IP Library Granted Patent US 8,654,216
Granted Patent B2
US 8,654,216 · App. 13/420,611 · Granted Feb 18, 2014

Camera system, camera body, and lens unit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,654,216
App. No.
13/420,611
Granted
Feb 18, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A camera system includes a lens unit, a mount, a camera body, and a control unit. The lens unit includes at least one lens unit operation portion and changes the magnification of an optical image electrically. The mount supports removably the lens unit. The camera body includes at least one camera body operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to change the magnification of an optical image electrically in response to either one of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to execute an operation that is different from the operation which changes the magnification of an optical image, in response to the other of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion.

Claims (41)

1. A camera system comprising:

a camera body including:

an image sensor; and

a body mount configured to send a command to an interchangeable lens mounted thereto;

an interchangeable lens configured to be mounted to the camera body, the interchangeable lens including:

an operation portion configured to accept an operation by a user;

a zoom lens configured to change the magnification of an optical image of a subject;

a zoom motor configured to drive the zoom lens in a direction parallel to the optical axis;

a lens mount configured to receive a zoom control command from the camera body for controlling the zoom motor;

a focus lens configured to change the focal state of the optical image of a subject;

a focus motor configured to drive the focus lens in a direction parallel to the optical axis; and

a controller configured to:

control the zoom motor when the operation portion accepts an operation by a user and the camera body does not have a function to send the zoom control command; and

control the focus motor when the operation portion accepts an operation by a user and the camera body has a function to send the zoom control command.

2. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein

the camera body has the function to send the zoom control command, and

the camera body includes a camera body operation portion which is a zoom operation portion for changing the magnification of an optical image.

3. The camera system according to claim 2 , wherein

the interchangeable lens is configured to adjust the focus of an optical image electrically, and

the operation portion is a focus operation portion for adjusting the focus of an optical image.

4. The camera system according to claim 2 , the camera body further comprising:

a display unit, wherein

the zoom operation portion is disposed on a right side of an upper face of the camera body if the camera body is viewed from the display unit side.

5. The camera system according to claim 2 , the camera body further comprising:

a display unit, wherein

the zoom operation portion is disposed on a right side of a rear face of the camera body if the camera body is viewed from the display unit side.

6. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein

the camera body does not have the function to send the zoom control command, and

the operation portion is a zoom operation portion for changing the magnification of an optical image.

7. An interchangeable lens mountable to a camera body, the interchangeable lens comprising:

an operation portion configured to accept an operation by a user;

a zoom lens configured to change the magnification of an optical image of a subject;

a zoom motor configured to drive the zoom lens in a direction parallel to the optical axis;

a lens mount configured to receive a zoom control command from the camera body for controlling the zoom motor;

a focus lens configured to change the focal state of the optical image of a subject;

a focus motor configured to drive the focus lens in a direction parallel to the optical axis; and

a controller configured to:

control the zoom motor when the operation portion accepts an operation by a user and the camera body does not have a function to send the zoom control command; and

control the focus motor when the operation portion accepts an operation by a user and the camera body has a function to send the zoom control command.

8. The interchangeable lens according to claim 7 , wherein the operation portion is a sliding type of operation portion that is configured to slide on an outer peripheral part of the interchangeable lens.

9. The interchangeable lens according to claim 7 , wherein at least a part of the operation portion is disposed on a right side face if the interchangeable lens is viewed from a subject side.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2012
From: SHINTANI, DAI; KOGA, AKIRA; SHIBUNO, KOJI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028348/0512 →