Lens device, imaging apparatus, imaging system, lens control system and computer readable storage medium

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• imaging means for imaging an object and for outputting an image signal;
• electronic zooming means for electronically enlarging an image represented by the image signal;
• signal input means for receiving an electronic zooming preparation permission signal and an electronic zooming enabling signal;
• and
• control means for enabling control of said electronic zooming means when each of the electronic zooming preparation permission signal and the electronic zooming enabling signal is received.

An imaging system comprising:

• a lens device having:
• a variator lens means for performing a zooming operation;
• first control means for controlling the zooming operation of said variator lens means;
• and
• signal output means for outputting an electronic zooming enabling signal and an electronic zooming. preparation permission signal which gives advance notice of the electric zooming enabling signal, during the zooming operation, and an imaging apparatus having:
• imaging means for imaging an object and for outputting an image signal;
• electronic zooming means for performing electronic enlargement processing on an image represented by the image signal;
• signal input means for receiving an electronic zooming preparation permission signal and an electronic zooming enabling signal;
• and
• second control means for enabling control of said electronic zooming means when each of the electronic zooming preparation permission signal and the electronic zooming enabling signal is received.

A computer readable storage medium for storing a program causing a computer to execute the steps of:

• imaging an object and outputting an image signal;
• performing electronic zooming for electronically enlarging an image represented by the image signal;
• receiving an electronic zooming preparation permission signal and an electronic zooming enabling signal;
• and
• enabling the electronic zooming when each of the electronic zooming preparation permission signal and the electronic zooming enabling signal is received.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• imaging means;
• electronic zooming means for enlarging an image taken by said imaging means;
• zoom input means for receiving zoom operating information;
• lens information input means for receiving first zoom information, which indicates presence or absence of an optical zooming mechanism in an external lens means, and second zoom information which indicates presence or absence of an optical zooming mechanism, which does not operate in response to a control signal received from an external device, in said external lens means;
• control output means for outputting an optical zooming control signal which instructs said external lens means to perform a zooming operation;
• and
• control means for controlling said optical zooming mechanism of said external lens means through said electronic zooming means and said lens control output means according to the zoom operating information inputted to said zoom input means in such a manner as to be able to be driven, in a case that the first zoom information indicates the presence of said optical zooming mechanism and that the second zoom information indicates the absence of said optical zooming mechanism, and for controlling said electronic zooming means in such a manner as to be able to be driven, in a case that the first zoom information indicates the absence of said optical zooming mechanism, and for controlling said electronic zooming means in such a manner as not to be driven, in a case that the second zoom information indicates the presence of said optical zooming mechanism.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• imaging means;
• electronic zooming means for enlarging an image taken by said imaging means;
• zoom input means for receiving zoom operating information;
• lens information input means for receiving zoom information, which indicates presence or absence of an optical zooming mechanism in an external lens means, and specific lens group information which indicates whether said external lens means belongs to a specific lens group;
• control output means for outputting an optical zooming control signal which instructs said external lens means to perform a zooming operation;
• and
• control means for controlling said optical zooming mechanism of said external lens means through said electronic zooming means and said lens control output means according to the zoom operating information inputted to said zoom input means in such a manner as to be able to be driven, in a case where the zoom information indicates the presence of said optical zooming mechanism and where the specific lens group information indicates that said external lens means does not belong to said specific lens group, and for controlling said electronic zooming means in such a manner as to be able to be driven, in a case where the zoom information indicates the absence of said optical zooming mechanism, and for controlling said electronic zooming means in such a manner as not to be driven, in a case where the specific lens group information indicates that said external lens means belongs to said specific lens group.