JP2006319631A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera system to be safely and surely started. <P>SOLUTION: In the camera system wherein an optical unit provided with a photographing optical system with object light passing therethrough is removably loaded to a camera main body for carrying out prescribed image processing on the basis of image data denoting the object light whose image is formed through the photographing optical system, the camera main body is provided with a power supply section for supplying power to the optical unit, and the optical unit includes: a start control section that receives supply of the power from the power supply section when the optical unit is loaded to the camera main body, makes communication with the camera main body, and controls starting of the optical unit depending on a result of the communication; and a section to be started that is started through the supply of starting power from the power supply section under the control of the start control section when the supply power amount supplyable by the power supply section satisfies the starting power amount for starting the optical unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera system including an optical unit on which a photographing optical system that passes through a subject optical image is mounted, and a camera body on which the optical unit is detachably mounted.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an interchangeable lens camera that uses an interchangeable lens unit with a photographing lens mounted on a camera body with a built-in image sensor is known. In this interchangeable lens camera, the subject light imaged by the photographing lens is received by an image sensor provided on the camera body side to generate photographed image data, so that a photographed image is conventionally recorded on a silver salt film. There is an advantage that the interchangeable photographic lens used in the film type single-lens reflex camera can be reused.

  However, for example, if a large photographic lens with excellent optical performance is mounted on a camera body with a low-resolution, small-sized image sensor, subject light is accurately imaged by the photographic lens. However, there is a problem that the subject light cannot be read with high accuracy and the performance of the photographing lens cannot be fully utilized. In order to solve this problem, an interchangeable lens camera has been developed in which a lens unit with an image sensor including a photographing lens and an image sensor is attached to the camera body (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). reference). According to these interchangeable lens cameras described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a CCD suitable for the size and optical performance of the photographing lens is provided in the lens unit in advance, thereby taking advantage of the performance of the photographing lens. A high-quality captured image can be acquired.

  By the way, in the lens interchangeable camera as described above, the camera body is equipped with a battery, and the lens unit such as the retracting of the photographing lens or the energization of the CCD is supplied from the camera body to the lens unit. In general, the starting operation is executed. However, when sufficient power is not supplied from the camera body, a power supply voltage drop due to power shortage occurs when the lens unit is activated, and the processing executed in the lens unit or the lens body is forcibly interrupted. As a result, the lens unit cannot be controlled from the camera body side while the photographic lens is stopped in a halfway retracted state, or the captured image playback processing that was executed on the camera body side follows the correct end procedure. There is a risk that the image is forcibly stopped and the captured image is destroyed.

In this regard, Patent Document 3 describes an image processing system that supplies / stops power to an imaging apparatus in accordance with the remaining power state of a power supply unit that supplies power. When this technology is applied to an interchangeable lens camera and power is supplied to the lens unit only when sufficient power can be supplied from the camera body, a power supply voltage drop occurs during processing, and the camera body and lens unit It is possible to avoid problems that the camera cannot be controlled or the captured image is broken.
JP 10-191122 A JP 2000-50138 A JP-A-6-178178

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 3, even when it is determined that sufficient power can be supplied to the camera body, when a lens unit with large power consumption is attached, the activation operation of the lens unit is eventually performed. Insufficient power is supplied to execute the operation, and the power supply voltage is lowered. In particular, when a lens unit with a built-in CCD is mounted, such a problem is likely to occur because a large amount of power is consumed when the CCD is energized.

  In addition, if the threshold value for determining that power can be supplied is increased to avoid the above-described problems, the lens unit can be supplied to the lens unit although it is possible to supply sufficient power to start the lens unit. There is a risk that it may fail to start.

  An object of this invention is to provide the camera system which can be started safely and reliably in view of the said situation.

In the camera system of the present invention that achieves the above object, an optical unit including a photographing optical system through which subject light passes performs predetermined image processing based on image data representing subject light that forms an image through the photographing optical system. In the camera system that is detachably attached to the camera body to perform,
The camera body is
A power supply unit for supplying power to the optical unit;
The optical unit is
When the optical unit is mounted on the camera body, the power supply unit receives power supply, communicates with the camera body, and controls the activation of the optical unit according to the communication result,
When the supply power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit satisfies the start-up power amount for starting up the optical unit, the start-up unit that is started by being supplied with the start-up power by the control of the start-up control unit It is characterized by being provided with.

  According to the camera system of the present invention, when the optical unit is activated, first, the activation control unit that communicates with the camera body is activated by receiving power from the power supply unit. Subsequently, when the activation control unit communicates with the camera body and, as a result, it is confirmed that the optical unit can be activated by the amount of power that can be supplied from the power supply unit, the activation unit of the optical unit is also activated. Power is supplied to start up. Conversely, when sufficient power cannot be supplied from the power supply unit, the activated unit of the optical unit is not activated, so that the power supply voltage drops due to the activation operation of the optical unit and is executed by the camera body or the optical unit. The problem that the processing being forcibly stopped can be avoided, and the optical unit can be started safely and reliably.

  In the camera system of the present invention, it is preferable that the optical unit includes an imaging unit that acquires image data representing subject light that forms an image through the imaging optical system, as the activated unit.

  For example, an image pickup device such as a CCD consumes a large amount of power even when it is energized. For this reason, when the imaging unit is provided in the optical unit, the power consumed by the start-up operation of the optical unit increases, so that a great effect can be obtained by the present invention.

Further, in the camera system of the present invention, the optical unit obtains image data representing subject light imaged through the imaging optical system as an actuated unit, and can be operated at each of a plurality of operating speeds. With
When the activation control unit activates the imaging unit, it is preferable that the activation control unit is activated at an operation speed other than the maximum speed among the plurality of operation speeds.

  Since the power consumption of the imaging unit varies depending on the operating speed, when the startup power is supplied, the imaging unit is started at the power-saving operating speed and sufficient power can be supplied from the camera body. The operation speed of the imaging unit may be improved.

Further, in the camera system of the present invention, the optical unit obtains image data representing subject light imaged through the imaging optical system as an actuated unit, and can be operated at each of a plurality of operating speeds. With
The activation control unit is preferably configured to activate the imaging unit by operating at the lowest speed among a plurality of operation speeds when the supplied power amount is less than the activation power amount.

  When the power supply amount is less than the startup power amount, the power consumption can be efficiently suppressed by operating the imaging unit at the minimum speed.

In the camera system of the present invention, the optical unit is
The photographing optical system includes a changing mechanism that changes optical performance,
It is preferable that the optical unit includes an optical driving unit that drives the changing mechanism and changes the optical performance of the photographing optical system as the actuated unit.

  The changing mechanism referred to in the present invention represents various lenses, a diaphragm for narrowing the light flux of the lens, and the optical driving section referred to in the present invention represents an actuator for adjusting a lens position, an aperture value, and the like. Since the optical unit is provided with an actuator or the like to increase power consumption in the optical unit, the present invention is preferably applied.

In the camera system of the present invention, the optical unit is
An activation information transmission unit for transmitting activation information representing the activation state of the activated unit to the camera body;
The camera body
An activation information receiver for receiving activation information;
It is preferable to include a notification unit that notifies the activation state represented by the activation information received by the activation information receiving unit to the outside of the camera system.

  By providing the notification unit, the operator can confirm the activation state of the optical unit.

  In the camera system of the present invention, it is preferable that the camera body includes a display unit that displays an activation state represented by activation information as a notification unit.

  According to the preferred embodiment of the camera system of the present invention, the operator can easily and reliably confirm the activation state of the lens unit.

  According to the optical unit of the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera system that can be activated safely and reliably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a camera system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The camera system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a plurality of types of camera heads 1_a, 2_a,..., N_a each incorporating a photographic lens and a CCD. The head is selected and used. In the following description, it is assumed that the first camera head 1_a is selected from the plurality of types of camera heads 1_a, 2_a,.

  The camera system 1 includes a camera head 1_a and a camera body 1_b to which the camera head 1_a is detachably attached. The camera heads 1_a, 2_a,..., N_a correspond to an example of the optical unit according to the present invention, and the camera body 1_b corresponds to an example of the camera body according to the present invention.

  A mount 10b is provided on the front side of the camera body 1_b, and a mount connector 10a provided on the camera head is detachably fitted to the mount 10b.

  A release button 21b for taking a still image and a mode setting dial 22b for setting a processing mode (described later) are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 1_b.

  FIG. 2 is a top view of the camera body 1_b shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, using the mode setting dial 22b, the processing mode is a moving image mode (Mov) for capturing a moving image, a still image mode (Cam) for capturing a still image, a personal computer, or the like. Set to one of a connection mode (Pc) for connecting to an external device, a setup mode (Set Up) for adjusting the time of a clock built in the camera body 1_b, and a playback mode (Play) for displaying captured images. Can do.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera body 1_b shown in FIG.

  On the back of the camera body 1_b, there are a power switch 23b for turning on the power of the camera system 1, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 28b on which an image and a menu screen are displayed, items on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 28b, and the like. A cross key 24b for selection, a menu button 25b for displaying a menu screen on the LCD 28b, an execution button 26b for determining setting contents, and a cancel button 27b for canceling setting contents are provided. A USB connector 29b for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer is provided on the side surface 1_b.

  In the present embodiment, a battery (see FIG. 4) is provided inside the camera body 1_b, and when the power switch 23b is turned on, the camera body 1_b is first activated. Further, when the camera head 1_a is attached to the camera body 1_b, power is supplied from the camera body 1_b to the camera head 1_a, and the camera head 1_a is activated.

  FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the camera system 1 shown in FIG.

  First, the camera head 1_a will be described.

  The camera head 1_a is provided with various lenses such as a focus lens and a zoom lens, a photographing optical system 11a provided with a diaphragm, a motor for driving the various lenses and the diaphragm, and controls the lens position and the diaphragm amount. An optical control unit 17a that receives the subject light imaged through the photographing optical system 11a and generates a subject signal representing the subject light, and an analog signal processing unit 13a that performs amplification and gain adjustment of the subject signal. A / D unit 14a that converts an object signal, which is an analog signal, into digital image data, a CCD 12a, an analog signal processing unit 13a, a TG (timing generator) 18a that emits a timing signal toward the A / D unit 14a, and a camera head In addition to controlling various elements of 1_a, the focus lens and zoom lens The head CPU 19a for calculating the position of the lens, the system memory 190a used as a temporary memory at the time of the calculation processing by the head CPU 19a, etc., the non-volatile in which the lens parameters including the number of pixels of the CCD 12a, the aperture value of the lens, etc. The memory 191a is provided. The photographing optical system 11a is an example of a photographing optical system according to the present invention. Various lenses and an aperture included in the photographing optical system 11a are an example of a changing mechanism according to the present invention. The optical control unit 17a is according to the present invention. This corresponds to an example of an optical drive unit. A combination of the CCD 12a, the analog signal processing unit 13a, and the A / D unit 14a corresponds to an example of an imaging unit referred to in the present invention.

  Further, the camera head 1_a is provided with a 3-wire serial driver 151a and a high-speed serial driver 150a that are also provided in the camera body 1_b. The 3-wire serial driver 151a is for transmitting / receiving lens parameters, requests to the camera body 1_b, and the like to / from the camera body 1_b. The high-speed serial driver 150a transmits object light to / from the camera body 1_b. This is for transmitting and receiving read image data. The 3-wire serial driver 151a corresponds to an example of the activation information transmission unit referred to in the present invention.

  In the camera head 1_a, image data is generated when the subject light is received by the CCD 12a. The image data represents a through image data for a through image displayed on the LCD 28b of the camera body 1_b, which captures a subject image that currently exists within the shooting angle of view, and a still image when the release button 13b is pressed. Three types of image data are generated: still image data and moving image data representing a moving image. The through image data is temporary data having a low resolution, and is sent to the camera body 1_b by the high-speed serial driver 150a and also to the integrating circuit 16a.

  In addition to the various elements described above, the camera head 1_a includes an integration circuit 16a that detects the luminance (AE detection) and contrast (AF detection) of the subject based on low-resolution image data, and various elements of the camera head 1_a. Power supply control units (communication power supply control unit 111a, imaging power supply control unit 112a, and motor power supply control unit 113a) for controlling the order and timing of power supply to the DC / DC converters 121a and 122a for adjusting power , 123a, etc. are also provided.

  Of various elements constituting the camera head 1_a, elements for transmitting / receiving information to / from the camera body 1_b (head CPU 19a, system memory 190a, nonvolatile memory 191a, and 3-wire serial driver 151a. These are summarized below. The communication portion 101a is connected to the communication power supply control unit 111a, and elements (CCD 12a, analog signal processing unit 13a, A / D unit 14a, analog signal processing) for generating image data based on subject light. The control unit 15a, the integrating circuit 16a, the TG 18a, and the high-speed serial driver 150a (hereinafter collectively referred to as the imaging unit 102a) are connected to the imaging power source control unit 112a and drive the zoom lens and the focus lens. Elements (imaging optical system 11a and optics) Control unit 17a. In the following, referred to as the motor portion 103a are collectively) is connected to a motor power supply control unit 113a. The communication portion 101a, the imaging portion 102a, and the motor portion 103a are activated by supplying power from the battery 142b of the camera body 1_b at different timings. The communication part 101a is an example of the activation control unit according to the present invention, and the imaging part 102a and the motor part 103a correspond to an example of the activated part according to the present invention. This activation method will be described in detail later.

  The mount connector 10a of the camera head 1_a is detachably fitted to the mount 10b of the camera body 1_b. Communication is performed between the camera head 1_a and the camera body 1_b through electrical contacts provided on the mount connector 10a and the mount 10b.

  Next, the camera body 1_b will be described.

  The operation of the camera body 1_b is comprehensively controlled by the body CPU 100b. The camera body 1_b receives image data transmitted from the camera head 1_a, a system memory 101b in which a program is stored, a 3-wire serial driver 151b for transmitting / receiving various requests and information to / from the camera head 1_a. High-speed serial driver 150b, a nonvolatile memory 102b for recording various parameters received by the 3-wire serial driver 151b, a timer 110b for timer shooting, a calendar clock unit 111b for controlling a calendar clock displayed on the LCD 28b, and a USB connector A USB driver 131b to which a personal computer or the like is connected via 29b, a mode setting dial 22b, a cross key 24b, a menu button 25b, an execution button 26b, a cancel button 27b, and the like shown in FIG. The camera head 1_a is mounted from the switch / LED 132b operated by the main body CPU 100b via b, the flash light emitting unit 121b that emits flash light, the flash light emission control unit 120b that controls the amount of light emitted from the flash light emitting unit 121b, and the mount 10b. The I / O 141b for transmitting the detection result to the main body CPU 110, the power SW 23b for turning on the power of the camera system 1, the battery 142b for supplying power to the camera system 1, and the camera main body from the battery 142 1_b is controlled by the main body CPU 100b via the power supply control unit 140b that controls the power supplied to each element, the DC / DC converter 146b that adjusts the power, and the I / O 133b to supply / stop power to the camera head 1_a. SW143b to switch, high-speed serial The digital signal processing unit 109b that performs various processing such as compression processing on the image data received by the driver 150b, the digital signal processing control unit 103b that controls the digital signal processing unit 109b, and the through image data received by the high-speed serial driver 150b The frame memory 104b that is once recorded, the LCD control unit 105b that controls the display on the LCD 28b, various menu screens, the LCD 28b on which a through image based on the through image data is displayed, and the screen information between the camera head 1_a A U / I information control unit 160b that controls transmission and reception is loaded with a memory card 108b in which image data generated at the time of actual shooting is compressed by the digital signal processing unit 109b and compressed image data is recorded via the card I / F 106b. Memory card slot 10 7b etc. are provided. The battery 142 corresponds to an example of the power supply unit referred to in the present invention. The 3-wire serial driver 151b corresponds to an example of an activation information receiving unit according to the present invention, and the LCD 28b corresponds to an example of each of a notification unit and a display unit according to the present invention.

  The camera system 1 of the present embodiment is basically configured as described above.

  Here, in the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, when the operator turns on the power SW 23b shown in FIG. 2, power is supplied to various elements of the camera body 1_b to start the camera body 1_b, and then the camera body 1_b Electric power is supplied to the camera head 1_a, and the camera head 1_a is activated. At this time, if the entire camera head 1_a is activated all at once in a state where sufficient power cannot be supplied from the camera body 1_b to the camera head 1_a, for example, sufficient power is not stored in the battery 142b of the camera body 1_b, There is a problem in that the start-up operation of the camera head 1_a causes power shortage, a power supply voltage drop occurs, and the camera head 1_a cannot be controlled from the camera body 1_b. In the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, first, when only the communication part 101a of the camera head 1_a is activated first to transmit an instruction from the camera body 1_b, sufficient power can be supplied from the camera body 1_b. By activating the remaining elements of the camera head 1_a, the above-described problems are avoided. Below, the starting method of this camera head 1_a is demonstrated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the camera head 1_a in accordance with an instruction from the camera body 1_b.

  First, when the power SW 23b of the camera body 1_b is turned on, the power stored in the battery 142b is supplied to various elements of the camera body 1_b by the power control unit 140b, and the camera body 1_b is activated.

  When the camera head 1_a is attached to the camera body 1_b and the mount 10b and the mount connector 10a are in contact with each other, a detection result indicating that the camera head 1_a is attached is received from the mount 10b to the I / O 141b and the camera head 1_a. This is transmitted to the communication power supply control unit 111a.

  When the detection result is transmitted, the communication power supply control unit 111a requests the camera body 1_b to supply power. As a result, a predetermined amount of power that can activate the communication portion 101a is supplied from the battery 142b to the communication portion 101a of the camera head 1_a (step S1 in FIG. 5), and the communication portion 101a is activated (FIG. 5). 5 step S2). When the communication part 101a is activated, communication between the camera head 1_a and the camera body 1_b is established.

  The head CPU 19a constituting the communication portion 101a initializes the three-wire serial driver 151a and the like (step S3 in FIG. 5), and initializes various processing flags prepared in the nonvolatile memory 191a (step in FIG. 5). S4, S5). In the present embodiment, as a processing flag, a power setting processing completed flag (confirmed: TRUE, unconfirmed: FALSE) indicating that sufficient power can be supplied from the battery 142b to the camera head 1_a, and the entire camera head 1_a is activated. The activated flag (activated: TRUE, not activated: FALSE) indicating that the activation has been performed is used. In steps S4 and S5, since the amount of power supplied from the battery 142b is unconfirmed, the power setting processing flag is unconfirmed: FALSE, and the communication portion 101a of the camera head 1_a is activated. Since the imaging part 102a and the motor part 103a are not activated, the activated flag is set to not activated: FALSE.

  When the initialization process is completed, the head CPU 19a transmits a temporary activation completion notification to the camera body 1_b via the 3-wire serial driver 151a (step S6 in FIG. 5).

  The temporary activation completion notification transmitted from the camera head 1_a is transmitted to the main body CPU 100b via the three-wire serial driver 150b of the camera main body 1_b.

  Since the communication portion 101a of the camera head 1_a consumes less power than the imaging portion 102a including the CCD 12a and the motor portion 103a including various motors, the camera system 1 is turned off even when the communication portion 101a is activated. There is nothing. As described above, since only the communication part 101a of the camera head 1_a is activated first, the camera head 1_a can be reliably controlled from the camera body 1_b.

  Thereafter, the head CPU 19a waits for an instruction transmitted from the main body CPU 100b (step S7 in FIG. 5), and when receiving the instruction, controls various elements of the camera head 1_a according to the instruction. The main body CPU 100b indirectly controls the camera head 1_a by transmitting an instruction to the head CPU 19a via the three-wire serial drivers 150b and 150a.

  First, the main body CPU 100b notifies the head CPU 19a of the amount of power that can be supplied from the battery 142b to the camera head 1_a (hereinafter, this amount of power is referred to as a suppliable power amount Pc).

  When the suppliable power amount Pc is transmitted (step S8 in FIG. 5: Yes), the head CPU 19a executes a power setting process for determining whether or not the entire camera head 1_a can be activated by the suppliable power amount Pc ( Step S8A in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the power setting process shown in step S8A of FIG.

  In this embodiment, the CCD 12a reads the subject light at a timing synchronized with the clock, and the TG 18a can read the subject light at a high speed with the clock frequency of the CCD 12a. However, the power consumption is high and the reading speed of the subject light is as follows. The power consumption can be switched to a low frequency Lo, which is low. Further, when the clock frequency of the CCD 12a is set to the high frequency Hi, the power amount P_Hi consumed by the entire camera head 1_a and when the clock frequency of the CCD 12a is set to the low frequency Lo, it is consumed by the entire camera head 1_a. Is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 191a as a lens parameter.

  The head CPU 19a acquires lens parameters from the nonvolatile memory 191a, and compares the power amount P_Hi at the high frequency Hi with the suppliable power amount Pc transmitted from the main body CPU 100b. When the suppliable power amount Pc is equal to or greater than the power amount P_Hi (step S81 in FIG. 6: Yes), the head CPU 19a sets the clock frequency of the CCD 12a to the high frequency Hi (step S87 in FIG. 6), and sets the camera body 1_b. ACK data representing normal driving is transmitted (step S88 in FIG. 6). Furthermore, the power setting processing completion flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 191a is set to TRUE indicating that the camera head 1_a can be activated by the suppliable power (step S89 in FIG. 6).

  When the suppliable power amount Pc is smaller than the power amount P_Hi (step S81 in FIG. 6: No), the head CPU 19a compares the suppliable power amount Pc with the power amount P_Lo at the low frequency Lo. When the suppliable power amount Pc is equal to or greater than the power amount P_Lo (step S82 in FIG. 6: Yes), the head CPU 19a sets the clock frequency of the CCD 12a to the low frequency Lo (step S86 in FIG. 6), and sets the camera body 1_b. ACK data indicating low power consumption driving is transmitted (step S86 in FIG. 6), and the power setting process completion flag is set to TRUE (step S89 in FIG. 6).

  When the suppliable power amount Pc is smaller than the power amount P_Lo (step S82 in FIG. 6: No), the head CPU 19a cannot start the entire camera head 1_a with the power supplied from the camera body 1_b. Then, NACK data representing that the camera cannot be activated is transmitted to the camera body 1_b (step S83 in FIG. 6), and the power setting processing completed flag is set to FALSE (step S84 in FIG. 6).

  Step S8A in FIG. 5 and the power setting process shown in FIG. 6 are performed as described above.

  When the main body CPU 100b receives the ACK data from the camera head 1_a, the main body CPU 100b transmits an instruction to activate the entire camera head 1_a to the camera head 1_a.

  When the head CPU 19a of the camera head 1_a receives the activation instruction (step S10 in FIG. 5), the head CPU 19a executes a main activation process for activating the entire camera head 1_a (step S10A in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the activation process.

  First, the head CPU 19a acquires a power setting processing completed flag from the nonvolatile memory 191a. When the power setting processing completed flag is not TRUE (that is, FALSE) (step S101: No in FIG. 7), the power supplied from the camera body 1_b is insufficient, so the head CPU 19a activates the camera body 1_b. NACK data indicating incompletion is transmitted (step S106 in FIG. 7).

  If the power setting processing flag is TRUE (step S101 in FIG. 7: Yes), sufficient power is supplied from the camera body 1_b, and the head CPU 19a transmits a start instruction to the motor power control unit 113a. The motor power supply control unit 113a that has received this activation instruction requests the camera body 1_b to supply power, and the motor portion 103a is activated by receiving power supply from the battery 142b (step S102 in FIG. 7).

  Subsequently, the head CPU 19a transmits an activation instruction to the imaging power supply control unit 112a. Upon receiving this activation instruction, the imaging power supply control unit 112a requests the camera body 1_b to supply power, the power is supplied to the imaging part 102a, and the imaging part 102a is activated (step S103 in FIG. 7).

  When the motor portion 103a and the imaging portion 102a are activated, a large amount of power is consumed because the motor included in the photographing optical system 11a is driven and the CCD 12a is energized. However, in the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, since it has been confirmed in advance that sufficient power is supplied from the battery 142b, the camera head 1_a can be activated safely and reliably.

  The head CPU 19a sets the fully activated flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 191a to TRUE (step S104 in FIG. 7), and transmits ACK data indicating completion of the actual activation to the camera body 1_b (step S105 in FIG. 7). .

  Step S10A in FIG. 5 and the main activation process shown in FIG. 7 are performed as described above.

  When the camera head 1_a is activated, the main body CPU 100b sends an instruction to acquire a through image to be displayed on the LCD 28b of the camera main body 1_b to the camera head 1_a.

  When the through image acquisition instruction is received by the head CPU 19a (step S11 in FIG. 5), the camera head 1_a executes a through image reading process for acquiring a through image (step S11A in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the through image reading process.

  First, the head CPU 19a obtains the power setting processing completed flag and the fully activated flag from the nonvolatile memory 191a. When the power setting processing completed flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S111: No in FIG. 8), since sufficient power is not supplied to the camera head 1_a, the “through image due to insufficient power” is sent from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b. NACK data indicating “acquisition impossible” is transmitted (step S117 in FIG. 8). When the activated flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S112 in FIG. 8: No), since the camera head 1_a is not activated, the head CPU 19a sends the “camera body unactivated through image” to the camera body 1_b. NACK data indicating “acquisition impossible” is transmitted (step S116 in FIG. 8).

  When both the power setting processing completed flag and the fully activated flag are TRUE (step S111 in FIG. 8: Yes, step S112: Yes), sufficient power is supplied to the camera head 1_a, and the camera head 1_a is activated. Indicates that At this time, the TG 18a reads a predetermined through image while keeping the clock frequency of the CCD 12a set at the power setting process shown in step S8A of FIG. 5 (the high frequency Hi or the low frequency Lo described above). A timing signal is generated at a frequency for use (step S113 in FIG. 8).

  The CCD 12a reads subject light that has passed through the photographing optical system 11a and generates a low-resolution subject signal. The generated subject signal is amplified by the analog signal processing unit 13, converted into digital through image data by the A / D unit 14a, and transmitted to the camera body 1_b via the high-speed serial driver 150a (FIG. 8). Step S114). Further, ACK data representing “completion of through image processing” is transmitted from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b (step S115 in FIG. 8).

  Step S11A in FIG. 5 and the through image reading process shown in FIG. 8 are performed as described above.

  When the photographer presses the release button 21b shown in FIG. 1 halfway, the start of AF / AE processing is instructed. The main body CPU 100b sends an instruction to execute AF / AE processing to the camera head 1_a.

  When the camera head 1_a is instructed to execute the AF / AE process (step S12 in FIG. 5), the camera head 1_a executes the AF / AE process (step S12A in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of AF / AE processing.

  First, when the power setting processing completed flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S1201: No in FIG. 9), NACK data representing “AF / AE processing impossible due to insufficient power” is transmitted from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b. If the activated flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S1202 in FIG. 8: No), NACK data indicating “AF / AE processing not possible due to camera head not activated” is transmitted. (Step S1210 in FIG. 9).

  When both the power setting process completed flag and the fully activated flag are TRUE (step S1201: Yes, step S1202: Yes in FIG. 9), the TG 18a keeps the clock frequency of the CCD 12a and maintains a predetermined AE process. A timing signal is generated at a frequency for use (step S1203 in FIG. 9).

  In response to an instruction from the head CPU 19a, a motor attached to an aperture included in the photographing optical system 103a is driven, and the aperture is set to an aperture value for AE processing. In this state, low resolution data obtained by reading the subject light by the CCD 12a is sent to the integrating circuit 16a, and the integrating circuit 16a detects the luminance of the subject (step S1204 in FIG. 9).

  Subsequently, the aperture is set to the aperture value for AF processing in accordance with an instruction from the head CPU 19a (step S1205 in FIG. 9). Further, the TG 18a issues a timing signal at a predetermined AF processing frequency (step S1206 in FIG. 9).

  When preparation for AF processing is completed, a motor attached to a focus lens included in the photographic optical system 103a is driven to move the focus lens in a direction along the optical axis. The low resolution data acquired by the CCD 12a while the focus lens is moved is transmitted to the integrating circuit 16a one by one. In the integrating circuit 16a, the contrast of the subject is acquired based on the low resolution data, and the maximum value (peak) of the contrast is detected (step S1207 in FIG. 9).

  The head CPU 19a calculates the position of the focus lens when the contrast of the subject is maximized. When the calculation result is transmitted to the optical control unit 17a, the focus lens motor is driven to move the focus lens to the focus lens position (step S1208 in FIG. 9). Further, the head CPU 19a transmits ACK data indicating “AF / AE processing completion” and the result of the AE processing to the camera body 1_b (step S1209 in FIG. 9).

  Step S12A in FIG. 5 and the AF / AE process shown in FIG. 9 are performed as described above.

  When the AF / AE process is completed, the main body CPU 100b sends an instruction for displaying a through image in the state after the AF / AE process to the camera head 1_a. In the camera head 1_a, processing for acquiring an AF / AE image (through image) is executed in the same manner as in step S11A in FIG. 5 (steps S13 and S13A in FIG. 5). On the LCD 28b of the camera body 1_b, a through image in a state where the subject is focused is displayed.

  The result of the AE process sent from the camera head 1_a is transmitted to the main body CPU 100b of the camera main body 1_b. The main body CPU 100b calculates an aperture value, a shutter speed, and the like based on the transmitted AE processing result. The calculated aperture value, shutter speed, and the like are transmitted to the head CPU 19a of the camera head 1_a.

  Here, when the release button 21b shown in FIG. 1 is fully pressed by the photographer, the start of photographing is instructed. The main body CPU 100b sends an instruction to execute an exposure process to the camera head 1_a.

  When the camera head 1_a receives the execution instruction for the exposure process (step S14 in FIG. 5), the camera head 1_a executes the exposure process (step S14A in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of exposure processing.

  Also in the exposure processing, when the power setting processing completed flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S141: No in FIG. 10), NACK data indicating “exposure processing is not possible due to insufficient power” is sent from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b. If it is transmitted (step S148 in FIG. 10) and the activated flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S142 in FIG. 10: No), NACK data indicating “exposure processing not possible due to camera head not activated” is transmitted. (Step S147 in FIG. 10).

  When both the power setting processed flag and the fully activated flag are TRUE (step S141 in FIG. 10, Yes, step S142: Yes), the flag is attached to the diaphragm included in the photographing optical system 11a according to an instruction from the head CPU 19a. The motor is driven, and the aperture value is set to the aperture value calculated by the main body CPU 100b (step S143 in FIG. 10).

  When the aperture is adjusted, exposure is performed by electronically releasing the shutter at the shutter speed calculated by the main body CPU 100b (step S144 in FIG. 10). In the CCD 12a, the subject light is read for all pixels without being thinned, and high-resolution captured image data is generated (step S145 in FIG. 10). The generated captured image data is sent to the digital signal processing unit 109b via the high-speed serial drivers 150a and 150b. Further, ACK data representing “exposure processing completion” is transmitted from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b (step S146 in FIG. 10).

  Step S14A in FIG. 5 and the exposure process shown in FIG. 10 are performed as described above.

  When various processes are executed in the camera system 1, a large amount of power stored in the battery 142b is consumed, and a sufficient amount of power may not be supplied from the camera body 1_b to the camera head 1_a. is there. For example, the main body CPU 100b calculates the amount of power that can be supplied to the camera head 1_a (suppliable power amount Pc) every time a predetermined number of captured images are acquired or every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the power switch 23b is turned on. This is transmitted to the head CPU 19a (step S15 in FIG. 5: Yes). The head CPU 19a confirms whether or not the camera head 1_a can be operated by the suppliable power amount Pc from the battery 142b in the same manner as in step S8A of FIG. 5, and updates the power setting processing completed flag (FIG. 5). Step S15A). When the suppliable power amount Pc from the battery 142b is reduced (power setting processing completed flag: FALSE), the head CPU 19a sends an instruction for the sleep processing to the head CPU 19a in the same manner as in step S9 in FIG. Then, the camera head 1_a is put to sleep.

  When the photographer sets a zoom type (telephoto shooting / wide shooting) for performing zoom shooting, the main body CPU 100b informs the camera head 1_a of the set zoom type. When the zoom type is transmitted (step S16 in FIG. 5: Yes), the camera head 1_a executes zoom processing for adjusting the shooting angle of view according to the transmitted zoom type (step S16A in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of zoom processing.

  Also in the zoom process, if the power setting process completed flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S161: No in FIG. 11), the NACK data indicating “Zoom process is not possible due to insufficient power” from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b. If it is transmitted (step S166 in FIG. 11) and the activated flag is not TRUE (FALSE) (step S162 in FIG. 11: No), NACK data indicating “zoom processing is not possible due to camera head not activated” is transmitted. (Step S165 in FIG. 11).

  When both the power setting processing completed flag and the fully activated flag are TRUE (step S161: Yes, step S162: Yes in FIG. 11), the head CPU 19a takes a shooting angle of view according to the zoom type transmitted from the main body CPU 100b. The zoom lens position for realizing is calculated. In accordance with the instruction from the head CPU 19a, the zoom lens motor is driven to move the zoom lens to the calculated zoom lens position, thereby adjusting the shooting angle of view (step S163 in FIG. 11).

  When the shooting angle of view is adjusted, the head CPU 19a transmits ACK data indicating “completion of zoom processing” to the camera body 1_b (step S164 in FIG. 11).

  Step S16A in FIG. 5 and the zoom process shown in FIG. 11 are performed as described above.

  When confirming the contents of various flags set in the camera head 1_a on the camera body 1_b side, a setting content acquisition instruction is sent from the body CPU 100b to the head CPU 19a. When the head CPU 19a receives the setting content acquisition instruction (step S18 in FIG. 5: Yes), the head CPU 19a acquires various flags stored in the nonvolatile memory 191a and transmits them to the main body CPU 100b (step S17A in FIG. 5).

  Further, for example, when processing is not performed by the camera head 1_a, such as when the connection mode described above is set as the processing mode, the camera head 1_a sleeps (standby state) in order to suppress power consumption. Set to When the main body CPU 100b sends a sleep instruction to the camera head 1_a (step S9 in FIG. 5: Yes), the camera head 1_a executes a sleep process (step S9A in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sleep process.

  First, the head CPU 19a gives an instruction to turn off the power to the motor power control unit 113a. When the motor power control unit 113a requests the camera body 1_b to stop power supply, the power supply to the motor part 103a is stopped and the power of the motor part 103a is turned off (step S91 in FIG. 12).

  Subsequently, the head CPU 19a gives an instruction to turn off the power to the imaging power supply control unit 112a, stops application of power to the imaging part 102a, and turns off the power of the imaging part 102a (step S92 in FIG. 12).

  In this state, the power of the motor part 103a and the imaging part 102a with large power consumption is turned off, but the communication part 101a for communicating with the camera body 1_b is activated. For this reason, when a restart instruction is received from the main body CPU 100b, the imaging portion 102a and the motor portion 103a can be restarted.

  When the power of the imaging portion 102a and the motor portion 103a is turned off, the head CPU 19a transmits ACK data indicating “sleep processing complete” to the camera body 1_b (step S93 in FIG. 12). Further, the fully activated flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 191a is set to FALSE (step S94 in FIG. 12).

  Step S9A in FIG. 5 and the sleep process shown in FIG. 12 are performed as described above.

  When the photographer turns off the power SW 23b shown in FIG. 3, the camera body 1_b is turned off according to an instruction from the body CPU 100b. Further, the main body CPU 100b transmits a power-off instruction to the head CPU 19a (step S18 in FIG. 5: Yes), and the head CPU 19a gives an instruction to the communication power source control unit 111a, the imaging power source control unit 112a, and the motor power source control unit 113a. Then, the communication portion 101a, the imaging portion 102a, and the motor portion 103a are powered off (step S18A in FIG. 5).

  In the camera system 1, the above processing is basically performed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processes when shooting is actually performed.

  First, when mounting of the camera head 1_a is detected by the mount 10b of the camera body 1_b, the detection result is transmitted to the I / O 141b (step S201 in FIG. 13). At this time, power is supplied from the battery 142b to the communication part 101a of the camera head 1_a (step S202 in FIG. 13), and the communication part 101a is activated (step S301 in FIG. 13).

  When the communication part 101a is activated, a temporary activation completion notification is transmitted from the head CPU 19a to the camera body 1_b. Further, when the amount of power that can be supplied is notified from the camera body 1_b to the head CPU 19a, the power setting process shown in step S8A of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is executed in the camera head 1_a (step S302 of FIG. 13). When the power setting process ends normally, ACK data is sent from the camera head 1_a to the camera body 1_b.

  Subsequently, the main activation instruction is transmitted from the camera body 1_b to the head CPU 19a. In the camera head 1_a, the main activation process shown in step S10A in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 is executed (step S303 in FIG. 13). When the main activation process ends normally, ACK data is sent to the camera body 1_b.

  When receiving response data (ACK data or NACK data) for the power setting process and the main activation process, the camera body 1_b displays a message corresponding to the response data on the LCD 28b (step S203 in FIG. 13). For example, when ACK data of “low power consumption driving” is received in the power setting process and “main activation complete” is received in the activation process, a message “power saving activation complete” is displayed on the LCD 28b, and the power setting is performed. When “normal drive” ACK data is received in the process and “normal start complete” is received in the main start process, the message “normal start complete” is displayed. In the power setting process, “head operation is not possible due to insufficient power”. "NACK data" is received, the message "Startup incomplete" is displayed. Thus, by displaying the activation state of the camera head 1_a, the photographer can easily confirm whether or not the camera head 1_a is activated.

  Subsequently, a through image transmission instruction is transmitted from the camera body 1_b to the head CPU 19a. In the camera head 1_a, the through image reading process shown in step S11A of FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 is executed (step S304 of FIG. 13), and the through image data is sent to the camera body 1_b.

  The through images represented by the through image data sent to the camera body 1_b are displayed one by one on the LCD 28b (steps S204, S205, and S206 in FIG. 13).

  When the photographer presses the release button 21b halfway, an instruction for AF / AE processing is transmitted from the camera body 1_b to the head CPU 19a. In the camera head 1_a, the AF / AE process shown in step S12A of FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 is executed (step S305 of FIG. 13), and the photometric result is sent to the camera body 1_b. Also, an instruction to transmit a through image is transmitted from the camera body 1_b to the head CPU 19a, and a through image read process is executed in the camera head 1_a (step S306 in FIG. 13). After the AF / AE process in the camera body 1_b, A through image in a state where the subject is in focus is displayed (steps S207, S208, and S209 in FIG. 13).

  Furthermore, when the photographer fully presses the release button 21b, an instruction for exposure processing is transmitted from the camera body 1_b to the head CPU 19a. In the camera head 1_a, the exposure processing shown in step S14A of FIG. 5 and FIG. 10 is executed (step S307 of FIG. 13), and ACK data and high-resolution captured image data are sent to the camera body 1_b.

  In the camera body 1_b, predetermined image processing is performed on the transmitted captured image data (step S210 in FIG. 13), and a captured image represented by the captured image data after the image processing is displayed on the LCD 28b (FIG. 13). Step S211).

  Further, the captured image data is subjected to compression processing, and the compressed captured image data is recorded on the memory card 108b or the like (step S212 in FIG. 13).

  Thereafter, AF / AE processing (step S308 in FIG. 13), through image reading processing (step S309 in FIG. 13), through image display (step S213 in FIG. 13), and the like are continued.

  As described above, according to the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to start up safely and reliably.

  Here, in the above description, an example in which a lens unit in which an imaging element and an imaging optical system are incorporated together is used as the optical unit. However, the optical unit according to the present invention does not include an imaging element. May be. In this case, the image sensor may be provided in the camera body, or may be provided in an adapter that connects the camera body and the optical unit.

  In the above, an LCD that displays the activation state of the camera head is shown as an example of the notification unit according to the present invention. However, the notification unit according to the present invention notifies the activation state of the optical head by voice or the like. It may be a thing.

  In recent years, a liquid lens that adjusts the refractive index of light by applying a voltage to a liquid contained in a container and changing the shape of the liquid surface has been developed. In the above, an example in which a normal lens is used as the imaging optical system according to the present invention has been described. However, the imaging optical system according to the present invention may be a liquid lens or the like. In this case, “driving the imaging optical system” refers to an operation of applying a voltage to the liquid so as to perform an action equivalent to moving a normal lens in the optical axis direction.

1 is an exploded view of a camera system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a top view of camera body 1_b shown in FIG. It is a rear view of the camera main body 1_b shown in FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the camera system 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process performed with the camera head 1_a according to the instruction | indication from the camera main body 1_b. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the electric power setting process shown to FIG.5 S8A. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of this starting process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a through image read-out process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of AF / AE processing. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of an exposure process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a zoom process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a sleep process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a series of processes when imaging | photography is actually performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera system 1_a, 2_a, ..., n_a Lens unit 10a Mount connector 11a Imaging optical system 12a CCD
13a Analog signal processing unit 14a A / D unit 15a Analog signal processing control unit 16a Integration circuit 17a Optical control unit 18a TG
19a Head CPU
190a system memory 191a non-volatile memory 111a communication power supply control unit 112a imaging power supply control unit 113a motor power supply control unit 121a, 122a, 123a DC / DC converter 1_b camera main body 100b main body CPU
101b System memory 102b Non-volatile memory 104b Frame memory 28b LCD
106b Card I / F
107b Memory card slot 110b Timer 111b Calendar clock part 120b Flash light emission control part 121b Flash light emission part 131b USB driver 132b Switch / LED
133b I / O
23b Power SW
140b Power supply control unit 141b I / O
142b battery 143b SW
146b DC / DC converter

Claims (7)

A camera in which an optical unit including a photographing optical system through which subject light passes is detachably attached to a camera body that performs predetermined image processing based on image data representing subject light that forms an image through the photographing optical system In the system,
The camera body is
A power supply unit for supplying power to the optical unit;
The optical unit is
When the optical unit is mounted on the camera body, the power supply unit receives power supply, communicates with the camera body, and controls the activation of the optical unit according to the communication result;
When the supply power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit satisfies the start-up power amount for starting up the optical unit, the start-up power is supplied from the power supply unit under the control of the start-up control unit. A camera system comprising an activated part.   The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit includes an imaging unit that acquires image data representing subject light imaged through the imaging optical system as the actuated unit. . The optical unit includes an imaging unit capable of operating at each of a plurality of operating speeds, as the actuated unit, obtaining image data representing subject light imaged through the imaging optical system,
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein when the activation control unit activates the imaging unit, the activation control unit is activated and activated at an operation speed other than a maximum speed among the plurality of operation speeds. system. The optical unit includes an imaging unit capable of operating at each of a plurality of operating speeds, as the actuated unit, obtaining image data representing subject light imaged through the imaging optical system,
The activation control unit is configured to activate the imaging unit by operating at a minimum speed among the plurality of operation speeds when the supplied power amount is less than the activation power amount. The camera system according to claim 1. The photographic optical system is equipped with a change mechanism that changes the optical performance.
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit includes an optical driving unit that drives the changing mechanism and changes an optical performance of the photographing optical system as the actuated unit. system. The optical unit is
An activation information transmission unit for transmitting activation information representing an activation state of the activated unit to the camera body;
The camera body is
An activation information receiving unit for receiving the activation information;
The camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies an activation state represented by the activation information received by the activation information receiving unit to the outside of the camera system. The camera body is
The camera system according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit includes a display unit that displays an activation state represented by the activation information.

Images