Abstract:
An optical apparatus capable of reducing processing burden on the controller and achieving high-speed driving and improvement of the resolution of stop positions of an optical element. The optical apparatus includes a drive unit that drives the optical element, an operation member manually operated to instruct driving of the optical element and a signal output unit that outputs a signal that varies periodically according to the operation of the operation member. The controller determines the operation speed of the operation member based on the signal from the signal output unit, and chooses whether to control the drive unit according to the operation speed based on a count of periodic variations of the signal from the signal output unit, or to control the drive unit based on a value of the signal from the signal output unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an optical apparatus that detects an operation of an operation member using a magneto-resistive (MR) element and optical sensor, etc., and controls the driving of an optical element, and to an image-pickup apparatus using this optical apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A lens apparatus (optical apparatus) used for an image-pickup apparatus such as a video camera or digital still camera may be provided with a manual operation ring that gives drive instructions to a drive unit of a variable-power optical element or focusing optical element. In this case, a controller detects an amount of operation or operation direction of the manual operation ring and controls a driving operation of the drive unit, that is, the optical element, according to the detection result. 
     As an example of a drive control system for optical elements using such a manual operation ring, there is a system constructed of a magnetic scale made up of different magnetic poles, which are arranged with alternating magnetic polarities, and a magnetic sensor facing this magnetic scale in such a way as to move relative to each other in accordance with operation of the manual operation ring, and to control a drive unit based on a count (count value) of a periodic variation (pulse) of a signal output from the magnetic sensor. 
     FIG. 7 shows an example of a control system utilizing a pulse count of a magnetic (MR) sensor. Reference numerals  20   a  and  20   b  in the figure denote output signals of phase A and phase B from the MR sensor, as it moves relative to a magnetic scale, and  20   c  denotes a reference potential of the controller. 
     The controller converts the output signals  20   a  and  20   b , output from the MR sensor in accordance with operation of the manual operation ring, to digital (pulse) signals such as  20   d  (phase A) and  20   e  (phase B), counts cross points  20   f  at which the pulse signals  20   d  and  20   e  cross the reference potential  20   c , and controls the drive unit based on the count value. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a control system that divides the output signal of the MR sensor at intermediate positions arbitrarily (intermediate separation control system). Reference numerals  20   a  and  20   b  denote output signals of phase A and phase B from the MR sensor as it moves relative to the magnetic scale, and  20   c  denotes a reference potential of the controller. 
     The controller extracts a portion  20   h  of good linearity ( 20   f  is an upper threshold of the linear portion  20   h , and  20   g  is a lower threshold of the linear portion  20   h ) of the output signals  20   a  and  20   b  from the MR sensor, and divides this linear portion  20   h  by an arbitrary number, for example, 20 or 50. Then, the controller controls the drive unit based on the signal value obtained during operation of the manual operation ring. 
     In order to improve resolution of the stop position of a variable-power optical system or a focusing optical system, it is necessary to improve detection resolution of the rotation position of the manual operation ring. Here, according to a pulse count control system using the MR sensor, the resolution of the rotation position of the manual operation ring is determined by the pitch of a detection magnet of the MR. sensor. For this reason, improving the resolution of the rotation position requires the magnet pitch to be reduced. 
     However, there is a limit to work (manufacture) for reducing the magnet pitch and it is difficult to further reduce the actual pitch. Thus, it is difficult to drastically improve the resolution of the rotation position of the manual operation ring. It is also possible to consider a method that provides several stages of gear between the manual operation ring and the magnetic scale to mechanically improve the resolution, but this would lead to an increase in size of the apparatus. 
     On the other hand, the control system realized through intermediate division of the output signal of the MR sensor improves the resolution but complicates the processing of the control circuit and slows down the processing speed. Moreover, the user rotates the manual operation ring at high speed mostly for the purpose of moving optical elements close to a desired position at high speed without questioning segmentation of the resolution of stop positions of the optical element. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical apparatus, and an image-pickup apparatus provided with this optical apparatus, capable of reducing the processing burden on a controller, driving the optical element at high speed and improving the resolution of stop positions. 
     In order to attain the above-described object, the optical apparatus, which is one aspect of the present invention, includes a movable optical element, a drive unit that drives the optical element, an operation member manually operated to instruct a driving operation of the optical element, a signal output unit that outputs a signal that varies periodically according to operation of the operation member, and a controller that controls the drive unit based on a signal from the signal output unit. The controller determines the operation speed of the operation member based on the signal from the signal output unit, and determines whether to control the drive unit based on a count of periodical variations of the signal from the signal output unit or to control the drive unit based on the value of the signal from the signal output unit. 
     Furthermore, an image-pickup apparatus of the present invention includes the optical apparatus constructed as described above and a photoelectric conversion element that photoelectrically converts the image of an object formed by the optical apparatus. 
     The features of the optical apparatus and image-pickup apparatus of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens apparatus, which is an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the periphery of an MR unit of the lens apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the periphery of the MR unit of the lens apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of an image-pickup apparatus provided with the lens apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing operation of the CPU of the image-pickup apparatus provided with the lens apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an optical sensor unit used in the lens apparatus in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an output signal of an MR sensor and pulse conversion; and 
     FIG. 8 illustrates intermediate division processing of the output signal of the MR sensor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference now to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be explained below. 
     (Embodiment I) 
     FIG. 1 shows a lens apparatus (optical apparatus), which is an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this lens apparatus has four lens units having convex, concave, convex and convex optical power in that order from an object side to an image plane side and constitutes an image-taking lens section of an image-pickup apparatus, such as a video camera or a digital still camera. 
     In FIG. 1, reference numeral L 1  denotes a fixed first lens unit, L 2  denotes a second lens unit that performs variable-power operation by moving in the direction of the optical axis L of the lens apparatus, L 3  denotes a fixed third lens unit and L 4  denotes a fourth lens unit that performs focus adjustment operation (or image plane transfer correction operation accompanying power variation) by moving in the direction of the optical axis L. 
     Reference numeral  1  denotes a fixed lens barrel that holds the first lens unit L 1 ,  2  denotes a second lens unit holding member that holds the second lens unit L 2 ,  3  denotes a third lens unit holding member that holds the third lens unit L 3 ,  4  denotes a fourth lens unit holding member that holds the fourth lens unit L 4 , and  5  denotes a rear lens barrel that holds an image-pickup element (indicated by reference numeral  45  in FIG.  4 ), which is a photoelectric conversion element such as CCD or CMOS sensor. 
     The fixed lens barrel  1  and rear lens barrel  5  align and fix two guide bars  7  and  8 . The lens unit holding member  2  is supported by the guide bars  7  and  8  in a manner movable in the direction of the optical axis L. 
     The third lens unit holding member  3  and rear lens barrel  5  align and fix two guide bars  9  and  10 . The fourth lens unit holding member  4  is supported by the guide bars  9  and  10  in a manner movable in the direction of the optical axis L. Furthermore, the third lens unit holding member  3  is aligned with and fixed to the rear lens barrel  5  via screws  3   a . 
     Reference numeral  6  denotes a diaphragm unit that changes the aperture of the image-taking optical system; in this embodiment, the diaphragm unit  6  is a so-called iris type diaphragm that changes the aperture by opening/closing six diaphragm blades. This diaphragm unit  6  is fixed to the rear lens barrel  5  via screws  6   a . 
     The fixed lens barrel  1  is aligned with the rear lens barrel  5  and fixed to the rear lens barrel  5  via screws  1   a . 
     Reference numeral  12  denotes a stepping motor unit (focus drive unit) that drives the fourth lens unit holding member  4  in the direction of the optical axis L, and has a lead screw  12   a  integrally formed with its output axle. The lead screw  12   a  is engaged with a rack  4   a  mounted on the fourth lens unit holding member  4 . Thus, when the stepping motor unit  12  rotates, the fourth lens unit holding member  4  is driven in the direction of the optical axis L, guided by the guide bars  9  and  10 , by means of engagement action between the lead screw  12   a  and rack  4   a . 
     Furthermore, the fourth lens unit holding member  4 , guide bar  10 , rack  4   a  and lead screw  12   a  are pressed against one another by a spring force of a torsion coil spring  4   b , so as to eliminate backlash therebetween. 
     Reference numeral  13  denotes a stepping motor unit (variable-power drive unit) that drives the second lens unit holding member  2  in the direction of the optical axis L, and has a lead screw  13   a  integrally formed with its output axle. The lead screw  13   a  is engaged with a rack  2   a  attached to the second lens unit holding member  2 . Thus, when the stepping motor unit  13  rotates, the second lens unit holding member  2  is driven in the direction of the optical axis L, guided by the guide bars  7  and  8 , by means of engagement action between the lead screw  13   a  and rack  2   a . 
     Furthermore, the second lens unit holding member  2 , guide bar  8 , rack  2   a  and lead screw  13   a  are pressed against one another by a spring force of a torsion coil spring  2   b , so as to eliminate backlash therebetween. 
     These stepping motor units  12  and  13  are fixed to the rear lens barrel  5  via screws (not shown). 
     Reference numeral  14  denotes a focus reset switch made up of a photo-interrupter. The fourth lens unit holding member  4  that moves in the direction of the optical axis L is provided with a plate-shaped light shielding section (not shown), and the focus reset switch  14  switches between a light-shielded state and a light transmitting state caused by the light shielding section going in and out between the light-emitting section and light-receiving section of the focus reset switch  14 . The focus reset switch  14  outputs an electric signal in accordance with these states. This allows the controller, which will be described later, to detect whether the fourth lens unit L 4  is located at a reference position or not. The focus reset switch  14  is fixed to the rear lens barrel  5  via screws  14   b  through the substrate  14   a . 
     Reference numeral  15  denotes a zoom reset switch made up of a photo-interrupter. The second lens unit holding member  2  that moves in the direction of the optical axis L is provided with a plate-shaped light shielding section  2   c , and the zoom reset switch  15  switches between a light-shielded state and a light transmitting state caused by the light shielding section  2   c  going in and out between the light-emitting section and light-receiving section of the zoom reset switch  15 . The zoom reset switch  15  outputs an electric signal in accordance with these states. This allows the controller, which will be described later, to detect whether the second lens unit L 2  is located at a reference position or not. 
     The zoom reset switch  15  is fixed to the rear lens barrel  5  via screws  15   b  through the substrate  15   a . 
     Reference numerals  27  and  28  denote a manual focus ring and a manual zoom ring (both are operation members), respectively. The manual focus ring  27  is disposed on the outer circumference of the intermediate lens barrel  29  and front holding member  31 . The manual zoom ring  28  is disposed on the outer circumference of the intermediate lens barrel  29  and rear holding member  30 . 
     FIG.  2  and FIG. 3 show a configuration of the MR unit (signal output unit) used to detect an amount of operation and operation direction of the manual focus ring  27  and manual zoom ring  28  in this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the periphery of the MR unit, and FIG. 3 shows a front sectional view of the periphery of the MR unit viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG.  2 . 
     In FIGS. 2 and 3, the manual focus ring  27  is disposed on the outer circumference of the intermediate lens barrel  29  and front holding member  31 , and is sandwiched between the intermediate lens barrel  29  and front holding lens barrel  31  with a minimum necessary clearance for rotation, such that the manual focus ring  27  is prevented from any excessive movement in the direction of the optical axis L. 
     Likewise, the manual zoom ring  28  is disposed on the outer circumference of the intermediate lens barrel  29  and rear holding member  30 , and is sandwiched between the intermediate lens barrel  29  and rear holding lens barrel  30  with a minimum necessary clearance for rotation, such that the manual zoom ring  28  is prevented from any excessive movement in the direction of the optical axis. 
     Reference numeral  33  denotes a rubber ring to prevent a user&#39;s hand, which manually operates the manual focus ring  27 , from slipping, and  34  denotes a rubber ring to prevent the user&#39;s hand, which manually operates the manual zoom ring  28 , from slipping. 
     The MR units for the manual focus ring  27  and manual zoom ring  28  have the same structure as one another. 
     The MR unit is constructed of a disk-shaped magnetic scale  21  and MR sensors (MR sensor  22 F for the manual focus ring  27  and MR sensor  22 Z for the manual zoom ring  28 ) placed facing each other with a predetermined space between the two on a portion of the outer circumference of this magnetic scale  21 . In the center of the magnetic scale  21 , an axial member  25  is placed by means of press fitting or bonding in such a way as to be rotatable together with the magnetic scale  21 . The axial member  25  is supported by a front bearing  24  and rear bearing  35  provided for a transverse U-shaped casing member  23  in a rotatable manner. The casing member  23  is fixed to the intermediate lens barrel  29 . Furthermore, a gear member  26  is attached to the axial member  25  by means of press fitting or bonding in such a way as to be rotatable together with the axial member  25 . 
     Internal tooth gear sections  27   a  and  28   a  are formed at the inner circumferences of the manual focus ring  27  and manual zoom ring  28 , and gear members  26  are engaged with these internal tooth gear sections  27   a  and  28   a . Thus, when the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28  rotates, the gear member  26  of the respective MR unit on the rotating side rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the magnetic scale  21  through the axial member  25 , and the magnetic scale  21  rotates. 
     This causes the magnetic scale  21  to rotate and move with respect to the MR sensor (the magnetic scale  21  moves relative to the MR sensor) and the MR sensor outputs electric signals ( 20   a ,  20   b ) with phase A and phase B, as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a structure of an electric circuit of an image-pickup apparatus provided with the lens apparatus of this embodiment. 
     Reference numeral  40  denotes a controller made up of a CPU or MPU, etc., and controls the overall image-pickup apparatus including the above-described image-taking lens section (lens apparatus). Furthermore, the controller  40  captures signals output from the MR sensors  22 F and  22 Z and performs operation processing on the output signals. Reference numeral  45  denotes the aforementioned image-pickup element, which photoelectrically converts optical images of an object formed by the lens units L 1  to L 4 . The output signal from the image-pickup element  45  is sent to an image processing circuit (not shown), subjected to various processing, transformed into image information, and then recorded in a recording medium, such as a semiconductor memory, optical disk or tape, by a recording section (not shown). Reference numerals  42  and  43  denote driver circuits that drive the stepping motor units  12  and  13  in accordance with drive signals from the controller  40 . 
     Here, the processing operation based on the output signal from the MR sensors  22 F and  22 Z at the controller  40  will be explained using the flow chart in FIG.  5 . 
     First, in step (abbreviated as “S” in the figure)  1 , the output signal ( 20   a ,  20   b  in FIG. 7) from the MR sensor is captured. The output signal here refers to the output signal from the MR sensor, that is, either the MR sensor  22 F or  22 Z, in accordance with operation of manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28 . The output signal is converted to pulses  20   d  and  20   e  shown in FIG.  7 . 
     Then, in step  2 , it is determined whether a signal corresponding to one pulse (alternatively, a plurality of pulses can be used) is output from the MR sensor within a predetermined time or not. When the signal corresponding to one pulse is output, that is, when it is determined that the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28  is operated at a speed faster than the speed (predetermined speed) at which one pulse is output from the MR sensor within the above-described predetermined time, the process moves on to step  3 . On the other hand, when the signal output from the MR sensor within the above-described predetermined time shows a signal variation less than one pulse (when there is not a signal output corresponding to one pulse in the predetermined time), that is, when it is determined that the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28  has been operated at speed lower than the above-described predetermined speed, the process moves on to step  5 . 
     In step  3 , the number of pulses (digital signal) obtained by converting the output signal from the MR sensor, that is, the number of times the output signal from the MR sensor varies periodically, is counted. Then, in step  4 , a driving operation of the focus drive stepping motor unit  12  (that is, fourth lens unit L 4 ) or zoom drive stepping motor unit  13  (that is, second lens unit L 2 ) is controlled based on the pulse count values. 
     More specifically, the controller  40  multiplies the pulse count value by a predetermined amount of motor drive or a predetermined amount of lens drive per one pulse and rotates and drives the stepping motor unit by the amount of rotation corresponding to the calculated target amount of driving. In this case, the controller  40  sends a drive signal to the driver circuit  42  or  43  (shown in FIG.  4 ), and the driver circuit that receives this drive signal drives the corresponding stepping motor unit based on the drive signal. 
     This causes the fourth lens unit L 4  or second lens unit L 2  to be driven at high speed corresponding to the high speed operation of the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28 . Then, the process moves on to step  7 . 
     On the other hand, in step  5 , the linear portion (portion  20   h  shown in FIG. 8) of the output signal (analog signal) from the MR sensor with good linearity is divided by a predetermined number (that is, intermediate division). Then, the process moves on to step  6 , where the focus drive stepping motor unit  12  or zoom drive stepping motor unit  13  is driven and controlled based on the analog value of the MR sensor output at that point of time. 
     More specifically, the controller  40  multiplies the analog value obtained by a predetermined amount of motor drive or an amount of lens drive per unit analog value and rotates and drives the stepping motor unit by the amount of rotation corresponding to the calculated target amount of driving. In this case, the controller  40  sends a drive signal to the driver circuit  42  or  43  (shown in FIG.  4 ), and the driver circuit that receives the drive signal drives the corresponding stepping motor unit  12  based on the drive signal. 
     This causes the fourth lens unit L 4  or second lens unit L 2  to be driven at low speed corresponding to the low-speed operation of the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28  with high position resolution. Then, the process moves on to step  7 . 
     In step  7 , it is further determined whether there is an output signal from the MR sensor or not, and if there is an MR sensor output, the process moves back to step  2 ; if there is no MR sensor output, the process moves on to step  8 , and finishes the driving control operation over power variation or focus driving. 
     This embodiment has described the case where it is determined whether the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28  has been operated faster or slower than a predetermined speed depending on whether a signal corresponding to one pulse (or a plurality of pulses) is output from the MR sensor within a predetermined time. However, it is also possible to use a different method to determine the operation speed of the manual focus ring  27  or manual zoom ring  28 . 
     For example, FIG. 6 shows an optical sensor unit that can replace the MR sensor. Reference numeral  62  denotes a ring-shaped optical scale that rotates in accordance with operation of the manual focus ring or manual zoom ring, and a reflecting surface whose shape (orientation) varies periodically in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer circumference thereof. Reference numeral  61  denotes an optical encoder which has a light-emitting section and light-receiving section. The optical encoder  61  emits light from the light-emitting section onto the reflecting surface of the optical scale  62  and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of light reflected on the reflecting surface and incident on the light-receiving section. When the optical scale  62  rotates and the position of light emitted from the optical encoder  61  on the reflecting surface changes, the amount of light received by the light receiving section of the optical encoder  61  varies periodically; therefore, by a shaping process of the electric signal output from the optical encoder  61 , it is possible to obtain an output signal which varies periodically, or in a sine wave form, in the same way as the output signal from the MR sensor. 
     Thus, depending on whether a signal corresponding to one pulse (or a plurality of pulses) is output from the optical sensor unit within a predetermined time or not, it is possible to determine whether the manual focus ring or manual zoom ring has been operated faster or slower than a predetermined speed. 
     This embodiment has described the case where a target amount of drive of the stepping motor is obtained through calculations, but it is also possible to store a target amount of driving corresponding to a pulse count value or analog value in a memory as map data, and to read a target amount of driving from the memory. 
     Furthermore, this embodiment has described the case where the magnetic scale (or optical scale) rotates with respect to the fixed MR sensor (or optical encoder) through operations of the manual focus ring and manual zoom ring, but the present invention can also adopt a configuration in which the MR sensor (or optical encoder) moves with respect to the fixed magnetic scale (or optical scale) through operations of the manual focus ring and manual zoom ring. Furthermore, this embodiment has described the case where a ring-shaped scale (magnetic or optical scale) is used for a signal output unit, but it is also possible to use a scale having a shape other than a ring shape. For example, a flat-shaped or polygon-shaped scale can be used. 
     Furthermore, this embodiment has described the case of a lens apparatus having a variable-power optical system in a structure with four lens units of convex, concave, convex and convex lenses, but the present invention is also applicable to a lens apparatus having a different optical system configuration. 
     As explained above, according to this embodiment, when the operation member (manual focus ring or manual zoom ring) is operated faster than a predetermined speed, the drive unit is not controlled based on the value of a signal output from the signal output unit (magnetic sensor or optical encoder), but rather the drive unit is controlled based on the count of periodic variations of the signal, which makes it possible to drive the optical element at high speed and reduce the processing burden on the controller. On the other hand, when the operation member is operated slower than the predetermined speed, the drive unit is controlled based on the value of the signal output from the signal output unit, and therefore it is possible to improve the resolution of stop positions of the optical element. 
     While preferred embodiment has been described, it is to be understood that modification and variation of the present invention may be made without departing from scope of the following claims.