined in step '1101 that the horizontal drive unit l1 is not attached to the camera body CA, the process advances to step #108 and the flow from step I108 onwards is executed. In step 1115 of Fig. 1l above, is the auto zoom activated?
In this regard, zoom drive will be explained. First, Figure 12 shows the zoom encoder Z■. . 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output of 4 and the focal length of the photographing lens 7 at that time. The zoom encoder is a Gray code type encoder and has an encoder pattern as shown in the center of FIG. The zoom encoder has 21 zoom positions represented by 1 to 2l, and a representative focal length value for each zoom position is shown as a representative f value.

For example, when the zoom position is l, the typical f-number is 90 mm, and at this time the zoom lens of the photographing lens 7 is at the telephoto end position. On the other hand, the representative f value at zoom position 19 is 3
8s+m, and at this time the zoom lens is at the wide end. Zoom position 20. 21 is a case where the photographing lens 7 is in a retracted state. The encoder pattern is as shown in the center of the figure, and the output signal Z as shown in the figure
ENC. ~Z ENC4 is output from the encoder brush as an encoder signal. Encoder pattern ON
The signal contents in which H and OFF are respectively expressed as H and L are shown in the function column. A hexadecimal code is a hexadecimal representation of the contents of a function. That is, when the zoom position is determined, the representative r value is determined accordingly, and the output data at that time is output as a 5-bit hexadecimal code. Among zoom drives, auto zoom in particular is a process in which the focal length Mr of the photographing lens is automatically set to f - β x D to obtain the set shooting magnification β for a given subject distance D. This refers to a zoom drive that has an adjustment function. In this auto zoom, for example, when a photo is taken in a horizontal position, the magnification data β is generally selected to be β = 1/70 for a full-body photo, and β = 1 for an upper-body photo.
/35 is selected, and if it is a face photograph, β = 1 /15 is selected.

Next, we will explain how to find the focal length f of the lens during auto zoom. Table T1 is used to refer to a predetermined parameter D from data in which distance data determined based on the subject distance shown in FIG. 12 is expressed by a zone number. This parameter D represents the actual distance in units of 1. The focal length f is calculated by calculating the product of this parameter D and photographing magnification data β determined in advance according to the photographing mode. Table T2 represents the stopping position of the photographing lens in the auto zoom mode based on the focal length f, which is the calculation result, as a zoom position. By using the above-mentioned birch, the focal length of the lens during auto zoom can be determined from data obtained by photometry and distance measurement. Both table TI and table T2 are created on the RAM of the CPU in the microcontroller μC. Next, FIGS. 16 to 18 show other embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the horizontal drive unit 11 is connected to the camera body CA.
This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the vertical drive section 10 is removably fixed in advance, but otherwise has substantially the same configuration. Especially vertical drive unit IO, horizontal drive unit 1l
The mechanism is substantially the same as each mechanism shown in FIG. 3A,
These different points can be easily understood by those skilled in the art in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A to 3G, and therefore their explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 16, coov is a connector pin for connecting the horizontal drive unit 1l to the camera body CA, and P
DV is the attachment detection pin. Here, the flowchart of FIG. 18 for remote control photography will be explained. In the remote control shooting mode, when the detection circuit OCT receives infrared light from the remote control transmitter 13, it changes the line SREQ.
By setting it to L', the process advances from step 1111 of the main routine in FIG. 7 to the remote control routine in FIG. Here, first, in step TIOO, angle data between the camera lens and the remote control transmitter l3 is input manually from the detection circuit OCT. Next, in step T102, it is determined whether it is necessary to rotate the camera body CA to the left or right. If not necessary, proceed to step TIOI. If necessary, the process proceeds to step T103, where it is determined whether the rotation direction is right or left, and the horizontal motor is rotated forward or reverse accordingly. Then, the process proceeds to step T106, where the number of pulses obtained by the switch SNPIIL as shown in FIG. 5 is checked, and it is determined whether or not the rotation has reached the target angle. If it is not rotated, repeat the checking operation and wait until it rotates to the desired angle. If it rotates to the target position, step T107
The process proceeds to step T101, where the old motor is stopped.

In step T101, it is determined whether or not the vertical drive (vertical drive) section 10 is installed. If it is installed, the process advances to step 7108. Steps T108 to T113 are for driving the camera body CA in the vertical direction, and are similar to the operations of steps T102 to T107 described above. The above operation causes the camera body CA to face the direction of the remote control transmitter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step T114, and the above-mentioned photometry and distance measurement are performed. Next, proceed to step T1l5,
After performing the auto zoom drive, the process proceeds to step 155 in FIG. 10 described above, and a series of release sequences are performed. In addition, in step TIOI, the vertical drive unit 1 is attached to the camera body CA.
0 is not attached, step T11
Proceed to step 6, photometry/distance measurement, auto zoom drive (T117)
After performing this, information on the shooting angle of view is obtained from the focal length of the zoom drive (T118), and compared with the angle data obtained with the stenop TIOO, it is determined whether the subject operating the remote control transmitter l3 is within the shooting angle of view. (Step T)
119) If there is a person within the angle of view, perform a release operation, and if there is no person within the angle of view, proceed to step T120 and light up the LED 12 (LEDI in FIG. 4) to display a warning.

In the routine shown in FIG. 8 described in the first embodiment, step 1131 may be deleted and a step for determining the presence or absence of the vertical drive section 10 may be inserted before step I2l.

As mentioned above, the camera body has a receiving section that receives a predetermined signal from a remote control transmitter, and a left-right drive means for swinging the camera body in the left-right direction, and is also detachable from the camera body. According to the camera system of the present invention, which is equipped with a vertical drive device, it is possible to take pictures with a remote control using only the camera body, and the optical axis of the photographic lens can be swung left and right in response to remote control operation. By attaching the device, the optical axis can be driven to freely swing up, down, left and right.

In addition, the camera body has a receiving section that receives a predetermined signal from a remote control transmitter, a vertical drive means for swinging the camera body in the vertical direction, and a horizontal drive device that is detachable from the camera body. In the camera system of the present invention, not only can the camera body be operated by remote control, but also the optical axis of the photographic lens can be moved up and down in accordance with the remote control operation.Furthermore, by installing a left and right drive means, the optical axis can be moved up and down. It can be driven to swing freely from side to side.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the camera body in a state in which a vertical and horizontal drive unit according to the present invention is attached, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a remote control transmitter. 3AUjJ is a diagram showing the mechanism of the vertical and horizontal drive unit that changes the direction of the camera body of this embodiment, FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of a part thereof, FIG. 3C is an enlarged plan view of the horizontal drive unit, and FIG. 3D is an enlarged front sectional view of the horizontal drive section, FIG. 3E is a diagram for explaining the swing mechanism in the vertical drive section, and FIG. 3F is a diagram for explaining the swing mechanism in the vertical drive section.
The figure is an enlarged view of the vertical drive section, and FIG. 3G is a diagram showing an encoder portion for position detection in the vertical drive section. FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram of the camera system of this embodiment.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are signal waveform diagrams at predetermined portions thereof. Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure lO, Figure 11, Figure 12.
13 and 13 are flowcharts showing various operations of this embodiment, respectively. FIG. I4 is a conceptual diagram showing how the direction of the camera body is controlled by the remote control transmitter in this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between object distance and zone number. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of another embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 17 is a block circuit diagram thereof, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart for driving the remote control and photographing. 7--Photographing lens, 1 (L-vertical drive section, 1L--horizontal drive section,
13 --- Remote control transmitter, CA, camera body, pso-position sensor device, OCT ---
Detection circuit, μC-・Microcomputer. Fig. 2 (A) (C) Prisoner 3B 27 28 Fig. 3C Fig. 4 Fig. 3D Fig. 11A2 30 G}{ 11A1 M4 Fig. 3E Fig. 5 Fig. To 1° Fig. 7 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 12 Fig. H :OFF Figure 13 Figure 15

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) a remote control operating device that transmits a predetermined signal; a receiving section that receives the predetermined signal; a photographing means that performs a photographing operation in response to the predetermined signal; a camera body comprising a left-right drive means for driving the axis to swing in the left-right direction; and a camera body that is removable from the camera body and swings the optical axis of the photographic lens in the vertical direction in response to the predetermined signal when attached to the camera body. A camera system equipped with a vertical drive device and a vertical drive device. (2) a remote control operating device that transmits a predetermined signal; a receiving section that receives the predetermined signal; a photographing means that performs a photographing operation in response to the predetermined signal; a camera body comprising a vertical drive means for driving the axis to swing in the vertical direction; and a camera body that is detachable from the camera body and configured to swing the optical axis of the photographic lens in the left and right directions in response to the predetermined signal when the camera body is attached. A camera system comprising left and right drive means for driving. (3) The camera body is provided with position detection means for detecting the relative positional relationship between the remote control operation device and the pointing direction of the optical axis of the photographic lens. Camera system as described.