JP4337360B2 - Interchangeable lenses, external devices for interchangeable lenses - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an interchangeable lens that is detachable from a camera body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Cameras and other imaging devices are becoming more sophisticated and multifunctional, and a large number of parts are combined to perform many operations. When a failure occurs, the cause of the failure can be identified. It has become difficult.
Therefore, conventionally, there has been proposed an apparatus that detects an abnormal state and stores or displays the contents of an imaging apparatus such as a camera (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
[0003]
On the other hand, in an interchangeable lens used in combination with a camera body, a high-performance interchangeable lens equipped with an in-lens autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) motor control and a blur correction function has become widespread, and the number of actuators in the interchangeable lens Has also increased. Along with this, power consumption has been steadily increasing.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2871391 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-149113 [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-109030
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the power consumption increases, the power supply voltage of the control circuit unit may fall below the operation guarantee voltage for a moment when the actuator is driven simultaneously or when the voltage drops when the battery is consumed. When the power supply voltage of the control circuit section is lower than the guaranteed operating voltage, the operation becomes unstable or the reset state is reached, and normal use becomes impossible.
Interchangeable lenses can be attached to various camera bodies, but the power supply capacity of the camera body may vary depending on the type of camera body, and in particular, the old camera body cannot supply sufficient power. There are many cases. Therefore, in the interchangeable lens, there is a high possibility that the above-described voltage drop occurs compared to a photographing apparatus such as a camera.
[0006]
In addition, new functions such as a shake correction function have been added to the interchangeable lens. However, when the camera is mounted on an old camera body, the new function provided in the interchangeable lens may not be used.
As described above, in the interchangeable lens, depending on the camera body to be mounted, the operation becomes unstable due to a voltage drop, or some functions are limited. Although these phenomena are product specifications and are not malfunctions, the user may think that the interchangeable lens is malfunctioning and may request repairs. In this case, there is a problem that a failure cannot be found even if the product is examined, and it takes a lot of time to deal with it.
[0007]
In addition, interchangeable lenses that have advanced functions and multi-functions may fail to reproduce only under certain specific conditions, making it difficult to identify the cause of failure during repair, and the time and cost required for repair. There was a problem that became larger.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable lens that can easily identify the cause of a failure, reduce the number of repair days, and reduce repair costs.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this. That is, the invention of claim 1 monitors whether or not a status signal output by an actuator that has received a control signal is within a predetermined range, and detects an abnormal condition of the actuator (18, 19). When the abnormality regarding error history of the actuator detected by the abnormality detecting circuit, and, a placement history about the type of the camera body connected to the mounting portion, the interchangeable lens outside for repair An interchangeable lens comprising: a history storage unit that stores the abnormality history and the mounting history that are read and output to the external device when connected to the device .
[0010]
Wherein the invention of claim 2, in the interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detecting circuit (18, 19) is provided in the interchangeable lens, the lens drive motor or shake correction actuator is outputted An interchangeable lens characterized by monitoring a status signal.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 3 is the interchangeable lens according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the history storage unit (8, 9) stores a history in a nonvolatile storage unit. .
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interchangeable lens according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the history stored in the history storage unit (8, 9) can be read from outside. 6) having an interchangeable lens.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an interchangeable lens according to the present invention.
The interchangeable lens 100 according to the present embodiment is an interchangeable lens that is detachable from the camera body 200 by a mount unit (not shown), and is a focus lens group (formed by at least a part of a photographing optical system (not shown)). An AF driving ultrasonic motor (hereinafter, SWM) for driving an unillustrated drive is provided. In addition, the interchangeable lens 100 includes an actuator that is formed by a part of the photographing optical system and that performs a shake correction operation by driving a shake correction optical system (not shown) that is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. This is a multifunctional interchangeable lens having a go-home function, which will be described later, and is electrically connected to the camera body 200 by a contact 6 that functions as a power supply means and a communication means.
[0017]
The camera body 200 includes a battery 1, a power supply circuit that keeps voltage stable, a body-side power power supply switch 5 that supplies power to the interchangeable lens 100, and a body-side external device that can be operated outside the camera body 200. An operation switch group 4 and a body CPU 3 that controls the camera body 200 are provided.
[0018]
In the interchangeable lens 100, a lens CPU 8, a lens non-volatile memory 9, a focus unit 11, a shake correction circuit unit 19, a power supply monitor 12, a lens side external operation switch group 30, and the like are provided.
[0019]
The lens CPU 8 is a part that performs various controls in the interchangeable lens 100, and is electrically connected to the body CPU 3, the in-lens non-volatile memory 9, the focus unit 11, the shake correction circuit unit 19, the power supply monitor 12, the lens-side external operation switch group 30, and the like. Connected. The specific operation of the lens CPU 8 will be described later.
[0020]
The in-lens non-volatile memory 9 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an EEPROM that retains stored contents even when the power is turned off, and is connected to the lens CPU 8.
The focus unit 11 is a unit that performs a focusing operation, and includes a relative distance encoder 10, a dist encoder switch 17, a SWM circuit unit 18, and the like.
[0021]
The relative distance encoder 10 is a relative distance position detection unit that outputs two-phase pulses to the lens CPU 8 according to the drive state of the SWM (not shown).
The dist (absolute distance) encoder switch 17 is a position detection unit that detects an absolute distance (position) that is switched depending on the position of the focus lens group.
The SWM circuit unit 18 is a circuit that is controlled by an instruction from the lens CPU 8 and drives the SWM to perform an AF operation, and outputs the driving state of the SWM to the lens CPU 8.
[0022]
The shake correction circuit unit 19 is a circuit that is controlled by an instruction from the lens CPU 8 and drives a shake correction lens (not shown) to perform a shake correction operation, and outputs a drive state of a shake correction actuator (not shown) to the lens CPU 8. To do.
[0023]
The power supply monitor 12 is a part that monitors the power supply voltage value of the power system supplied from the camera body 100, and outputs a predetermined output signal to the lens CPU 8 when the power supply voltage does not satisfy a predetermined condition.
The power supply monitor 12, the SWM circuit unit 18, and the shake correction circuit unit 19 function as an abnormal state detection circuit that detects that an abnormality has occurred in the power supply, the SWM, and the shake correction actuator.
[0024]
The lens-side external operation switch group 30 is a switch group that can be operated by a photographer from the outside of the interchangeable lens 100, and includes a GoHome switch 7, a PRE switch 13, an AF switch 14, a VR switch 15, a mode setting switch 20, and the like. ing.
The GoHome switch 7 is a (go home function) switch that drives a focus lens group (not shown) to a previously stored focus lens group position by operating this switch.
[0025]
The PRE switch 13 is a switch that stores the current position of the focus lens group in the nonvolatile memory 9 when the user operates the switch. The position stored by operating the PRE switch 13 is a position where the focus lens group moves when the GoHome switch 7 described above is operated.
The AF switch 14 is a switch for switching the focus mode by a user operation. The focus mode is provided with an M mode in which a manual focusing operation is performed, and an M / A mode in which an auto focus is basically performed and manual focus can be performed when necessary.
[0026]
The VR switch 15 is a switch for switching the shake correction mode by a user operation. The shake correction mode is provided with a normal mode suitable for correcting normal camera shake and an active mode that effectively works for shake correction during on-the-car shooting.
[0027]
The mode setting switch 20 is a switch for setting other modes in the lens.
The zoom encoder switch 16 is a switch that switches depending on the position of the zoom lens group, and functions as a position detection unit that detects the position of the zoom lens group.
[0028]
Here, the operation of the interchangeable lens 100 in the present embodiment will be described focusing on the lens CPU8.
In the present embodiment, the lens CPU 8 functions as a history storage unit that stores the following history in combination with the nonvolatile memory 9.
(SWM, shake correction actuator abnormality detection and history storage)
When driving the SWM (AF motor) or the shake correction actuator, the lens CPU 8 controls the SWM or the shake correction actuator and a drive unit that controls the drive (hereinafter collectively referred to as a control target). Output a control signal. The control object that has received the control signal outputs a status signal for feedback control to the lens CPU 8. The lens CPU 8 monitors the control state by constantly monitoring this state signal.
[0029]
The lens CPU 8 determines that the control can be performed without any problem if the state signal in the predetermined range with respect to the output control signal returns from the control target, and the state signal deviates from the predetermined range. If so, it is determined that the control is abnormal. If it is determined that the control is abnormal, the lens CPU 8 writes the history in the in-lens non-volatile memory 9.
[0030]
(Power supply system abnormality detection and history storage)
The power supply monitor 12 constantly monitors the power state of the power system, and when the power supply voltage does not satisfy a predetermined condition as described above, the power supply monitor 12 outputs a predetermined output signal to the lens CPU 8. To do. Therefore, the power state of the power system is always monitored by the lens CPU 8 with a state signal from the power monitor 12.
The lens CPU 8 determines that there is no abnormality in the power supply voltage if the state signal in the predetermined range returns from the power supply monitor 12, and if the state signal deviates from the predetermined range, It is determined that the voltage is abnormal.
If it is determined that the power supply voltage is abnormal, the lens CPU 8 writes the history in the in-lens non-volatile memory 9.
[0031]
(Detection of mounted camera body and history storage)
The lens CPU 8 communicates with the body CPU 3 built in the camera body 200 via the contact 6. The type of camera body attached can be specified by the content of this communication. When the type of the mounted camera body is determined, the lens CPU 8 writes the body mounting history in the in-lens non-volatile memory 9.
Depending on the camera body installed, power may be supplied, but information regarding the type of camera body may not be obtained. Is written as history.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a case where information relating to a history is read from the interchangeable lens 100 in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the interchangeable lens 100 is shown only for parts necessary for the description.
In the present embodiment, information relating to the history stored in the in-lens nonvolatile memory 9 of the interchangeable lens 100 can be read by connecting the external device 300.
The external device 300 includes a power supply 301, a power supply circuit 302, an external device CPU 303, an external device side external operation switch group 304, an external device side power supply switch 305, a contact 306, and the like.
[0033]
The external device 300 is electrically connected to the interchangeable lens 100 via the contact 306. When the interchangeable lens 100 is connected to the external device 300, the CPU 303 communicates with the lens CPU 8 and reads data relating to the history stored in the nonvolatile memory 9, and data relating to the history is output from the output device 307 in the external device 300. The contents of are output. As the output device 307, an optimal device such as a monitor screen, a data file, an external storage disk device, or a serial output interface can be appropriately selected according to the use environment.
The external device 300 is a special device used when the interchangeable lens 100 is repaired, and is not used by a normal user (customer of the interchangeable lens 100).
[0034]
According to this embodiment, the history of abnormal conditions in the interchangeable lens and the mounting history to the camera body can be stored in the interchangeable lens, and these histories can be read later by an external device. It is possible to easily grasp in what state the interchangeable lens is used and what kind of abnormality has occurred, and it is possible to easily identify the cause of the failure.
In addition, even when there is a cause in the usage of the user rather than a failure, such as an inappropriate combination with the camera body, this can be easily known.
Therefore, the repair period can be greatly shortened and the repair cost can be reduced.
Furthermore, if an unexpected usage or failure due to usage conditions occurs during product development, it can also be used as an improvement item in the subsequent development of a new product.
[0035]
(Deformation)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the equivalent scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the SWM, the shake correction actuator, the abnormality detection and history storage of the power supply system, the detection of the attached camera body and the history storage can be performed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, only necessary history may be detected and stored.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) As a history of operation, it is equipped with a history storage unit that stores power supply abnormal states, actuator drive abnormalities, and camera body mounting history, so how the interchangeable lens was used and what abnormalities occurred The cause of the failure can be easily identified, the number of repair days can be shortened, and the repair cost can be reduced. In addition, the stored history can be used as an improvement item in the development of a new product thereafter, and a better product can be developed.
[0037]
(2) Since the history storage unit stores the history in the nonvolatile storage unit, the history storage unit can hold the history even when the interchangeable lens is a single unit and power is not supplied.
[0038]
(3) Since it has a communication means that can read the history stored in the history storage unit from the outside, it is possible to easily handle the history at the time of repair or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an interchangeable lens according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a case where information relating to a history is read from the interchangeable lens 100 in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Battery 2 Power supply circuit 3 Body CPU
4 Body side external operation switch group 5 Body side power power supply switch 6 Contact 7 GoHome switch 8 Lens CPU
9 Nonvolatile Memory 10 Relative Distance Encoder 11 Focus Unit 12 Power Monitor 13 PRE Switch 14 AF Switch 15 VR Switch 16 Zoom Encoder Switch 17 Dist (Absolute Distance) Encoder Switch 18 SWM Circuit Unit 19 Shake Correction Circuit Unit 20 Mode Setting Switch 100 Interchangeable Lens 200 Camera Body 300 External Device 301 Power Supply 302 Power Supply Circuit 303 External Device CPU
304 External device side external operation switch group 305 External device side power supply switch 306 Contact

Claims (4)

Photographic optics,
In an interchangeable lens with a mount connected to the camera body,
Provided in the interchangeable lens, and the abnormality detecting circuit status signal actuator received the control signal is output to monitor whether it is within a predetermined range, detecting an abnormality of the actuator,
Abnormality relating abnormality history of the actuator detected by the abnormality detecting circuit, and, a placement history about the type of the camera body connected to the mounting portion, the external device for the interchangeable lens repair A history storage unit that stores the abnormality history and the mounting history that are read and output to the external device when connected ;
An interchangeable lens comprising: The interchangeable lens according to claim 1,
Said abnormal state detection circuit, the interchangeable lens, characterized in that monitoring the state signal, the lens driving motor or shake correction actuator is output provided in the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
The history storage unit stores a history in a nonvolatile storage unit. In the interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An interchangeable lens comprising a communication unit that can read the history stored in the history storage unit from the outside.

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