Source: https://patents.com/us-8994868.html
Timestamp: 2019-10-19 01:48:50
Document Index: 257984673

Matched Legal Cases: ['art\n80', 'art\n108', 'art 58', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80']

US Patent # 8,994,868. Camera body and imaging device - Patents.com
United States Patent 8,994,868
Yumiki March 31, 2015
Yumiki; Naoto (Osaka, JP)
Family ID: 1000001007850
13/705,325
US 20130113977 A1 May 9, 2013
12680764 8350945
PCT/JP2008/002831 Oct 7, 2008
Oct 15, 2007 [JP] 2007-267588
Oct 29, 2007 [JP] 2007-279877
Current U.S. Class: 348/333.02
Current CPC Class: H04N 5/23212 (20130101); G02B 7/021 (20130101); G02B 7/023 (20130101); G03B 17/14 (20130101); H04N 5/23209 (20130101); H04N 5/23293 (20130101); H04N 5/23296 (20130101); H04N 2101/00 (20130101)
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International Search Report of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2008/002831, dated Dec. 16, 2008. cited by applicant.
1. A camera body used in an imaging device along with a lens barrel with which the state of an optical system can be varied by operating a operation member, said camera body comprising: a display unit configured to display a state indicator that expresses the state of the optical system and a through image; and a control unit configured to control the display unit so that a state indicator is displayed when the user operates the operation member, wherein the lens barrel further has a memory unit configured to store lens information, the lens information includes focal length information expressing the range over which the focal length of the optical system can be varied, the state indicator has a display meter that expresses the focal length information and expresses the focal length of the optical system as numerical information, the control unit is configured to control the display unit so that the state indicator is displayed when the operation member is operated, and a display of the state indicator is automatically cancelled after the operation of the operation member is ended.
2. A camera body used in an imaging device along with a lens barrel with which the state of an optical system can be varied by operating a operation member, said camera body comprising: a display unit configured to display a state indicator that expresses the state of the optical system and a through image; a control unit configured to control the display unit so that a state indicator is displayed when the user operates the operation member; and a shutter button configured to be a two-position switch that can be pressed halfway or all the way down, wherein the lens barrel further has a memory unit configured to store lens information, the lens information includes focal length information expressing the range over which the focal length of the optical system can be varied, the state indicator has a display meter that expresses the focal length information and expresses the focal length of the optical system as numerical information, the control unit is configured to control the display unit so that a display of the state indicator is automatically cancelled when the shutter button is pressed halfway in a state of displaying the state indicator.
3. A camera body used in an imaging device along with a lens barrel with which the state of an optical system can be varied by operating a operation member, said camera body comprising: a display unit configured to display a state indicator that expresses the state of the optical system and a through image; and a control unit configured to control the display unit so that a state indicator is displayed when the user operates the operation member, wherein the lens barrel further has a memory unit configured to store lens information, the lens information includes object distance information expressing the range over which the object distance of the optical system at which the system is focused can be varied, the state indicator has a display meter that expresses the object distance information and expresses the object distance of the optical system as numerical information, the control unit is configured to control the display unit so that the state indicator is displayed when the operation member is operated, and a display of the state indicator is automatically cancelled after the operation of the operation member is ended.
4. An imaging device, comprising: a lens barrel having a operation member, an optical system configured to form an optical image of a subject, and a state varying unit configured to change the state of the optical system according to the operation of the operation member; and the camera body according to claim 1.
The phrase "state of the optical system" here includes, for example, the focal length of the optical system and the object distance at which the system is focused. A state in which the operation direction and the change direction substantially coincide includes not only a state in which the operation direction and the change direction completely coincide, but also a state in which the operation direction and the change direction are offset within a range over which the effect of facilitating operation can still be obtained. The operation direction and the change direction can be a linear direction, a direction following an arc whose center is a specific reference point, a rotational direction whose center is a specific reference point, and so forth.
74a, 74b, 74c guide pole
80a movable part
80b fixed part
108a, 128a maximum value (an example of focal length information)
108b, 128b minimum value (an example of focal length information)
109a, 129a meter box
208a, 228a maximum value (an example of object distance information)
208b, 228b minimum value (an example of object distance information)
209a, 229a meter box
The first holder 54 is disposed coaxially on the outer peripheral side of the first rotary frame 53, and its relative rotation around the optical axis AZ is limited by the first linear frame 52. When the first rotary frame 53 rotates around the optical axis AZ, the first holder 54 moves in the Z axis direction without rotating with respect to the first linear frame 52 (while rotating with respect to the first rotary frame 53). Three cam pins 54a disposed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction (such as at a spacing of 120.degree.) are provided to the portion of the first holder 54 on the negative side in the Z axis direction.
The second holder 61 is disposed coaxially on the inner peripheral side of the first linear frame 52, and its relative rotation around the optical axis AZ is limited by the first linear frame 52. The second holder 61 has three cam pins 61a disposed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction. The cam pins 61a are inserted in linear through-grooves 52c and cam through-grooves 53b of the first linear frame 52. Accordingly, when the first rotary frame 53 rotates around the optical axis AZ, the second holder 61 moves in the Z axis direction without rotating with respect to the first linear frame 52 (while rotating with respect to the first rotary frame 53).
The first lens support frame 57 is fixed to the end of the first holder 54, and supports the first lens group L1. The second lens support frame 58 supports the second lens group L2. The second lens support frame 58 is provided with an ultrasonic actuator unit 80 (discussed below), and an anti-rotation part 58a disposed at a position on the approximately opposite side on the circumference thereof.
The third lens support frame 59 supports the third lens group L3, and has three cam pins 59a disposed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction (such as at a spacing of) 120.degree.. The fourth lens support frame 60 supports the fourth lens group L4, and has cam pins 60a disposed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction (such as at a spacing of 120.degree.).
The first rotary frame 53 is a cylindrical cam ring, and has three cam through-grooves 53a and 53b that are inclined with respect to the optical axis AZ. Cam pins 54a of the first holder 54 are inserted into the cam through-grooves 53a. The cam pins 61a of the second holder 61 are inserted into the cam through-grooves 53b. Three slots 53c, into which cam pins 55a of the second rotary frame 55 are inserted, are provided to the end of the first rotary frame 53. The cam pins 55a include one long pin and two short pins, and only the long pin is inserted into the slots 53c.
The first linear frame 52 is a cylindrical cam ring, and three linear through-grooves 52b are formed, into which are inserted the cam pins 54a of the first holder 54. The three linear through-grooves 52c, into which the cam pins 61a of the second holder 61 are inserted, are formed at positions that do not interfere with the linear through-grooves 52b. Through-holes 52d, into which are inserted the cam pins 59a provided to the third lens support frame 59, are provided at the end of the first linear frame 52 in order to move the first linear frame 52 in the Z axis direction integrally with the third lens support frame 59.
Three linear through-grooves 50a for moving the first linear frame 52 in the Z axis direction are formed in the fixing frame 50. Three cam through-grooves 50b, which are inclined with respect to the optical axis AZ, are formed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction (such as at a spacing of 120.degree.), in a portion of the fixing frame 50 where they will not interfere with the linear through-grooves 50a, in order to move the second rotary frame 55 in the Z axis direction.
Three cam through-grooves 55c, which are inclined with respect to the Z axis direction and engage with the cam pins 59a of the third lens support frame 59, are formed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction (such as at a spacing of 120.degree.) in the second rotary frame 55. Three cam through-grooves 55d, which are inclined with respect to the Z axis direction and engage with the cam pins 60a of the fourth lens support frame 60, are formed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction (such as at a spacing of 120.degree.) in the second rotary frame 55.
The zoom ring unit 63 has the zoom ring 64 and the first rotation detector 65 (FIG. 1) that detects the rotational angle of the zoom ring 64. The zoom ring 64 is cylindrical in shape, and is supported by a ring base 69 so as to be able to rotate around the optical axis AZ in a state in which its movement is limited in the Z axis direction with respect to the ring base 69 fixed to the fixing frame 50. In this embodiment, the zoom ring 64 rotates approximately 90.degree.. The rotational angle of the zoom ring 64 is not limited to being 90.degree..
A focus lens unit 78 is provided that can move in a direction along the optical axis AZ as the focussing proceeds, and has the second lens group L2, the second lens support frame 58, the second holder 61, guide poles 74a and 74b, a third holder 75, the ultrasonic actuator unit 80, a magnetic scale 76, and a magnetic sensor 77.
The second lens support frame 58 supports the second lens group L2 (focus lens group), and is fixed to the third holder 75 and the second holder 61. The guide pole 74b extends in the Z axis direction from a fixing portion 58b of the second lens support frame 58, and is inserted into a hole 75a in the third holder 75. The second lens support frame 58 is supported movably in the Z axis direction by the third holder 75. The second lens support frame 58 is driven in the Z axis direction by the ultrasonic actuator unit 80.
The ultrasonic actuator unit 80 has a movable part 80a and a fixed part 80b. The movable part 80a is fixed with screws or the like to the fixing portion 58b of the second lens support frame 58. When a specific current is sent to the ultrasonic actuator unit 80, the movable part 80a moves in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixed part 80b, and the second lens support frame 58 is driven in the Z axis direction as a result.
The ultrasonic actuator unit 80 mainly has the movable part 80a and the fixed part 80b. The movable part 80a has the piezoelectric element 81, the drivers 82, the inner case 84, an outer case 90, guide balls 91, a retainer 92, and an outer case cover 93. The fixed part 80b has a moving body 83, a slide plate 94, and the guide pole 74a.
The piezoelectric element 81 is housed in the inner case 84, and the piezoelectric element 81 is supported by a support 85 provided inside the inner case 84. The support 85 is made from electroconductive silicone rubber, for example. Specifically, the piezoelectric element 81 is disposed in the inner case 84 so that the stretching direction of the piezoelectric element 81 is the same as the direction in which the moving body 83 is able to move (the Z axis direction, a direction along the optical axis AZ). Side wall supports 85a and 85c are provided to the inner side walls of the inner case 84 in the same direction as the direction in which the moving body 83 is able to move, and side pressure is exerted on the inner side walls. A rear face support 85b is provided to the inner bottom face of the inner case 84, which supports the piezoelectric element 81 and thereby exerts a pressing force. The rear face support 85b is provided so that the two drivers 82 here support the moving body 83 at substantially the same pressure, and this allows the moving body 83 to be operated stably.
The inner case 84 is fixed inside the outer case 90. The guide pole 74a, which is cylindrical in shape, is disposed at the upper part of the moving body 83. The guide balls 91 are provided at two places supported by the retainer 92 on the guide pole 74a. The outer case cover 93 is provided at the upper part of the guide balls 91. The guide balls 91 are sandwiched between the outer case cover 93 and the guide pole 74a. Accordingly, a pressing force is exerted on the guide pole 74a via the guide balls 91. Consequently, the guide pole 74a and the moving body 83 are pressed together and fixed at a specific pressure.
Bearings 90a and 90b that support the guide pole 74a are provided to the ends of the outer case 90, and the outer case 90 is able to move in the Z axis direction with respect to the guide pole 74a. That is, when the drivers 82 move elliptically, this allows the movable part 80a to move reciprocally in a direction along the optical axis AZ with respect to the fixed part 80b comprising the guide pole 74a and the moving body 83.
The operation of the ultrasonic actuator unit 80 constituted as above will now be described. When AC voltage of a specific frequency is applied to a specific power electrode of the piezoelectric element 81, a secondary mode of flexural vibration and a primary mode of stretching vibration are induced in the piezoelectric element 81. The resonance frequency of the flexural vibration and the resonance frequency of the stretching vibration are determined by the material, shape, and so forth of the piezoelectric element, and if these two frequencies are substantially matched, and voltage with a frequency that is close to these is applied, a flexural secondary mode and a stretching primary mode will be harmonically induced in the piezoelectric element 81. As a result, the drivers 82 provided to the piezoelectric element 81 undergo elliptical motion as viewed in the direction of the drawing plane. Specifically, the combination of the flexural vibration and stretching vibration of the piezoelectric element 81 brings about elliptical motion in the drivers 82. Because of this elliptical motion, the movable part 80a constituted by the drivers 82, etc., can move reciprocally in the Z axis direction with respect to the moving body 83, and moves integrally with the second lens group L2.
In FIG. 4, the case 3a of the camera body 3 is supported by the user during photography of a subject. The rear face of the case 3a is provided with the display unit 20, the power switch 25, the operating mode switching lever 26, the cross control key 27, the menu setting button 28, and the set button 29.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the shutter button 30 is provided to the top face of the case 3a. When the shutter button 30 is pressed, a timing signal is outputted to the body microcomputer 10. The shutter button 30 is a two-position switch that can be pressed halfway or all the way down. When the user presses the shutter button 30 halfway down, processing for light metering and ranging begins. When the shutter button 30 is then pressed all the way down, a timing signal is outputted. The shutter controller 31 drives a shutter drive actuator 32 and operates the shutter unit 33 according to the control signal outputted from the body microcomputer 10 upon receipt of the timing signal.
When the user turns the zoom ring 64, the turning motion of the zoom ring 64 is transmitted to the first rotary frame 53 linked to the zoom ring 64. As a result, the first rotary frame 53 rotates around the optical axis AZ with respect to the fixing frame 50. Here, since the first rotary frame 53 is guided by the cam through-grooves 50b of the fixing frame 50, the first rotary frame 53 moves in the Z axis direction while rotating around the optical axis AZ with respect to the fixing frame 50. The first linear frame 52 moves linearly in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixing frame 50, integrally with the first rotary frame 53.
When the first rotary frame 53 rotates around the optical axis AZ with with respect to the fixing frame 50, the cam pins 54a are guided by the cam through-grooves 53a. As a result, the first holder 54 and the first lens support frame 57 fixed to the first holder 54 move linearly in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixing frame 50. Furthermore, when the first rotary frame 53 rotates around the optical axis AZ with respect to the fixing frame 50, the cam pins 61a are guided by the cam through-grooves 53b, so the second holder 61 and the second lens support frame 58 move integrally and linearly in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixing frame 50. That is, the focus lens unit 78 moves in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixing frame 50.
Also, when the first rotary frame 53 rotates around the optical axis AZ, the cam pins 55a are guided by the cam through-grooves 50b. As a result, the second rotary frame 55 moves in the Z axis direction while rotating around the optical axis AZ with respect to the fixing frame 50.
When the second rotary frame 55 rotates around the optical axis AZ with respect to the fixing frame 50, the cam pins 59a are guided by the linear through-grooves 50a. Accordingly, the third lens support frame 59 moves in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixing frame 50. Also, when the second rotary frame 55 rotates around the optical axis AZ, the cam pins 60a are guided by cam through-grooves 55b, and the fourth lens support frame 60 moves in the Z axis direction with respect to the fixing frame 50.
As shown in FIG. 11, the zoom display bar 105 is proportional to the focal length (the positions of the first to fourth lens groups L1 to L4 in the Z axis direction), and has a display meter 109 that shows focal length information, and a zoom pointer 107 that shows the current value of the focal length of the optical system L. The display meter 109 has a substantially rectangular meter box 109a that extends to the left and right. The focal length is displayed above the meter box 109a. For example, the maximum value 108a for focal length is displayed at the right end of the meter box 109a, and the minimum value 108b for focal length is displayed on the left side of the meter box 109a. The right end of the zoom display bar 105 corresponds to the telephoto end, while the left end of the zoom display bar 105 corresponds to the wide angle end. In other words, the range over which the focal length can be varied (the focal length variable range) is expressed by the entire meter box 109a. In this embodiment, the maximum value 108a is 50 mm, and the minimum value 108b is 14 mm.
The zoom pointer 107 is disposed within the meter box 109a. The zoom pointer 107 is a portion that shows the current value of the focal length, and moves left or right within the meter box 109a according to how the focal length increases and decreases (that is, according to the operation of the zoom ring 64). In this embodiment, since the display meter 109 extends linearly to the left and right, the zoom pointer 107 moves linearly along the display meter 109.
Furthermore, a display stripe 106 that is colored gray is formed by the meter box 109a and the zoom pointer 107. In this embodiment, since the display stripe 106 is formed between the zoom pointer 107 and the minimum value 108b of the focal length, the length of the display stripe 106 expresses the focal length. For example, if the zoom pointer 107 moves with respect to the display meter 109 so that the display stripe 106 becomes longer, there is a change in the state of the optical system L in the direction in which the focal length increases, that is, from the wide angle side to the telephoto side. If the zoom pointer 107 moves with respect to the display meter 109 so that the display stripe 106 becomes shorter, there is a change in the state of the optical system L in the direction in which the focal length becomes shorter, that is, from the telephoto side to the wide angle side.
More specifically, the lens information includes operation direction information expressing the relation between the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 and the change in the focal length, and focal length information expressing the range over which the focal length of the optical system L can be varied. Whether the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 in which the focal length increases is the A direction or the B direction can be determined from the operation direction information. The focal length information includes the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b.
When the interchangeable lens unit 2 is mounted to the camera body 3, the body microcomputer 10 acquires lens information from the lens microcomputer 40. The body microcomputer 10 determines the display state of the zoom display bar 105 on the basis of the acquired lens information. The positions of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b are an example of the display state of the zoom display bar 105.
For example, if the body microcomputer 10 determines that the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 in which the focal length increases is the A direction (clockwise) on the basis of the operation direction information contained in the lens information, then the positions of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b on the zoom display bar 105 are determined by the body microcomputer 10 so that the maximum value 108a is disposed on the right side and the minimum value 108b on the left side. The maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b are included in the focal length information of the lens information. In this embodiment, the operation direction information includes information indicating that the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 in which the focal length increases is the A direction. Therefore, the zoom display bar 105 is displayed on the display unit 20 as shown in FIG. 11.
Meanwhile, if the body microcomputer 10 determines that the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 in which the focal length increases is the B direction, then the positions of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b on the zoom display bar 105 are determined by the body microcomputer 10 so that the maximum value 108a is disposed on the left side and the minimum value 108b on the right side. The display state shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to this situation. The drawings corresponding to FIGS. 12A and 12B in this case are FIGS. 14A and 14B.
The result of thus determining the positions of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b on the basis of the operation direction information is that the movement direction of the zoom pointer 107 with respect to the display meter 109 substantially coincides with the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 at the judgment position J1. Since the display state of the zoom display bar 105 is automatically adjusted according to the specifications of the interchangeable lens unit 2, compatibility with more interchangeable lens units can be ensured.
For example, if the zoom display bar 105 is displayed in the lower half of the display unit 20 area (the area below the first line CL1 in the vertical direction), the disposition of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b of the zoom display bar 105 is determined on the basis of operation direction of the zoom ring 64 at a judgment position J2 disposed below the optical axis AZ in the vertical direction. The reason for this is that, in this case, identifying the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 at the judgment position J2 disposed below the optical axis AZ makes it easier for the user to visualize the operation direction.
As shown in FIG. 15A, if the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 is determined at the judgment position J2, the A direction (clockwise) becomes the telephoto side, and the B direction (counter-clockwise) the wide angle side. The display state of the zoom display bar 105 is adjusted by the image display controller 21 or the body microcomputer 10 so that the maximum value 108a on the left side of the display meter 109 and the minimum value 108b on the right side of the display meter 109 will be disposed as shown in FIG. 15B, on the basis of this operation direction. Consequently, it is easy for the user to tell which way to turn the zoom ring 64 in adjusting the focal length, regardless of the disposition of the zoom display bar 105.
With this camera body 3, the body microcomputer 10 acquires lens information stored in the memory 44 of the interchangeable lens unit 2. The acquired lens information includes operation direction information expressing the relation between the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 and the increase or decrease in the focal length. The body microcomputer 10 determines the display state of the zoom display bar 105 on the display unit 20 on the basis of this operation direction information. More specifically, the disposition of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b on the zoom display bar 105 is determined by the body microcomputer 10 so that the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 will substantially coincide with the movement direction of the zoom pointer 107. Accordingly, the operation direction of the zoom ring and the movement direction of the zoom pointer 107 can be made to substantially coincide according to the specifications of the interchangeable lens unit even if the relation between the operation direction and the increase or decrease in focal length varies from one interchangeable lens unit to the next. Consequently, compatibility with more interchangeable lens units can be ensured with this camera body 3.
With this camera body 3, the display positions of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b on the zoom display bar 105 are determined on the basis of the position of the zoom display bar 105 in the display area of the display unit 20. Therefore, when the zoom display bar 105 is disposed in the upper half of the display unit 20 area as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12B, for example, the body microcomputer 10 determines the display positions of the maximum value 108a and the minimum value 108b using the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 at the judgment position J1 as a reference, as shown in FIG. 12A. Consequently, it is easier for the user to visualize which way the zoom ring 64 should be turned in adjusting the focal length of the optical system L.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the focal length may be expressed using an arc-shaped zoom display bar 125 (an example of a state indicator). This zoom display bar 125 has a display meter 129 and a zoom pointer 127. The display meter 129 has an arc-shaped meter box 129a whose center is the point ZC. The focal length is displayed around the meter box 129a. A display stripe 126 that is colored gray is formed by the meter box 129a and the zoom pointer 127. The current focal length is expressed by the length of the display stripe 126.
The zoom display bar 125 shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the zoom display bar 105 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12B. That is, the zoom display bar 125 shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to a case in which the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 in which the focal length increases is the A direction (clockwise). The body microcomputer 10 determines the disposition of the maximum value 128a and the minimum value 128b in the zoom display bar 125 so that the direction in which the zoom pointer 127 rotates substantially coincides with the A direction when the focal length is increased.
More specifically, with the zoom display bar 125 shown in FIG. 16, the maximum value 128a (50 mm) is displayed at the end of the meter box 129a in the clockwise direction, and the minimum value 128b (14 mm) is displayed at the end of the meter box 129a in the counter-clockwise direction. Accordingly, when the zoom ring 64 is rotated in the A direction and the focal length of the optical system L is increased, the zoom pointer 127 rotates in the telephoto direction ZA (clockwise) around the point ZC. When the zoom ring 64 is rotated in the B direction to reduce the focal length of the optical system L, the zoom pointer 127 rotates in the wide angle direction ZB (counter-clockwise) around the point ZC. That is, the rotation direction of the zoom ring 64 coincides with the rotation direction of the zoom pointer 127.
Meanwhile, the zoom display bar 125 shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to the zoom display bar 105 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14B. That is, the zoom display bar 125 shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to a case in which the operation direction of the zoom ring 64 in which the focal length increases is the A direction (counter-clockwise). The body microcomputer 10 determines the disposition of the maximum value 128a and the minimum value 128b in the zoom display bar 125 so that the A direction coincides with the direction in which the zoom pointer 127 rotates when the focal length is increased.
More specifically, with the zoom display bar 125 shown in FIG. 17, the maximum value 128a (50 mm) is displayed at the end of the meter box 129a in the counter-clockwise direction, and the minimum value 128b (14 mm) is displayed at the end of the meter box 129a in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, when the zoom ring 64 is rotated in the A direction to increase the focal length of the optical system L, the zoom pointer 127 rotates in the telephoto direction ZA (counter-clockwise) around the point ZC. When the zoom ring 64 is rotated in the B direction to reduce the focal length of the optical system L, the zoom pointer 127 rotates in the wide angle direction ZB (clockwise) around the point ZC. That is, the rotation direction of the zoom ring 64 coincides with the rotation direction of the zoom pointer 127.
As shown in FIG. 18, the focus display bar 205 is proportional to the object distance (the position of the second lens group L2 in the Z axis direction), and has a display meter 209 that shows object distance information, and a focus pointer 207 that shows the current value of the object distance of the optical system L. The display meter 209 has a substantially rectangular meter box 209a that extends to the left and right. The object distance is displayed above the meter box 209a. For example, the maximum value 208a for object distance is displayed at the right end of the meter box 209a, and the minimum value 208b for object distance is displayed on the left side of the meter box 209a. In other words, the range over which the object distance can be varied (the object distance variable range) is expressed by the entire meter box 209a. In this embodiment, the maximum value 208a is infinity (.infin.), and the minimum value 208b is 0.3 m.
The focus pointer 207 is disposed within the meter box 209a. The focus pointer 207 is a portion that shows the current value of the object distance, and moves left or right within the meter box 209a according to how the object distance increases and decreases (that is, according to the operation of the focus ring 67). In this embodiment, since the display meter 209 extends linearly to the left and right, the focus pointer 207 moves linearly along the display meter 209.
Furthermore, a display stripe 206 that is colored gray is formed by the meter box 209a and the focus pointer 207. In this embodiment, since the display stripe 206 is formed between the focus pointer 207 and the minimum value 208b of the object distance, the length of the display stripe 206 expresses the object distance. For example, if the focus pointer 207 moves with respect to the display meter 209 so that the display stripe 206 becomes longer, there is a change in the state of the optical system L in the direction in which the object distance increases, that is, from the near side to the infinity side. If the focus pointer 207 moves with respect to the display meter 209 so that the display stripe 206 becomes shorter, there is a change in the state of the optical system L in the direction in which the object distance becomes shorter, that is, from the infinity side to the near side.
More specifically, the lens information includes operation direction information expressing the relation between the operation direction of the focus ring 67 and the change in the object distance, and object distance information expressing the range over which the object distance of the optical system L can be varied. Whether the operation direction of the focus ring 67 in which the object distance increases is the A direction or the B direction can be determined from the operation direction information. The object distance information includes the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b.
When the interchangeable lens unit 2 is mounted to the camera body 3, the body microcomputer 10 acquires lens information from the lens microcomputer 40. The body microcomputer 10 determines the display state of the focus display bar 205 on the basis of the acquired lens information. The positions of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b are an example of the display state of the focus display bar 205.
For example, if the body microcomputer 10 determines that the operation direction of the focus ring 67 in which the object distance increases is the A direction (clockwise) on the basis of the operation direction information contained in the lens information, then the positions of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b on the focus display bar 205 are determined by the body microcomputer 10 so that the maximum value 208a is disposed on the right side and the minimum value 208b on the left side. The maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b are included in the object distance information of the lens information. In this embodiment, the operation direction information includes information indicating that the operation direction of the focus ring 67 in which the object distance increases is the A direction. Therefore, the focus display bar 205 is displayed on the display unit 20 as shown in FIG. 18.
Meanwhile, if the body microcomputer 10 determines that the operation direction of the focus ring 67 in which the object distance increases is the B direction, then the positions of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b on the focus display bar 205 are determined by the body microcomputer 10 so that the maximum value 208a is disposed on the left side and the minimum value 208b on the right side. The display state shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to this situation. The drawings corresponding to FIGS. 19A and 19B in this case are FIGS. 21A and 21B.
The result of thus determining the positions of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b on the basis of the operation direction information is that the movement direction of the focus pointer 207 with respect to the display meter 209 substantially coincides with the operation direction of the focus ring 67 at the judgment position J1. Since the display state of the focus display bar 205 is automatically adjusted according to the specifications of the interchangeable lens unit 2, compatibility with more interchangeable lens units can be ensured.
For example, if the focus display bar 205 is displayed in the lower half of the display unit 20 area (the area below the first line CL1 in the vertical direction), the disposition of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b of the focus display bar 205 is determined on the basis of operation direction of the focus ring 67 at a judgment position J2 disposed below the optical axis AZ in the vertical direction. The reason for this is that, in this case, identifying the operation direction of the focus ring 67 at the judgment position J2 disposed below the optical axis AZ makes it easier for the user to visualize the operation direction.
As shown in FIG. 22A, if the operation direction of the focus ring 67 is determined at the judgment position J2, the A direction (clockwise) becomes the infinity side, and the B direction (counter-clockwise) the near side. The display state of the focus display bar 205 is adjusted by the image display controller 21 or the body microcomputer 10 so that the maximum value 208a on the left side of the display meter 209 and the minimum value 208b on the right side of the display meter 209 will be disposed as shown in FIG. 22B, on the basis of this operation direction. Consequently, it is easy for the user to tell which way to turn the focus ring 67 in adjusting the object distance, regardless of the disposition of the focus display bar 205.
With this camera body 3, the body microcomputer 10 acquires lens information stored in the memory 44 of the interchangeable lens unit 2. The acquired lens information includes operation direction information expressing the relation between the operation direction of the focus ring 67 and the increase or decrease in the object distance. The body microcomputer 10 determines the display state of the focus display bar 205 on the display unit 20 on the basis of this operation direction information. More specifically, the disposition of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b on the focus display bar 205 is determined by the body microcomputer 10 so that the operation direction of the focus ring 67 will substantially coincide with the movement direction of the focus pointer 207. Accordingly, the operation direction of the focus ring and the movement direction of the focus pointer 207 can be made to substantially coincide according to the specifications of the interchangeable lens unit even if the relation between the operation direction and the increase or decrease in object distance varies from one interchangeable lens unit to the next. Consequently, compatibility with more interchangeable lens units can be ensured with this camera body 3.
With this camera body 3, the display positions of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b on the focus display bar 205 are determined on the basis of the position of the focus display bar 205 in the display area of the display unit 20. Therefore, when the focus display bar 205 is disposed in the upper half of the display unit 20 area as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19B, for example, the body microcomputer 10 determines the display positions of the maximum value 208a and the minimum value 208b using the operation direction of the focus ring 67 at the judgment position J1 as a reference, as shown in FIG. 19A. Consequently, it is easier for the user to visualize which way the focus ring 67 should be turned in adjusting the object distance of the optical system L.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the object distance may be expressed using an arc-shaped focus display bar 225 (an example of a state indicator). This focus display bar 225 has a display meter 229 and a focus pointer 227. The display meter 229 has an arc-shaped meter box 229a whose center is the point ZC. The object distance is displayed around the meter box 229a. A display stripe 226 that is colored gray is formed by the meter box 229a and the focus pointer 227. The current object distance is expressed by the length of the display stripe 226.
The focus display bar 225 shown in FIG. 23 corresponds to the focus display bar 205 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19B. That is, the focus display bar 225 shown in FIG. 23 corresponds to a case in which the operation direction of the focus ring 67 in which the object distance increases is the A direction (clockwise). The body microcomputer 10 determines the disposition of the maximum value 228a and the minimum value 228b in the focus display bar 225 so that the direction in which the focus pointer 227 rotates substantially coincides with the A direction when the object distance is increased.
More specifically, with the focus display bar 225 shown in FIG. 23, the maximum value 228a (.infin.) is displayed at the end of the meter box 229a in the clockwise direction, and the minimum value 228b (0.3 m) is displayed at the end of the meter box 229a in the counter-clockwise direction. Accordingly, when the focus ring 67 is rotated in the A direction and the object distance of the optical system L is increased, the focus pointer 227 rotates in the infinity direction FA (clockwise) around the point FC. When the focus ring 67 is rotated in the B direction to reduce the object distance of the optical system L, the focus pointer 227 rotates in the near direction FB (counter-clockwise) around the point FC. That is, the rotation direction of the focus ring 67 coincides with the rotation direction of the focus pointer 227.
Meanwhile, the focus display bar 225 shown in FIG. 24 corresponds to the focus display bar 205 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21B. That is, the focus display bar 225 shown in FIG. 24 corresponds to a case in which the operation direction of the focus ring 67 in which the object distance increases is the A direction (counter-clockwise). The body microcomputer 10 determines the disposition of the maximum value 228a and the minimum value 228b in the focus display bar 225 so that the A direction coincides with the direction in which the focus pointer 227 rotates when the object distance is increased.
More specifically, with the focus display bar 225 shown in FIG. 24, the maximum value 228a (.infin.) is displayed at the end of the meter box 229a in the counter-clockwise direction, and the minimum value 228b (0.3 m) is displayed at the end of the meter box 229a in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, when the focus ring 67 is rotated in the A direction to increase the object distance of the optical system L, the focus pointer 227 rotates in the infinity direction FA (counter-clockwise) around the point FC. When the focus ring 67 is rotated in the B direction to reduce the object distance of the optical system L, the focus pointer 227 rotates in the near direction FB (clockwise) around the point FC. That is, the rotation direction of the focus ring 67 coincides with the rotation direction of the focus pointer 227.
In the above embodiment, the maximum value 108a and minimum value 108b of the focal length were displayed on the zoom display bar 105, for example, but the maximum value 108a and minimum value 108b of the focal length do not need to be displayed on the zoom display bar 105 for the user to learn which way to turn the zoom ring 64. For instance, since all the user needs to know is the directions in which the focal length increases and decreases, the minimum value 108b may be displayed as "Min" and the maximum value 108a as "Max." Alternatively, the minimum value 108b may be displayed as "Low" and the maximum value 108a as "High."
The display unit 20 described in the above embodiment was fixed to the case 3a of the camera body 3, but it is also possible to use a movable type of display unit. In this case, the angle of the display unit with respect to the case 3a can be varied, so the disposition of the zoom display bar or focus display bar displayed on the display unit can be optimized according to the orientation of the display unit.
Also, in the above embodiment, the imaging orientation of the digital camera 1 was described as being the landscape orientation shown in FIG. 3, but portrait orientation is also possible, in which the digital camera 1 is rotated by 90.degree. clockwise or counter-clockwise around the optical axis AZ. In this case, the zoom display bar 105 or the focus display bar 205 may also be rotated to match the orientation of the digital camera 1 so that the zoom display bar 105 or focus display bar 205 is easier to read, which is accomplished by identifying the orientation of the digital camera 1 with an orientation detecting sensor installed in the interchangeable lens unit 2 or the camera body 3. Here, the display length of the zoom display bar 105 or the focus display bar 205 may be adjusted by the body microcomputer 10 according to the aspect ratio of the display unit 20. Similarly, with the zoom display bar 125 and the focus display bar 225, the disposition and dimensions may be automatically adjusted according to the orientation of the digital camera 1.
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