JPH04112213U - Camera with multi-point distance measurement function - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To obtain a camera having a multi-point distance measurement function that can sequentially focus and photograph multiple subjects located at different positions within the same composition. [Structure] The present invention includes a distance measuring means that measures the distance to each subject in a plurality of distance measuring zones within the shooting range, and a focusing device that focuses on the subject based on the subject distance information from the distance measuring means. A control means, a release control means for controlling the release of the shutter, and a focus control means for controlling the distance within each distance measurement zone based on subject distance information corresponding to a plurality of distance measurement zones by the distance measurement means. and continuous shooting control means for sequentially focusing and releasing the subject.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

【Technical field】

This invention has a multi-point distance measurement function, that is, it can capture multiple subjects at different positions within the same composition. Concerning a camera that can measure body distance.

0002

[Prior art and its problems]

In recent years, cameras equipped with automatic focus devices have become mainstream. This kind of self A camera with a dynamic focus device generally has a distance measurement zone in the viewfinder. The object within this distance measurement zone is focused and photographed. Also, there is a measurement in the viewfinder. Multiple focus zones are provided, allowing you to capture multiple subjects in different positions within the same composition. Some cameras have a multi-point distance measurement function that can measure distance using each of these distance measurement zones. Ru.

0003 With this camera that has a multi-point distance measurement function, the subject in the distance measurement zone selected by the photographer can be or multiple subjects measured within the same composition, all with depth of field. Although it is possible to take pictures by setting exposure conditions to keep the subject within It was not possible to sequentially focus on the body and take pictures automatically.

0004

[Purpose of invention]

This invention takes pictures by sequentially focusing on multiple subjects in different positions within the same composition. The purpose of this invention is to obtain a camera with a multi-point measurement function.

[0005]

[Summary of the idea]

This invention measures the distance to the subject in multiple distance measurement zones within the shooting range. A distance measuring device is used to match the subject, and the object distance information from this distance measuring device is used to match the subject. A focusing control means for focusing, a release control means for controlling a shutter release, Based on the subject distance information corresponding to multiple distance measurement zones by the distance measurement method, Focus control means and release control means sequentially focus on the subject within each distance measurement zone. It is characterized by having a continuous shooting control means for focusing and releasing the camera.

[0006]

[Example of idea]

The present invention will be explained below based on the illustrated embodiments. Camera 10 to which the present invention is applied ( Fig. 6) shows a first ranging zone 45 and a second ranging zone arranged horizontally in a finder 40. It has a ranging zone 46 and a third ranging zone 47 (FIG. 5). this turtle During normal shooting, you can press the shutter button (not shown) halfway. Perform distance measurement and photometry, then press the release switch SWR all the way to O. Press N to release the shutter. In addition, the camera 10 is configured to Automatically capture multiple different subjects 41, 42, 43 by pressing the shutter button halfway It has a multi-point distance measurement function that performs distance measurement in sequence.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 28 that functions this multi-point ranging function. It is. This control section 28 includes a distance measurement calculation means 30, a distance measurement memory means 31, and a focusing control unit 30. means 32, photometric calculation means 35, aperture control means 36, shutter speed control means 37, aperture Forced opening means 50, mode switching means 51, continuous shooting control means 49, winding control means 38, ranging sensor control means 15, photometry circuit 17, and release control means 19 have. The control unit 28 also includes a distance sensor 14, a light receiving element 25, and a release sensor. Drives switch SWR, release magnet RMg, and focusing lens (not shown) The focusing lens drive mechanism 26, the aperture operating mechanism 27 that operates the aperture, and the mode are set to "open aperture". Mode selection switch 11 to change the mode to “Depth priority mode 1” Mode selection switch 12, switch the mode to “depth priority mode 2” A mode selection switch 13 and a hoisting motor 39 are connected.

[0008] The distance measurement sensor 14 is a known so-called phase difference detection type distance measurement sensor, and is one row above. A CCD image sensor (not shown) consisting of a large number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in have On the CCD image sensor of this distance measurement sensor 14, there is a The aerial image of the subject within the distance measurement zone is divided into two and formed. The phase difference of this two-split image , that is, the amount of defocus is determined by determining the interval.

[0009] The distance measuring sensor control means 15 controls the integration time of the distance measuring sensor 14 and controls the integral signal (image). control the readout of raw data) and output the readout integral signal to the distance measurement calculation means 30 do.

0010 The distance measurement calculation means 30 calculates the distance based on the integral signal input from the distance measurement sensor control means 15. Executes a predetermined predictor calculation and determines the subject distance, such as the amount of defocus required for focusing. Ask for information.

[0011] The distance measurement memory means 31 stores information necessary for focusing calculated by the distance measurement calculation means 30. Store object distance information in memory.

0012 The focus control means 32 is based on the subject distance information calculated by the distance measurement calculation means 30. Then, the focusing lens is moved to the focusing position via the focusing lens drive mechanism 26.

[0013] The light receiving element 25 outputs a photometric signal according to the subject brightness to the photometric circuit 17.

[0014] The photometric circuit 17 logarithmically compresses and A/ The signal is D-converted and output to the photometric calculation means 35 as a luminance signal.

The photometry calculation means 35 executes photometry calculation according to a predetermined automatic exposure program based on this brightness signal and exposure information such as film sensitivity _Sv information, and sets a shutter speed Tv _and aperture suitable for this. A value _Av is calculated and output to the aperture control means 36 and shutter speed control means 37. In this embodiment, the photometry calculation means 35 has multiple types of automatic exposure program lines that serve as standards when selecting the shutter speed and aperture value, and selects the optimal automatic exposure according to the focal length of the photographic lens, etc. I select a program line and shift to that program line.

[0016] The shutter speed control means 37 controls the release speed based on the output of the photometry calculation means 35. The shutter speed by the control means 19 is set appropriately.

[0017] The release control means 19 is a shutter speed control means when the shutter button is fully pressed. Activate the release magnet RMg so that the shutter speed is set to 37. let

[0018] The mode switching means 51 is one of the mode selection switches 11, 12, and 13. When one is turned on, the mode corresponding to the turned on switch, i.e. One of the following: wide open aperture mode, depth priority mode 1, and depth priority mode 2. Switch to

[0019] The forced aperture opening means 50 is configured so that the mode switching means 51 switches the mode to "aperture open mode". When the aperture is changed, a signal is output to the aperture control means 36 to open the aperture.

[0020] The diaphragm control means 36 is based on the output of the photometric calculation means 35 or the diaphragm forced opening means. The diaphragm actuation mechanism 27 is actuated by the output of 50.

[0021] A winding control means 38 drives a winding motor 39 when winding is necessary, so that the film can be wound. have them wind up the winding.

[0022] The continuous shooting control means 49 is switched to "open aperture mode" by the mode switching means 51. If the release switch has been changed, pressing the shutter button all the way will release the release switch. When the switch SWR is turned on, a signal is output to the focus control means 32 and the focus control means 32 is turned on. 45, 46, and 47, sequentially from the closest distance. A signal is output from the focus to the release control means 19 at a predetermined timing, and the shutter is released. let it rise.

[0023] The camera 10 having the multi-point distance measurement function configured as described above is in a state where the mode is not switched. Then, normal shooting will take place. In other words, when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the distance measurement The sensor 14, the distance measurement sensor control means 15, and the distance measurement calculation means 30 detect the subject necessary for focusing. Body distance information is required. Then, the focus control means 32 Then, the focusing lens drive mechanism 26 is driven to focus. At this time, press the shutter button. When the button is fully pressed, the release control means 1 is turned on by turning on the release switch SWR. 9 operates the release magnet RMg and releases the shutter.

[0024] When the mode selection switch 11 is turned on, the mode switching means 51 selects the mode. Switch to "Open mode". In this state, if the shutter button is pressed halfway, , the control enters the "open aperture mode routine" shown in the flowchart in Figure 2, and first Distance measurement is performed on the subject 41 that overlaps one distance measurement zone 45. i.e. , the distance measurement sensor control means 15 reads out the integral signal based on the distance measurement sensor 14, and performs distance measurement. The calculation means 30 executes a predetermined predictor calculation based on this integral signal, and Obtain object distance information a (FIG. 6) from 10 and store it in distance measurement memory means 31. . Then, the object 42 that overlaps the second distance measurement zone 46 is automatically and continuously Distance measurement is performed, and object distance information b is calculated and stored in the distance measurement memory means 31. . Subsequently, distance measurement for the subject 43 overlapping the third distance measurement zone 47 is performed in the same manner. The calculated object distance information c is stored in the distance measurement memory means 31 ( Steps S1, S2).

[0025] When the object distance information has been stored in the distance measuring memory means 31, the aperture is forced to open. The stage 50 outputs a signal to the diaphragm control means 36, and the diaphragm is opened by actuation of the diaphragm actuation mechanism 27. Let go (S3, S4). In addition, the shutter speed control means 37 is Based on the photometry information of the photometry calculation means 35, the shutter speed that allows correct exposure is determined. and then controls the release control means 19 to achieve this shutter speed ( S5, S6).

[0026] After this, when the shutter button is fully pressed and the release switch is turned on (S1 7), the continuous shooting control means 49 outputs a signal to the focusing control means 32, and the distance measurement memory The focusing lens is driven based on the ranging information regarding the subject 41 read out from the stage 31. The mechanism 26 is driven to focus on the subject 41, and furthermore, from this focus, The shutter is released via the release control means 19 at a predetermined timing (S1 8) After this release, a signal is output to the hoisting control means 38 to start the hoisting motor 39. The film is wound up every minute (S8).

[0027] These focusing, release, and winding operations are further performed on the subjects 42 and 43. The same procedure was performed for the camera, and a total of three focusing, release, and winding operations were completed. (S9) Return. According to the open aperture mode, the depth of field becomes shallower. This allows objects at different focal lengths to only become bright when they are in focus. The image will be captured clearly, and other areas will be blurred. Therefore, each subject 41, 42, 43 are each emphasized and photographed once within the same angle of view.

[0028] When the mode selection switch 12 is turned on, the mode switching means 51 changes the mode to “deep”. mode 1". In this embodiment, mode 1 and " When switched to depth priority mode 2'', the and controls the aperture control means 36 and shutter speed control means 37 to appropriately set exposure. The automatic exposure function works.

[0029] In this case, when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the control will follow the flowchart shown in Figure 3. Enter the “depth priority mode routine” shown in the figure below, and first focus on the first ranging zone 45. Distance measurement is performed for the object 41 that has changed. That is, the distance measuring sensor control means 1 5 reads out the integral signal based on the distance measurement sensor 14, and the distance measurement calculation means 30 reads this integral signal. A predetermined predictor calculation is performed based on the integral signal to obtain the object distance means a, and the measurement is performed. The distance is stored in the distance memory means 31. Then automatically and consecutively move to the second ranging zone 46. The distance measurement for the overlapping subject 42 in the distance measurement zone 46 is performed, and the distance measurement for the subject 41 is performed. In the same way as when shooting, calculate the object distance information b regarding this object 42 and use the distance measurement method. The data is stored in the memory means 31. Subsequently, in the same manner, it overlaps with the third distance measurement zone 47. The object distance information regarding the object 43 is calculated and stored in the distance measuring memory means 31. (S10).

[0030] The distance measurement calculation means 30 stores object distance information a stored in the distance measurement memory means 31; Based on b and c, calculate mutual position data regarding subjects 41, 42, and 43. do. In this embodiment, there are three ranging zones, but these three zones are not necessarily the same. It is not necessary to measure the distance of the subject in all distance measurement zones. In other words, when photographing subjects 41 and 42 within the depth of field, subject 41 The position data AB between If you want to take a picture with the subject When photographing subjects 41, 42, and 43 within the depth of field, subject 41 The position data AC between and 43 is required (see I in FIG. 6). In this example, Explaining the case of photographing objects 41, 42, and 43 within the depth of field. do.

[0031] In the distance measurement calculating means 30, from the position data of the combination AC, from the subject 41 The focal position P1 in the case where up to 43 is included in the depth of field is calculated (S11). child The value of P1 is, for example, the default value for each subject 41, 43 in the position data AC. For example, when using data obtained by statistical processing of live-action data as an intermediate value of the It is possible to store the data in a storage device and select the most appropriate P1 from this data. Conceivable. Then, for the photometric Ev value calculated by the photometric calculation means 35, The subject 41, 42 and 43 can all be accommodated within the depth (S12). As a result , the automatic exposure program may not be able to fit all the objects within the depth of field. If it is determined that it is, it will be returned. If it is determined that it can be accommodated, the aperture control means 3 6 to drive the diaphragm actuating mechanism 27 to change the diaphragm to the selected value; The depth of field is adjusted to a positive value (S13).

[0032] After making this adjustment, determine whether all subjects actually fall within the depth of field ( S14). As a result, if the image does not fall within the depth of field, S13 is repeated and the depth of field is Readjust the aperture so that it is actually within the range. Also, it is within the depth of field. For example, in S19, it waits for the release switch SWR to be turned on.

[0033] When the shutter button is fully pressed and the release switch SWR is turned on, the camera will focus. The control means 32 drives the focusing lens drive mechanism 26 to focus on the focal position P1. and then release the shutter via the release control means 19 (S19, S15). After this, the winding control means 38 drives the winding motor 39 to wind the film. Up (S16) and return.

[0034] Next, the operation in “depth priority mode 2” will be explained according to the flowchart in Figure 4. . During the control of “depth priority mode 2”, S21 to S28 are all of the “depth priority mode 1”. Steps are supported. In “depth priority mode 1”, if NO in S12, However, in “depth priority mode 2”, the S corresponding to this S12 The process is configured so that when the answer in step 23 is NO, the process exits to step S29. this part is a feature of "depth priority mode 2".

[0035] That is, in S23, the photometric Ev value calculated by the photometric calculation means 35 is Subjects 41, 42, 43 within the range that can be shifted by the natural exposure program. If it is determined that all of the Change the aperture to its limit within the program range, and obtain the maximum field of view within this range. Set to depth. Then, the distance measuring calculation means 30 ensures that the subject 42 is captured at the depth of field. The focus position P2 (II in FIG. 6) that can be accommodated at 32, the focusing lens drive mechanism 26 is moved to focus on this focal position P2. Ru. Proceed to S27, release the shutter, and wind the film one frame. .

[0036] Note that the conditions for determining the focal position P2 are such that priority is given to a subject at a short distance, that is, subject 4 is Prioritize images 1 and 42 to fit within the depth of field, and position them at the center of the viewfinder 40. The subject, that is, the subject 42, must be reliably contained within the depth of field.

[0037] The above-mentioned "open aperture mode", "depth priority mode 1" and "depth priority mode 2" In the embodiment, the order of distance measurement is from the first distance measurement zone 45 to the second distance measurement zone 46, and then to the second distance measurement zone 46. However, this order is not limited to this. and transition from the third distance measurement zone 47 to the second and first distance measurement zones 46 and 45. The configuration may be such that the settings are made in any order other than this.

[0038]

[Effect of the idea]

As described above, according to the camera with the multi-point distance measurement function of the present invention, multiple distance measurement zones can be used. Based on the distance information of the subject within the lens, the continuous shooting control means communicates with the focusing control means. The focus control means sequentially focuses on the subject within each distance measurement zone and releases the shutter. , it is possible to automatically and reliably focus on these subjects one after another and shoot continuously. .

[0039] Furthermore, if you have a forced aperture mechanism that forces the aperture to open, the depth of field can be improved. Reduce the focus to only focus on the subject out of multiple subjects in the same composition. It is possible to easily and reliably obtain a photograph in which all the points are combined and emphasized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a camera having a multi-point ranging function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a routine related to an open aperture mode.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine related to depth priority mode 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine related to depth priority mode 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a plurality of distance measurement zones and a subject in a finder.

[Fig. 6] A subject whose distance is measured via multiple distance measurement zones,
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the focal position and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Camera 11 Mode selection switch 12 Mode selection switch 13 Mode selection switch 14 Distance sensor 15 Distance sensor control means 19 Release control means 25 Light receiving element 26 Focusing lens drive mechanism 27 Throttle operation mechanism 28 Control section 30 Distance calculation calculation means 31 Distance measurement memory means 32 Focus control means 35 Photometric calculation means 36 Aperture control means 37 Shutter speed control means 38 Hoisting control means 39 Hoisting motor 40 Finder 41 Subject 42 Subject 43 Subject 45 First ranging zone 46 Second ranging zone 47 Third ranging zone 49 Continuous shooting control means 50 Forced throttle opening means 51 Mode switching means

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. Distance measuring means for measuring the distance to each subject in a plurality of distance measuring zones within a photographing range; and a focusing control means for focusing on the subject based on subject distance information from the distance measuring means. and; a release control means for controlling the release of the shutter; and; based on object distance information corresponding to a plurality of distance measurement zones by the distance measurement means, the focus control means and the release control means control the subject within each distance measurement zone. 1. A camera having a multi-point distance measurement function, comprising: continuous shooting control means for sequentially focusing and releasing; 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising forced aperture opening means for forcibly opening the aperture.