JP7301633B2 - OPTICAL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD OF OPTICAL DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device and an optical device capable of changing the angle of view for imaging and observing an object.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical device such as a camera equipped with a high-power zoom lens is known. With such an optical device, the angle of view is narrow at the telephoto end, so it is difficult to capture the subject within the field of view. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for moving the zoom lens to the wide-angle side when the power is turned on, when the power is turned off, or after a predetermined time has elapsed after the power is turned off. , discloses a technique for changing the angle of view of a zoom lens.

JP-A-9-186958

By the way, while observing the subject, the user's posture and the posture of the optical device may be temporarily changed by taking the eye off the viewfinder for a while. , the subject is often lost. In particular, the narrower the angle of view during observation, the more conspicuous this problem becomes. However, Patent Literature 1 does not mention a technique for changing the angle of view of the optical system according to changes in the posture of the user or the optical device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control device, an optical device, a control method, and a program capable of changing the angle of view of an optical system according to changes in the posture of the user or the optical device.

An optical device as one aspect of the present invention is an optical device that obtains an image by capturing an image of a subject, wherein the attitude of the optical device or the relative positional relationship between the optical device and the user is in the first state or the second state. detection means for detecting which of the two states , display means for displaying the image, and change means for changing the angle of view of the image based on a signal output from the detection means , The first state is a state in which the user is looking at the display means, the second state is a state in which the user is not looking at the display means, and the change means is a state in which the user is not looking at the display means. , the angle of view is changed to a wider angle in response to the detection by the detection means that the state of .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an optical device that acquires an image by capturing an image of a subject, wherein detection means is used to detect the orientation of the optical device or the position of the optical device and the user. a detection step of detecting whether the relative positional relationship between is in the first state or the second state; a step of displaying the image on display means ; and a changing step of changing the angle of view of the image, wherein the first state is a state in which the user is looking into the display means, and the second state is a state in which the user is looking into the display means. In the changing step, the angle of view is changed to a wider angle in response to the detecting means detecting the second state.

A program as another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the optical device control method.

Other objects and features of the invention are illustrated in the following examples.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the control apparatus, optical apparatus, control method, and program which can change the angle of view of an optical system can be provided according to the change of the attitude|position of a user or an optical apparatus.

1 is a schematic external view of an optical device in Example 1. FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of a method for changing an angle of view in the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical device in Example 1. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for changing the angle of view according to the first embodiment; 5 is a flow chart of a method for changing the angle of view according to the first embodiment; 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of a method for changing an angle of view in the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for changing an angle of view as a modified example of the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a schematic external view of an optical device in Example 2; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a method of changing the angle of view in the second embodiment; 10 is a flowchart of a method for changing the angle of view according to the second embodiment; 10 is a flowchart of a method for changing the angle of view according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a schematic external view of an optical device as a modified example of Example 2; FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an optical device as a modification of Example 2; 10 is a flow chart of a method for changing an angle of view as a modified example of the second embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic external view of an optical device as a modified example of Example 1;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the basic configuration and features of the optical device in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of an optical device 100. FIG. FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the optical device 100, and FIG. 1B shows a rear view of the optical device 100. FIG. In this embodiment, the optical device 100 is an imaging device such as a digital camera, but is not limited to this. This embodiment can also be applied to an optical device other than an imaging device, such as binoculars.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the optical device 100 has a release SW (operation means) 114 and an optical system (imaging optical system) 105 . The optical system 105 is a zoom lens (zoom optical system) as used in a general digital camera. can be changed. By operating the release SW 114 , it is possible to take a photograph or video using an optical image obtained through the optical system 105 .

In this embodiment, the optical system 105 is one zoom optical system that can be changed to different angles of view, but is not limited to this. This embodiment can also be applied to at least two zoom optical systems that can be changed to different angles of view. This embodiment is also applicable to the case where a first optical system having a first angle of view and a second optical system having a second angle of view wider than the first angle of view are used as optical systems. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical device 100 has display means 118 , detection means 121 , switching lock means (lock means) 122 , and angle-of-view change means 123 . The display means 118 is an electronic viewfinder (EVF). The EVF is configured so that an image displayed on a small TFT display, an organic EL display, or the like can be observed through an eyepiece lens group (not shown).

The detection means 121 is a proximity sensor in this embodiment, but is not limited to this. The proximity sensor is a sensor whose output signal changes according to the distance between the user and the proximity sensor (that is, the optical device 100), and can detect whether the user is looking into the EVF. A state in which the user is looking into the EVF is a state in which the user is approaching the proximity sensor. On the other hand, when the user does not look into the EVF, the user is away from the proximity sensor. Depending on these two states, the control unit (change unit) 101 (see FIG. 3) determines whether or not to drive the optical system 105 to change the angle of view.

The switching lock means 122 has two states of "valid" and "invalid". When the switching lock unit 122 is in the "valid" state, the control unit 101 does not change the angle of view of the optical system 105 according to the output signal of the proximity sensor (that is, prohibits the control unit 101 from changing the angle of view). do). On the other hand, when the switching lock unit 122 is in the "disabled" state, the control unit 101 changes the angle of view of the optical system 105 according to the output signal of the proximity sensor. The position of the switching lock means 122 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1(B). For example, the angle-of-view changing means 123 has two buttons, and by pressing one of the buttons, the lens arrangement of the optical system 105 can be changed, and the angle of view can be changed to the wide-angle side or the telephoto side. In this embodiment, one button changes the angle of view to the wide-angle side, and the other button changes the angle of view to the telephoto side. Note that the order and positions of the buttons are not limited. Also, the angle of view changing means 123 is not limited to this, and it may be possible to switch between the wide-angle side and the telephoto side with a single button. Also, the view angle changing means 123 may be a slider or a lever instead of a button.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a method for changing the angle of view. As shown in FIG. 2A, the posture in which the user looks into the EVF of the optical device 100 is called a first posture (first state). At this time, the user can observe or photograph the subject with the optical device 100 . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the posture in which the user stops looking at the EVF of the optical device 100 is called a second posture (second state). At this time, the user looks away from the EVF of the optical device 100 and looks at the surrounding scenery.

When the user moves from the state of FIG. 2A (first posture, first state) to the state of FIG. 2B (second posture, second state), the optical system of the optical device 100 Reference numeral 105 changes the lens arrangement by driving the lens so as to change the angle of view of the current optical system to the wide-angle side. That is, the control unit 101 optically changes the angle of view according to the user's posture (the relative positional relationship such as the distance between the optical device 100 and the user). However, if the camera is used at the wide-angle end immediately before the posture is changed to that shown in FIG. 2B, the lens is not driven even when the state shown in FIG. However, the order of this operation is not limited to this case. For example, when the user moves from the state shown in FIG. 2A to the state shown in FIG. A specification in which the lens arrangement is changed in order to change the angle of view when the lens is moved may be used. When the user looks away from the EVF once and looks into the EVF again, the angle of view should be changed to the wide-angle side from the angle of view previously viewed.

Next, a basic configuration of the optical device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the optical device 100. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, 105 is an optical system (imaging optical system). The optical system 105 is not particularly limited, and an optical system that can be used in the prior art may be arranged according to the application. Preferably, the angle of view can be changed to a plurality of angles, and the difference in the total diagonal angle of view between the wide-angle end and the telephoto end is preferably 10 degrees or more. More preferably, the difference in the total diagonal angle of view between the wide-angle end and the telephoto end is 15 degrees or more. With such a configuration, when the angle of view is changed from the telephoto end state to the wide-angle state, it becomes easier to grasp the entire image of the subject.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). A control unit 101 controls the operation of each unit of the optical device 100 . The control unit 101 controls the angle of view of the optical system 105 using the lens driving unit 131 based on the output result of the detection unit 120 .

In this embodiment, the optical system 105 and the main body of the optical device 100 (optical device main body) are integrated in the optical device 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be an optical system (imaging system) including an optical device main body and an optical system (interchangeable lens) detachable from the optical device main body.

An imaging device (imaging means) 106 is a solid-state imaging device represented by a CMOS sensor, a CCD sensor, or the like, and photoelectrically converts an image (optical image) of a subject formed by the optical system 105 to output image data. In each embodiment, the imaging device 106 is a rectangular CMOS sensor having, for example, about 10 million effective pixels (3888 horizontal pixels×2592 vertical pixels, aspect ratio 3:2).

The image sensor control unit 107 is connected to the image sensor 106 . The image pickup device control unit 107 has a timing generator for supplying a transfer clock signal and a shutter signal to the image pickup device 106 and a circuit for performing noise removal and gain processing on the output signal from the image pickup device 106 . The imaging device control unit 107 also has an A/D conversion circuit for converting an analog signal into, for example, a 10-bit digital signal. A 10-bit digital signal corresponds to the number of quantization bits for obtaining image information. The number of bits can be changed variously depending on the specifications of the imaging device 106 or the like. Further, the image sensor control unit 107 has a circuit for performing pixel thinning processing according to a resolution conversion instruction from the control unit 101 in order to perform moving image shooting and display on the display unit 110 .

The image processing unit 108 is connected to the image sensor control unit 107 . The image processing unit 108 performs gamma conversion, color space conversion, and image processing such as white balance, AE, and flash correction on the 10-bit digital signal output from the image sensor control unit 107 . The image processing unit 108 also outputs an 8-bit digital signal in YUV (4:2:2) format. The display control unit 111 receives YUV digital image data transferred from the image processing unit 108 or YUV digital image data obtained by performing JPEG decompression on the image file in the data storage unit 104 . The display control unit 111 converts the received image data into RGB digital signals, and then performs processing for outputting the signals to the display unit 110 .

The focus control unit 119 can perform focus detection for a plurality of areas of the imaging screen, for example, by contrast AF (hill climbing AF) based on contrast information of an acquired image. Note that the AF method is not limited to contrast AF, and may be phase difference AF. The focus control unit 119 detects the focus position using a focus detection method such as contrast AF or phase difference AF. Then, the control unit 101 calculates how much the lens or the imaging device 106 should be moved in the direction along the optical axis OA (optical axis direction) from the current position to achieve the focus. Alternatively, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the lens or the image sensor 106 is in focus at the current position. Then, the control unit 101 instructs the lens driving unit 131 about the driving amount. The lens drive unit 131 changes the position of a specific lens of the optical system 105 according to the drive amount output from the control unit 101, thereby performing a focusing operation. The method of focusing is not limited to lens driving for driving the lens position, and the same effect can be obtained by changing the relative position of the imaging element 106 and the optical system 105 as a whole. At this time, it is preferable to move the imaging device 106 back and forth along the optical axis OA of the optical system 105, for example.

Further, the control unit 101 can divide the subject image into a plurality of areas based on the image information acquired from the image sensor 106 and detect the brightness and color of each divided area. The control unit 101 can also set exposure conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value using the photometry control unit 132 based on the detected luminance and color information. The control unit 101 can also determine whether the subject is a person from face recognition and color recognition based on the detected luminance and color information.

The control unit 101 is connected to a ROM (read only memory) 102 and a RAM (random access memory) 103 that store control programs. Control unit 101 is also connected to data storage unit 104, image processing unit 108, data communication unit 109, display control unit 111, and release switch 114, respectively. The controller 101 is also connected to the DC/DC converter 117 . Power is supplied to the DC/DC converter 117 from a battery 116 . The battery 116 is a rechargeable secondary battery or dry battery. The DC/DC converter 117 receives power supply from the battery 116 and performs boosting and regulation. With such a configuration, it is possible to create a plurality of power sources and supply power with necessary voltages to each section of the optical device 100 such as the control section 101 . The DC/DC converter 117 can control the start and stop of each voltage supply according to the control signal from the control section 101 . However, as long as power is supplied, it is not necessary to use the battery 116, and another power supply device may be used. If the power supply is an AC power supply, it may be converted to DC using an AC/DC converter or the like.

The control unit 101 performs various controls based on control programs in the ROM 102 . Among these controls, there is a process of reading a captured image (image) signal output from the image processing unit 108 and transferring it to the RAM 103 . Similarly, there is a process of transferring data from the RAM 103 to the display control unit 111 and a process of JPEG-compressing image data and storing it in the data storage means 104 in a file format. In the case of moving image data as well, it is compressed into, for example, a MOV format file through similar processing and stored in the data storage means 104 .

The optical device 100 has data communication means 109 for remote control of the optical device 100 . The data communication means 109 can also communicate with an external device (not shown) such as a smart phone, display an image obtained by the optical device 100 on the external device, and perform shooting while confirming the image. Communication between the data communication means 109 and the external device is performed by wire or wirelessly. The control unit 101 also instructs the image pickup device 106, the image pickup device control unit 107, the image processing unit 108, the display control unit 111, and the like to change the data capture range and digital image processing. In addition, the control unit 101 performs various controls such as outputting to the DC/DC converter 117 a control signal for controlling the supply of power to each unit of the optical device 100, an instruction for a shooting operation associated with the operation of the release switch 114, and the like. I do.

The RAM 103 includes an image development area, a work area, a VRAM, a temporary save area, and the like (not shown). The image development area is used as a temporary buffer for temporarily storing the captured image (YUV digital signal) sent from the image processing unit 108 and the JPEG compressed image data read from the data storage unit 104 . Alternatively, the image expansion area is used as an image dedicated work area for image compression processing and decompression processing. A work area is a work area for various programs. The VRAM is used as a VRAM for storing display data to be displayed on display unit 110 . The temporary save area is an area for temporarily saving various data. The data storage means 104 is a flash memory for storing JPEG-compressed photographed image data or MOV format moving image data by the control unit 101 in a file format. The image sensor 106 can output thinned pixel data in the horizontal and vertical directions according to the resolution conversion instruction from the control unit 101 .

A detection unit 120 is connected to the control unit 101 . The detector 120 has a detector 121 . The detection means 121 is a proximity sensor in this embodiment as described above. A conventional technology may be used for the proximity sensor, and this makes it possible to detect whether or not the user is looking into the EVF (whether or not the user is in the first posture). The detection means 121 changes the output signal according to the change in the distance between the user and the proximity sensor as the user's body approaches or leaves the proximity sensor. Accordingly, the detection unit 120 can detect a change in the user's posture in real time and determine whether the user is taking the first posture. For this reason, the proximity sensor is preferably arranged at a position close to the EVF. Then, the control unit 101 changes the angle of view of the optical image obtained by the optical system 105 according to the change in user's posture. Here, the change in the user's posture means a change from the first posture (the posture of looking into the EVF) to the second posture (the posture of looking away from the EVF), or vice versa. However, it is not limited to this. By changing the angle of view set to the telephoto side to the wide-angle side in accordance with such a change in the user's posture, the subject can be easily found even when observation is resumed, which is convenient.

A switching lock means 122 is also connected to the control section 101 . The switching lock means 122 can take two states of "valid" and "invalid". For example, if the switching lock means 122 is a contact sensor, it is in the "valid" state only while the contact sensor is being touched with a finger, and the angle of view changes even if the user changes from the first posture to the second posture. not. When the finger is removed from the contact sensor, the state becomes "invalid", and when the user changes from the first posture to the second posture, the output signal of the detection means 121 changes, and the angle of view of the optical system 105 changes. In this embodiment, the switching lock means 122 is an independent contact sensor for the sake of clarity, but the release SW 114 described later may also serve as the switching lock means 122 . For example, when the switching lock means 122 is set to the first stage position of the release SW 114, which will be described later, the state becomes "effective". In this way, the switching lock means 122 only needs to be able to take two states of "valid" and "invalid", and other means such as a push button may be used.

Release SW 114 is an operation member for instructing the start of still image shooting operation. The release SW 114 has two stages of switch positions depending on the pressing pressure of a release button as an operating member. Upon detection of the first stage position (SW1 ON), the setting lock operation of the optical device 100 such as white balance and photometry is performed. Upon detection of the second stage position (SW2 ON), an operation of capturing a subject image signal is performed. Light from the subject is condensed by the optical system 105 . A shutter 133 controls the amount of light incident on the image sensor 106 . The imaging device 106 photoelectrically converts the subject image (optical image) formed by the optical system 105 and outputs image data. The image processing unit 108 performs predetermined image processing on the image data output from the image sensor 106 to generate a captured image. The captured image is stored (recorded) in the data storage means 104 and displayed on the display section 110 . The shutter 133 may be a focal plane shutter, a lens shutter, or an electronic shutter that electronically controls the amount of light taken into the image sensor 106 .

The photometry control unit 132 drives and controls the image sensor 106 according to an instruction from the control unit 101 , takes in a subject luminance signal, and sends data to the control unit 101 . As a basic photometric operation, luminance signals generated in the pixels of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 106 are A/D-converted by the control unit 101 and converted into 8-bit digital signals. The photometry control unit 132 corrects the aperture value (F number: Fno. (effective Fno.)) indicating the brightness of the optical system 105 for this digital signal. Alternatively, variation correction (level/gain adjustment) of the output signal from the imaging device 106 or photometric correction is performed based on information sent from the optical system 105 or the like. After such correction, the final object luminance signal value can be obtained.

Based on these pieces of information, the control unit 101 performs optimum exposure calculations for the optical device 100 and optimally controls the shutter speed and aperture value of the optical system 105 to obtain optimum exposure. As described above, the image sensor 106 performs not only exposure control, but also subject detection and shooting scene determination through arithmetic processing of the control unit 101 based on a large number of field luminance signals and color signals output from the image sensor 106. is possible. In each embodiment, the optical system 105, image sensor 106, image sensor control unit 107, release switch 114, focus control unit 119, lens drive unit 131, photometry control unit 132, and shutter 133 constitute an image pickup unit. As described above, the imaging unit photoelectrically converts an image of a subject and outputs image data.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, processing (field angle change method) at the time of photographing or subject observation using the optical device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the angle-of-view changing method (control method) in this embodiment. Each step in FIG. 4 is mainly executed by the control unit 101 or by each unit of the optical device 100 based on a command from the control unit 101 .

First, in step S101, the optical device 100 is activated by turning on the power. When the power of the optical device 100 is turned on, the optical device 100 is activated so that a subject can be observed with a photograph or an EVF. Subsequently, in step S102, the control unit 101 controls the arrangement of the lenses so that the initial position of each lens of the optical system 105 after startup is the wide-angle end. As a result, it becomes possible to visually recognize the object space widely at first, and it is easy to find the object. However, since step S102 is not essential in this embodiment, the lens may be arranged at a position that provides an arbitrary angle of view.

Subsequently, in step S103, the user shoots or observes the subject in the first posture (the posture of looking into the EVF). Subsequently, in step S104, the detection unit 121 detects that the user has approached the proximity sensor, and outputs a signal for transmitting to the control unit 101 that the user has taken the first posture. In step S105, the user may change the angle of view of the optical system 105 using the angle-of-view changing means 123. FIG. For example, in order to enlarge and display a small subject or a farther subject, the user may perform an operation to move the lens arrangement of the optical system 105 to the telephoto side or to the telephoto end. However, step S105 is not essential. The user may observe the same angle of view as when the optical device 100 was activated.

Subsequently, in step S106, the user assumes a second posture (takes his eyes off the EVF. Here, "takes his eyes off" specifically means that he stops looking through the EVF and looks at other scenery or objects with his naked eyes. Refers to the action of looking.This includes the action of placing the optical device 100 on the spot for a break.However, the break is for a short time and the power is not turned off.For example, from the state of FIG. This means that an operation to move to the state of FIG. 2B has been performed.

Subsequently, in step S107, the detection unit 121 detects that the user has taken the second posture (separated from the proximity sensor), and outputs a signal different from when the user is in the first posture to the control unit 101. . Subsequently, in step S108, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the current lens arrangement of the optical system 105 is at the wide-angle end. If the current lens arrangement of the optical system 105 is the arrangement at the wide-angle end, the control unit 101 does nothing and proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if the current lens arrangement of the optical system 105 is at an arrangement other than the wide-angle end, the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the control unit 101 changes the lens arrangement of the optical system 105 to the wide-angle side. Preferably, when the diagonal total angle of view in the current lens arrangement is ωn (degrees) and the diagonal total angle of view after changing to the wide-angle side is ωw (degrees), the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: Change the angle of view within the range.

ωn<ωw≦ωn+30 (1)
Conditional expression (1) states that the difference between the angle of view before change (telephoto image) and the angle of view after change (wide-angle image) (difference in angle of view in all diagonal angles of view) is greater than 0 degrees and 30 degrees. degree or less.

For example, the total diagonal angle of view of the optical system 105 having a focal length of 400 mm in terms of 35 mm (full size) is 6.17 degrees. If the angle of view is changed from here to the wide angle side so that the angle of view is +30 degrees, the total diagonal angle of view will be changed to 36.17 degrees. 66 mm). Therefore, it is preferable to change the angle of view within the range of 6.17 degrees<ωw<36.17 degrees. If the focal length is equivalent to 400 mm in terms of 35 mm, the lens arrangement of the optical system 105 is changed so that the focal length is between about 66 mm and 399 mm. If the lens arrangement of the optical system 105 is changed to a position that widens the angle of view further, the lens needs to be moved over a longer distance, which takes time and is not preferable.

In order to change the angle of view more quickly, it is preferable to satisfy the following conditional expression (1a) (the difference between the angle of view before change and the angle of view after change is greater than 0 degrees and 20 degrees below).

ωn<ωw≦ωn+20 (1a)
As a result, the amount of movement of the lens is reduced, so that the angle of view can be changed quickly. In this way, if the angle of view is changed to the wide-angle side even a little, the subject becomes easier to visually recognize than the current angle of view, which is preferable. More preferably, the angle of view is changed within the range of conditional expression (1b) below (the difference between the angle of view before change and the angle of view after change is 10 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less).

ωn+10≦ωw≦ωn+30 (1b)
More preferably, the angle of view is changed within the range of conditional expression (1c) below (the difference between the angle of view before change and the angle of view after change is 10 degree or more and 20 degrees or less).

ωn+10≦ωw≦ωn+20 (1c)
Subsequently, in step S109, the user assumes the first posture again (looks into the EVF) to resume subject observation. Subsequently, in step S110, when the user takes the first posture (looks into the EVF), the proximity sensor, which is the detection means 121, detects that the user has taken the first posture, and notifies the controller 101 of the fact that the user has taken the first posture. Outputs a signal for transmission.

The series of steps satisfying the requirements of the present invention is as above, but preferably the steps shown in FIG. 5 are added. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a preferred method of changing the angle of view. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method of changing the angle of view corresponding to FIG. Specifically, step S130 is added between steps S105 and S106. In step S130, the image processing unit 108 recognizes the subject that the user is observing with the EVF. FIG. 6A shows the situation at this time, in which the subject dog is recognized as the subject. A conventional technique can be used as the recognition method. In FIG. 6A, the subject is indicated by a dotted line frame for easy understanding, but in practice, special display such as frame display may not be used. Then, after the angle of view is changed to the wide-angle side in a later step, step S121 is added after step S120.

In step S121, if the subject recognized in step S130 exists within the screen, the image processing unit 108 tracks the subject. FIG. 6B shows the state at this time. In FIG. 6B, the subject is indicated by a dotted frame for easy understanding, but since the user is not looking through the EVF in step S121, there is no need to display the tracking result on the EVF.

Steps S131, S132, and S133 are added after step S110. In step S131, the control unit 101 starts measuring time. That is, the control unit 101 measures the time from when the user starts taking the first posture (from when he starts looking into the EVF again). Subsequently, in step S132, if the subject recognized in step S130 exists on the EVF within the screen, the control unit 101 performs display surrounding the subject with a frame and continues tracking. FIG. 6C shows the state at this time. This is to clearly show the subject that the user was observing before taking the second posture (before taking his/her eyes off the EVF), and the display is not limited to the framed display. Display other than the frame, for example, displaying an icon near the subject may be used. This makes it possible to quickly find a moving subject and correct the composition, such as relocating the subject to the center of the screen.

Subsequently, in step S133, when a certain arbitrary time has passed since the measurement was started in step S131, the control unit 101 restores the angle of view set in step S106. That is, the control unit 101 returns the changed angle of view displayed on the display unit 118 to the angle of view before the change after a predetermined time has elapsed since the angle of view was changed. At this time, the control unit 101 moves a specific lens of the optical system 105 to change the angle of view. FIG. 6D shows the state at this time. Here, it is preferable to return not only the angle of view but also the settings related to other changed imaging conditions to the settings at the time of step S106. For example, the control unit 101 restores the angle of view and at least one of the exposure, the white balance, and the focus position after a predetermined time has elapsed since the angle of view was changed. This is preferable because the user can quickly return to the state (imaging condition) immediately before taking the second posture (immediately before taking the eye off the EVF).

Also, in the above description, it has been described that the switching lock means 122 is connected to the control section 101 so that the angle of view is not changed even when the user assumes the second posture (even when the user looks away from the EVF). More preferably, while the user is shooting a moving image using the optical device 100, the switching lock means 122 is always in the "effective" state, and the image is displayed even if the user takes the second posture (even if the eye is taken away from the EVF). Keep the corners from changing. As a result, it is possible to prevent a moving image from being shot at an angle of view against the user's intention.

More preferably, before changing the angle of view to the wide-angle side in step S120, the control unit (notification unit) 101 notifies that the angle of view will be changed to the wide-angle side in the EVF (display unit 118). is preferably displayed. Note that the notification to change the angle of view by the notification means is not limited to display, and may be notification by sound, light, vibration, or the like.

If the operation is normal, the user is no longer looking through the EVF at step S120. However, it is effective when the detection unit 120 recognizes that it has taken the second posture and malfunctions when the eye is taken away from the EVF or the body is slightly shifted. The display method can be as long as the user notices the notification, and there are "text warning display", "countdown until the angle of view is changed to the wide-angle side", and "icon blinking", but the special display method is limited. not something. If the user does not want the angle of view to be changed to the wide-angle side at the stage of this notification, the change of the angle of view to the wide-angle side can be canceled by operating a cancellation means (not shown) or the like. . This is also effective when returning to the angle of view at step S106 after a certain period of time, as described at step S133. Here, when the user does not want to change the various settings or the angle of view, it is preferable to operate the canceling means so that the change of the settings or the angle of view can be canceled.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the proximity sensor is used as the detection means 121, but a line-of-sight detection device or the like may be used instead of the proximity sensor. In the case of the proximity sensor, since it is determined whether or not the user has approached the proximity sensor rather than whether or not the user has looked into the EVF, erroneous operation is likely to occur. On the other hand, by incorporating a line-of-sight detection device (not shown) in the EVF, it is possible to determine whether or not the user is actually using the EVF, thereby reducing malfunctions. In this embodiment, if the relative positional relationship between the optical device 100 and the user (the distance between the optical device 100 and the user, the angle between the optical device 100 and the user, etc.) can be detected, the detection means 121 Other sensing means may be used.

Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for changing the angle of view as a modified example (modified example 1) of this embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an example of changing the timing when changing the angle of view to the wide-angle side. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the angle of view is changed when the user takes the second posture (takes his/her eyes off the EVF). On the other hand, in this modified example, the angle of view is changed immediately after taking the first posture again (resuming observation with the EVF), not when the eye is taken away from the EVF. FIG. 7 is a flowchart in which the order of steps S108 to S110 is changed, and finally step S140 is added for the user to continue observation. However, the processing order of each flow shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 shown in this embodiment is not limited, and the respective flows may be combined.

In this embodiment, an optical system capable of continuously changing the angle of view from the wide end to the telephoto end was taken as an example. It doesn't matter if it's a system. For example, the wide end has a focal length of 100 mm (diagonal full angle of view is 24.4 degrees) converted to 35 mm (full size), and the telephoto end has a focal length of 400 mm (diagonal full size) converted to 35 mm (full size). angle is 6.17 degrees). A conventional technique can be used for the bifocal optical system itself, and the angle of view (focal length) can be changed by changing the distance between arbitrary lenses. Compared to a zoom lens that can continuously change the angle of view, in the case of a bifocal optical system, it is only necessary to switch from the tele end to the wide end in step S120, so the configuration can be simplified.

As a modification 3, as shown in FIG. 15, this embodiment can be applied even when two optical systems 105 are used as binoculars. FIG. 15 is a schematic external view of an optical device (binoculars) 100a as a modified example (modified example 3) of this embodiment. The optical system 105 is an optical system capable of optical zooming as described above. The optical device 100a does not require an imaging element. Display means 118 is an optical viewfinder. FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the optical device 100a viewed from the optical system 105 (objective lens) side. FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the optical device 100a viewed from the display means 118 (eyepiece) side. A detection means 121 (proximity sensor) similar to that described above is arranged, for example, between two left and right display means 118 . A first posture is a posture in which the user looks into the eyepiece (display means 118) instead of the EVF, and a second posture is a posture in which the user stops looking through the eyepiece. In this manner, this embodiment can also be applied to an optical device such as binoculars that does not have an image sensor.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an optical device capable of changing the angle of view according to the change in the posture of the user.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the basic configuration and features of the optical device in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic external view of the optical device 100b. FIG. 8A shows a front view of the optical device 100b, and FIG. 8B shows a rear view of the optical device 100b. The optical device 100b is a portable device typified by a smart phone.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the optical device 100b has a display means 118 having a touch panel, an angle-of-view changing means 123 that can be operated by touching the screen, a release SW 114, and a switching lock means 122. . As shown in FIG. 8B, an optical system 105 is provided on the rear surface (rear surface) of the optical device 100b. The optical system 105 of this embodiment is not a zoom lens but a single focus optical system. By operating the release SW 114 , it is possible to take a photograph or video using an optical image obtained through the optical system 105 . The detection means 121 is, for example, a gyro and is built in the optical device 100 . The display unit 118 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display equipped with a touch panel.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a method of changing the angle of view in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9A, the posture in which the user observes the subject using the optical system 105 while looking at the display means 118 of the optical device 100b is called a first posture (first state). At this time, the user can observe or photograph the subject with the optical device 100b. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, a second posture (second Second state). At this time, the user looks at the screen of the display means 118 with the display means 118 facing upward (the optical system 105 facing the ground).

When the user moves from the state (first posture) in FIG. 9A to the state (second posture) in FIG. processing), the enlargement processing is stopped and the angle of view is changed to the original angle of view in order to change the angle of view to the wide-angle side. That is, the control unit 101 electronically changes the angle of view according to the attitude of the optical device 100b. However, this operation is not limited to this case. For example, when the user moves from the state shown in FIG. 9A to the state shown in FIG. 9B, the angle of view is not changed. The original angle of view of the optical system 105 may be restored when the angle of view is changed. That is, when the user changes from the first posture to the second posture and then returns to the first posture, it is sufficient that the angle of view is changed from the angle of view viewed last time to the wide-angle side. If the optical device 100b does not perform enlargement processing at the time of FIG. 9A, it does nothing even when the state of FIG. 9B is reached.

The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the optical system 105 is a single-focus optical system, and the block diagram of the optical device 100b of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. do.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, processing (field angle change method) at the time of photographing or subject observation using the optical device 100b in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the angle-of-view changing method (control method) in this embodiment. Each step in FIG. 10 is mainly executed by the control unit 101 or by each unit of the optical device 100b based on a command from the control unit 101 . The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is a display for direct observation instead of an EVF, and that the zoom is electronic zoom (enlargement processing by image processing) instead of optical zoom. Note that in this embodiment, the description of the same flow as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

First, in step S201, when the camera application is activated, the optical device (camera) 100b is activated so that the subject can be observed on the photographing or display means 118. FIG. Subsequently, in step S<b>202 , the control unit 101 displays a through image on the display unit 118 in real time at the angle of view of the optical system (single-focus optical system) 105 . At this time, it is preferable that the image processing unit 108 does not perform enlargement processing or the like. As a result, it becomes possible to visually recognize the object space widely at first, and it is easy to find the object.

Subsequently, in step S203, the user takes the first posture while looking at the display means 118. FIG. A first posture is a posture in which the user holds the object while confirming it on the display means 118 . Subsequently, in step S204, the detection means 121 detects that the display means 118 of the optical device 100 is in a posture substantially perpendicular to the ground as shown in FIG. It outputs a signal for transmitting to the control unit 101 that the posture has been taken. Subsequently, in step S205, the user electronically zooms to change the angle of view to the telephoto side. Note that the user may change the angle of view using the angle of view changing means 123 . For example, in order to enlarge and display a small object or a distant object, the image processing unit 108 enlarges the image obtained by the image sensor 106 (performs electronic zoom).

Subsequently, in step S<b>206 , the user stops photographing operation and object observation, and stops holding the optical device 100 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user changes the display means 118 to the second posture (parallel to the ground) in order to check the captured video and content. This includes an action of placing the optical device 100 on a desk or the like for a break. Subsequently, in step S207, the detection unit 121 detects that the user has taken the second posture, and outputs to the control unit 101 a signal different from that for the first posture.

Subsequently, in step S208, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the image processing unit 108 is performing electronic zoom processing (video enlargement processing) on the through video. If the image processing unit 108 is not performing electronic zoom processing, the control unit 101 does nothing and proceeds to step S209. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 108 is performing electronic zoom processing, the process proceeds to step S220. In step S220, the control unit 101 stops the electronic zoom processing and changes the angle of view to the original angle. Subsequently, in step S209, the user returns to the first posture in order to resume photographing or subject observation. Subsequently, in step S210, when the user takes the first posture, the detection means 121 detects that the user has taken the first posture, and outputs a signal for transmitting it to the control unit 101. .

The series of steps satisfying the requirements of the present invention is as above, but preferably the steps shown in FIG. 11 are added. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a preferred method of changing the angle of view. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of a method of changing the angle of view corresponding to FIG. Since the outline of the added steps is the same as that of the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is used as the diagram corresponding to the steps added to FIG. 11, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Specifically, step S230 is added between steps S205 and S206. In step S<b>230 , the image processing unit 108 recognizes the subject that the user is observing on the display unit 118 . FIG. 6A corresponds to the situation at this time. Then, after the angle of view is changed to the wide-angle side in a later step, step S221 is added after step S220. In step S221, if the subject recognized in step S230 exists within the screen, the image processing unit 108 tracks the subject. FIG. 6B corresponds to the state at this time.

Steps S231, S232, and S233 are added after step S210. In step S231, the control unit 101 starts measuring time. That is, the control unit 101 measures the time since the user started taking the first posture. Subsequently, in step S232, if the subject recognized in step S230 exists in the screen on the display means 118, the control unit 101 performs display surrounding the subject with a frame and continues tracking. FIG. 6C corresponds to the state at this time. Subsequently, in step S233, when an arbitrary time has elapsed since the measurement was started in step S231, the control unit 101 stops the electronic zoom processing by the image processing unit 108 and restores the original angle of view. At this time, it is preferable not to enlarge the image from the center of the screen to the original angle of view by electronic zooming, but to enlarge the subject recognized in step S230 by electronic zooming. FIG. 6D corresponds to the resulting state. This is preferable because the user can quickly return to the state immediately before taking the second posture. Other contents of this embodiment can also be combined with the first embodiment.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the basic configuration and features of an optical device 100c as a modified example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic external view of an optical device 100c as a modified example of this embodiment. FIG. 12A shows a front view of the optical device 100c, and FIG. 12B shows a rear view of the optical device 100c. The optical device 100c, like the optical device 100b, is a portable device typified by a smart phone. As shown in FIG. 12, the optical device 100c is different from the optical device 100b, which has only one optical system 105, in that it has two optical systems 105, 155. FIG. The optical system 105 is a wide-angle optical system having, for example, a total diagonal angle of view of 84 degrees (equivalent to 24 mm in terms of 35 mm). The optical system 155 is, for example, an optical system with a total diagonal angle of view of 28.5 degrees (equivalent to 85 mm in 35 mm conversion), and is a telephoto optical system compared to the optical system 105 .

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the basic configuration of the optical device 100c will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the optical device 100c. The block diagram of FIG. 13 differs from the block diagram of FIG. 3 in that an optical system 155, an imaging device 156, and an imaging device controller 157 are added. Optical system 105 and optical system 155 are independently controllable. When images obtained from the two optical systems 105 and 155 (wide-angle optical system and telephoto optical system) are displayed on the display unit 110, the angle-of-view changing means 123 is used to select which image to display by software. Switch to display (switch between wide-angle and telephoto bifocals). As a result, the user can feel as if he/she is shooting with a single zoom lens having discontinuous angles of view. The detection means 121 is, for example, an acceleration sensor and is built in the optical device 100 . The acceleration sensor can detect how the optical device 100c moves. Since other blocks in FIG. 13 are the same as those in FIG. 3, their explanations are omitted. In this embodiment, the optical system is not particularly limited, and an optical system that can be used in the prior art may be arranged according to the application.

In this embodiment, the optical device 100c has two imaging elements 106, 156 corresponding to the two optical systems 105, 155, respectively. You may have only one image pick-up element.

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, processing (field angle change method) at the time of photographing or subject observation using the optical device 100c of the present modification will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the angle-of-view changing method (control method) in this modified example. Each step in FIG. 14 is mainly executed by the control unit 101 or by each unit of the optical device 100c based on a command from the control unit 101 . This modification is to use a display for direct observation without using an EVF and to have two independent optical systems with different angles of view. Further, the detection means 121 is, for example, an acceleration sensor, and can determine the first orientation and the second orientation. In addition, in this modification, since the outline of the flow of other processing is the same as that of Example 1, those description is abbreviate|omitted.

First, in step S301, when the camera application is activated, the optical device 100c (camera) is activated so that the subject can be observed on the display means 118 or photographed. Subsequently, in step S302, the control unit 101 displays a through image on the display unit 118 in real time at the angle of view of the optical system 105 on the wide-angle side. Subsequently, in step S303, the user places the optical device 100c in the first posture. Subsequently, in step S304, the detection unit 121 outputs a signal for transmitting to the control unit 101 that the optical device 100c has taken the first posture.

Subsequently, in step S305, the user changes the angle of view using the angle-of-view changing means 123. FIG. For example, in order to enlarge and display a small object or a distant object, the control unit 101 switches the image displayed by the display means 118 to the image obtained by the optical system (telephoto optical system) 155 . Subsequently, in step S306, the user changes the orientation of the optical device 100 to the second orientation. Subsequently, in step S<b>307 , the detection unit 121 detects that the optical device 100 has taken the second posture, and outputs to the control unit 101 a signal different from that for the first posture.

Subsequently, in step S308, the control unit 101 determines whether the image displayed on the display means 118 or the display means of an external device (not shown) is the image obtained by the optical system 155 (image from the telescopic optical system). determine whether or not If the image displayed on the display means is the image obtained from the optical system 105, the control unit 101 does nothing and proceeds to step S309. On the other hand, if the image displayed on the display means is the image obtained from the optical system 155, the process proceeds to step S320. In step S320, the control unit 101 changes the angle of view of the image displayed on the display unit 118 or the display unit of an external device (not shown) to the image obtained from the optical system 105 (image from the wide-angle optical system). .

Subsequently, in step S309, the user returns the optical device 100c to the first posture in order to resume photographing or object observation using the optical device 100c. Subsequently, in step S310, the detection means 121 detects that the optical device 100c has taken the first posture, and sends a signal to the controller 101 to notify that the optical device 100 has taken the first posture. Output. Other contents of this embodiment can also be combined with the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an optical device capable of changing the angle of view according to the change in posture.

(Other examples)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Thus, in each embodiment, the control device (optical device 100, 100a, 100b, 100c) has detection means (detection means 121) and change means (control section 101). The detection means detects the attitude of the optical device or the relative positional relationship between the optical device and the user (the distance between the optical device and the user, the angle between the optical device and the user, etc.). The changing means changes the angle of view of the image displayed on the display means 118 based on the signal output from the detecting means. Preferably, the detection means detects whether the orientation of the optical device or the relative positional relationship between the optical device and the user is in a first state (first orientation) or a second state (second orientation). do. After the detection means detects the second state, the change means changes the angle of view of the image displayed on the display means so that the angle of view becomes wider.

According to each embodiment, it is possible to provide a control device, an optical device, a control method, and a program capable of changing the angle of view of the optical system according to changes in the posture of the user or the optical device.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist.

100 optical device (control device)
101 control unit (change means)
121 detection means

Claims (14)

An optical device that acquires an image by imaging a subject,
detection means for detecting whether the orientation of the optical device or the relative positional relationship between the optical device and the user is in a first state or a second state;
display means for displaying the image;
changing means for changing the angle of view of the image based on the signal output from the detecting means ;
the first state is a state in which the user is looking into the display means;
the second state is a state in which the user is not looking at the display means;
The optical device, wherein the changing means changes the angle of view to a wider angle in response to the detection of the second state by the detecting means. The changing means changes the angle of view to a wider angle in response to the detecting means detecting that the first state has changed to the second state . The optical device according to claim 1. 3. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising lock means for prohibiting the change of the angle of view by the change means. 4. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the changing means does not change the angle of view while the user is shooting a moving image using the optical device. 5. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying that said changing means changes said angle of view. 6. The optical device according to claim 5, wherein the notification means displays on the display means that the angle of view is to be changed. The optical device has a lens that moves when the angle of view is changed,
7. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the changer optically or electronically changes the angle of view. 8. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a difference between the angle of view before the change by the changer and the angle of view after the change is 10 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less. 9. The angle of view according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said changing means returns said angle of view to the angle of view before change after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since said angle of view was changed. optical device. The changing means restores at least one of exposure, white balance, and focus position together with the angle of view after the predetermined time has elapsed since the angle of view was changed. Item 10. The optical device according to item 9. 11. An optical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display means is an electronic viewfinder. 1. A first optical system having a first angle of view, and a second optical system having a second angle of view wider than the first angle of view. 2. The optical device according to any one of 1 . A control method for an optical device that acquires an image by imaging a subject,
a detection step of using a detection means to detect whether the orientation of the optical device or the relative positional relationship between the optical device and the user is in a first state or a second state ;
displaying the image on a display means;
a changing step of changing the angle of view of the image based on the signal output from the detecting means ;
the first state is a state in which the user is looking into the display means;
the second state is a state in which the user is not looking at the display means;
A method of controlling an optical device , wherein in the changing step, the angle of view is changed to a wider angle in response to detection by the detecting means of the second state. A program for causing a computer to execute the optical device control method according to claim 13 .

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