JPH04134437A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rewrite every kind of data of an automatic counter light level, a low luminance automatic light emission level, and automatic magnification to the one fitted in the intention of a user by performing data correction when it is discriminated that difference exists between stored data and the data when a camera is actually operated. CONSTITUTION:A switch S1 is turned on in ordinary AE photographing, however, no flash mode is selected, therefore, an arithmetic control circuit 1 receives EVA from the output of a mean photometric circuit 3 and EVS from the output of a spot photometric circuit 4. Thence, a luminance error between the EVA and the EVS is computed to a luminance level, and after that, the data of counter light level is read out from memory 2. When automatic light emission with low luminance is performed, photometric results EVA and EVS can be obtained, however, relation (EVA<EVX) is established because a subject is of low luminance, then, flash photographic mode can be set. After that, when a switch S2 is turned on, release is started, and flash photographing is performed by a light emission trigger signal to a flash circuit 5, and when a release button is released, a flash mode is reset. When automatic counter light is detected, the luminance difference is compared with the luminance level, and a mode goes to the flash photographic mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Application of the Invention) The present invention relates to a camera equipped with a storage means that stores various data such as an automatic backlight detection level, a low-brightness automatic flash level, and an automatic magnification, which are discrimination criteria in camera automation. This is related to the improvement of.

(Background of the Invention) Various functions of cameras in recent years have been automated. An example is shown below.

A) Automatic backlight detection function Measures the brightness distribution within the shooting screen, and if the background is brighter than the main subject by a predetermined level or more, it determines that the shooting is against the light and automatically uses the flash to shoot with auxiliary light. It is a function.

B) Low-brightness automatic flash function This is a function that performs flash photography to prevent camera shake due to the long shutter time when the brightness of the scene being photographed is below a predetermined level.

C) Automatic photographing magnification setting function In a zoom camera, this is a function to keep the photographing magnification of a subject constant by zooming to a focal length corresponding to the subject distance.

However, conventional automation was aimed at the greatest common denominator of users, and individual users were often dissatisfied with it.

Therefore, the problems related to the above function are shown below.

A) In the case of the automatic backlight detection function, the difference in brightness used to determine whether backlight photography or normal photography Even though I want it to detect it, it doesn't detect backlight, so I have to set the camera to forced flash mode.

Also, for other users, the level is low and the camera is detected as backlighting even though they do not want it to be detected, so they have to set the camera to flash off mode.

B) In the case of the low-brightness auto-flash function, the brightness used to determine whether or not the image will be shaky is fixed at a level that is the greatest common divisor, so even if some users decide that the image will not be shaky, Some users decided to use a flash because they thought it would result in a shaky photo, but in reality there was no need to do so.

C) In the case of the automatic shooting magnification setting function, the shooting magnification is fixed to the greatest common divisor, so
The preferred magnification will be different for each user.

(Objective of the Invention) The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a camera that can be modified to have automatic functions that suit the usage of each individual user.

(Features of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention determines whether or not there is a difference between data stored in a storage means and data of the same type as the data during actual camera operation, and If it is determined that there is a The feature is that various data can be rewritten to match the user's intentions.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In the same figure, numeral 1 indicates an arithmetic control circuit consisting of a microcomputer, etc., which performs arithmetic operations and control according to a flowchart to be described later; Memory such as RAM or EEFROM whose contents are updated; 3 is an average metering circuit that measures the average brightness of the shooting screen; 4 is a spot metering circuit that measures the brightness of the main subject on the shooting screen; 5 is a known flash circuit; , 6 is a camera shake detection circuit that detects camera shake during release, 7 is a focal length detection circuit that outputs a signal corresponding to the zoom position (focal length) of the zoom lens, 8 is a known distance measuring circuit, and 9 is a motor, etc. This is a zoom drive circuit that specifically drives a zoom lens.

SL is a switch that is turned on at the first stroke of the release button, S2 is a switch that is turned on at the second stroke, and S3
is the forced flash mode selection switch for the flash, S4 is the flash prohibition mode selection switch, S5 is the switch for selecting the long focal length side of the zoom lens, S6 is the switch for selecting the short focal length side of the zoom lens, and S7 is the automatic magnification setting. This is a switch to select the mode.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

1) During normal AE shooting, the first stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch S1 is turned on, but the flash mode has not been selected, FON=O, FOFF=0, and the arithmetic control circuit 1 Receive EVA from the output of average photometry circuit 3 and EVS from the output of spot photometry circuit 4 (#1 = #2
= #3 → #4).

Next, EVA is compared with the reference brightness level EVX for determining whether or not to perform automatic light emission, and since the subject is brighter, rEVA>EVXJ holds true. Therefore, next EV
Calculate the brightness difference EVD between A and EVS, and then read the backlight detection level EVY data from memory 2 (#5
= S6). Since I am currently shooting normally, the brightness difference EVD is E.
Since it is smaller than VY, rE, VD<EVYJ. Therefore, FOFF=1, and the flash-off AE photography mode is entered (Near-#9). After that, when the second stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch s2 is turned on, the release starts, and automatic focus control, automatic exposure control (not shown),
When the film is advanced and the release button is released, the flash mode is reset (:10-S).
12-S13-S14-S11).

2) During low-brightness auto-flash Similar to 1) above, the photometry results EVA and EVS are obtained, but since the subject is low-brightness, rEVA<EVXJ holds, FON=1, and flash photography mode is activated (S1- 82-#3-#4-#5-#8). After that, when the second stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch S2 is turned on, the release starts, flash photography is performed by the flash trigger signal to the flash circuit 5, and when the release button is released, the flash mode is reset. (S10→#12-:': 13=#14
→#11).

3) At the time of automatic backlight detection As in (A) above, the brightness difference EVD and the reference brightness level EVY are compared, but in (7) when there is a backlight scene, rEV
D>EVYJ is established. Then, FON=1 and flash photography mode is activated (S1→#2→#3-#
4 screams #5 screams #6 → #7 → #8).

Thereafter, the same operation as 2) above is performed.

4) When forced flash mode selection (S3: ON) when the subject is dark (EVA<EVX) When forced flash mode selection switch S3 is turned ON, light metering is performed in the same way as in 1) above, but when "EVA<EVXJ" Note, FON=1.FOFF=○, and flash photography mode is activated (#1-#15 = #16 =
#17 = #21).

After that, when the release button is pressed, F ON' = 1, so the release is performed in flash shooting mode (#
1-#2-#8-...).

5) When the subject is bright and backlight can be detected (EVA>
EVX, EVD>EVY) (7) When forced light emission mode is selected (S3: ON), since rEVA>EVXJ, the E read from memory 2
VY and EVD are compared, but since rEVD>EVYJ, FON=1. FOFF=O, and flash photography mode is activated (#1-#15-#16-117-6
18-': 19-#21).

In this case, the photographer's backlight judgment and the camera's automatic backlight detection judgment match.

6) When the subject is dark (EVA<EVX) and the flash prohibition mode is selected (S4: ON) When the flash prohibition mode selection switch S4 is turned ON, light metering is performed in the same way as in 1) above, but since "EVA<EVXJ" , FOFF=1.FON=0 and becomes AE shooting mode ('1-:15-#22-::23-424-
! :28).

After that, when the release button is pressed, FOFF=1, so the release is performed in AE shooting mode (#1 → #2 → #3
-#9-...).

7) When the subject is bright and backlight is not detected (EVA>
'EVX, EVD<EVY) (7) When flash prohibition mode is selected (S4: ON'), rEVA>EVXJ (7) makes EVD,! :EVY is compared, but since rEVD<EVYj, FOFF=l,
FON=O and enters AE shooting mode (#1-#
15-922→::23- #24→#25-1:
26-#28).

In this case as well, the photographer's backlight judgment and the camera's automatic backlight detection judgment match.

8) The camera's automatic backlight detection did not detect backlight (E
VA>EVX, EVD<EVY), but the photographer determines that the subject is backlit and selects forced flash mode (S3:0N).If the same judgment as in 1) above is made and the AE shooting mode is selected. (#1-#2-#3→#4→#5-#6-#7-#9
) When the photographer determines that there is backlight and releases the release button to press the forced flash mode selection switch S3, the switch S1 is turned OFF and the flash mode is reset (#10→#11).

After that, when switch S3 is pressed and turned ON, the above 5)
EVD and EVY are compared in the same way, but rEVD<E
VYJ note, EVY is subtracted by the minimum metering step △EV (for example, 1/8 stop), the result is written to memory 2 as new brightness difference data for backlight detection judgment, and FON
=1. The flash photography mode becomes FOFF=O (#
1-#15→#16→#17→#18→#19-#20
-#21).

In this case, since the backlight judgments of the camera and the photographer were different, the data was modified (learned) so that the camera's judgment was closer to the judgment of the photographer.

9) The camera's automatic backlight detection detected backlight (EVA>
EVX, EVD>EVY), the photographer judges that there is no need to fire the flash and selects the flash prohibition mode (S4: ON
) If the flash photography mode is selected based on the same judgment as in 3) above, (#1-#2-#3-4:4-#5-::6
-#7-#8) When the photographer judges that there is no need to fire the flash and releases the release button to press the flash prohibition mode selection switch, switch S1 turns OFF.
Flash mode is reset (#10 = #-
11).

After that, when switch S4 is pressed and turned ON, the above 7)
EVD and EVY are compared in the same way, but rEVD>E
VYJ note, EVY is added by the minimum photometry step △EV, the result is written to the memory 2 as new brightness difference data for backlight detection judgment, and FOFF=1. FON=O
becomes the AE shooting mode (#1-#15-::22-9
23-::24-# 25-:': 26-# 27-
:':28).

In this case as well, since the backlight judgments of the camera and the photographer were different, the data was corrected to bring the camera's judgment closer to the judgment of the photographer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation in another embodiment of the present invention. Note that the circuit configuration is the same as that in FIG.

11) When the subject is brighter than the standard level for determining automatic flash (EVA>EVX), but the camera shake is taken.

When the first stroke of the release button is pressed, the switch S1
When turned on, the arithmetic control circuit 1 receives EVA from the output of the average photometry circuit. Further, the data of the standard luminance level EVX for determining whether or not to perform automatic light emission is read from the memory 2 and compared with EVA. In this case rEVA>EV
Since it is XJ, FOFF=1 and flash off A
Enters E shooting mode (#31→#32-#33→#34
).

Thereafter, when the second stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch S2 is turned on, the release starts. The amount of camera shake at this time is detected by the camera shake detection circuit 6. The arithmetic control circuit 1 determines whether or not the camera shake is photographed based on the relationship between the amount of camera shake output from the camera shake detection circuit 6 and the shutter speed. In this case, it was camera shake shooting, so EVX is added by the minimum step △EVX, and the result is written to memory 2 as new automatic flash judgment brightness data (#36-1
37-939).

In this case, the amount of camera shake by the photographer was large compared to the camera's automatic flash level, so the automatic flash level data was corrected so that the next time the photo was taken, even if there was a similar amount of camera shake, the photo would not be shaky. Become.

12) The subject is darker than the automatic flash level (EVA<EV
When X) has a small amount of camera shake, EVA and EVX are compared in the same way as in 11) above, but if rEVA<EVXJ, FON=1, and the flash photography mode is turned on (#31-6).
32-#33-#35).

Thereafter, when the second stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch S2 is turned on, the release starts. The arithmetic control circuit 1 determines whether or not the camera shake is taken based on the relationship between the amount of camera shake output from the camera shake detection circuit 6 and the shutter speed. In this case, since there is little camera shake, EVX is subtracted by the minimum step △EVX, and The result is written to memory 2 as new automatic light emission determination brightness data (#36
-:37- #40).

In this case, the photographer holds the camera firmly and takes a picture, so the next time the photographer takes a picture, the auto-flash level will be changed so that even the darker subject can be photographed with AE without using the flash. The data has been corrected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation in another embodiment of the present invention. Note that the circuit configuration is the same as that in FIG.

21) When the long focal length side is selected (S5: ON), when the switch S5 is turned on, it is determined from the output of the focal length detection circuit 7 whether or not the photographing lens is at the position E end of the longest focal length, and the position E end is determined. If not, the zoom drive circuit 9 performs a position E drive to the long focal point side (#51 "#68=#
69 → #70).

Thereafter, when the switch S5 is turned off or is driven to the position E end, the position E drive is stopped.

22) When the short focal length side is selected (S6-ON) When switch S6 is turned ON, the photographing lens is set to the WiD camera with the shortest focal length.
It is determined by the output of the focal length detection circuit 7 whether or not it is at the E end, and if it is not at the WiDE end, WiDE drive to the short focal length side is performed by the zoom drive circuit 9 (:51-::68-#
71-#72-#73).

Thereafter, when the switch S6 is turned off or driven to the WiDE end, WiDE driving is stopped.

23) When the automatic magnification setting mode is selected (S720N) and the release is released, the first stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch S1
When ' is turned on, the distance measuring circuit 8 is operated to detect the distance to the subject. Next, data DZX for determining the magnification of the focal length f and the subject distance is read out from the memory 2,
Since the switch S7 is ON, the focal length f is calculated from the subject distance and DZX, and the zoom drive circuit 9 drives the photographing lens to zoom and set the focal length to f (
#51-#52-#53-#54-1:62-S63)
.

Thereafter, when the second stroke of the release button is pressed and the switch S2 is turned on, the release starts.

24) Automatic magnification setting mode is not selected (S7:0FF
) After reading the DZX from the memory 2 in the same way as in 23) above, the focal length f determined by the photographer is detected from the output of the focal length detection circuit 7, and the current focal length f is determined from the relationship with the subject distance. Calculate magnification data DZ (#51 → #52 → #53 =
#54→::55-S56). If DZ is greater than DZX, add DZX by the minimum step △DZ:
57-458), if DZ is smaller than DZX, DZX
Subtract by the minimum step △DZ: 57-#59-S
60), write to memory 2 as new magnification data (:
61).

The subsequent steps are the same as in 23) above.

In this case, the magnification data in memory 2 is corrected according to the magnification at the time of shooting when the automatic magnification setting mode is not selected, so when the automatic magnification setting mode is selected, the focal length magnification of the photographer's preference is used. can be set automatically.

According to each of the above embodiments, the data that serves as the criterion for automation is rewritten in accordance with the usage method of the user. In other words, in FIG.
#39 in the diagram. = 4o, the automatic flash level is set to 4th
In the figure::58. Since the automatic focal length magnification is rewritten in step #60, the more the user uses the camera, the more the user can unconsciously change the camera to the user's preferred camera.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not there is a difference between the data stored in the storage means and the data of the same type as the data during actual camera operation, and the difference is determined. If it is determined that there is a Since the data is rewritten to match the user's intentions, it becomes possible to provide a camera that can be changed to automated functions that suit the usage of each individual user.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing its operation, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation in another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the invention. 2 is a flowchart in an embodiment of the present invention. 1... Arithmetic control circuit, 2... Memory,
3... Average photometry circuit, 4... Spot photometry circuit, 5... Flash circuit, 6...
...Camera shake detection circuit, 7...Focal length detection circuit, 8...Distance measurement circuit 1.9...Zoom drive circuit, S3...Forced light emission Mode selection switch, S4... Flash prohibition mode selection switch, S5
, S6. S7...Switch.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a camera equipped with a storage means that stores data that serves as a discrimination criterion in camera automation, is there a difference between the data stored in the storage means and the same type of data as the data during actual camera operation? and data correction means for rewriting the data in the storage means if it is determined that there is a difference. (2) A photometer that measures the brightness of the main subject and the background within the photographic screen, a memory that stores the automatic backlight detection level, and the brightness levels of the main subject and background obtained by the photometer. a calculating means for calculating the difference between the two; a backlight determining means for comparing the difference signal from the calculating means with the automatic backlight detection level and determining whether or not to emit the auxiliary light; and forced emission of the auxiliary light. a first operation means for selecting forced flashing of the auxiliary light; a second operation means for selecting forced flash prohibition of the auxiliary light; and a second operation means for instructing photography based on the determination result of the backlight determination means when in automatic backlight photography mode; In a photographing mode in which the first or second operating means is operated, the first or second operating means is operated in a camera equipped with a photographing control means that instructs photographing based on these selections. In the photographing mode, if the discrimination result by the backlight discrimination means and the selection by the first or second operation means do not match, a backlight detection level correction means is provided for rewriting the automatic backlight detection level in the storage means. A camera characterized by: (3) A photometry device that measures the brightness within the shooting screen, a storage device that stores the low-brightness automatic flash level, and a device that compares the brightness level from the photometer with the low-brightness automatic flash level to prevent camera shake. In a camera equipped with an automatic light emission determination means for determining whether or not to automatically emit an auxiliary light for the camera, and a shake detection means for detecting shake of the camera,
Shake photography determining means for determining whether or not it was shake photography based on the shutter time determined based on the brightness level from the photometry means and the shake amount from the shake detecting means, and based on the determination result of the automatic light emission determining means. A low-brightness automatic flash level correcting means is provided for rewriting the low-brightness automatic flash level in the storage means when the photographic shake effect performed and the result determined by the vibration determining means do not match. Featured camera. (4) A distance measuring means for measuring the subject distance, a detection means for detecting externally set focal length information, a storage means for storing an automatic magnification for automatically changing the focal length, and an automatic magnification setting. In the shooting mode in which the automatic magnification is set, the lens is driven to the focal length position determined from the automatic magnification stored in the storage means and the information from the distance measuring means, and in the shooting mode in which the automatic magnification is not set, In a camera equipped with a lens drive control means for driving the lens to a focal length position detected by the means, in a shooting mode in which automatic magnification is not set, the focal length detected by the detection means and the distance measurement Calculate the automatic magnification at this time from the information from the means, compare the automatic magnification with the automatic magnification stored in the storage means, and if they do not match, change the automatic magnification in the storage means. A camera characterized by being provided with automatic magnification correction means for rewriting.