WO2009086748A1

WO2009086748A1 - A zoom method and zoom lens therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2009086748A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/071214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chun-Hsiang Chao
Original assignee: Advanced Plus Technology Co., Limited
Priority date: 2008-01-04
Filing date: 2008-06-06
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Also published as: CN101257579A

Abstract

A lens' zoom method and zoom lens therefore are provided. This zoom method includes optical zoom which is realized by moving the lens and digital zoom which is realized by image device control software. At certain optical zoom ratio, the said image device control software gets optical image of scenery which is acquired on the imaging sensor, and provides to the cameramen; between the two neighboring optical zoom ratios, the said image device control software takes out a region which center is the viewing center of the cameramen,in the optical image which obtains from the smaller optics zoom ratio position, and enlarges to the cameramen instructioned ratio by digital zooming.

Description

Zoom method and zoom lens thereof

The present invention relates to a lens, and more particularly to a zoom method of a lens, and a zoom lens using the zoom method.

Background technology

Lens (LENS) is a must-have book component for many imaging devices, such as cameras, camcorders, etc. Photographers can achieve optimal results with lens focus (FOCUS) and zoom (ZOOM) operations.

In order to meet the needs of people standing in the same position and shooting different objects, the various zoom lenses (ZOOM LENS) that can be seen on the market now have similar functions, that is, the lens focus can be changed within a predetermined range. The location is taken at different magnifications.

In general, the zoom mode of the zoom lens can be divided into digital zoom (DIGITAL ZOOM) and optical zoom (OPTICAL ZOOM). The digital zoom is a partial imaging using an image sensor, that is, under the control of the device control software, an area is taken out from the originally captured image to be enlarged, thereby realizing the enlargement of the captured image; the optical zoom is changed by the movement of the lens in the lens. The focal length of the lens, which enables zooming in or out of the captured image. Obviously, digital zoom is a zoom mode at the expense of resolution, that is, image quality, and the image obtained by optical zoom can not only magnify the captured subject, but also the quality of the image will not be degraded. Therefore, digital imaging devices commonly used on the market, such as digital cameras and digital video cameras, basically use both optical zoom and digital zoom functions. When the available optical zoom magnification of the device lens is exhausted, the digital zoom function is enabled. Make up the lens of the device Insufficient optical zoom capability.

However, as described above, in order to achieve the movement of the lens in the lens, in particular, the angle of the lens conforms to the requirements of optically clear imaging, a conventional optical zoom lens must have a precision lens telescopic drive structure to cooperate. In the prior art, this drive structure is a mating structure of a helical gear set or a worm/worm gear. This type of drive structure is bulky and complex in structure, and the system is also very expensive.

In addition, the existing zoom method that first uses optical zoom and then enables digital zoom, its optical zoom is a mechanical continuous zoom; and after reaching the limit of the optical zoom function, it can only be electronic Digital zoom at the expense of image quality. which is,

(1) There is a waste of the optical zoom function during optical zooming: Mechanical continuous zoom means that the photographer's slight magnification of the captured subject brings the lens lens to move, and this is slightly different from the subject. The need for zooming in can be met with a simple digital zoom, because the slight zooming of the scene with the digital zoom does not affect the quality of the image too much; (2) During digital zoom, there is a digital zoom Function imaginary: After reaching the limit of optical zoom, the so-called digital zoom, but the control software of the image device takes a part of the image taken from the maximum magnification of the optical zoom to enlarge, obviously, this zoom, that is, the digital zoom function, It is limited. Otherwise, the magnified image does not meet the photographer's needs at all because of poor quality. Summary of the invention

A first object of the present invention is to provide a more optimized zooming method using a combination of optical zoom and digital zoom. A second object of the present invention is to provide a compact and simple structure using the aforementioned zooming method. And a manufacturing lens with a lower cost.

The zooming method of the present invention that utilizes optical zoom and digital zoom is implemented as follows: A zooming method including optical zooming by lens lens movement and digital zooming by image device control software, characterized in that At the optical zoom magnification level, The image device control software takes an optical image obtained by the scene on the image sensor and provides the image to the photographer; between the two adjacent optical zoom magnification bits, the image device control software selects an optical zoom magnification bit from a smaller magnification. In the obtained optical image, an area is taken centering on the center of the photographer's framing, and the digital zoom is enlarged to a multiple of the photographer's instruction. A zooming method, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

(1) When the imaging device is turned on, the lens lens is at the initial position, the initial magnification of the optical zoom of the lens is X times, the captured image acquires an initial X-fold optical image on the image sensor, and the photographer obtains a zoomed X-fold subject;

(2) The photographer presses the zoom button to X+Y times, and the control software of the image device receives the instruction of the photographer. From the initial X-fold optical image, an area is taken out from the center of the photographer's framing, and digitally enlarged to X. +Y times, the photographer gets a zoomed out X+Y times of the captured scene;

(3) The photographer presses the zoom button to 2X times, and the control software of the image device accepts the photographer's instruction. Under the control of the control circuit, the lens lens is moved to the 2X position of the optical zoom, and the captured object obtains 2X on the image sensor. Double the optical image, the photographer gets a 2X magnification of the captured scene;

(4) The photographer presses the zoom button to 2X+Y times, and the control software of the image device accepts the instruction of the photographer. From the 2X-fold optical image, an area is taken out from the center of the photographer's framing, and digitally enlarged to 2X+ Y times, the photographer gets a 2X+Y times larger shot. In a preferred embodiment, the image device is turned on, the lens lens is at the initial position, and the initial magnification of the optical zoom of the lens is 1 time, and the Y is a decimal value greater than 0 and less than 1. A zoom lens characterized in that: a base on which an accommodation space and a positioning component are disposed;

a driving device comprising a driving motor and a set of transmission gears disposed in the accommodating space of the pedestal; the driving motor is configured to provide power, and the transmission gear set is coupled to the driving motor to be driven;

An imaging lens device includes a driving collar, a zoom raising ring, a zoom moving body composed of a set of zoom lenses housed in the lens barrel, and a spring that abuts against the zoom moving body; the driving collar The outer wall is provided with a fan-shaped tooth pattern that is coupled to the transmission gear; the inner wall of the transmission collar is provided with a drive buckle; the outer wall of the zoom elevation ring is provided with a transmission provided by the inner wall of the drive collar a buckle that is driven by the buckle; an inner wall of the zoom raising ring is provided with a raised bevel; the zoom moving body is closely attached to the raised hypotenuse of the zoom raising ring by the elastic force of the spring on.

In a preferred embodiment, the driving device further includes a driving screw, one end of the driving screw is fixedly connected to a transmission gear, and a surface of the driving screw is formed with a spiral conductive section; the imaging lens device is further The utility model comprises a retractable casing which is arranged in the accommodating space of the pedestal and is reciprocally displaceable only along a predetermined lens axial direction by the positioning component, and one side of the retractable casing is arranged There is a interlocking convex ring with an internal thread; the conductive section of the screw is screwed to the interlocking convex ring.

In a preferred embodiment, a sensor is further disposed on the base of the zoom lens, and a sensing device is further disposed on the telescopic housing.

A zoom method and a zoom lens embodying the present invention, the optical zoom is a jump operation at a plurality of intermittent positions, and therefore, the optical zoom structure of the lens is relatively simple, and can be realized by an ordinary spur gear transmission, the zoom lens The manufacturing cost is very low; between the two optical zoom positions, the image is magnified by digital zoom, which allows the user to obtain acceptable image quality at a lower cost, optimizing the hybrid optical zoom and digital zoom. The zoom mode of operation not only reduces the overall manufacturing cost of the lens, but also meets the practical needs of consumers of ordinary digital camera products. DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the principle of the zooming method of the present invention;

2 is a schematic view showing the working flow of the zooming method of the present invention;

3 is a schematic overall view of the zoom lens of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded exploded view of the zoom lens of Figure 3. detailed description

Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

Embodiment 1:

As shown in Fig. 1, in a zooming method of the present invention, at an optical zoom magnification of IX or 2X, the image device control software takes an optical image obtained by the scene on the image sensor and supplies it to the photographer. That is, when the photographer operates the zoom control button to set the zoom magnification of the lens to the zoom magnification position of IX or 2X, the image device is an optical zoom function that enables the lens lens, and provides the zoomed image to the photographer. In other words, in these positions, the lens works with optical zoom. Here IX, can be double optical zoom, here 2X, can be twice the optical zoom.

As shown in Fig. 1, between two optical zoom magnification bits, for example, between IX and 2X, the image device control software is taken from the optical image obtained by IX times, centered on the center of the photographer's framing. An area and the digital zoom is magnified to a multiple of the photographer's command. That is, when the photographer operates the zoom control button, the zoom magnification of the lens is set between the zoom magnification positions of IX times and 2X times, for example, at the position of 1.1 times, the image device control software calls IX times from the memory of the device. Optical image, taking an area centered on the center of the photographer's framing, enabling the digital zoom function, digitally zoomed in to 1.1 times, and providing it to the photographer; in other words, between the two optical zoom ratios, the lens is digitally zoomed Way to work. And, here 1.1 times the position, the operator can press the zoom control button from the IX position to 1.1 times position, that is, zoom zoom (ZOOM IN) to 1.1 times position; also the operator can press the zoom control button from the 1.2 times position to 1.1 times position, that is, zoom reduction (ZOOM OUT) to 1.1 times position. In the figure, 1.1, 1.2, etc., can be 1.1 times or 1.2 times the zoom magnification.

Obviously, Figure 1 only depicts the basic principles of the zooming method of the present invention. That is, the optical zoom is intermittently jumping at a plurality of positions, for example, the optical zoom can be at the IX position point, the 2X position position, the 3X position position, the 4X position position, and the N times position point. Working up; and between these two adjacent points, the imaging device works in digital zoom mode. In other words, the zoom method of the present invention, the optical zoom and the digital zoom are alternately operated, the optical zoom operates only at several points, and the digital zoom fills and acts as the position between the adjacent two optical zoom working positions. Zoom function. Obviously, the interval between two adjacent optical zoom working position points is not necessarily the one-time zoom magnification interval; the working position of the optical zoom is not necessarily limited to an integral multiple of the zoom magnification; the initial working position of the optical zoom , it is not necessarily double the zoom ratio; and between two adjacent optical zoom working positions, the digital zoom can also work continuously.

For example, if it is a toy-grade digital camera that is extremely inexpensive to manufacture, the zoom method of the present invention can be used in this way: the initial optical zoom of the boot is doubled, and the only position at which the lens lens can be moved is to enlarge the captured scene by 2.5. Double, that is, the other one of the optical zoom operation, and the only one that can be reached is the 2.5x zoom position, and between one and 2.5 times, the zoom function is completely realized by digital. If it is a professional digital camera, the zoom method of the present invention can be used in this way: the initial optical zoom of the boot is doubled, and the lens lens can be moved to reach the working position every 0.5 times zoom magnification, and it can move to the maximum. The working position point of 30 times zoom magnification, and the micro zoom function is realized by digital in every 0.5 time interval.

Therefore, with the zooming method of the present invention, the driving structure of the lens in the lens does not need to adopt a complex helical gear set or a worm/worm gear matching structure capable of achieving a continuous optical zoom function, and an ordinary spur gear transmission can be used. Drive structure, ie optical zoom structure becomes Very simple, reducing the cost of manufacturing the lens. On the other hand, the zoom method of the present invention, the optical zoom and the digital zoom alternately work, optimizing the zoom operation mode when the optical zoom and the digital zoom are mixed, so that the user can obtain an acceptable image quality at a low cost. Embodiment 2:

As shown in FIG. 2, a zooming method of the present invention includes the following steps:

(1) When the imaging device is turned on, the lens lens is at the initial position, the initial magnification of the optical zoom of the lens is X times, and the captured image obtains an initial X-fold optical image on the image sensor, and the photographer obtains an X-magnified subject. Obviously, X times here is not limited to double. In other words, the initial working position of the optical zoom is not necessarily double the zoom magnification; in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the initial multiple of the optical zoom of the lens Doubled. In fact, most imaging devices, such as digital cameras, digital camcorders, etc., have twice the initial magnification of the optical zoom; at this time, if the photographer presses the capture button, the imaging device is optical imaging that enables the lens optics to obtain optics. The subject being photographed after zooming.

(2) The photographer presses the zoom button to X+Y times, and the control software of the image device receives the instruction of the photographer. From the initial X-fold optical image, an area is taken out from the center of the photographer's framing, and digitally enlarged to X. +Y times, the photographer gets a zoomed out X+Y times of the scene being photographed. Obviously, Y here is not limited to less than X. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Υ is smaller than X, and Υ is a decimal value greater than 0 and less than 1, please refer to the situation shown in FIG. 1 , where X is equivalent to IX in FIG. 1 , and Υ is 0.1. 0.2, 0.3, etc., then Χ+Υ is equivalent to 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. in Fig. 1. Obviously, the Υ here is not limited to the zoom magnification with a step size of 0.1. In addition, here, "the photographer presses the zoom button to Χ+Υ times" may be a zoom zoom operation (Zoom ln) performed by the photographer from a lower zoom magnification to a higher zoom magnification, or may be a photographer. Zoom Out from a higher zoom ratio to a lower zoom ratio (Zoom Out) _Q At this time, if the photographer presses the capture button, the image device control software calls X times the optical image from the memory of the device. And then take the photographer's framing center for the middle The heart takes out an area, enables the digital zoom function, and digitally zooms in to X+Y times and supplies it to the photographer; in other words, the scene image obtained at this time is an image enlarged by digital zoom, and the Y value is not too In large cases, the image quality of the scene being photographed is acceptable.

(3) The photographer presses the zoom button to 2X times, and the control software of the image device accepts the photographer's instruction. Under the control of the control circuit, the lens lens is moved to the 2X position of the optical zoom, and the captured object obtains 2X on the image sensor. In the optical image of the magnification, the photographer obtains a 2X-fold enlarged subject. Obviously, 2X here is not limited to twice the initial zoom magnification of the image device; 2X here is not limited to the position where the scene is doubled: As described in the first embodiment, the adjacent two optical zooms The interval between the working position points is not necessarily the one-time zoom magnification interval; the working position point of the optical zoom is not necessarily limited to an integral multiple of the zoom magnification. Obviously, in this step, the image device is a lens-enabled optical zoom function, and the zooming operation is completed by moving the lens in the lens, and the obtained image of the scene is a very clear optical zoom magnified image; This is also the first zoom operation of the imaging device through the movement of the lens. The zoom function between this step (3) and the above step (1) is completely realized by the digital zoom function of the image device control software.

(4) The photographer presses the zoom button to 2X+Y times, and the control software of the image device accepts the instruction of the photographer. From the 2X-fold optical image, an area is taken out from the center of the photographer's framing, and digitally enlarged to 2X+ Y times, the photographer gets a 2X+Y times larger shot. The operation of this step, similar to the above step (2), is realized by the digital zoom function of the image device control software; for the related working process, please refer to the above step (2), which will not be described here.

It should be noted that the steps of this embodiment do not represent all the steps of the zoom method of the present invention. For example, in the next step after the above step (4), the image device will activate the optical zoom function of the lens lens. Optically magnifying the subject, the photographer will obtain an image that is magnified by optical zoom, which is similar to the work of step (3) above. In summary, the embodiments described in the above embodiments do not represent all the implementations of the present invention; The embodiments are not specifically limited to the present invention, and all the technical solutions similar to the present invention, that is, the zoom method of the present invention: optical zoom and digital zoom are alternately operated, and the optical zoom operates only at several positions. The digital zoom fills and acts as a zoom function between the two adjacent optical zoom working position points, which should belong to the protection range of the zoom method of the present invention. Embodiment 3:

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a zoom lens of the present invention includes:

a base 1, which is a mounting platform for each component of the lens, is a part of the image device, and is provided with a plurality of accommodating spaces 11 for protecting and accommodating functions, and a plurality of fixed positions. Positioning component 12.

A driving device 2 includes a driving motor 21 and a set of transmission gears 22 disposed in the accommodating space of the susceptor; the driving motor is for supplying power, and the driving gear set is coupled to the driving motor to be driven. The driving device is a power source of the zoom lens of the present invention.

An imaging lens device 3 includes a drive collar 31, a zoom elevation ring 32, a zoom moving body 34 composed of a set of zoom lenses housed in the lens barrel 33, and a spring that abuts against the zoom moving body The outer wall of the transmission collar is provided with a fan-shaped tooth 311 that is in contact with the transmission gear; the inner wall of the transmission collar is provided with a drive buckle (not shown); The outer wall of the ring is provided with a driven buckle 321 driven by a drive buckle provided on the inner wall of the drive collar; the inner wall of the zoom elevation ring is provided with a raised bevel 322; the zoom moving body is subjected to the spring The elastic force is closely attached to the raised hypotenuse of the zoom raising ring. Bell 1", when the drive motor is powered on, the drive gear set is rotated; since the drive gear 221 is meshed with the fan-shaped rib 311 on the outer wall of the drive collar, the drive collar will be rotated to rotate a sector angle; The zoom elevation ring is snapped with the zoom raising ring, and the zoom raising ring is driven to rotate at an angle centered on the central axis of the lens; since the inner side of the zoom raising ring is provided with a raised bevel, and the zoom moving body is elasticized by the spring It fits snugly on the raised bevel of the zoom raise ring, so when the zoom raise ring is rotated by an angle, its raised bevel will drive the zoom The moving body is displaced forward or backward along the central axis of the lens. Obviously, the displacement of the zoom moving body composed of a set of zoom lenses will cause a change in the zoom magnification of the lens. Obviously, the drive motor acts as the power source for the lens zoom, its start or stop, and the forward or reverse rotation of the motor can be controlled by the imaging device control software. Therefore, when the zoom lens of the present invention is combined with the zoom method of the present invention, the image device control software can completely issue a start command to the drive motor at the lens optical zoom working position point described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. , thereby driving the zoom moving body, that is, the zoom lens group is appropriately displaced to complete the corresponding optical zoom function.

It can be clearly seen from the above embodiments that the zoom lens of the present invention has an optical zoom structure which is very simple, and does not use a conventional helical gear set or a worm/worm gear matching structure, and the manufacturing cost of the zoom lens is reduced a lot. The overall manufacturing cost of the image product is reduced, and it is also in line with the practical needs of consumers of ordinary digital camera products.

In a preferred embodiment of the zoom lens of the present invention, the driving device further includes a driving screw 4, one end of the driving screw is fixedly connected to a transmission gear, and the surface of the driving screw is formed to have a spiral conduction. The imaging lens device further includes a retractable housing 5 disposed in the accommodating space 11 of the base and restricted by the positioning assembly 12 to be reciprocally displaceable only along a predetermined lens axial direction. One side of the retractable housing is provided with an interlocking convex ring 51 with an internal thread; the conductive section of the screw is screwed with the interlocking convex ring. In this preferred embodiment, when the drive motor is activated and the drive gear is rotated, that is, when the lens is zoomed, the retractable housing is also displaced forward or backward along the axial direction of the lens. Obviously, since this retractable housing does not have any optical lens having a zooming effect, such front and rear reciprocating displacement does not cause an optical zooming effect. However, due to this reciprocating displacement action, the movement of the lens of the conventional imaging apparatus is very similar to that of the conventional imaging apparatus. Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used to remind the photographer of the ongoing operation in a very visual manner. Zoom operation.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the zoom lens is further provided on the base of the zoom lens. A sensor, the telescopic housing is further provided with a sensing device, and the sensor disposed on the base can sense the moving distance of the retractable housing. If the sensor is connected to the image device control system, after the sensor senses that the retractable housing has been displaced by a certain distance, the image device control system can issue an instruction to stop the rotation of the drive motor. That is, an instruction to stop the zoom operation is issued.

In other words, the several embodiments described in the above embodiments do not represent all the implementation manners of the present invention; the above embodiments are not specifically limited to the present invention, and all technical solutions similar to the present invention should belong to the protection of the present invention. range.

Claims

Claim

1. A zooming method comprising an optical zoom achieved by movement of a lens lens and a digital zoom implemented by image device control software, wherein the image device control software accesses a scene at an optical zoom magnification level An optical image obtained on the image sensor is provided to the photographer; between the two optical zoom magnification bits, the image device control software captures the optical image obtained from the optical zoom magnification of the smaller magnification The center of the framing takes center as an area, and the digital zoom is enlarged to a multiple of the photographer's command.

2. A zoom method, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

(4) The photographer presses the zoom button to 2X+Y times, and the control software of the image device accepts the instruction of the photographer. From the 2X-fold optical image, an area is taken out from the center of the photographer's framing, and digitally enlarged to 2X+ Y times, the photographer gets a 2X+Y times larger shot. 3. The zoom method according to claim 2, wherein the image device is turned on, the lens lens is at an initial position, and an initial multiple of the optical zoom of the lens is 1 time, and the Y is a decimal value greater than 0 and less than 1. .

4. A zoom lens characterized in that:

a base on which an accommodation space and a positioning component are disposed;

The zoom lens according to claim 4, wherein the driving device further comprises a driving screw, one end of the driving screw is fixedly connected to a driving gear, and a surface of the driving screw is formed a spiral-shaped conductive segment; the imaging lens device further includes a telescopic device disposed in the accommodating space of the pedestal and reciprocally displaceable only along a predetermined lens axial direction by the positioning assembly a casing, one side of the retractable casing is provided with an interlocking convex ring with an internal thread; the conductive section of the screw is screwed with the interlocking convex ring.

The zoom lens according to claim 5, wherein a sensor is further disposed on the base of the zoom lens, and a sensing device is further disposed on the telescopic housing.