JP7657582B2 - Camera System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a camera system.

For example, when taking a portrait, the background may be blurred to emphasize the person. In this type of photography, it may be preferable to have lower resolution in the peripheral areas of the captured image, and the amount of aberration required from the camera system may differ depending on the shooting situation.

Patent document 1 discloses a technique for adjusting the image quality by adjusting each lens group to cancel out the aberrations that occur under various conditions of the imaging optical system.

JP 2010-237250 A

In Patent Document 1, corrections are made to each lens group to cancel out the aberration that occurs. However, it is not possible for a user to set the amount of aberration desired and capture an image by having the camera system reflect the optical performance that results in this amount of aberration.

The present invention aims to provide a camera system whose optical performance can be adjusted so that the user can capture the image they desire.

The camera system of the present invention comprises an image processing means that performs image processing on a captured image and creates aberration information of the captured image from the results of the image processing, a memory unit that stores the aberration information, a plurality of optical systems, and a plurality of drive units capable of electrically moving each of the optical systems, and is characterized in that each of the drive units moves each of the optical systems in an eccentricity direction, an optical axis direction or a tilt direction based on the aberration information stored in the memory unit.

The present invention provides a camera system that allows users to adjust optical performance to capture the images they desire.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of operation means in the image processing means. 10 is a flowchart illustrating setting of aberration information according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a photograph captured by the camera system according to the embodiment.

Below, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions of components, etc. described in the following embodiments are arbitrary and can be changed according to various conditions. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described below.

(Embodiment)
A configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The camera system according to the present invention is composed of an interchangeable lens 1 (lens device) and a camera body 2 to which the interchangeable lens 1 is removably attached. The camera body 2 is an interchangeable lens imaging device, such as a single-lens reflex camera or a mirrorless camera. Alternatively, it may be an integrated lens imaging device such as a digital camera.

First, the configuration of the interchangeable lens 1 will be described. The interchangeable lens 1 includes a plurality of lens units, such as a first lens unit 101 (optical system), a second lens unit 102 (optical system), a third lens unit 103 (optical system), and a variable magnification lens unit (not shown). The interchangeable lens 1 further includes a focus lens (not shown) for adjusting the focal length of the subject image, and a lens barrel for holding the focus lens, and the plurality of lens units and the focus lens constitute a photographing optical system. The first lens unit 101 can be driven in an eccentric direction by a first drive unit 111 (drive unit). The second lens unit 102 can be driven in the direction of the optical axis OA by a second drive unit 112 (drive unit). The third lens unit 103 can be driven in a tilt direction by a third drive unit 113 (drive unit). That is, a plurality of drive units are provided corresponding to a plurality of optical systems, and each drive unit can move each optical system in an eccentric direction, in the direction of the optical axis OA, or in the tilt direction. The first lens unit 101, the second lens unit 102, and the third lens unit 103 constitute an aberration adjustment group, which will be described later.

The lens CPU 100 is responsible for the overall control of the interchangeable lens 1, and includes an arithmetic circuit, a communication circuit, and an internal memory (not shown), as well as a timer circuit and an A/D circuit. The lens CPU 100 also communicates with the camera CPU 200 via a contact unit 105 in the interchangeable lens 1 and a contact unit 205 in the camera body 2. The contact unit 105 and the contact unit 205 also have power contacts for supplying power to the interchangeable lens 1 via each other.

The lens CPU 100 generates control signals for driving the first drive unit 111, the second drive unit 112, and the third drive unit 113, and these control signals are converted by the signal processing circuit 104 into the current and voltage required for driving and supplied.

The lens communication unit 106 of the lens CPU 100 is a communication means for communicating with the camera body 2. The lens communication unit 106 receives drive commands, camera identification information, status, shooting conditions, etc. from the camera body 2, and transmits various information such as lens identification information, status, focus, aperture, and zoom position to the camera body 2.

The movement amount instruction unit 107 of the lens CPU 100 instructs the movement amount of each of the first lens unit 101, the second lens unit 102, and the third lens unit 103.

The interchangeable lens 1 is equipped with an aberration information storage unit 108 (storage unit), which will be described later.

Next, the configuration of the aberration adjustment group of the interchangeable lens 1 will be described. The first lens unit 101 can be driven by the first drive unit 111 in an eccentric direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis OA indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. A specific configuration of the first drive unit 111 can be, for example, the same as that for driving an image stabilization device. For example, the lens barrel that holds the optical system is held by ball rolling relative to a base component, and the lens barrel is driven by a VCM (voice coil motor). In this way, the lens held by the first lens unit 101 can move within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis OA. Driving the first lens unit 101 in the eccentric direction causes coma aberration, one-sided blur, and peripheral light bias in the interchangeable lens 1.

The second lens unit 102 can be driven by the second drive unit 112 in the direction of the optical axis OA indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. A specific configuration of the second drive unit 112 can be, for example, the same as that for driving a focus lens. For example, the lens barrel that holds the optical system is guided in the direction of the optical axis OA by a rod-shaped part, and the lens barrel is connected to an STM (stepping motor) or a linear ultrasonic motor. Driving the second lens unit 102 in the direction of the optical axis OA generates spherical aberration, field curvature, and the like in the interchangeable lens 1.

The third lens unit 103 can be driven by a third drive unit 113 in the tilt direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. A specific configuration of the third drive unit 113 can be similar to that described in, for example, Patent Document 1. For example, the lens barrel that holds the optical system is held to a base part via a laminated PZT (piezo element), and driven by the expansion and contraction of the laminated PZT. Driving the third lens unit 103 in the tilt direction causes coma aberration, one-sided blur, and the like to occur in the interchangeable lens 1.

Next, the configuration of the camera body 2 will be described. The camera body 2 is equipped with an imaging section 217 that includes an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS sensor for photoelectrically converting the subject image formed by the imaging optical system. The imaging device is configured to be able to capture (store) still images and videos.

The camera CPU 200 mounted on the camera body 2 is similar to the lens CPU 100 in that it includes an arithmetic circuit, a communication circuit, and an internal memory (not shown), as well as a timer circuit and an A/D circuit, and controls the entire camera body 2.

The camera communication unit 206 of the camera CPU 200 is a communication means for communicating with the interchangeable lens 1. The camera communication unit 206 communicates with the interchangeable lens 1, for example, by transmitting drive commands and various information from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 1 and receiving the status of the interchangeable lens 1.

The lens control unit 207 of the camera CPU 200 generates instructions for causing the interchangeable lens 1 to perform the operation requested by the camera body 2. For example, when performing AF (autofocus), the amount of movement to the in-focus position is calculated. This amount of movement is given as a drive command to the interchangeable lens 1 via the camera communication unit 206, and the interchangeable lens 1 performs the desired focusing, completing the focusing.

The image processing unit 208 of the camera CPU 200 is an image processing means that performs image processing on a captured image that has been captured in advance by the user, and specifically, the camera CPU 200 is equipped with image processing software. The user can display the captured image on the display unit 214 of the camera body 2 and perform various types of image processing. The image processing unit 208 also functions as a creation means that creates aberration information of the captured image from the results of this image processing.

The power switch 210 is a power switch that can be operated by the user, and can start up the camera CPU 200 and supply and stop power to actuators, sensors, etc. within the interchangeable lens 1.

The camera body 2 is equipped with an aberration information selection unit 211 (selection means), which will be described later.

The release SW 212 is a switch used when taking still images, and has a first stroke SW and a second stroke SW (not shown). The signal from the release SW 212 is input to the camera CPU 200. The recording SW 213 is a switch used when taking videos.

The display unit 214 is a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying the subject image to be captured during or before shooting, the captured image, and various information.

The camera CPU 200 enters a shooting preparation state in response to an ON signal input from the first stroke SW. In the shooting preparation state, focus detection is performed by measuring the subject brightness using the focus detection unit 216 and the photometry unit 219. The camera CPU 200 calculates the aperture value of an aperture unit (not shown) and the exposure (shutter time) of the image sensor of the imaging unit 217 based on the photometry results.

The camera CPU 200 also determines the amount of drive of the focus lens based on the focal length of the photographing optical system determined by the focus detection unit 216. Information on the amount of drive of the focus lens is sent to the lens CPU 100. When an ON signal is input from the second stroke SW, the camera CPU 200 sends an aperture drive command to the lens CPU 100 and sets the aperture unit (not shown) to the calculated aperture value. The camera CPU 200 also sends an exposure start command to the exposure unit 218, causing it to perform a mirror retraction operation (not shown) and a shutter opening operation (not shown), and causes the image pickup unit 217 including the image pickup element to perform photoelectric conversion of the subject image, i.e., an exposure operation.

The imaging signal from the imaging unit 217 is digitally converted by the signal processing unit in the camera CPU 200, and then various correction processes are performed before being output as an image signal. The image signal (data) is stored in the storage unit 215 in a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or optical disk.

The camera body 2 has an I/F 220, which is an interface for connecting to an external device, and can be connected to an external device such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a personal computer 3 (PC3) via the I/F 220. Application software (image processing means) is installed on the PC3, etc., and the user can carry out image processing on images captured in advance.

Next, image processing in the image processing means will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of an operation means for image processing for each aberration by the user, and an image display screen A that displays a photograph after image processing. Figure 2 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 214 of the camera body 2, or an example of a screen displayed on a display device (such as a monitor) by dedicated application software installed on the personal computer 3.

After selecting a photo, the user can move cursor C corresponding to each aberration information, such as left/right unilateral blur, left/right peripheral light bias, field curvature, and spherical aberration, left/right to view a photo that has been subjected to image processing equivalent to the selected photo having any aberration generated. Also, by moving cursor C corresponding to each aberration information, such as top/bottom unilateral blur and top/bottom peripheral light bias, up/down to view a photo that has been subjected to image processing equivalent to the selected photo having any aberration generated. The image processing determines the processing range and gain according to the type of cursor C, which is an operating means, and the amount of operation of cursor C, and applies it to the selected photo. In this way, the image processing means has operating means that perform at least one type of image processing corresponding to each aberration information, and creates aberration information based on the amount of operation of at least one operating means.

Each aberration adjustment amount will now be described. The left end of the range of each cursor C in the operation means for each image processing shown in FIG. 2 is the minimum value MIN (limit amount MIN) of the decrease gain of the adjustment amount of each aberration, and the right end is the maximum value MAX (limit amount MAX) of the increase gain of the adjustment amount of each aberration. The initial value of each aberration adjustment amount information is when the cursor C is positioned in the center, but the initial value may be the left or right end. The user can move the cursor C corresponding to each aberration information between the minimum value MIN and the maximum value MAX as desired. Also, each cursor C can only be operated up to the positions of the limit amount MIN and the limit amount MAX.

The limit amount MIN and limit amount MAX are amounts determined by the driveable amount of the first lens unit 101, the second lens unit 102, and the third lens unit 103 and the sensitivity of each group to each aberration. The aberration information storage unit 108 stores information on the types of adjustable aberration. The aberration information storage unit 108 also stores a plurality of limit amounts MIN and MAX corresponding to each aberration. The type of aberration to be displayed on the image display screen A is determined according to the type of limit amount MIN and limit amount MAX stored. Information on the type and amount of adjustable aberration may be stored in the storage unit 215.

Depending on the type of interchangeable lens 1, there may be differences in the type and amount of aberration that can be adjusted within the lens. The aberration adjustment amount stored in the aberration information storage unit 108 or storage unit 215 at the time of photographing, including such aberration information, is saved in the image file when the photographed image is recorded. When the user similarly sets the aberration on another occasion, the aberration adjustment amount saved in the image file of the initially selected photo can be read out, and the initial positions of each cursor C shown in FIG. 2 can be set based on the adjustment amount of each aberration information. By saving the aberration adjustment amount in the image file as described above, it becomes possible to properly display the MIN limit and the MAX limit as shown in FIG. 2.

After carrying out the above image processing, the user can check the photo with the desired aberration on image display screen A. The user can then decide the amount of aberration (amount to be generated) that he or she desires.

Next, the aberration setting by the user will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of setting the aberration desired by the user and reflecting the optical performance resulting from this aberration setting in the optical system. The flow of aberration setting for the interchangeable lens 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

First, at the start stage, the user is running dedicated application software installed on the personal computer 3, or is running the image processing unit 208, which is a program built into the camera body 2.

In step S10, the user selects a photo of the shooting situation in which he or she wants to generate aberration. When making this selection, it is preferable to select a photo that is closest to the shooting situation that the user wants to use.

In step S20, the user operates the image processing means on the application software or program that was started at the start of the process to create a photo of their choice. The specific details of the image processing are as described above.

In step S30, the target value (aberration information) of the aberration adjustment amount that the application software or program passes to the interchangeable lens 1 is determined according to the amount of operation of cursor C, which is the image processing operation means in step S20.

In step S40, the target value of the aberration adjustment amount determined in step S30 is stored in the camera system. Specifically, it is stored in the aberration information storage unit 108 of the interchangeable lens 1 or the storage unit 215 of the camera body 2. If application software is being used on the personal computer 3 at the start of the process, a connection such as a communication cable is required between the interchangeable lens 1 or the camera body 2 and the personal computer 3.

In step S50, the first lens unit 101, the second lens unit 102, and the third lens unit 103, which are the aberration adjustment groups of the interchangeable lens 1, are driven to achieve the aberration adjustment amount stored in step S40. The drive amount at this time is calculated by the lens CPU 100 based on the sensitivity of the first lens unit 101, the second lens unit 102, and the third lens unit 103 to each aberration, according to the target value of the aberration adjustment amount stored in step S40. Then, a signal instructing the drive amount is sent from the movement amount instruction unit 107 to the signal processing circuit 104. This puts the interchangeable lens 1 in a state where the amount of aberration desired by the user is generated. In this way, the operation amount of the image processing cursor C is determined as the target value of the aberration adjustment amount of the interchangeable lens 1.

Next, the selection of each aberration information will be described. The target values of the aberration adjustment amount stored in step S40 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 can be stored in the aberration information storage unit 108 or the storage unit 215. The multiple stored target values of the aberration adjustment amount can be selected by the aberration information selection unit 211 provided in the camera body 2.

By allowing the user to select one of multiple stored target values for the amount of aberration adjustment using the aberration information selection unit 211, the user can select from multiple amounts of aberration to be generated in the interchangeable lens 1 depending on the shooting situation. Then, based on the aberration information selected by the user, the first lens unit 101, the second lens unit 102, and the third lens unit 103 can be moved by the first drive unit 111, the second drive unit 112, and the third drive unit 113, respectively.

Figures 4 (A) to (D) show examples of photographs taken with the camera system according to the embodiment. Figure 4 (A) shows an example of a photograph taken without reflecting aberration, Figure 4 (B) shows an example of a photograph taken with reflecting the aberration of field curvature, Figure 4 (C) shows an example of a photograph taken with reflecting the aberration of spherical aberration, and Figure 4 (D) shows an example of a photograph taken with reflecting the aberration of one-sided blurring at the top and bottom.

The type and amount of aberration required varies depending on the shooting situation and the user's preferences, so it is not optimal to store the type and amount of aberration to be generated in advance in the interchangeable lens 1. However, in this embodiment, the user can determine the type and amount of aberration to be generated and store the target value for the amount of aberration adjustment in the camera system.

The camera system of this embodiment allows the user to easily determine the amount of aberration desired while checking the effect on the photograph selected by the user himself. In addition, since the amount of aberration adjustment is determined based on the amount of image processing operation, it is easy to determine the amount of drive for the aberration adjustment group in the interchangeable lens 1. However, it is not realistic to determine the type and amount of aberration from a photograph that has been subjected to image processing without using the amount of image processing operation, since it is not easy to distinguish between types of aberration.

As described above, this embodiment can provide a camera system whose optical performance can be adjusted so that the user can capture the image they desire. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

In this embodiment, an aberration adjustment group is provided that can be driven based on an electrical signal in the decentering direction, the optical axis OA direction, and the tilt direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the types of aberration that can be adjusted are limited, it is sufficient to have at least one electrically drivable aberration adjustment group.

In this embodiment, an example of the image processing operation screen is shown in FIG. 2, but the types of adjustable aberrations are not limited to this. For example, field curvature and coma aberration may also be adjustable. The number of cursors C may be increased or decreased depending on the types of adjustable aberrations. Furthermore, the bar shape indicating the adjustment range of cursors C is not limited to this shape. A more intuitive design for the operation screen may also be used.

1. Interchangeable lenses (lens devices)
2. Camera body (imaging device)
101 First lens unit (optical system)
102 Second lens unit (optical system)
103 Third lens unit (optical system)
111 First drive unit (drive unit)
112 Second drive unit (drive unit)
113 Third drive unit (drive unit)
108 Aberration information storage unit (storage unit)
208 Image processing unit (image processing means)
211 Aberration information selection unit (selection means)
215 Memory section

Claims (12)

an image processing means for performing image processing on a captured image and creating aberration information of the captured image from a result of the image processing;
A storage unit that stores the aberration information;
A plurality of optical systems;
a plurality of drive units capable of electrically moving each of the optical systems;
a camera system, characterized in that each of the optical systems is moved in an eccentric direction, an optical axis direction, or a tilt direction by each of the driving units based on the aberration information stored in the storage unit. The camera system of claim 1, characterized in that the aberration information is stored in an image file when the captured image is recorded. the image processing means has an operation means for performing at least one image processing in accordance with the aberration information,
3. The camera system according to claim 2, wherein the aberration information is generated based on an amount of operation of the at least one of the operation means. The camera system according to claim 3, characterized in that the initial position of the operation amount of the at least one operation means is determined based on the aberration information stored in the image file. 5. The camera system according to claim 3, wherein the type and amount of the at least one operation means are determined in accordance with the type and amount of the adjustable aberration stored in the storage unit. The storage unit is capable of storing a plurality of pieces of aberration information,
The aberration information storing unit further includes a selection unit for allowing a user to select one of the plurality of stored aberration information,
6. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is moved by the driving unit based on the aberration information selected by the user. a lens device including the optical system;
an imaging device including an imaging element for capturing an image formed by the lens device;
7. The camera system according to claim 1 , further comprising: The camera system according to claim 7 , wherein the lens device is detachable from the imaging device. 9. The camera system according to claim 7 , wherein the image processing means is provided in the imaging device. an image pickup element for capturing an image formed by a lens device including a plurality of optical systems;
an image processing means for performing image processing on a captured image and creating aberration information of the captured image from a result of the image processing;
A storage unit that stores the aberration information;
and a control unit that moves each of the optical systems in an eccentricity direction, an optical axis direction, or a tilt direction using a plurality of driving units that can electrically move each of the optical systems based on the aberration information stored in the memory unit . performing image processing on the captured image and generating aberration information of the captured image from a result of the image processing;
storing the aberration information;
and moving each of the optical systems in an eccentricity direction, an optical axis direction, or a tilt direction using a plurality of driving units capable of electrically moving the plurality of optical systems based on the aberration information stored in the storing step. A program causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 11 .

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