JPH03225331A - Autofocusing camera provided with interval photographing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To evade that appropriate photographing can not be executed and to prevent a useless image blurring preventing action by inhibiting photographing by an image blurring prevention means in the case of interval photographing even though image blurring preventing photographing is selected. CONSTITUTION:When a focusing state is obtained by an aurofocusing action in the case of selecting the image blurring preventing photographing (IS mode), a blurring quantity on a range-finding sensor 16 is detected and a shutter time is set to be in place in the smallest blur circle based on the blurring quantity. However, in the case that interval photographing is designated by an interval timer circuit 41, the IS mode is cleared and ordinary photographing, for example, photographing in a program mode is executed. Since a tripod is used in the case of interval photographing, it is needless to perform the prevention of image blurring and then the useless image blurring preventing action is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Application of the Invention) The present invention provides an interval camera having an image blur prevention function that automatically sets a shutter time that does not cause blur by detecting blur in a subject image on a sensor. This invention relates to the improvement of an autofocus camera with a photographing function.

(Background of the Invention) Conventionally, by detecting blur in a subject image on a sensor,
Image blur prevention (Imag.
A camera having a function (denoted as e 5 tabilizer) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-24419 and No.
-22420 etc. is proposed. When the IS mode is selected, for example, if the camera shake is large, a faster shutter speed is set, and if the camera shake is small, a slower shutter speed is set.

Providing an interval shooting function during the IS mode as described above causes the following problems.

In other words, since it is interval shooting, the camera is generally fixed on a tripod, etc., and although there is almost no camera shake, if the photographer uses Is mode, the shutter speed will be set to a slower speed. will be set. Therefore, if the subject is moving, the photograph may become blurry.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to prevent the inability to take proper photographs and unnecessary image blur prevention operations during interval photography. An object of the present invention is to provide an autofocus camera with an interval shooting function.

(Features of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides that when interval photography is instructed, even if photography with image blur prevention is selected by the selection means, the image blur prevention means is activated. The present invention is characterized in that a prohibition means for prohibiting the operation is provided so that the image blur prevention means is not operated during interval photography.

(Embodiments of the Invention) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a camera body, and 50 is a block diagram of the camera body
This is a lens body detachably attached to the camera mount la and the lens mount 51a. 3 is a mirror, 4 is a pentaprism, 5 is an eyepiece lens, and 6 is a light receiving element for photometry. Reference numeral 7 denotes a photometric calculation circuit, which is connected to a film sensitivity information input circuit 8, a shutter control circuit 9, and a microcomputer 10. 34
is the focal brain shutter, 3a is the mirror rotation axis,
Reference numeral 3b denotes an operating bin, which faces the mirror drive cam 11. 12 is a mirror drive motor, and motor drive circuit 1
Connected to 3. A film feeding motor 14 is used for winding and rewinding the film, and is connected to a motor drive circuit 15. A distance measuring sensor 16 is connected to a distance measuring calculation circuit 17. 18 is the battery that operates the entire camera system, 19 is the main power switch,
20 is a DC/DC converter, which is connected from the battery 18 to the microcomputer 10. 21 is a photometering and distance measuring switch, and 22 is a release switch. Generally, the switches 21 and 22 are two-stage stroke switches, in which the first stroke of the release button turns the switch 21 ON, and the second stroke turns the switch 22 OFF.
It is configured to be N. 41 is a presettable interval timer circuit whose time can be set by a switch (not shown) built into the camera, and is connected to the microcomputer 10.

swap is a back cover switch, 5WREW is a rewind switch, and SWFLM is a film actuation switch moved to the perforation of the film. Further, SWMODE is a mode changeover switch for changing the photographing mode, and in this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that there are two types: program mode and IS mode.

Reference numerals 23a to 23e are a group of contact point bins on the side of the camera body 1, which are arranged near the mount 1a. Reference numerals 528 to 52e represent a contact bin group on the lens body 50 side, which faces the contact bin groups 23a to 23e on the camera side.

Gl and G2 are optical lenses for photographing. 53 is a lens drive motor used for focus adjustment, and a lens drive circuit 54
is connected to. As the lens drive motor 53 rotates, the number of pulses is input to the counter 57 via the ratchet 6o. Note that the counter 57 is set to be incremented when the lens G1 moves in the {circle around (2)} direction. Reference numeral 61 denotes an aperture drive circuit, which is connected to the microcomputer 55 and to a known pulse motor 56, by which the aperture is driven.

Next, the operation of the camera having the above configuration will be explained.

First, the operation in a general shooting mode (program mode) will be described. When the main power switch 19 of the camera body 1 is turned on and the D C/DC converter 20 is excited, the converter 20 turns on the 0-order photometering and ranging switch that supplies a constant voltage that allows the microcomputer 10 to operate. When 21 is pressed, the amount of light detected by the photometric light-receiving element 6 is transmitted to the photometric calculation circuit 7, and the exposure amount is stored using a known method. Furthermore, since the photometering and distance measurement switch 21 also serves as a trigger switch for automatic distance measurement, when the photometer and distance measurement switch 21 is pressed, the distance measurement sensor 16 is activated according to instructions from the microcomputer 10, and In this method, distance measurement calculation (detecting the focus state and calculating the amount of defocus) is performed by the distance measurement calculation circuit 17, and the amount of lens extension is determined. communication takes place,
The direction of rotation of the drive motor 53 is instructed to the lens drive circuit 54, and the photographing optical system G1 is moved. At this time,
At the same time, the contents of the counter 57 are changed by the ratchet 60 in response to the movement of the lens, and the contents of the counter 57 are changed by the ratchet 60 in response to the movement of the lens.
5 can detect the amount of movement of the lens by reading the number of pulses, so the photographing optical system (hereinafter simply referred to as lens) Gl is moved according to the amount of movement instructed from the camera body 1 side as described above. The lens Gl is stopped at the focus position. Generally, distance measurement is performed again, and when it is determined that the camera is in focus, an in-focus display is performed on the camera body 1 side or a focus sound is emitted.

Next, the general operation when the IS mode is selected will be explained.

In the IS mode, when the camera is in focus by the autofocus operation, the amount of blur on the distance measurement sensor 16 is detected,
The shutter speed is changed based on the amount of blur (the shutter speed is set within the circle of least confusion).

However, if interval timer circuit 41 instructs interval photography, the IS mode is cleared and normal photography, for example in program mode, is performed.

Next, the detailed operation of the camera will be explained using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 1-1, 1-2, and 3 to 7.

The microcomputer IO is provided with a film frame number register FRAMER for storing the number of film frames, a count register C0UNT for counting the number of on/off times of the film operation switch SWFLM, and memory registers MOVI and MOV2 for storing image information. . Furthermore, a back cover flag BPF that memorizes the state of the back cover
(back lid closed when set to ``rl''), IS mode flag ISF that stores ``1'' when IS mode is selected with the mode selector switch SWMODE, and stores ``1'' when interval shooting is instructed. Interval flag INTF.

“1” when the autofocus operation focuses.
Focus flag JFF to memorize, rewind switch 5WRE
Rewind flag RE that stores "1" when rewind is set at W or when the film is stretched.
It has WF.

In the following description of the embodiments, the photometric and distance measuring switch 21 will be referred to as a switch SWI, and the release switch 22 will be referred to as a switch SW2.

Here, the main power switch 19 is turned on and the D C/D
When the C converter 20 is excited, a constant voltage that enables operation is supplied from the converter 20 to the microcomputer 1o, and the microcomputer 10 starts operating from step 1 in FIG. 1-1. It is assumed that the back cover is now open and all switches are turned off.

[Step 1] Initialize all flags and registers.

[Step 2: Determine the state of the back cover switch 5WBP. The back cover is now open, so move on to step 3.

[Step 3] Set the film frame number register FRAMER to "0".

[Step 4] Clear the back cover flag BPF.

[Step 5: Determine the state of the rewind flag REWF. Here, since it has been cleared in step 1, the process proceeds to step 6. [Step 6] It is determined whether the IS mode is selected by the mode changeover switch SWMODE. It is assumed here that the program mode is selected. Therefore,
Proceed to step 7.

[Step 7] The interval timer circuit 41 determines whether interval photography is instructed or not based on the state of the interval flag INTF. Here, the shooting is not set and rINTF=OJ, so the process advances to step 8.

[Step 8] Determine the state of switch SWI. Since it is off here, proceed to step 9.

[Step 9] If lens G1 is operating, stop it.

[Step 10] Clear the focus flag JFF.

[Step 11] Waits here until any switch is operated. Here, the input from the remote control receiving circuit 41 is also treated as a switch input.

Here, when the photographer loads the film and closes the back cover, the state of the back cover switch 5WBP changes, so step 1
Proceed from step 1 to step 12.

[Step 12] Determine whether or not interval photography is instructed. Since no instructions are given here, return to step 2.

After this, the process proceeds from step 2 to step 3, and since the back cover is closed this time, the process proceeds to step 13.

[Step 13] Check the state of the back lid flag BPF.

Since rBPF=OJ is set in step 4, the process proceeds to step 13.

[Step 14] Set the back cover flag BPF to "1".

[Step 15] Here, the film blank feed subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is called to perform a blank feed operation.

Here, this idle feeding operation will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

[Steps 125, 126, 127] The film winding subroutine shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later, is called three times.

This completes the empty feeding of three frames of film. The process then proceeds to step 128.

[Step 128] Film frame number register FRAME
Set R to "1", that is, set information indicating that it is the first frame.

When the above-mentioned idle feeding operation is completed, the process proceeds to step 5. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 5-6-7-8-9-10-11 in the same manner as described above.
Then, it enters the state where it waits for the switch to change.

At this point, point the photographer at the subject he or she wants to photograph and press the switch S.
When WI is pressed, the process advances to step 11-12→2.
Since the lid is currently closed, the process proceeds from step 2 to step 13 as described above, and here the state of the back lid flag BPF is determined, but the flag BPF was set to "1" in step 14. So now step 1
Proceed to 6.

[Step 16] Determine the state of the rewind switch SWREW. Since it is off here, proceed to step 5.

In this manner, by using the back cover flag BPF, it is possible to perform a blank feed only once when the back cover is closed.

After this, the process proceeds from step 5-6 to step 7-8, where the state of the switch SWI is determined as described above.
Since the switch SWI is turned on here, the process now proceeds to step 17.

[Step 17] Here, the autofocus subroutine shown in FIG. 3 is called to perform an autofocus operation, so that the lens Gl is moved to the in-focus position of the subject. Note that details of the autofocus operation will be described later.

When the autofocus operation is completed, the process returns to the main routine again and starts operations from step 18.

[Step 18] The brightness of the subject is measured, the EV value is determined, and the process proceeds to step 21.

[Step 21] Here, the state of the IS mode flag SF is determined, but since rIsF=OJ, the process proceeds to step 19.

[Step 19] Calculate the shutter time (TV) and aperture value (AV) from the EV value. Since the current shooting mode is the program mode, each value suitable for the mode is determined in a known manner. .

[Step 20] Here, the state of the remote control flag REMF is determined, but since r REMF=OJ, the process proceeds to step 21.

[Step 21] Here, the depth mode flag DEP
The state of F is determined, but since rDEPF=OJ, the process advances to step 22.

[Step 22] Here, the state of the switch SW2 is determined, but since the switch SW2 is off, the process returns to step 2.

In this way, while the switch SWI is pressed, autofocus operation and photometry operation are repeatedly performed. Further, when the switch SWI is turned off, the process proceeds from step 8 to step 9, where the driving of the lens G1 is stopped, and in the next step 10, the focus flag JFF is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 11, where the above-mentioned The system enters a state where it waits for a change in one of the switches.

Next, as described above, when the switch SWI is pressed and the switch SW2 is further pressed, the process proceeds from step 22 to the release sequence starting from step 23 in FIGS. 1-2.

[Step 23] Stop the lens G1 that has been driven by autofocus operation.

[Step 24] The mirror drive motor 12 is energized to start mirror-up operation.

[Step 25] Serial communication is made to the microcomputer 55 on the lens body side 50 to set the aperture according to step 19.
Narrow it down to the value found in .

[Step 26] The process waits for the mirror-up operation started in step 24 to be completed, and upon completion, proceeds to step 27.

[Step 27] Stop energizing the mirror drive motor 12.

[Step 28] The shutter leading curtain is run via the shutter control circuit 9.

[Step 29] Wait for the shutter time determined in step 19, and when the time ends, step 30
Proceed to.

[Step 30] The shutter trailing curtain is run via the shutter control circuit 9.

[Step 31] Serial communication is made to the microcomputer 55 on the lens body side 50 to open the aperture.

[Step 32] The mirror drive motor 12 is energized to start mirror down and shutter charging.

[Step 33] Wait for shutter charging to be completed, and once completed, proceed to step 34.

[Step 34] Apply a brake to the mirror drive motor 12.

[Step 35] Here, the film winding subroutine shown in FIG. 6 is called to wind, for example, one frame of film.

Here, this film winding operation and the like will be explained using FIG. 6. The operation begins at step 110.

[Step 110] The film frame number and fill read by the DX code reading circuit (not shown) are also stored in the frame number register FR.
The AMER values are compared, and if they are equal, go to 123; if not, go to 11.

[Step 111] The film feeding motor 14 is rotated in the normal direction to start winding the film.

[Step 112] Clear count register CO[INT.

[Step 113] Set 400 to the film tension timer.
Set m5.

[Step 114] If the timer has completed counting, proceed to step 123; if not, proceed to step 115.

[Step 115] Film operation switch SWFLM
If it is on, the process returns to step 114, and if it is off, the process proceeds to step 116.

Therefore, if the film is being wound and the film operating switch SWFLM is turned from on to off during the 400 m5, the process proceeds to step 116;
If M is on for 400 m5, the process proceeds to step 123.

[Step 116] Set 400 to the film tension timer.
Set ms.

[Step 117] If the timer has completed counting, proceed to step 123; otherwise, proceed to step 118.

[Step 118] Film operation switch SWFLM
If it is off, the process returns to step 117, and if it is on, the process proceeds to step 119.

Steps 116 to 118 are the opposite of steps 113 to 115, and wait for the film operation switch SWFLM to be turned on from off.

[Step 119] Increment count register C011NT by "1".

[Step 120] It is determined whether the contents of the count register C0UNT have reached "8" or not. If the content has reached "8", the process proceeds to step 121; if not, the process returns to step 113. That is, if the film operation switch StllFLM is turned on and off eight times between step 113 and step 120, the process proceeds to step 121.

[Step 121] Since one frame of film has been wound, the brake is applied to the film feeding motor 14.

[Step 122] Film frame number register FRAME
Increase R by rlJ.

If the film tension or the number of film frames reaches the number of film frames by DX, the process advances to step 123.

[Step 123] Apply a brake to the film feeding motor 14.

[Step 124] Set the rewind flag RWEF to rlJ and return to the main routine.

When the film rewinding operation is completed, the operation starts again from step 36 in FIG. 1-2.

[Step 36] Determine the state of the rewind flag RWEF, and when rRWEF = IJ, that is, if one frame of film has not been wound in the film winding operation, return to step 2, and when rRWEF = OJ. Proceeds to step 38.

First, in step 36, the rewind flag REWF is set.
is "1" and the subsequent operation when the process returns to step 2 will be explained.

In this case, proceed to step 2-13 → 16-5,
Here, the state of the rewind flag REWF is determined, and in step 36 the rewind flag REWF is set to r.
Since it is set to lJ, the process advances to step 37.

[Step 37] Here, the film rewinding subroutine shown in FIG. 7 is called to start the film rewinding operation.

Here, this film rewinding operation will be explained using FIG. 7. The operation begins at step 130.

[Step 1301 The film feeding motor 14 is reversed and film rewinding is started.

[Step 131] Set the timer to 400m5.

[Step 132] When the timer completes counting of 400 m5, the process proceeds to step 137, and unless the timer completes counting, the process proceeds to step 133.

[Step 133] Film operation switch SWFLM
While OFF, steps 132 and 133 are repeated, and when the timer does not complete counting 400 ms, the switch SWFLM is turned on, and the process proceeds to step 134.

[Step 134] Set the timer to 400m5.

[Step 135] When the timer completes counting of 400 m5, the process proceeds to step 137, and unless the timer completes counting, the process proceeds to step 136.

[Step 136] Film operation switch SWFLM
While OFF, steps 132 and 133 are repeatedly executed. That is, while the film is being rewound,
Since the switch SWFLM is on and off, the loop from step 131 to step 136 is repeatedly executed. When film rewinding is completed, the switch SWFLM
Since no longer changes, the 400m5 timer completes counting and the process proceeds to step 137.

[Step 137] Since rewinding is complete, the film feeding motor 14 is braked.

[Step 138] Clear the rewind flag REWF.

[Step 139] Step 13 until the back cover is opened
Repeat step 9.

On the other hand, in step 36, the rewind flag REW
If F is "0", the process proceeds from step 36 to step 38 as described above.

[Step 38] Here, wait until switch SW2 is turned off.

[Step 39] Here, the interval flag INT
Clear F and proceed to step 41.

[Step 41] Here, the IS mode flag ISF is cleared. Then return to step 2.

Next, the operation when the IS mode is selected by the mode changeover switch SWMODE will be described.

Assuming that the IS mode is selected by the mode changeover switch SWMODE and the switch SWI is pressed down toward the subject, steps 11-12 → 2 → 13 shown in Figure 1-1
→ Proceed to 16 → 5 → 6, and here it is determined whether or not ■S mode is selected. Since IS mode is currently selected, step 6
Then proceed to step 42.

[Step 42] Here, the IS mode flag ISF is set to "1".

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 42-7-8, where the state of the switch SWI is determined, but since the switch SWI is on, the process proceeds to step 8-17, where the autofocus subroutine is called, Start autofocus operation.

Here, this autofocus operation will be explained using FIG. 3. This operation begins at step 60.

[Step 60] Here, an accumulation operation is performed in the distance measuring sensor 16, and the process proceeds to step 61.

[Step 61] The distance measurement calculation circuit 17 performs distance measurement calculation, and the process proceeds to step 62.

[Step 62] Here, it is determined whether the focus is on or not. If the focus is not on, the process goes to step 63, and if the focus is on, the process goes to step 64.
Proceed to.

[Step 63] Serial communication is performed with the microcomputer 55 on the lens body 50 side to drive the lens G1.

After this, return to the main routine and step 18-
The process proceeds to step 21, where the IS mode flag ISF is determined, but since rIsF=IJ, the process proceeds to step 40.

[Step 40] Here, the focus flag JFF is determined, but since it is currently out of focus (rJFF=OJ), the process proceeds to step 19.

In this step 19, since the camera is in an out-of-focus state, the TV and AV values of the program mode are temporarily set.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to steps 19→20→22, and since the switch SW2 is off, the process returns to step 2.

On the other hand, if the focus is determined in step 62, the process proceeds to step 63.

[Step 64] Here, focus flag JFF is set to "1".
Set to .

After this, return to the main routine and step 18→
The process proceeds from step 21 to step 40, where the focus flag JFF is determined, but since it was set to "1" in step 64, this time step 43, that is, calls the camera shake detection subroutine shown in FIG. 4. and starts camera shake detection operation.

Here, this camera shake detection operation will be explained using FIG. 4. The operation begins at step 80. Note that the autofocus in this embodiment assumes a phase difference detection method.

[Step 80] Here, an accumulation operation is performed in the distance measuring sensor 16, and the process proceeds to step 81.

[Step 81] The image information obtained by the accumulation operation is stored in the memory register MOVI.

[Step 82] Here, wait for a certain period of time.

[Step 83] The accumulation operation in the distance measuring sensor 16 is performed again, and the process proceeds to step 84.

[Step 84] The image information obtained by the accumulation operation is stored in the memory register MOV2.

[Step 85] The image information in the memory register MOV1 and the memory register MOV2 are compared to determine the amount of blur.

[Step 86] Based on the amount of blur, the shutter speed that falls within the circle of least confusion is determined, and the process returns to the main routine.

After that, the process proceeds to step 86-19, where an AV value is calculated from the shutter time (TV value) obtained in step 86 based on the EV value that has already been obtained, and step 2
Proceed to 0-22.

When the photographer turns on the switch SW2, the process proceeds to the release sequence and IS photography is executed as described above. In steps 39.41, the remote control flags REMF, I
The S mode flag ISF is initialized.

Next, an explanation will be given of the operation when remote control photography is further instructed while the IS mode is selected.

In step 11, when the interval timer circuit 41 transmits to the microcomputer 10 that interval photography is to be performed while waiting for a change in some switch, the process proceeds to step 12, and since interval photography is now instructed, step Proceed to 44.

[Step 44] Since interval photography is set here, the interval flag INTF is set to "1" and the process returns to step 2.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to steps 2→13→16→5→6→42→7, where the state of the interval flag INTF is determined. Since "rlNTF=1" has been set in step 44, the process then proceeds to step 45.

[Step 45] Here, the IS mode flag ISF is cleared to "0".

Therefore, no matter how much IS mode is selected, if interval photography is also instructed at the same time, the photography mode will be forcibly switched to program mode.

After this, step 45 → 17 → 18 → 21 → 19-20
Then, the state of the interval flag INTF is determined, but since rINTF=IJ, the process advances to step 46.

[Step 46] Here, the process waits for the set interval shooting time.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 23, which is the release sequence shown in FIGS. 1-2. After this, the same operation as in the program mode is repeated, so the explanation of the subsequent operation will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, if the IS mode is selected and interval shooting is also instructed at the same time, shooting in the IS mode is prohibited and the camera is automatically switched to the program mode (No. 1-1). Figure step 7 → 45),
During interval photography, since the camera is fixed on a tripod or the like, no camera shake occurs, and therefore meaningless IS operations are not performed. Also,
Since the IS operation is prohibited and the mode is automatically switched to the program mode, the shutter speed is not changed, so even if a moving subject is photographed, it is possible to properly take a photograph using the remote control.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, when interval photography is instructed, even if photography using image blur prevention is selected by the selection means, the image blur prevention means is activated. A prohibition means is provided to prevent the image blur prevention means from operating during interval shooting, so that proper photography cannot be taken or the image blur prevention operation is wasted during interval shooting. This makes it possible to prevent such occurrences.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1-1 and 1-2 are main flowcharts showing the operation in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing the operation in an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart showing autofocus operation in an example,
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the camera shake detection operation in this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the film empty feeding operation in this embodiment, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the film winding operation in this embodiment, and FIG. is a flowchart showing the film rewinding operation in this embodiment. 10...Microcomputer, 41...
...Interval timer circuit, SWMODE...
・Mode selector switch, INTF...Interval flag, ISF...IS mode flag, J
FF...Focus flag.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Image blur prevention means that detects the amount of blur in the subject image on the distance measurement sensor and sets a shutter time that does not cause blur on the exposure surface based on the amount of blur, and photography in which the image blur prevention means is activated. In an autofocus camera with an interval shooting function, when interval shooting is instructed, even if the selection means selects shooting with image blur prevention, the image blur An automatic focusing camera with an interval shooting function, characterized in that a prohibition means is provided for prohibiting the activation of the prevention means.