JP2016075900A - Interchangeable lens, imaging apparatus, and lens control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user-friendliness of an imaging system while achieving power saving of an interchangeable lens with an external display.SOLUTION: An interchangeable lens 101 is detachably attached to an imaging apparatus 120. The interchangeable lens includes: electronic display means 116 for displaying information; and lens control means 102, 115 for controlling an operation of the interchangeable lens. The lens control means is capable of setting an operation state of the interchangeable lens to a normal operation state of communicating with the imaging apparatus and causing the electronic display means to display information and to a first low power consumption state of causing the electronic display means to display information in a state that the power consumption of the interchangeable lens is lower than that in the normal operation state. In response to reception of a power lowering instruction for lowering the power consumption of the interchangeable lens from the imaging apparatus when the operation state is in the normal operation state, the lens control means shifts the operation state from the normal operation state to the first low power consumption state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an interchangeable lens, and more particularly to a power saving technique for an interchangeable lens having an external display.

  An imaging apparatus such as a digital camera is provided with a power saving function for shifting to a low power consumption state (power save mode) when no operation is performed by a user for a predetermined time in a normal operation state. In an imaging system including an interchangeable lens imaging device and an interchangeable lens, when the imaging device shifts to a low power consumption state, a transition command to the low power consumption state is transmitted from the imaging device to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens that has received the transition command shifts from the normal operation state to the low power consumption state. For example, when the interchangeable lens has an external display that displays information related to the imaging system (hereinafter referred to as a lens external display), the lens external display is changed from the display state to the non-display state in accordance with the shift to the low power consumption state.

  As a power saving method in the imaging apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses that when the orientation of the imaging apparatus having the external display is a normal orientation in which the external display is easy to see, the illumination of the external display is continued as compared with other orientations. A method for shortening the time required for the operation is disclosed.

JP 2000-19618 A

  As described above, when the lens external display shifts from the display state to the non-display state almost simultaneously with the transition of the imaging device to the low power consumption state, the user who has confirmed the above information on the lens external display without operating the imaging device Cannot see the information. When the user wants to view the information on the lens external display again, the user needs to perform some operation on the interchangeable lens or the imaging apparatus to return the interchangeable lens or the entire imaging system to the normal operation state. If the operation of returning to the normal operation state accompanying the transition to the non-display state of the lens external display is frequently required, the usability of the imaging system is lowered.

  The present invention provides an interchangeable lens with an external display that can improve the usability of an imaging system while saving power.

  The interchangeable lens as one aspect of the present invention is detachably attached to the imaging apparatus. The interchangeable lens has electronic display means for displaying information and lens control means for controlling the operation of the interchangeable lens. The lens control means includes an electronic display means for operating the interchangeable lens in a normal operation state in which information is displayed on the electronic display means while communicating with the imaging device, and in a state where the power consumption of the interchangeable lens is lower than the normal operation state. It is possible to set to the first low power consumption state in which information is displayed on the screen. Then, in response to receiving a power reduction command for reducing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens from the imaging device when the operation state is the normal operation state, the operation state is shifted from the normal operation state to the first low power consumption state. It is characterized by making it.

  In the imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, the interchangeable lens is detachably mounted. The imaging device includes a timer that counts the duration of a no-operation state in which no operation is performed on the imaging device, and command means that transmits a power reduction command to the interchangeable lens when the duration reaches a predetermined time It is characterized by having.

  A lens control program according to another aspect of the present invention is an interchangeable lens that is detachably attached to an image pickup apparatus and has an electronic display unit that displays information, and the operation state is communicated with the image pickup apparatus. And a normal operation state in which information is displayed on the electronic display means, and a first low power consumption state in which information is displayed on the electronic display means in a state where the power consumption of the interchangeable lens is lower than the normal operation state. This is a computer program that causes a computer of an interchangeable lens capable of executing the processing. The program changes the operating state from the normal operating state to the first operating state in response to receiving from the imaging device a power reduction command for reducing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens when the operating state is the normal operating state. A process for shifting to a low power consumption state is executed.

  In the present invention, the operation state is shifted from the normal operation state to the first low power consumption state in which information can be displayed on the electronic display unit in response to receiving the power reduction command from the imaging apparatus. As a result, it is possible to allow the user to check the information displayed on the electronic display means while suppressing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens, and to eliminate the need for frequent return operations to check the displayed information. Can do. Thereby, an easy-to-use imaging system can be realized.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system including an interchangeable lens that is an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the interchangeable lens of Example 1. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of an interchangeable lens that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an imaging system including an interchangeable lens 101 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a single-lens reflex digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera body) 120 as an imaging device to which the interchangeable lens 101 is detachably mounted. The configuration is shown.

  The interchangeable lens 101 is mechanically and electrically connected to the camera body 120 via a mount (not shown). A camera CPU 121 provided in the camera main body 120 and a lens CPU 102 provided in the interchangeable lens 101 can communicate information, data, instructions, and the like via communication terminals 125 and 104 provided in the mount. For example, the camera CPU 121 transmits, to the lens CPU 102, a focus lens or aperture drive command to be described later, or transmits a command to shift to a low power consumption state.

  Also, the lens CPU 102 can autofocus whether optical information (focal length, aperture value, focus sensitivity, focus correction amount, etc.) and characteristic information (maximum communication speed, maximum aperture value, zoom lens) of the interchangeable lens 101 is possible. Image height etc.) is transmitted to the camera CPU 121. These optical information and characteristic information are stored in the lens microcomputer 114. The camera CPU 121 can appropriately perform autofocus (AF), automatic exposure control (AE), image correction, and the like by acquiring optical information and characteristic information of the interchangeable lens 101. The interchangeable lens 101 is also supplied with power from the camera body 120 through a power terminal (not shown) provided on the mount.

  The interchangeable lens 101 includes a photographing optical system and a drive control system (lens CPU 102, memory 114, drive units 106, 108, 112, and the like).

  The photographing optical system includes a focus lens group 105, a variable power lens group 103, a diaphragm 107, and a shake correction lens group 110 along the optical axis OA in order from the object (subject) side, and forms a subject image on light from the subject. Let In the figure, each lens group is shown as a single lens, but in actuality, it is composed of one or a plurality of lenses.

  A focus lens group (hereinafter simply referred to as a focus lens) 105 is moved in the direction along the optical axis OA by an AF driving unit 106 including a focus actuator such as a stepping motor during AF to perform focus adjustment. The AF drive unit 106 is controlled by the lens CPU 102 that has received a focus lens drive command from the camera CPU 121. The focus lens 105 is moved by manual operation of the user via the MF drive mechanism 113 including an operation member such as a manual focus ring during manual focus (MF), and performs focus adjustment.

  The variable power lens group 103 is moved in a direction along the optical axis OA by a user's manual operation via a zoom driving unit including an operation member such as a manual zoom ring (not shown) to change the focal length of the photographing optical system. (That is, zooming is performed).

  The aperture 107 adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 129 provided in the camera body 120 by changing the aperture diameter (aperture diameter) by an aperture drive unit 108 including an aperture actuator such as a stepping motor. The aperture drive unit 108 is controlled by the lens CPU 102 that has received an aperture drive command from the camera CPU 121.

  The shake correction lens 110 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OA by a shake correction (IS) drive unit 112 including an IS actuator such as a voice coil motor, and reduces image shake due to camera shake. Note that the “direction orthogonal to the optical axis OA” includes a direction oblique to the optical axis OA and a direction in which an arc is drawn around a point on the optical axis OA as long as a component in the direction is included. The driving amount of the shake correction lens 110 is set based on outputs from an angular velocity detection unit (angular velocity detection unit) 118 and an acceleration detection unit (acceleration detection unit) 119 included in the interchangeable lens 101. The IS lock driving unit 111 drives a lock actuator such as a stepping motor when image blur correction is not performed, and the shake correction lens 110 has a lock position where its optical axis is positioned on the optical axis OA of the photographing optical system. Secure to.

  The lens external display (electronic display means) 116 is attached to the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the interchangeable lens 101, and is configured by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like. The lens external display 116 displays various information regarding the interchangeable lens 101, the camera body 120, and an imaging accessory (that is, an imaging system) (not shown) that can be connected to these lenses. Information displayed on the lens external display 116 includes focal length, aperture value, focus mode (AF / MF), camera shake correction mode ON / OFF, and the names (model numbers) of connected camera body 120 and imaging accessories. Etc.

  The lens external display 116 is provided with a touch sensor 117. The touch operation performed by the user with a finger or the like on the lens external display 116 is detected by the touch sensor 117, and the detection result is input to the lens CPU 102.

  The power control unit 115 generates power necessary for the operation of the lens CPU 102, the driving units 106, 108, 111, 112, the lens external display 116 and the touch sensor 117 from the power supplied from the camera body 120. To supply.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, the lens CPU 102 shifts the interchangeable lens 101 from the normal operation state to the first low power consumption state in response to receiving a command to shift to the low power consumption state from the camera CPU 121. . Specifically, the lens CPU 102 controls the power supply control unit 115 to reduce the power that has been supplied from the power supply control unit 115 to each part in the interchangeable lens 101 or to cut off the supply of the power. . The lens CPU 102 also restricts its own operation so that power consumption is reduced.

  Here, in the first low power consumption state, the lens CPU 102 does not cut off the power supply to the lens external display 116. The supplied power is reduced as compared with the normal operation state, or power equivalent to that in the normal operation state is supplied.

  When the supply power is reduced compared to the normal operation state, the supply power to the lens external display 116 is reduced from the normal display power at which the lens external display 116 can easily display information to the low power display power. The low power display power indicates the minimum power required to maintain the display of information or power close thereto.

  For example, when the lens external display 116 is configured by a liquid crystal panel with a backlight, in a normal operation state, the backlight is brightly lit to increase the visibility of information to be displayed. On the other hand, the first low power consumption state is a state in which the power consumption is reduced by dimming the backlight compared to the normal operation state. You can see it. Further, when the lens external display 116 is configured by an organic EL panel, the normal operation state is a state in which the display brightness (light emission brightness) is increased to increase the visibility of information to be displayed. On the other hand, the first low power consumption state is a state in which the power consumption is lowered by lowering the display brightness compared to the normal operation state, and the displayed information is displayed by the user although the visibility is lowered. You can see it.

  When the power supplied to the lens external display 116 is not changed in the low power consumption state as compared with the normal operation state, the power consumption of each part in the interchangeable lens 101 other than the lens external display 116 is reduced. For example, in the first low power consumption state, only the display on the lens external display 116 is performed, and the power supply to the AF driving unit 106, the aperture driving unit 108, and the like is cut off. In addition, the state in which at least one of the power consumption of the AF driving unit 106, the diaphragm driving unit 108, the shake correction driving unit 112, the angular velocity detecting unit 118, the acceleration detecting unit 119, and the lens CPU 102 is lower than the normal operating state is the first state. It is good also as a low power consumption state. That is, the first low power consumption state is a state in which the display of the lens external display 116 is continued (maintained) after the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 101 as a whole is reduced as compared with the normal operation state.

  Furthermore, the lens CPU 102 counts the elapsed time after switching to the first low power consumption state. Then, in response to the elapsed time reaching a predetermined time, that is, when the predetermined time has elapsed (and the return operation described later is not performed until that time), the interchangeable lens 101 is connected via the power control unit 115. Transition to the second low power consumption state in which the power consumption is further reduced. In the second low power consumption state, power supply to the lens external display 116 is cut off, and information on the lens external display 116 is not displayed.

  As described above, the lens CPU 102 changes the operating state of the interchangeable lens 101 without immediately turning off the lens external display 116 in response to receiving a command to shift to the low power consumption state from the camera CPU 121. 1 to a low power consumption state. This can prevent the lens external display 116 from repeatedly changing between the display state and the non-display state even when the camera CPU 121 frequently receives a command to shift to the low power consumption state.

  In the following description, a command to shift to a low power consumption state transmitted from the camera CPU 121 to the lens CPU 102 is referred to as a lens power save command as a power reduction command. The normal operation state of the interchangeable lens 101 is referred to as a lens normal operation mode, and the first low power consumption state of the interchangeable lens 101 is referred to as a first lens power save mode. Furthermore, the second low power consumption state is referred to as a second lens power save mode. The operating state of the lens external display 116 is a normal display state in the lens normal operation mode, and a non-display state in the second lens power save mode. In the first lens power save mode, a normal display state or a low power display state in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal display state is set.

  The lens CPU 102 and the power control unit 115 constitute lens control means. In this embodiment, the case where the power control unit 115 is provided outside the lens CPU 102 will be described. However, the power control unit 115 may be built in the lens CPU 102.

  The lens CPU 102 is configured by a microcomputer, and controls the operation of each unit in the interchangeable lens 101 while communicating with the camera CPU 121. The lens CPU 102 stores a computer program and various parameter data used for control in an internal memory (not shown).

  Further, the interchangeable lens 101 is provided with an AF / MF switch for selecting AF and MF and an IS switch for selecting whether or not to perform an image blur correction operation for driving the blur correction lens 110. Selection signals corresponding to the operation of these switches are input to the lens CPU 102 and transmitted to the camera CPU 121.

  The camera body 120 is provided with a camera CPU 121, a camera memory 122, a main mirror 123a, a sub mirror 123b, a finder optical system (126, 127), a shutter 128, an image sensor 129, a rear display 130, and a release button 131. The camera body 120 is also provided with a power switch (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main mirror 123a and the sub mirror 123b are configured to be rotatable between a mirror-down state located on the optical axis OA and a mirror-up state retracted from the optical axis OA (not shown). ing. The main mirror 123a is composed of a half mirror. In the mirror-down state, a part of light from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system is reflected to the finder optical system and the remaining light is transmitted. The sub mirror 123b reflects light from the subject transmitted through the main mirror 123a to the AF sensor 124 in the mirror down state. When the main mirror 123a and the sub mirror 123b are in the mirror-up state, the light from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system is directed to the shutter 128 and the image sensor 129.

  In this embodiment, a single-lens reflex type camera body having a main mirror 123a and a sub mirror 123b will be described, but a so-called mirrorless type camera body having no mirrors may be used.

  The finder optical system includes a pentaprism 126 and an eyepiece 127, and allows the user to observe light (subject image) reflected from the main mirror 123a.

  The AF sensor 124 includes an AF optical system (not shown) that forms a pair of subject images on the light reflected by the sub mirror 123b, and photoelectrically converts the pair of subject images to generate a pair of subject image signals. The AF sensor 124 detects (calculates) the phase difference between the pair of subject image signals in response to a computation command from the camera CPU 121.

  The camera CPU 121 is constituted by a microcomputer, and controls each part of the camera body 120 and also controls the interchangeable lens 101 while communicating with the lens CPU 102.

  The camera CPU 121 calculates the defocus amount of the photographing optical system from the phase difference obtained from the AF sensor 124 when AF is selected by the AF / MF switch provided on the interchangeable lens 101. Thereby, focus detection by a so-called phase difference detection method is performed. Further, the camera CPU 121 calculates a movement amount of the focus lens 105 for obtaining the in-focus state from the defocus amount, and transmits a focus lens driving command including the movement amount to the lens CPU 102. The lens CPU 102 controls the focus drive unit 106 according to the focus drive command and moves the focus lens 105. Thereby, AF (phase difference AF) in the phase difference detection method is performed. When the camera body is a mirrorless type, phase difference AF is performed using a plurality of pixels provided in the image sensor as an AF sensor.

  When the release button 131 is pressed halfway, the camera CPU 121 that detects the release button 131 performs the above-described shooting preparation operations such as AF and photometry. The camera CPU 121 calculates the drive amount of the aperture 107 according to the photometric result obtained by a photometric sensor (not shown) or the aperture value set by the user, and transmits it to the lens CPU 102. In response to this, the lens CPU 102 controls the diaphragm driving unit 108 to drive the diaphragm 107. The camera CPU 121 calculates the shutter speed according to the photometric result. The shutter speed may be set by the user.

  In the shooting preparation operation, the camera CPU 121 starts a photometry timer. Then, during the time counting by the photometry timer, the calculated or set shutter speed, aperture value, and exposure level obtained by these are displayed on a display unit (not shown) or the rear display 130 in the finder optical system. These shutter speed, aperture value, and exposure level are also displayed on the lens external display 116 through the lens CPU 102. The photometric timer is updated when the release button 131 is continuously pressed halfway or when an operation member such as an electronic dial (not shown) or an AE lock button is operated.

  In addition, if the IS switch provided in the interchangeable lens 101 is selected to perform the image blur correction operation, the camera CPU 121 instructs the lens CPU 102 to perform the image blur correction in response to the half-press operation of the release button 131. Send. The lens CPU 102 controls the IS lock drive unit 111 to release the shake correction lens 110 and controls the IS drive unit 112 to start an image shake correction operation.

  When the release button 131 is fully pressed, the camera CPU 121 that detects the release button 131 rotates the mirrors 123a and 123b to the mirror-up state, opens and closes the shutter 128, exposes the image sensor 129, and performs a shooting and recording operation. Do.

  The imaging element 129 is configured by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The camera CPU 121 generates image data (captured image) based on the output from the image sensor 129 and records it on a recording medium (not shown) or displays it on the rear display 130.

  The rear display 130 has a touch panel function for selecting and setting various shooting modes, in addition to displaying the shutter speed, aperture value, exposure level, and captured image described above. A function for selecting and setting a similar shooting mode may be provided in the lens external display 116 including the touch sensor 117.

  In response to the power switch being turned on, the camera CPU 121 shifts the camera body 120 to a normal operation state (hereinafter referred to as a camera normal operation mode) in which a shooting preparation operation, a shooting recording operation, and the like are possible. Further, the camera CPU 121 stops the operation of the camera body 120 in response to the power switch being turned off.

  When no user operation is performed on the camera body 120 or the interchangeable lens 101 for a predetermined duration in the camera normal operation mode, the camera CPU 121 sets the camera body 120 in a low power consumption state (hereinafter referred to as camera power save mode). To). At this time, the camera CPU 121 transmits a lens power save command to the lens CPU 102. The camera CPU 121 functions as a timer and command means.

  The lens CPU 102 that has received the lens power save command controls the power supply control unit 115 as described above to change the interchangeable lens 101 from the normal operation mode to the first lens power save mode, and further to the second lens power save mode. Transition.

  When the release button 131 is operated in the camera power save mode, the camera CPU 121 returns the camera body 120 to the camera normal operation mode. At this time, the lens CPU 102 that has detected the return of the camera body 120 to the camera normal operation mode also returns the interchangeable lens 101 to the lens normal operation mode from the first or second lens power save mode at that time. Further, in response to a touch operation on the lens external display 116 provided on the interchangeable lens 101 and an operation of the AF / MF switch or IS switch, the lens CPU 102 changes from the first or second lens power save mode at that time. Return to normal lens operation mode. The operation for returning the camera body 120 and the interchangeable lens 101 from the power save mode to the normal operation mode is referred to as a return operation.

  The camera memory 122 stores optical information and characteristic information of the photographing optical system received from the interchangeable lens 101, and stores data such as parameters used in various photographing modes.

  The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows the flow of the power saving process performed by the camera CPU 121 and the lens CPU 102. This processing is executed by the camera CPU 121 and the lens CPU 102 in accordance with a lens control program that is a computer program.

  In step S <b> 101, the camera CPU 121 starts counting the duration time during which no operation is performed on the camera body 120 (hereinafter referred to as “no operation time”). This operation includes an operation of the release switch 131, a touch operation of the rear display 130, and the like. When the no-operation time reaches the predetermined duration described above, the camera CPU 121 proceeds to step S102.

  In step S <b> 102, the camera CPU 121 transmits a lens power save command to the lens CPU 102.

  In step S103, the lens CPU 102 that has received the lens power save command shifts the interchangeable lens 101 from the lens normal operation mode to the first lens power save mode. Thereby, the interchangeable lens 101 shifts from the normal operation state to the first low power consumption state.

  Next, in step S104, the lens CPU 102 starts counting the elapsed time after shifting to the first lens power save mode.

  After starting the elapsed time counting in step S104, in step S105, the lens CPU 102 determines whether or not the above-described return operation has been performed on at least one of the interchangeable lens 101 and the camera body 120. If a return operation has been performed, the lens CPU 102 proceeds to step S109 to return the interchangeable lens 101 from the first lens power save mode to the lens normal operation mode. At this time, the camera CPU 121 returns the camera body 120 from the camera power save mode to the camera normal operation mode. If the return operation is not performed, the lens CPU 102 proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the lens CPU 102 determines whether or not the elapsed time after shifting to the first lens power save mode has reached a predetermined time (that is, whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed after shifting). If the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time, the process returns to step S105, and counting of the elapsed time is continued. When the elapsed time reaches the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, the lens CPU 102 shifts the interchangeable lens 101 from the first lens power save mode to the second lens power save mode. Thereby, the lens external display 116 shifts to a non-display state.

  Thereafter, when a return operation is performed in step S108, the lens CPU 102 proceeds to step S109, and returns the interchangeable lens 101 from the second lens power save mode to the lens normal operation mode. Thereby, the lens external display 116 shifts from the non-display state to the normal display state. In addition, the camera CPU 121 returns the camera body 120 from the camera power save mode to the camera normal operation mode. Thereafter, if no user operation is performed on the camera body 120 and the interchangeable lens 101, counting of the no-operation time of the camera CPU 121 in step S101 is started.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 101 shifts to the first lens power save mode in response to the lens power save command from the camera body 120. At this time, the lens external display 116 is not in a non-display state, and the display of information on the lens external display 116 is maintained. For this reason, the user can check the information displayed on the lens external display 116 while suppressing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 101. Accordingly, it is not necessary to frequently perform a return operation for confirming information displayed on the lens external display 116, as compared with the case where the lens external display 116 is immediately hidden in response to the lens power save command. be able to. Thereby, an easy-to-use imaging system can be realized.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the lens CPU 102 can selectively perform the first control and the second control as the power saving control for the lens power save command. In the first control, the interchangeable lens 101 is controlled to enter the second lens power save mode through the first lens power save mode as in the first embodiment. The second control is a control in which the interchangeable lens 101 is set to the second lens power save mode without going through the first lens power save mode. The selection of the first and second controls can be performed through a selection operation by the user on the camera body 120. Some interchangeable lenses that can be attached to the camera body 120 do not have the lens external display 116. In this case, the lens CPU 102 sets the second control.

  The configurations of the interchangeable lens 101 and the camera body 120 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

  The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows the flow of power saving processing (power saving control method) performed by the camera CPU 121 and the lens CPU 102. This processing is executed by the camera CPU 121 and the lens CPU 102 in accordance with a power saving control program that is a computer program. Here, step S201 and step S202 are the same as step S101 and step S102 of the first embodiment.

  In step S203, the lens CPU 102 that has received the lens power save command determines which one of the first control and the second control is selected by the user in the camera body 120 when the interchangeable lens 101 has the lens external display 116. To do. This determination is made based on information indicating which one of the first and second controls received from the camera CPU 121 is selected. When the camera body 120 can recognize that the interchangeable lens 101 includes the lens external display 116, the camera CPU 121 issues a command indicating which of the first control and the second control is executed from the lens CPU 102. May be sent to. The lens CPU 102 selects (sets) the second control when the interchangeable lens 101 does not have the lens external display 116. When the first control is selected, the process proceeds to step S204, and when the second control is selected, the process proceeds to step S208.

  Steps S204 to S210 are the same as steps S103 to S109 of the first embodiment. By proceeding from step S203 to step S208, the lens CPU 102 shifts the interchangeable lens 101 from the lens normal operation mode to the second lens power save mode without passing through the first lens power save mode.

  Also in this embodiment, when the first control is selected, as in the first embodiment, the user can check the information displayed on the lens external display 116 while suppressing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 101. it can. Accordingly, it is not necessary to frequently perform a return operation for confirming information displayed on the lens external display 116, as compared with the case where the lens external display 116 is immediately hidden in response to the lens power save command. be able to. Thereby, an easy-to-use imaging system can be realized.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the second control for making the lens external display 116 in the non-display state immediately in accordance with the lens power save command can also be selected. For this reason, it is possible to realize an imaging system that can perform power-saving control desired by the user, or can be compatible with an interchangeable lens that does not have the lens external display 116.
(Other examples)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes 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 a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  Each embodiment described above is only a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment in carrying out the present invention.

101 Interchangeable lens 102 Lens CPU
116 Lens external display 120 Camera body

Claims (9)

An interchangeable lens that is detachably attached to an imaging device,
Electronic display means for displaying information;
Lens control means for controlling the operation of the interchangeable lens,
The lens control means includes
The electronic display in the normal operation state in which the operation state of the interchangeable lens is communicated with the imaging apparatus and information is displayed on the electronic display means, and the power consumption of the interchangeable lens is lower than the normal operation state. It is possible to set to the first low power consumption state in which information is displayed on the means,
The operation state is changed from the normal operation state to the first low level in response to receiving a power reduction command for reducing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens when the operation state is the normal operation state. An interchangeable lens characterized by shifting to a power consumption state. The lens control means includes
It is possible to set the second low power consumption state in which the power consumption of the interchangeable lens is lower than the first low power consumption state without displaying information on the electronic display means on the operation state of the interchangeable lens. Yes,
The operation state is shifted from the first low power consumption state to the second low power consumption state when a predetermined time elapses after the transition to the first low power consumption state. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1.   The power for the electronic display means to display information in the first low power consumption state is lower than the power for the electronic display means to display information in the normal operation state. The interchangeable lens according to 1 or 2.   The power consumption in the first low power consumption state of at least one of the actuator, angular velocity detection means, acceleration detection means, and microcomputer included in the interchangeable lens is lower than the power consumption in the normal operation state. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The lens control means includes
Selectively performing a first control and a second control in response to the power reduction command;
In the first control, the normal operation state is switched to the first low power consumption state in response to receiving the power reduction command, and the second low power consumption state is switched after the switching. Switch
In the second control, in response to receiving the power reduction command, switching from the normal operation state to the second low power consumption state without passing through the first low power consumption state is performed. The interchangeable lens according to claim 2. The lens control means includes
As the power reduction command from the imaging device,
When receiving the transition command to the first low power consumption state, switching from the normal operation state to the first low power consumption state in response to receiving the transition command,
When receiving the transition command to the second low power consumption state, the second operation without passing through the first low power consumption state from the normal operation state in response to receiving the transition command. The interchangeable lens according to claim 2, wherein switching to a low power consumption state is performed.   When the user operates the interchangeable lens or the imaging apparatus in the first low power consumption state, the lens control unit changes the operation state from the first low power consumption state to the normal operation state. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein An imaging apparatus to which the interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is detachably mounted,
A timer that counts the duration of a no-operation state in which no operation is performed on the imaging device;
An imaging apparatus comprising: command means for transmitting the power reduction command to the interchangeable lens when the duration reaches a predetermined time. An interchangeable lens that is detachably attached to an imaging device and has electronic display means for displaying information, and communicates the operating state of the interchangeable lens with the imaging device and displays information on the electronic display means An interchangeable lens computer capable of being set to a normal operation state and a first low power consumption state in which information is displayed on the electronic display means in a state where the power consumption of the interchangeable lens is lower than the normal operation state. A computer program for executing processing,
In the computer,
The operation state is changed from the normal operation state to the first low level in response to receiving a power reduction command for reducing the power consumption of the interchangeable lens when the operation state is the normal operation state. A lens control program for executing a process for shifting to a power consumption state.