JP2848562B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera that can easily perform power zoom drive and power focus drive by operating a simple operation member.

2. Description of the Related Art An operation mechanism of a camera for photographing a subject must be simple and quick to operate. That is,
This is because if a quick focusing operation, an easy zooming operation when using a zoom lens, and a subsequent shutter release operation cannot be performed, an appropriate shutter chance is missed.

Therefore, conventionally, this kind of technical means has been proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-21126 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-91406. The camera operating device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-21126 discloses a focusing mechanism, a zooming device, a diaphragm device, etc., which are provided with a servo mechanism, and these operating units are concentrated in one place to perform one operation. Focus operation by moving members in the front-back direction, left-right direction, and rotation direction. A zoom operation, an aperture operation, and the like are performed. Further, in the zoom lens barrel disclosed in JP-A-59-91406, a focus switch is provided with a zoom switch so that a zoom operation can be performed while operating the focus member. It can be done at the same time.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the means described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-21126 controls driving of a zoom mechanism, a focus mechanism, and the like according to different operation directions of one operation member. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately control each function unless the operating functions are sufficiently understood, and it is necessary to get used to the operation, and there is a problem that the user feels uncomfortable compared to the conventional rotating ring operation method. . In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
The technical means described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 91406 also has a problem that the operability is deteriorated because the operation position of the zoom switch changes depending on the rotational position of the focus member. The feeling of discomfort is much greater than that of the operation method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technical means and to provide a camera having a simple configuration and easy operation.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to the present invention provides a focusing drive for performing a focusing operation of an optical system by moving a focusing lens group along an optical axis. Means, a zoom driving means for performing a zooming operation of the optical system, an operation ring rotatably provided around a lens barrel incorporating the optical system, and a first ring in response to rotation of the operation ring. An operation ring signal generating means for generating a signal of the type described above, an operation switch for generating a second signal only while the operating force is being applied, and detecting the presence or absence of the generation of the first and second signals and When both the first signal and the second signal are detected, the focus driving unit is driven. When the second signal is not detected and only the first signal is detected, the focus driving unit is driven. A drive system that controls the zoom drive means to drive Means, and a drive prohibiting means for controlling such that when an exposure start signal is input during driving of the focus driving means or the zoom driving means, the driving is prohibited and the operation shifts to an exposure operation. A focus driving unit that performs a focusing operation of the optical system by moving the focusing lens group along the optical axis; a zoom driving unit that performs a zooming operation of the optical system;
An operation dial rotatably provided on the camera, an operation dial signal generating means for generating a first signal in accordance with the rotation of the operation dial, and a second signal only while an operation force is being applied. An operation switch to be generated, and the presence / absence of generation of the first and second signals is detected, and when both the first signal and the second signal are detected, the focus driving means is driven. When the second signal is not detected and only the first signal is detected, the driving control means controls the driving of the zoom driving means, and the focusing driving means or the zoom driving means includes: A driving prohibition unit is provided for controlling when the exposure start signal is input during the driving to prohibit the driving and shift to the exposure operation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a main part of a camera operating mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a focusing drive mechanism for moving a focusing lens group and a zoom lens group are moved. A release button 3 and a manual operation member 4 are provided on an upper surface of the camera body 1 on which a zoom lens barrel 2 having a built-in zoom drive mechanism is mounted. The manual operation member 4 includes:
For example, Hirao is composed of a seesaw switch in which a movable contact piece is held at a neutral position. When a switch front part 4 'is pressed, a movable contact terminal 4a is connected to one fixed terminal 4b, and a switch rear part is connected. Movable contact terminal when 4 "is pressed
4a is connected to the other fixed terminal 4c.
The manual operation member 4 is for performing a power zoom operation, and the terminals 4 a to 4 c are connected to a motor control circuit 5.

The motor control circuit 5 drives a focusing drive mechanism,
A focus lens drive motor 6 as a first motor for moving the focus lens and a zoom drive motor 7 as a second motor for driving the zoom drive mechanism and moving the zoom lens group are connected. And
Further, the control circuit 5 includes terminals of an operation switch 8 including a first movable contact piece 8a, a second movable contact piece 8b, and a third movable contact piece 8c which are sequentially contacted by pressing the release button 3. It is connected. The operation switch 8 is a release switch. When the release button 3 is depressed one step, the first movable contact piece 8a and the second movable contact piece 8b are brought into contact with each other.
When the manual operation member 4 is operated, the focus lens driving motor 6 as the first motor is driven. And
When the release button 3 is further depressed, the first, second and third movable contact pieces
All of 8a, 8b, and 8c come into contact, and an exposure operation such as an aperture operation and a shutter operation is started.

In the operation mechanism of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the operation switch 8 that does not press the release button 3 is operated.
When the manual operation member 4 is operated and the switch front portion 4 'or the switch rear portion 4 "is pushed in the inoperative state, the movable contact terminal 4a becomes one of the fixed terminals 4b or the other fixed terminal 4c.
, A drive signal is issued from the control circuit 5 to the zoom drive motor 7, and the motor rotates forward or reverse to perform zoom drive. This operation is a power zoom operation, and the motor 7 is driven while the manual operation member 4 is being pushed.

Further, when the release button 3 is pressed down one step and the first and second movable contact pieces 8a and 8b are brought into contact with each other and the manual operation member 4 is operated to connect the movable contact terminal 4a to the fixed terminal 4b or 4c,
A drive signal is applied to the focus lens drive motor 6 from the control circuit 5, and the motor rotates forward or backward, and the focus lens group is moved in the optical axis direction to perform a focusing operation. This operation is a power focus operation, and while operating the manual operation member 4, the first motor 6 is driven to move the focus lens group.

When the release button 3 is further depressed, the first, second, and third movable contact pieces 8a, 8b, and 8c come into contact with each other, and the exposure operation such as the aperture operation and the shutter operation is performed by the signal from the control circuit 5. Done. At this time, driving of the focus operation and the zoom operation is prohibited.

According to the first embodiment operating as described above, power zoom and power focus can be performed by operating the same operation member in the same direction. That is, in the inoperative state of the operation switch 8 which does not press the release button 3, the manual operation member 4
, The power zoom operation can be performed, and the power focus operation can be performed by operating the manual operation member 4 while the release button 3 is being pressed by one step, so that the operability is improved. In addition, since the power focus can be performed in a state where the release button 3 is pressed one step, if the release button 3 is pressed as it is immediately after focusing, the shutter can be quickly released, so that a shutter chance is not missed.

The manual operation member 4 is not limited to a seesaw switch, but may be a push button switch or a lever switch.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation mechanism of the camera according to the second embodiment has a built-in focus lens group and a zoom lens group on the front surface of a camera body 11, and allows a manual operation member 13 composed of an operation ring to be rotatable. Zoom lens barrel 12
The camera body 11 is provided with a release button 14, mode switching buttons 18a and 18b, and a display window 15 on the upper surface thereof.

In the display window 15, the display mode LCD 16 and the PF mode display 17 indicating the power focus mode state are selectively displayed similarly to the AF mode display 16 indicating the AF mode and the display mode. The selection between the two displays 16 and 17 is made by mode switching buttons 18a and 18b arranged near the display window 15. That is, the one mode switching button 18a is a switching button for selecting an AF mode. When this button is pressed, the mode switching switch 18a 'connected to the motor control circuit 25 shown in FIG. When the display LCD for performing the AF mode display 16 is driven to be lit from the control circuit 25, and the other switch button 18b for selecting the PF mode is pressed,
Mode switch 18b 'connected to control circuit 25
Is closed, the display LCD for performing the PF mode display 17 is driven by the motor control circuit 25, and the display is switched from the AF mode display 16 to the PF mode display.
The display switches to the mode display 17.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the manual operation member 13 composed of the operation ring has a crown gear
19 is engraved, and the same gear 19 has a pinion gear 20
Are engaged. A rotary board 21 for signal generation is integrally attached to the pinion gear 20, and a printed pattern 22 (see FIG. 4A) of the rotary board 21 is connected to a motor control circuit 25. Three conductive contacts 23a,
23b and 23c respectively press the tip portions thereof. That is, as shown in the upper half of FIG. 4 (A), the printed pattern 22 on the rotating substrate 21 has an annular conductive pattern 22c formed at the center of the rotating substrate 21.
A large number of conductive patterns 22b are radially spaced around 2c.
Is extended out, are formed further out extending angle theta ₂ shifted by conductive pattern 22a from the pitch of the conductive pattern 22b is continuously toward the outer peripheral edge portion of the conductive pattern 22b. Deviation angle theta ₂ of the pitch when the pitch of the conductive pattern 22b and theta _1, has a θ ₂ ≒ θ _1/4.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the conductive contact piece 23a is formed on the outer conductive pattern 22a, and the conductive pattern 23b is formed on the middle conductive pattern 22b. The conductive contact piece 23b is pressed against the annular conductive pattern 22c, and the conductive contact piece 23c is pressed against the annular conductive pattern 22c.

On the other hand, the motor control circuit 25 includes a focus lens driving motor which is a first motor for driving a focusing drive mechanism.
26 and a zoom drive motor 27 which is a second motor for driving the zoom drive mechanism are connected. The focus lens drive motor 26 is provided with a counting disk 28 fixed to its rotary output shaft 26a and having a comb-shaped gap, and a photointerrupter 29 comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element opposed to each other with the disk 28 interposed therebetween. Thus, the rotation speed is monitored. Further, a lead screw 30 is fixed to the rotary output shaft 26a, and a focus lens frame 31 holding a focus lens group 32 is fixed to the lead screw 30.
Is screwed. The zoom drive motor 27 is also provided with a counting disk 34 having a comb-shaped gap on its rotation output shaft 27a, and the rotation of the output shaft 27a is detected by a photointerrupter 33 disposed therebetween. It has become so. Further, a pinion gear 38 for driving a cam frame 36 for zooming is fixed to the rotary output shaft 27a, and the gear 38 is connected to a large-diameter gear 35 fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end of the cam frame 36. Are engaged. The above cam frame
36 is formed of a cylindrical body, and a cam groove 37 for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction is provided on a circumferential surface thereof. A drive pin fixed to a lens barrel (not shown) holding a zoom lens is fitted into the cam groove 37, and the cam groove 37 moves the drive pin by the rotation of the cam frame 36 to perform zooming. The lens moves and zooming is performed.

Similarly to the first embodiment, when the release button 14 is pressed, the first movable contact 8a, the second movable contact 8b, and the third movable contact 8c that come into contact with the motor control circuit 25 are sequentially pressed. Each terminal of the operation switch 8 is connected.

Next, the operation of the operation mechanism of the second embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. Now, when the mode changeover button 18a is pressed to close the mode changeover switch 18a 'and the mode is selected to the AF mode, the AF mode display 16 is turned on by the display LCD in the display window 15. When the manual operation member 13 composed of the operation ring is rotated in this state, the rotating substrate 21 is rotated by the crown gear 19 via the pinion gear 20. Then, since the conductive pattern 22 on the substrate 21 also rotates, a pulse signal is generated by each of the conductive contact pieces 23a to 23c pressed against the conductive pattern. The pulse signal is applied to the rotating substrate in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 (A), as shown in FIG.
When the rotating member 21 rotates, the conductive contact pieces 23a and 23b make θ ₂
The signal waveform is only shifted. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the manual operation member 13 are detected from this signal. Then, the detected signal is input to the control circuit 25, whereby the zoom drive motor 27 is rotated by a specified amount in a predetermined direction. This rotation is detected by the counting disk 34 and the photo interrupter 33. When the motor 27 rotates, the cam frame 36 is rotated via the pinion gear 38 and the large-diameter gear 35, so that a zoom lens group (not shown) is driven by the cam groove 37, and a power zoom operation is performed.

Further, in this AF mode state, even if the release button 14 is pressed one step to bring the first movable contact piece 8a and the second movable contact piece 8b into contact and the manual operation member 13 is rotated, the same power as described above is obtained. A zoom operation is performed. This is because it is not necessary to perform the power focus operation with the manual operation member 13 in the AF mode, so that when the manual operation member 13 is rotated, the power zoom operation is performed in a state where the relays button 14 is in an inoperative state and a single-step pressed state. It is like that.

Then, without operating the manual operation member 13, the release button 14
When the button is pressed down one step, AF operation is performed. That is, the first and second
An AF circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 25 is operated by the contact of the movable contact pieces 8a and 8b, and the focus lens drive motor 26 is driven to move the focus lens group 32 to a focus position.

Next, press the mode switch button 18b and press the mode switch switch 1.
When 8b 'is closed and the PF mode is selected, the PF mode display 17 is lit by the display LCD in the display window 15, and the AF mode display 1
6 disappears.

In this PF mode, when the manual operation member 13 is rotated in a state in which the operation switch 8 that does not press the release button 14 is deactivated,
The drive signal is sent to the zoom drive motor 27 from the control circuit 25 to which the pulse signal has been input by the rotating substrate 21 and the conductive contact pieces 23a to 23c, and the zoom drive motor 27 is driven to rotate, thereby performing zooming.

The power focus operation is performed as follows. That is, the manual operation member 13 is rotated in a state where the release button 14 is pressed down one step and the first movable contact piece 8a and the second movable contact piece 8b are in contact with each other. In this case, the first and second movable contact pieces
AF operation is not performed even if 8a and 8b touch. The pulse signal generated by the rotation of the manual operation member 13 is input to the control circuit 25. Since the first and second movable contact pieces 8a and 8b are in contact with each other and in the power focus mode, the control circuit 25 drives the focus lens drive motor 26 by a predetermined amount to perform the power focus operation.

When the release button 14 is further depressed, the first, second, third
The movable contact pieces 8a to 8c come into contact with each other, whereby a release operation, that is, an operation such as an aperture setting operation and a shutter operation is started.

According to the second embodiment, since the driving direction of the lens can be switched only by changing the rotation direction of the manual operation member 13 without changing the operation ring, the operability is improved.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
The operation mechanism of the camera according to the third embodiment is a zoom lens barrel including a focus lens group and a zoom lens group.
A release button 44 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 41 on which the camera 42 is mounted, and a manual operation member 43 composed of a seesaw switch is provided near the button 44. A power zoom display (PZ) 45a is provided near the front pushing portion 43 'of the member 43, and a power focus display (PF) 45b is provided near the rear pushing portion 43 ". Further, an operation switch member 46 composed of a rotation knob is provided on the upper side of one side of the rear surface of the camera body 41. The operation switch member 46 is rotated to generate a signal generating member (shown in the figure). ) To drive a zoom drive motor or a focus lens drive motor (not shown) to perform zooming or focusing.
A function of selecting a lens operation by turning the operation switch member 46 is provided.

In the camera operating mechanism of the third embodiment configured as described above, to perform the power zoom operation, the front pusher 43 'of the manual operation member 43 is pressed, and the power zoom display 45a is displayed on the member 43. Switch to alligator. When the operation switch member 46 is rotated, a control signal (not shown) that receives a zoom signal from the manual operation member 43 generates a drive signal, and a zoom operation is performed by a zoom drive motor (not shown). When performing a focus operation, the user pushes the rear pushing portion 43 ″ of the manual operation member 43 to switch the member 43 to the power focus display 45b and turns the operation switch member 46. Then, a focus signal is received. A drive signal is issued from a control circuit (not shown), and a focusing operation is performed by a zoom drive motor (not shown).

As described above, according to the operation mechanism of the third embodiment, focusing and zooming can be performed by operating the same member, and the operation mechanism has a good operational feeling.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the power focus operation and the power zoom operation can be performed by the same operation member, so that the space efficiency is increased, and the operation member is changed or operated in a different direction. Since there is no need to perform this operation, it is possible to provide a camera that has a remarkable effect that operability is very good.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (A) and 1 (B) show a camera operating mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.
FIG. 1B is a plan view of the camera. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a camera having an operation mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of main parts of the operation mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (B) shows the relationship between the rotating substrate and the conductive contact pieces. FIG. 4 (A) shows the upper half of the rotating substrate, FIG. 4 (B) shows a side view of the rotating substrate, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of a pulse signal output to the conductive piece, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of a camera having an operation mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 4,13,46 ... Manual operation member 5,25 ... Motor control circuit 6,26 ... First motor (focus lens drive motor) 7,27 ... Second motor (zoom drive motor) 8 ... Operation switch

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A focus driving means for performing a focusing operation of an optical system by moving a focusing lens group along an optical axis; a zoom driving means for performing a zooming operation of the optical system; An operation ring rotatably provided around a lens barrel having a built-in system, an operation ring signal generating means for generating a first signal in accordance with the rotation of the operation ring, and an operating force. An operation switch for generating a second signal only during the period, and detecting whether or not the first and second signals are generated,
When both the first signal and the second signal are detected, the focus driving means is driven. When the second signal is not detected and only the first signal is detected, A drive control unit that controls the zoom drive unit to drive, and when an exposure start signal is input during the drive of the focus drive unit or the zoom drive unit, the drive is inhibited and the exposure operation is performed. And a drive inhibiting means for controlling to shift to (c). 2. A focus driving means for performing a focusing operation of an optical system by moving a focusing lens group along an optical axis; a zoom driving means for performing a zooming operation of the optical system; An operation dial rotatably provided; an operation dial signal generating means for generating a first signal in accordance with the rotation of the operation dial; and a second signal generated only while an operation force is being applied. An operation switch for detecting the presence or absence of the first and second signals,
When both the first signal and the second signal are detected, the focus driving means is driven. When the second signal is not detected and only the first signal is detected, A drive control unit that controls the zoom drive unit to drive, and when an exposure start signal is input during the drive of the focus drive unit or the zoom drive unit, the drive is inhibited and the exposure operation is performed. And a drive inhibiting means for controlling to shift to (c).